Its been an eventful few months since I went off to Mexico a few months ago:
1) Mexico By Bus --
Image above is from my Facebook Places map. I sometimes think I only travel so I can put virtual pins on that map. It also looks like I need pins in Eastern Mexico. ¡Me iré proximo tiempo!
2) Peace Corps Reboot (Or Response) -- a lot of movies nowadays are reboots of old films -- Batman, Superman, Star Trek, etc. Probably due to a lack of original ideas, as the reboot of 21 Jump St ironically says. Well, I also have a bit of a reboot -- Peace Corps. I've been invited to be a Peace Corps Response volunteer in Panama promoting environmental education. I'm scheduled to fly out in early September.
I was actually surprised to be invited for this assignment since the process took quite a while. The assignment was supposed to start in July, but I wasn't notified until it was practically 1-2 days before July. On the day I got the email, I was already making backup plans -- I was at a TEFL school in Guadalajara, Mexico getting information on how I could enroll so I can get an English teaching certificate. I figured I was going to be teaching English, not environmental education. Well, as Ryry, a former PCV buddy once told me, "Have a little faith, man."
3) SoCal -- after getting my invitation, I needed to get some medical check-ups and also take care of some paper work. I decided to go to San Diego, thinking I'll head back to Ensenada, Mexico while waiting for Peace Corps to clear me. It would also give me more time to continue speaking Spanish. Alas, Peace Corps wanted my passport so I ended up staying in San Diego instead of leaving the country. San Diego wasn't bad. Cheaper than staying in the Bay Area.
4) What Cellphone? -- I still don't have a functional cellphone. Haven't had one since November. When I left Cameroon, I decided not to get a sim card for my phone since I would be traveling from country to country. I relied on other people's cellphones (Thank you!) or I used public telephones. A few months ago, however, I decided to get a sim card for my phone since I was expecting job interview calls. When I tried to buy one, though, the guy said they didn't make sim cards for my dumbphone. The US discriminates against dumbphone users!
Nonetheless, I managed. Not really sure how I survived without a cellphone for 8 months, but its possible. Note to self: never make a collect call from a payphone using Legacy. Side benefit of not having a cellphone: less chance of becoming a smartphone zombie.
