Cinco de Mayo !
Hi Everyone !!
I hope that everyone's Holidays were relaxing and fun! We had a good break, the Easter Bunny came and hid the Kids' colorful eggs. He is not a busy guy here, though. Hallmark's marketing efforts are not too strong south of the border. I couldn't find Easter Egg Dye kits, (you know the non-toxic, washable ones designed by folks that have seen kindergarten aged kids operate!) So, we stripped the kids down, covered the table with vinyl, and did it the old fashioned way, with Food Coloring !! Happily, no one suffered any pink and orange and blue stains for very long !
The weather is getting really great at about this time, winter over, spring starting, you know, seasons. . . Kind of a memory for me, really, since I've spent the past 15 years in a Tropical time warp, trying to forget about frozen cement steps and that feeling that your nose gets when you are walking home and it's REALLY cold out ! Here, it's more like Southern California, maybe a bit Nevada. Cool mornings and evenings, breezy warm days, and dry, dry air.
Unfortunately, we had the opportunity to experience the "060" system here. Translated, that is "911". I am pretty impressed and thankful.
We were at our 3rd visit to the beautiful, NEW library, with a beautiful NEW playground area. Rubberized floors and nice equipment. Steven lost his balance from a climbing platform and falls about 7 feet, landing first on his cheek and shoulder. Pretty terrifying, He was knocked out for a short time. Not knowing his injuries, I'm yelling for an ambulance, the 3 security guards with radios call, and within a couple of minutes, an ambulance is parked in the playground, and Steven has been examined by the E.M.T.'s, decided he has no spinal injuries, but off to the E.R. for some head photos. I am going to venture a guess that the rubberized floor was the reason there were no serious injuries. A slight bruise on his cheek, and minor abrasions from the hot surface. I can't imagine that fall onto hard dirt or grass.
A young woman was helping me speak to the E.M.T.'s. She spoke perfect English with a slightly familiar accent. She offers to go with us to the Hospital. It turns out that she has the phone number to an excellent Neurologist on her cell phone. He is there within 10 minutes, does a CAT scan right away. We had to wait a full 3 minutes for the results of the scan. He is fine, no injuries or swelling. He was released with instructions to closely monitor him. His behavior was normal, and was his old self within a couple of days. He is such a brave little guy. Yet another reminder of how one's life could change in a heartbeat.
I have to say that the hospital is not one of the prettiest ones, but there were no forms, interviews, and the normal blah blah that we've encountered in FL emergency rooms. This experience was efficient and considerate. They took our information from us only after he had been given the thumbs-up to be released.
The woman that was helping me worked at the Library, and that was her first day back from vacation. From her Honeymoon, a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. Her Mother is an American, from Brooklyn, no less! There's the familiar accent ! Then, that same night at a business appointment that had been scheduled earlier, Neil's folks meet a man who happens to know the story of Steven's afternoon, in detail. It turns out that his daughter is the woman who was helping me!!! Whata small world !!!
A little bit of Trivia - Very few Mexicans know or care what "Cinco de Mayo" is !!! I was expecting 3 days of Fireworks, and all the fiestas that go along with it. But when I asked about the parties for "5 de Mayo" all I got was a confused look, and "ya, y manana es 6 de Mayo." What's the big deal?? I notice online at MSN, articles for "Authentic Recipies for your Cinco de Mayo cookout" and a restaurant finder: "find the Cinco de Mayo Party in your city". So, Americans like the holiday more than the Mexicans do !! Go figure !!
Our BIG day was the 12 of May, when Uncle Thor found himself at the Mexico City airport, wondering what bad reality TV show he had just been shoved into!! For all the history and culture that Mexico City has to offer, the airport does a pretty good job of making any newcomers feel like chasing their plane back down the runway - NNNOOOOO !! Don't leave me here ! ! ! !
The kids had been ecstatic, waiting for his arrival. They were so thrilled to show Thor around Mexico. Of course, the tour started with the Pill-bug (insect) in the front yard, the chalk-art on the sidewalk, and included a detailed inspection of the toy boxes, and pointing out "Old McDonalds" - the golden arches and Blockbuster from the patio. I don't think Steven took a breath for about 28 minutes! Just a continuous conversation of "guess what, Uncle Thor, look at this Uncle Thor, don't touch that, Uncle Thor, look at this, Uncle Thor, come here Uncle Thor, Be careful going down the stairs, Uncle Thor - and on and on and on ! ! ! It was GREAT !!
So, we gave our visitor a tour of our little world. School, front yard, back yard, a birthday party, with a real Pinata bashing! The Mission where we play after school, San Miguel de Allende, Torta (sandwich) stands and steak-houses. Just for fun, we arranged for a scorpion to make an appearance, (just kidding, no arranging !!!) also, an introduction to the very important pre-shower ritiual of: naked kids dance, wiggle, and race around the room!
A few quotes from his experience: "que paso!", "aAaAggggHHHHhh", "the milk tastes funny", "what exactly do you have to do to get pulled over around here?", and "I can't believe it!".
From his 6-day adventure, Thor could probally write a coffee-table book titled: "But Why?" relating to an American's disbelief at the many different things that you thought you would never see, as well as the most commonly-asked question in our home!!
Thank you, Uncle Thor for your vacation with us, reading stories, playing football, being brave, and of course endless Hi-fives and Hugs for Nieces and Nephews!!
