Sep6
Reverse Culture Shock
Tag Archives: Winnipeg
Aug23
The Five Year Question
Where do you picture yourself five years from now? This is one of the most common questions asked in a job interview. Five years ago at this time I was living in Winnipeg and teaching ESL in a program at Red River College. I recently came across some old journal entries and this was my response in July of 2010.
“I expect to be teaching ESL here in Winnipeg possibly even in this college. My roots are here, my children are here and my friends are here. These are all very strong ties.”
However life intervened and God quite obviously had other plans for me. I left Winnipeg in the fall of 2010. Other than returning for two surgeries and a book launch, Mexico has pretty much become home to me. My daughter moved to Ontario three years ago and my son built a house in Transcona, which to me may as well be another city as I’m not familiar with that area at all. And I discovered a lifestyle in a foreign country that is very appealing.
I enjoy teaching here in Mexico where students are eager to learn and are appreciative of the efforts of native English speakers. They are not demanding and do not possess that sense of entitlement which so many of the students in Canada exhibited. Pictured below are Adriana and Cecelia, two of my students last year in Zapopan.
My friendships here are very different. I don’t have the same close network of girlfriends. There is no-one here to share the memories in the same way, although people are curious about my past. Most of my friends here in Mexico are decades younger than me, as are the men I date.
Since moving to Mazatlan, this has changed. I’ve met some new friends at church and most of them are considerably older than I am by more than a decade. While I do enjoy having friends closer to my age, I do miss all of my younger Jalisco friends, especially Monica and Claudia pictured below.
As I sit here on a rainy day pondering my future, I can’t quite fathom creating a reply to that five year question. I appear to be firmly rooted in Mexico, but can’t quite pinpoint exactly where. I have an awesome Mexican family in Culiacan. I miss so many things about Guadalajara, but I really love the beach here in Mazatlan. I have met amazing people and made wonderful friends from all over this vast country. There are also so many fascinating places I have yet to discover. And I agonize over the fact that my own children refuse to come and visit me here. I wonder where I will be five years from now……………….
Jul7
This Week in Winnipeg: Bomb Central
It’s the end of the first week of July, the first week of summer and it appears that Winnipeg has been riddled with violence.
On July 1st celebrations were held at The Forks in Winnipeg to mark Canada Day. The news reported that a vicious stabbing had taken place. The violence continued with a bombing at a law office that seriously injured a woman. And the news last night reported another bomb at a law office in Winnipeg.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/07/03/bomb-unit-responds-to-winnipeg-law-office-after-possible-explosion.html
This second bomb at a law office hit home for me for two reasons. This is the office of a lawyer I had used for years in the past. And this office is also located across the street from the building where my son works.
Then this morning there were reports of suspicious packages at City Hall and at a Canada Post depot.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/suspicious-package-at-winnipeg-city-hall-a-false-alarm-1.3139741
What’s next?
I remember growing up in Winnipeg and never locking doors at all. My own children grew up decoding alarm systems. And I am thankful that I am not now a mother raising young children in Winnipeg today.
In the neighborhood where I live here in Mexico I watch the children playing freely in the streets. People sit outside of their homes and visit. Pedestrians far outnumber the vehicular traffic. Memories of my own childhood spring to mind.
What has happened to Winnipeg? It has become a hotbed of danger. I read the headlines in The Winnipeg Free Press and they are constantly filled with assaults, murders and other reports of criminal activity. I was astounded to read a couple of months ago that a student had been fatally stabbed at a high school I attended. And just recently the airport was closed due to bomb threats.
Is media hype the true culprit responsible for the increase in crime in our society? Look at some of these recent headlines from The Winnipeg Free Press:
Accused Winnipeg bomber went through long and nasty divorce, court records show
Andrea Giesbrecht, the woman who is facing six charges of concealing the remains of infants found in a storage locker last October, will go to trial on unrelated fraud charges against her.
Letter bombs targeted three women; more people could be at risk: police
Law society disbars veteran city lawyer
The media selectively chooses to embellish the news in the hopes of attracting more readers. The worldwide exposure makes it easy for people to not only learn about crime but also to attempt to copycat the crimes they read about or see on television.
I recall the numerous festivals and activities that occur during the summer in Winnipeg. What will be the effect on tourism this summer with all this bad press? Let’s hope that the media will focus on more positive aspects that will attract visitors rather than scare them away. I have fond memories of Winnipeg in the summer.
I am shocked and saddened by the headlines this past week, and I hope that this coming week will be a better one.
May31
I Moved To Mazatlan!
Sipping a Be Light, crunching on Sabritas and nibbling on Oaxaca cheese. I am back home in Mexico after a whirlwind five weeks in Winnipeg. The temperature is a comfortable 29 degrees Celsius.
When I left Winnipeg yesterday it was 2 degrees when Donna drove me to the airport at 5 am.
