Loving on Austin

28/02/08
I found a place to stay in Austin with much confusion. Austin is amazing. It's like the little brother of Houston that no one takes seriously but is way
more fun. This place has amazing outdoors, a little river, a spring fed public swimming people, all kinds of thrift stores, it's a college town, and it
is titled "America's Live Music Capital", which I wouldn't debate. I really feel happy here. Tony Bologna put it well when he said, "Yeah, Austin is so
cool you forget you're in Texas." So I got here and explored downtown a lot. I went to this bookstore and while I was looking around they announced that
the Governor of Texas, something Perry, was coming in for a talk and booksigning. So I stuck around, but he only talked for like 5 minutes, literally. It
was real boring too. Then I walked around some more and ended up finding my way to Haley's house, where I'm staying and watched Top Model for the first and
last time ever, then South Park. That was yesterday.
Today, I woke up real early and went to the biggest Goodwill in the nation, then to the half price bookstore next door and spent like $30 for like 15 used
books. I'm pretty happy as it should keep me supplied through my duration in Mexico. Next, I went to the natural springs, but they are closed on Thursday
for cleaning. I hung out in some parks nearby and read the local RFT equivalent for shows. I went to this part of town called SoCo which is all thrift
stores and antique stores, but it's all botiques which means like three times as much as it should be. I went down by the river and walked along it for a
while and read. I met some guys who were waiting for the bats to come out from under the bridge at dusk, so I waited with them but they never came - it's
too early in the year. I climbed a tree and kept on loving Austin. Then I went to the best pizza slice joint I've been to in a while.
So here's the good part. I found in this magazine that Trebuche was playing tonight at the Red Eyed Fly. Trebuche is a band from Columbia, MO and I'm friends
with one of the guys from it. So I thought it'd be cool to go see him and his band and I figured he'd put me on the list. So I get to the venue and I met
one of the other guys from the band. I told him that I'm friends with Justin from Trebuche. So this guy is like, "Oh, Justin just left. He'll be back in
a minute. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you." So I keep talking to this guy and all his friends and the other bands. Then when Justin gets back, it's
not the Justin I know at all, just some random other guy. Then I realize this is not the same band Trebuche and I guess this is a fairly common band name.
By this time I'm friends with all the guys, so they got me into the show for free. The show was ok, but sleep is more exciting. So here I go.

Houston

26/02/08
Um... let's see. It's been a few days. I made it to Houston. I followed to big, funny Mexican guys Robert and Polo. It was 6 easy hours from the border
to Austin, Texas and I was accompanied by my boy ODB. I really love my car. I realized this again during this trip. We got in at like 9 at night on the
24th and Robert and Polo let me stay the night with them. I spent most the night online looking for a couchsurfer the next day as they had more family
arriving and wouldn't be able to accomodate me for another day. The next day I drove around with Polo who showed me some of his worksites. He does construction.
Then he drove me around downtown and found the general area of where my interview was. We went out for some really good tacos, then went our seperate ways
and I met up with a couchsurfer Paul who said he can host me. He lives downtown in a fancy loft. This guy is all money and lots of fun. He's 24 and does
something similar to stockbroking, but he trades energy only: oil, gas, water, and so on. I unloaded my stuff in his place and then we got into his fancy
BMW convertible and hit the town around 7 pm. Houston is a big, beautifully overrated city best admired on a 70 degree night by convertible. Paul kept talking
about money and trading and all this stuff and I kept laughing and smiling and telling him how much he reminds me of the guys from Boiler Room. We agreed having
money isn't all it's cracked out to be, but it fun to see all the stuff he's got. We went to Houston's China town where we had Korean sandwiches, then
crawfish which was an experience itself. I tried the brains and the claws along with the main body segment of meat. Then we had this amazing Korean shaved
ice dessert stuff. We cruised Houston some more listening to rap from the dirty south. Then we went back to his loft, and went out on the roof where he
has an amazing view of downtown. We went inside and Paul did some drugs then we went to bed. This brings us up to today. I woke up, studied all kinds of
Japanese history, culture, and geography stuff to prepare for the interview. I got there and they stuck me in a room with like 8 other interviewees and we
all hung out and talked until they called us one by one. I think I did alright. As good as I could have. I spoke clearly, made good eye contact, and looked
reallllllly good, if you know what I mean. Now that I have that over with I can relax; I don't even find out if I made it until May.
Tonight I went to the Rockets game. Probably bad time as it's the first game since Yoa Ming got injured. It was still fun watching Tracy McCrady dunk and
Dokumbe denying all the Wizards. It was a pretty bad game as the Rockets made the Wizards look like a WNBA team and won 94-69. Tomorrow I'm planning on
going to Austin, if I can find a couchsurfer.