I hope that everyone's Holidays were relaxing and fun! We had a good break, the Easter Bunny came and hid the Kids' colorful eggs. He is not a busy guy here, though. Hallmark's marketing efforts are not too strong south of the border. I couldn't find Easter Egg Dye kits, (you know the non-toxic, washable ones designed by folks that have seen kindergarten aged kids operate!) So, we stripped the kids down, covered the table with vinyl, and did it the old fashioned way, with Food Coloring !! Happily, no one suffered any pink and orange and blue stains for very long !
The weather is getting really great at about this time, winter over, spring starting, you know, seasons. . . Kind of a memory for me, really, since I've spent the past 15 years in a Tropical time warp, trying to forget about frozen cement steps and that feeling that your nose gets when you are walking home and it's REALLY cold out ! Here, it's more like Southern California, maybe a bit Nevada. Cool mornings and evenings, breezy warm days, and dry, dry air.
Unfortunately, we had the opportunity to experience the "060" system here. Translated, that is "911". I am pretty impressed and thankful.
We were at our 3rd visit to the beautiful, NEW library, with a beautiful NEW playground area. Rubberized floors and nice equipment. Steven lost his balance from a climbing platform and falls about 7 feet, landing first on his cheek and shoulder. Pretty terrifying, He was knocked out for a short time. Not knowing his injuries, I'm yelling for an ambulance, the 3 security guards with radios call, and within a couple of minutes, an ambulance is parked in the playground, and Steven has been examined by the E.M.T.'s, decided he has no spinal injuries, but off to the E.R. for some head photos. I am going to venture a guess that the rubberized floor was the reason there were no serious injuries. A slight bruise on his cheek, and minor abrasions from the hot surface. I can't imagine that fall onto hard dirt or grass.
A young woman was helping me speak to the E.M.T.'s. She spoke perfect English with a slightly familiar accent. She offers to go with us to the Hospital. It turns out that she has the phone number to an excellent Neurologist on her cell phone. He is there within 10 minutes, does a CAT scan right away. We had to wait a full 3 minutes for the results of the scan. He is fine, no injuries or swelling. He was released with instructions to closely monitor him. His behavior was normal, and was his old self within a couple of days. He is such a brave little guy. Yet another reminder of how one's life could change in a heartbeat.
I have to say that the hospital is not one of the prettiest ones, but there were no forms, interviews, and the normal blah blah that we've encountered in FL emergency rooms. This experience was efficient and considerate. They took our information from us only after he had been given the thumbs-up to be released.
The woman that was helping me worked at the Library, and that was her first day back from vacation. From her Honeymoon, a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. Her Mother is an American, from Brooklyn, no less! There's the familiar accent ! Then, that same night at a business appointment that had been scheduled earlier, Neil's folks meet a man who happens to know the story of Steven's afternoon, in detail. It turns out that his daughter is the woman who was helping me!!! Whata small world !!!
A little bit of Trivia - Very few Mexicans know or care what "Cinco de Mayo" is !!! I was expecting 3 days of Fireworks, and all the fiestas that go along with it. But when I asked about the parties for "5 de Mayo" all I got was a confused look, and "ya, y manana es 6 de Mayo." What's the big deal?? I notice online at MSN, articles for "Authentic Recipies for your Cinco de Mayo cookout" and a restaurant finder: "find the Cinco de Mayo Party in your city". So, Americans like the holiday more than the Mexicans do !! Go figure !!
Our BIG day was the 12 of May, when Uncle Thor found himself at the Mexico City airport, wondering what bad reality TV show he had just been shoved into!! For all the history and culture that Mexico City has to offer, the airport does a pretty good job of making any newcomers feel like chasing their plane back down the runway - NNNOOOOO !! Don't leave me here ! ! ! !
The kids had been ecstatic, waiting for his arrival. They were so thrilled to show Thor around Mexico. Of course, the tour started with the Pill-bug (insect) in the front yard, the chalk-art on the sidewalk, and included a detailed inspection of the toy boxes, and pointing out "Old McDonalds" - the golden arches and Blockbuster from the patio. I don't think Steven took a breath for about 28 minutes! Just a continuous conversation of "guess what, Uncle Thor, look at this Uncle Thor, don't touch that, Uncle Thor, look at this, Uncle Thor, come here Uncle Thor, Be careful going down the stairs, Uncle Thor - and on and on and on ! ! ! It was GREAT !!
So, we gave our visitor a tour of our little world. School, front yard, back yard, a birthday party, with a real Pinata bashing! The Mission where we play after school, San Miguel de Allende, Torta (sandwich) stands and steak-houses. Just for fun, we arranged for a scorpion to make an appearance, (just kidding, no arranging !!!) also, an introduction to the very important pre-shower ritiual of: naked kids dance, wiggle, and race around the room!
A few quotes from his experience: "que paso!", "aAaAggggHHHHhh", "the milk tastes funny", "what exactly do you have to do to get pulled over around here?", and "I can't believe it!".
From his 6-day adventure, Thor could probally write a coffee-table book titled: "But Why?" relating to an American's disbelief at the many different things that you thought you would never see, as well as the most commonly-asked question in our home!!
Thank you, Uncle Thor for your vacation with us, reading stories, playing football, being brave, and of course endless Hi-fives and Hugs for Nieces and Nephews!!
posted by Tiff @ 7:41 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home