Hello Mexico!
Street art from @bouleroaxaca
Well hello, Mexico!!! All of the nerves and fears about travel melted away as soon as we arrived. I’ve been thinking of myself as quite out of practice for international travel – and just before departure we left an entire suitcase at my sister’s house after spending the night. Can’t be doing that on this trip.
Our first day was a long (but seamless) day of travel from JFK to Mexico City to Oaxaca…the boys even got in a few hours of schoolwork on the flights – reading, journaling and math worksheets. The excitement and joy of travel came rushing back. I can’t believe we get to do this…for months…and with our children.
We spent the first week in Oaxaca getting into a routine. We are staying about 25 minutes walking from the Becari Spanish School where the boys are taking classes each day. The walk has been delightful – chatting with Geoff about video games or the different uses of tortillas while we greet street vendors, take in the beautiful street art, or line up our plans for the afternoon. While they’re in school, I spend a few hours exploring museums and galleries, journaling, planning (always sooo much planning with this complicated trip..more on that later) and Matt puts in a few hours of work.
The kids have been coming out of school fully energized by the experience -- both learning the mechanics of the language and developing the bravery to speak in Spanish. This school is wonderful and their teacher Blanca is so patient with them. They love the program (and a bit of structure), and I honestly can’t believe that my two very different boys are enjoying all of this learning together.
The week went so well! To witness my boys taking in this experience is just the best. They are observing the colors, the incredible food, the bustling city life, the markets and single item shops (you need a battery, you have to find the battery guy; you need cheese, you have to find the cheese shop). The most incredible restaurants of the week: Las Quince Letras and Levadura de Olla for the amazing mole, chapulines (grasshoppers), tamales and mezcal.