Ah, gotta run.

Right now, I'm leaving for Texas or Reynosa again. I'm not sure. I feel as though I've been running around a lot, which is weird as I have absolutely no commitments or pressures aside from preparing for my interview. Also, I posted some pics on facebook, here:

http://missouri.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2237769&page=2&id=15903365

I will try to post some here eventually, but now.... I don't know how and I've only got some minutes.

Gracias adios!

20/02/08
Today was pretty standard, had an amazing breakfast, ran some errands with Artemio, Raymoundo, and Marichewie, and picked up Maryanna. Then I remembered it's
cheap Wednesdays at the movies, so I saw Rambo. It was pretty bad, but had Spanish subtitles, so that was kinda cool. Then I watched the lunar eclipse with
Artemio and Maryanna until 8 when Alejandro and Monica picked me up and we went to Bible study at some chick's house. It was cool, but I grasped very little
of the lesson. Then it was time for prayer requests and someone asked me, in English, if I had in. So in my best Spanish I said "Quiero Aprender Espanol"
(I want to learn Spanish). Everyone laughed at me, so I explained how serious I was and Alejandro told me that it's supposed to be for like sick family
or something. Afterwards, I met some nice people and one chick who teaches English here and is not allowed to use Spanish at all and she told me that
maybe she can get me a job. Chida!

No Tarjeta es Buen Tarjeta

19/02/08
Nothing too exciting. Oh yeah, back in the States some people in New York who stole my wallet are trying to steal my identity and make more credit cards in my name, so
that's kinda fun. Rita, Raymoundo, and I had an awesome breakfast and shopped for a few hours. Then Raymounda and I drove back to Monterrey. We took the
free road which was nice, as the toll road between Reynosa and Monterrey is $30 a way. What's really cool, when we got to Monterrey, which is a huge city,
Raymoundo got us pretty lost and I found our way home. It's reassuring as I'm kinda afraid to explore in fear that I'll get lost. So hopefully that helped
defeat that a bit. We'll be in Monterrey for a few days, then back to Reynosa, and then Houston for my interview. Now we're watching a football game and
trying to connect to the internet, so I can post all this junk in case anyone wants to waste their time living through me.
A few interesting notes I forgot to mention: 1) I think the family has really taken me in and is putting up with me quite nicely, evidenced by Rita telling
me that I should have gotten here earlier so I could have married one of her daughters. 2) Raymoundo doesn't want Obama for his president. "No quiero
presidento negro" or something like that. 3) When Alicia and I were at her other aunt's house, the uncle asked about our relationship or something
and Alicia said that we were just friends. Then he looked at me and said something that I didn't understand, so I went to my default answer, which is to
smile really big and nod "si". Alicia, said "no", and informed me that he had asked if we were sleeping together. I thought this was quite amusing given
my response.

Family time

18/02/08
We woke up and went back to Pharr for Raymoundo to try to drop off his truck because he was in an accident and wants his insurance to fix it. They were
closed for President's Day. Who knew? Then we went to his family's house for dinner. After that we went to Raymoundo's trailer home in Alamo, Texas. It's
pretty awesome. It has three rooms and all kinds of stuff. We hung out there most of the day, had chicken fajitas then went to a mass for their past family.
It was pretty nice, but I don't know how to do any of the rituals, like singing or crossing your chest or when to sit or stand or kneel. Afterwards, we went
back to Rita's sisters for dough nuts and drinks. Then we went back to the trailer home and I read until I fell asleep.

Adios Alicia, Hola Reynosa

17/02/08
Today, Alicia and I went to Reynosa. Then she left back for the States. So I lost my translator, tour guide, navigator, and companion. Let's see how I
manage on my own. It's gonna be fun. I spent most the day in Reynosa with Raymoundo and his family. We had lunch and hung out at their house, then
Raymoundo took me to downtown Reynosa. They were having some festival, I guess they do every Sunday. There was a live band and sooo many people. I am
taller than all of them and stick out soooooo greatly. I got a bunch of good looks from people. We walked around a lot and Raymoundo bought me tortas.
I also bought 3 bootlegged movies in Spanish, hopefully to help me learn: The Legend, Knocked Up, and Apocalypto. 3 for $10.

