Well I have arrived.
It have only spent two full days here an have already seen and done a lot.
Woke up sunday and walked downtown with my host mom. Found my school, only 10 minutes away. Went and watched the state band play and wandered through some markets. Tasted random food. Bought some grasshoppers for dinner. Bartered and watched futbol. Oaxaca is so pretty. I live about 20 minutes from the downtown area and it is fairly¨slum like¨ the farther you get away. But that doesn´t bother me. The people are cool, friendly, etc. My family doesn´t speak any english, so if i cant explain my self…there is just awkward silence. I took a walk out to the big mall outside of town today. there is a mcdonalds, burger king and Sam´s club. Annoying to see that stuff, but I knew it was here. People like to light off fireworks and blare loud horns randomly…next to my ears. I went to the doctor with one of the sons in my house, Hector. He likes to be called Yu-yo for some reason. they are more open here. They stand closer and are generally more comfortable with things. I am going to start playing soccer on sundays with yu-yos adult team. I cant wait. I hope I am not too out of shape. Adios for now…

I leave on Saturday. Hmm…
I am just chillin with Woody at home here trying to nurse my illness so I don’t die twice on the way down to Oaxaca.
My classes got all screwed up, but hopefully it all works out.
If anyone would like to write me letter here is my address…

Ben Estes
a/c Instituto Welte
Apdo. 518
68000 Oaxaca
Oaxaca, Mexico

Xerox me your ass and send it to me please. K thanks!
I will also be trying to update my blog
http://blog.benestes.com
Probably just random stories so I remember everything that happens.
Adios

I met up with my good olde friend Senora Carbajal today. We talked about WHOAHAKA today among other things. Im glad I met with her. She caused me to chill out and not be so nervous. After two weeks everything will be fine. And she said, from her experience that 85% of people she knows, students, that study in Oaxaca come back with un novio o novia. Boyfriend or girlfriend. Daaaaaaammn.

Things to remember
Address in Ud. until told otherwise. Always fault on formalness.
Be aware of manners. They are much more formal than the US or Europe.
Dammit I’m forgetting already
She wants me to try the meat, because it is better. And the dishes are good. Hmmm. I don’t think so.
She says don’t make too good of friends with the other gringos in the group. Dont speak english
I dont want to speak english for 4 months.
Try to ask the family to hook me up with people my age. Not hook up, meet up with.
Ask my program director to help me find volunteer work. Etc
Ask program director if he knows where I can meet up with environmental organizations.
Dont waste time by going out drinking and then sleep all day to rest, and then go back out the next night…BE PRODUCTIVE…BE BE PRODUCTIVE…

Papi! No me quiero ir….jaja….

President George W. Bush supports a voluntary plan for industry to cut greenhouse gas output.
And this makes complete sense. Cuz most industries I know LOVE to lose money.
…And so the volunteers lined up…
Well we could just pass something that makes them?
Or is the money just too good that they keep feeding you?

Is three months, three weeks long enough?
I can’t wait to be settled in Oaxaca and relax. Everyone worries. But this kind of worrying is annoying me. I know I have no control over many of the factors. Anyways…

So, I am pretty anal (gross) about my music. Every couple of weeks when I go home, no internet over summer, I get a butt-load of albums. And then get bored with them after a few weeks or so, unless they are really good. So..imma be hella bored in mexico without new music.

I called this old british guy at work today and I asked whether he worked or not and he said “thank god no.”
It made me jealous. I want to do nothing and wait for death! YEAH!!!!

Oh and someone finally signed up for comments! gracias! gRaCiAs! GRACIAS!
You can sign up too. And leave quirky comments. Cuz its trendy.

I haven’t been able to get this thing to work for a while. So…
Have been swimming a lot and doing other things.
Been trying to get ready for Oaxaca a lot.
Getting all the last minute things together.
I leave Bham in a week. Next monday.
Then I leave for Oaxaca five days after that.
I am slightly nervous.

But very excited.

I have been working a lot. Gardening and random work out by the soccer park and doing phone surveys downtown. Hoping to make quite a bit of money for Oaxaca.
I am only going to be gone for 3 months and 3 weeks. Not as much time as I thought. But hopefully enough time to master a hold of the spanish language.

I was just calling an old couple for a survey and they told me they felt like 3 year old retards when they were taking the survey. So I laughed at them. Old people. Old people. Old people. I can’t wait to be one. You know the wheelchairs will be crazy when we are in our 80’s. Oh! the things to look forward to.

I am hoping there are art stores in Oaxaca. Cheap too. I bet if I had some free time I could whip up some artwork. Hmm.
It is quite a large city. I would be sure there would be art stores.
I have seen a bunch of street art homiez on flickr and from Alica pictures from the downtown areas.

I think I want to go already.
I hope I get small kids for my homestay.
And funny. I hope they are funny and like to drink. That could be entertaining and a good way to learn Spanish. Oh and they better have a car so they can take me on roadtrips. Who wouldn’t take me on a roadtrip.

K bye