Two More Weeks And I Am in Puebla!!! Ay Dios!

I just received the second email from Noemi, a woman from Barcelona, who has worked at Calasanz for 9 months some time ago. She has been extremely helpful and her emails have revealed important and interesting things about what I should expect to encounter in Puebla. Her main message has been that working there will be worth it. The kids are amazing and adorable, she says. Yet, I was amazed at how much responsibilty she was given there, and I had to realise that the same will happen with me. She stayed at the house alone with the kids a few days a week. That is not likely to happen when I am there, but still it seems like hell of a lot of responsibilty for an unexperienced 19 year-old idealist like me. Well, I am determined to do my best. No matter how hard things will turn out to be, I will stay there and work my butt off. I have nothing better to do! (harsh facts) I am looking forward to going to Mexico soooo much. I will have to get used to that layed-back culture and the easygoing people, and the food and the beans and the heat and the whatever. I am so happy to get to do all that. It will probably be the craziest thing I have done so far in my boring life, and that is the thing that makes me smile the most. Why not, everyone should explore the world like this, without knowing what to expect!! Knowing very little about anything. Aaah. LESS THAN TWO WEEKS! I have to pack, go shopping for gifts for Alberto, Alejandro and the Calasanz kids! I have to apply to universities! I have to meet friends, sleep and eat chocolate, because who knows if I will have any of these things in Mexico.. No panic;) Not at all.

Perceptions and Perspectives

Why do I want to volunteer?
I want to challenge myself, consolidate my ideals and aims in life by getting involved in something I have no idea about, something that will amaze me, freak me out, scare me and make me cry. I want to see the poor people I so eagerly want to help in the future. A culture shock seems necessary at this point of my life. A shock that will open my small Finnish eyes, one that will make me realise my good fortune in life and that will make me humbler. I also want to see the faces of those little fellows I will be working with. I hope to make their daily life, as well as that of the organisation I will work for, easier. In addition, I just want to learn, teach and be taught, make young friends and see the world from a different perspective. I won't mind getting bored, angry, frustrated and tired, as long as I know the work I do is worth it.

Why do I want to volunteer in Mexico?
A country with all those colours, all those rich and the even more numerous poor people, all those big cities and vast differences intrigues me. I decided to volunteer a looong ago, and Mexico arose as the answer to my call. Reading about it, writing about it, knowing some interesting Mexicans and the fact that they speak a language I love and want to learn properly made my desire to go there arise.

My granny said it is ok that I go to Mexico. I can't understand her change of mind - she used to do everything to make me stay in Finland, in this tiny town full of racists and old people. My dad says no, no only. Never, no, don't, no, no. He won't accept it, but I have almost never cared of his opinion.. It is difficult to take such narrow-mindedness seriously at this point of my life;)

Hmm.. Some 4 weeks to go. I should go and see a dentist soon! My Spanish dictionary is also calling for some personal, dedicated attention..

Preparing to Go

Still in Finland. Or, more accurately, I just came back from my European Tour. Sofia and Prague now behind me, I can start looking forward to going to Puebla. I have, gor approx. 6 monthts been preparing to volunteer in Hogares Calasanz, Puebla, Mexico. I was just informed that I will be allocated in a house with 8-11 year-old boys - orphans, abandoned, abused, street children, 13 of them. I will live with them, take care of them in all ways, play football, go to church, eat, clean and watch tv with them. Let's see.. I have very little idea of what to expect. Still in Finland, safe and sound.