Pharr, Texas

15/02/08 - 16/02/08
Alicia and I went shopping with Elsie followed by a buffet with her middle-aged, married housewife friends. The food was excellent, and they had Agua
de Horchate. It wouldn't have been a day in Mexico, if I didn't gorge myself at least once. Then we went home, picked up Rita and drove to Reynosa. We
dropped her off in Reynosa and continued into Pharr, Texas. They should call it "Far from Exciting". Hahahaha. It's just a small, south Texas city.
I got to meet a lot more of Alicia's family though and eat a lot. We went out to two bars Friday and Saturday night. Her friends are cool, but that's about
all Pharr has to offer.

Feliz Dia del Amor y Amistad

14/02/08
Alicia, Artemio, and I went to Cola de Caballo which is basically a big, kickass waterfall. They call it the Cola de Caballo - Horse Tail - because as
the water falls down, it also fans out, making it cascade similar to the way a horse's tail looks. It was beautiful and I took several pictures. Then
we went to Temo's house. He bought some land for $3000 and is building a house there for about another $3000+, so he has a beautiful, costume, new house
for like $7000. Sounds really nice to me right now, if I new a thing or two about building houses. After that we went to a Mexican buffet. Then Alicia
and I went out with Temo and Adrianna. We tried like 3 clubs, dancing and karaoke and whatnot. They were all packed for Valentine's Day, so we went and
played pool. I shot the worst 3 games of my life. Singlehandedly losing our first two games by scratching on the eight ball in two consecutive games.

Las peliculas baratas

This morning we woke up early, at 8, to take my car to a mechanic who is friends with Artemio. They replaced my spark plugs, but said the wires, pressure
valve, and fuel injector also need to be replaced. He was very nice and when I get the parts, I will take it back to him. Next, we picked up Mariana
and Elia from there house and came home. We've been taking it easy today, which is nice. Artemio showed me how to work his nut cracker and I ate several
pine nuts while listening to his mariachi music. Alicia, Elia, and I went to the movies and saw El Orfanato - a Spanish horror movie about a haunted
orphanage. It only costs 280 pesos = $2.70 to see a movie on Wednesdays and it's like $4 any other days. I am very excited about that. Also, it helps
improve my Spanish as films are spoken in English with Spanish subtitles. After the movie we came home and lounged around some more. Artemio showed me
his karaoke skills and I sang some Shakira as that is the only music he has with English lyrics. We had hamburgesas for dinner which come standard with
guacamole, ham, and salami in case there's not enough meat in the burger for you. It was nice to have a slow paced day as we've been running around as
Alicia and I have been busy seeing everything and meeting everyone.

Que honda con "hombres"?

12/02/08
Adriana took us out to a buffet breakfast where I had enchiladas, beans, hash browns, bread, fried tortillas, a made to order omelet, fruit, and the
most delicious juice I've ever had. It was canalope. I ate way too much, which is status quo for here. Everywhere I go, they insist I eat and try
many different things. It's great. After breakfast, they talked me into shopping for a cell phone against my better judgment. We went to a few
places and I got a Telcel phone for $70. It's prepaid and is nicer than I was expecting. I plan to use it minimally or "por emerjencicios y mujures."
Adriana took us back home were we relaxed for a bit. Then we went back out. I drove which was my first time in Mexico as it is much different.
The lanes are rarely painted and only suggested. Many roads are one way. Driver are pinche locos. I drove us to the Macro Plaza which is the museum area and
cultural headquarters which held the first church in Monterrey. This area blew me away. It's an area of parks, museums, bars, and other businesses
surrounded by mountains on two sides. It had amazing sculptures and architecture and even better people watching. You can't find a boring view there if
you tried. The only thing I can equate it to in STL is if Forest Park was immediately surrounded by everything interesting from downtown and the Loop.
There were a group of protesters outside the museum who were fighting for higher pay and benefits for teachers - Josh Wedding!
We went into a free museum on the evolution of Monterrey's government and politics. Afterwards, we sat in one of the parks and watched people pass. There
was a lady in a red jumpsuit listening to headphones and dancing wildly - truly as if no one was watching. We debated on whether or not she was mentally
ill, but she looked like she was having fun either way. We returned home and played a Mexican board game called Muinas with Chewy where you roll dice and
move marbles across the board. It's more complicated than that and very competitive. I got second, Alicia came in first, and Chewy era perderora. Alicia's
family has really taken me in. Artemio makes jokes with his other sons that I am their long lost brother because they have light skin complexion and colored
eyes, like me. Artemio continually expresses concern about me travelling, citing that people routinely get killed or robbed here in Mexico. His sons have
since offered to help me plan affordable flights and hotels to avoid driving in dangerous parts of the city. Also, they are planning a few different family
trips - maybe a hunting trip - which they've agreed to take me on.

After the game Alicia's friend Monica picked us up to take us out for tacos. First, we picked up her friend Alejandro, then we went to this taco restaurant
which was stylized like an American bar and grill. Picture Hooters, minus the waitresses, plus futbol on the TVs. I got a chicken taco served with beans
and french fries. It was huge and excellent, likely the best taco I've ever had. After dinner, the four of us returned to Macro Plaza where we walked along
Santa Lucia which is Monterrey's version of the San Antonio River Walk. It was about a mile long and had very beautiful fountains, many bridges, and
beautiful architecture all along it. I talked a lot with Alejandro who I feel confident will become a good friend. He speaks great English, like art and
music, enjoys traveling and has been to Europe and plans to go back. We may travel and he says he will take me out with his friends on the weekend after
I get back from Houston for my JET interview. He also said he will help me more with my Spanish, especially "the art of flirting." While we were walking,
there was a section of rocks that were dark and Alicia told me to walk there. I did, but found out that I was standing in 6 inches of water. It was a
decieving fountain which only looked like rocks, but actually was covered by water. They all laughed at my expense and took several pictures. I joked that
my two days in Mexico had given me two opportunities to make an ass of myself. Hahahaha.

Pequino Culture Shock

11/02/08
We slept in a bit and Artemio and Chewy took me to the local marketplace which was very busy and confusing. I spent the entire time trying to stay out of
the way. The bought chillis, rice, beans, and other food and Artemio bought a papaya which he cut up and shared with me when
we got home - muy rico y dulce. Then all of us went and picked up Mariana from school and took her to her mother's house Elia. We all went out to
eat at Cabrelito's for the local specialty, which is goat. It was very good and did taste like chicken. Unfortunately, when we got there, I had to use
the restroom and was in a bit of a hurry and went into the women's restroom. In my defense, it was unmarked, but as I was coming out several women were
entering. Kinda embarrassing, really funny. The family is loving to share this story with everyone. After lunch We went back home and had some down
time before the remainder of the family came over for a large barbeque. I lied down for a nap, but I couldn't sleep as my mind was running. I was having
my first strike of culture shock. Here's how it went:

"What the fuck am I doing? I quit my job. I moved out of the best housing situation I could have asked for. Here I am, I know one person and she's
leaving in 5 days. I can't speak at more than an elementary level with anyone here. Crime, I know I will get held up. I don't even have any money,
because my debit card is not working (it's still not) How am I going to figure my way around? How can I travel if I can't communicate with people?
I have no one here. Oh me gato!!!"

Then I took a walk with Alicia, vented, and she talked me out of it. She has been more than amazing this trip. We went back home and the family arrived
for dinner. I met her cousins Temo and Javi who are both super fun and speak English - up until this point no one I had met did. I talked with them
and their families and this was very comforting. After dinner Javi and Temo took Alicia, Artemio, and I to the top of a mountain where you could
overlook all of Monterrey. The view was one of the best in my life, second only to the view from Osaka Tower in Japan where Kenji's cousins took us.
I can't describe it better than that, but please see the pictures when I get them up.

Dia 2: Dallas to Monterrey

10/03/08
Alicia and Gladys made eggs and powdered meat for breakfast which was very good and we hit the road around 10:00 am. We made it to the border by 8pm and
changed our dollars in for pesos. We crossed the border and attempted to register my car. We both thought I had all the needed paperwork, but the border
security hassled us (Alicia said they were hoping for a bribe). I called Jeff who e-mailed me my current title and saved the day. While we were waiting,
we went to Tia Rita's house for homemade chicken tamales which were amazing and pretty hot with the added salsa. Then we went to Marco's to print the
title from his e-mail and succeeded to cross the border, by now it was midnight. We were already very tired having been on the road for 2 days straight,
but Alicia drove us the remaining 3 hours to Monterrey. On the way, a man dressed as a cop or construction worker had put traffic cones down to blockade
the road down to one lane and attempted to wave us down, but we drove past confused. Later Artemio said this may have been a trick to try to rob or
deceive us. We made it home and we crashed at Artemio and Chewy's for a grand total of 1391.4 miles.

Dia 1: STL to Dallas

09/02/08
Alicia and I left St. Louis at 8:30 am. We hit Arkansas and filled up for the first time. When I restarted the car, the check engine light came on
and the car was vibrating quite noticably. We stumbled upon an Auto Zone who said it was probably watered down gas which happens frequently in the
area. This ended up not being the case; currently, I think it is a blown spark plug. We drove on and made it to Dallas that night were we stayed
with Alicia's friend Gladys, who was our age regardless of her name.