Westjet did well yesterday. I arrived in Calgary five minutes early and then arrived in Puerto Vallarta ten minutes early. Then a TAP bus to Mazatlan and a taxi to Angie’s house, where I’m staying right now until I find a place of my own. Angie is a friend of the director of the school where I start teaching this week.
The school is called World Class English. My classes for the month of June are varied and interesting. I will be teaching English to hotel staff, have one private student and will also run a conversation club. I’ve had two months off and am raring to go.
I am extremely excited about being back in Mazatlan. When I taught in Culiacan almost five years ago, I discovered this magical city and dreamed of someday living here. Dreams come true when they are pursued, and here I am!
I find the water very relaxing. The malecon and the ocean are mere minutes away from where I’m staying. And that is where I will be tomorrow.
May25
Winnipeg:Week Four
Sunday the weather changed drastically. The temperature plummeted and howling winds soon changed rain into freezing rain into snow. And I moved from Carolyn’s back into my son Kyle’s home. I awoke early Monday morning to find snow on the ground and below zero temperatures. I dove back beneath the covers and slept until after noon. I was quite content to hibernate indoors and check out family photographs and do some writing.
Tuesday dawned bright and sunny. Laura. my computer guru, picked me up and we headed to Best Buy to buy me a new computer. It was absolutely awesome to shop with someone so knowledgeable and computer savvy. Laura has the patience of a saint. She gave me a crash course in using my new technology. And I have begun diligently practicing using my new ASUS transformer book. I love the touch screen and have become quite adept at navigating without a mouse, although I did purchase a cute new blue one. I now have this nifty Seagate Slim for backup and to use to transfer my files from my old computer. Now if only I can figure this one out! SOS Laura!
Wednesday was a hectic day. First stop was Passport Canada. I have to get my passport certified to get an ITIN number from the IRS as my books have been published in the USA and I am a Canadian author. Then it was finally time to book a flight to Mexico for next week, no easy feat with snowbird flights non-existent now until the fall. The evening began with an interesting tour of The Manitoba Legislative Building. The ideas behind the architecture were fascinating and thought-provoking.
My birthday celebrations began on Thursday when Donna treated me to a delicious lunch at McLeod Tea House in Stonewall. The drive in the country was most enjoyable and the weather was sunny and warm.
As relaxing as Thursday was, Friday was hectic. Some shopping, a medical appointment, a visit with my friend Joan and dinner with my friend Rita. The texts were flying back and forth and I now had a place to stay when I arrive back in Mexico, as well as the beginnings of a teaching schedule.
Saturday was my birthday and it was extra-special as I was together with my son. We had an appointment at the bank in the morning. I then spent the afternoon going through family photographs. Kyle barbecued dinner for us. Then we settled down to watch a movie and we both fell asleep and never did see the end of the movie.
Sunday morning we sat out on the deck with our coffee. Then he cooked us a delicious breakfast. We finally got around to eating the birthday cheesecake in the afternoon. I then packed my bags and my friend Audrey picked me up. Week Four was now over.
May16
Week Three In The Peg
Mother’s Day is celebrated in Mexico on May 10th, so this year it coincided with the second Sunday in May which marks Mother’s Day in Canada. Kyle, Krista and I went out for a lovely brunch at Club Regent Casino. It was so nice to be with my kids again.
I spent the week at my friend Carolyn’s. She lives out on North Kildonan, an area where I lived when I was first married some forty odd years ago. It was interesting to see how the city has grown. This community has new housing developments, shopping malls and restaurants now. This is the beautiful view at sunset from the balcony of her apartment.
The weather this week has been cold and rainy. But that didn’t stop us from checking out a couple of malls, one in North Kildonan on Monday and one in St. Vital on Thursday.
Late on Monday I had an unexpected surprise when my friend Lise took me to the cemetery to visit my parents. We then went out for coffee to Mountain Bean.
On Wednesday I had a medical appointment in the morning and then Donna took me to pick up my new eyeglasses. Yay! I can see again!
Friday dawned sunny although cool. I had one last medical appointment and then spent the afternoon with David. He has a huge garden in his backyard, although at this time of year there is not much activity yet. And it was just a tad too cool to walk barefoot in the grass. But we enjoyed several backgammon games and then picked up Chinese food from one of our favorite restaurants.
Friday was also Teachers’ Day in Mexico, and it felt strange being here in Canada. I miss my students. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to teach in Mexico, and I have also learned so much from my students.
It’s a cloudy Saturday today. Carolyn and I are watching TV and will meet another friend for dinner later on. And that will conclude week three in The Peg.
May9
Second Week In The Peg
After a relaxing weekend, the pace picked up. Monday meant two medical appointments.
And then it was cinco de mayo. My second book, Alive Again, was launched at McNally Robinson Booksellers. Since I’ve been away from Winnipeg for so long, and I knew that several of my close friends were not able to attend, I was most gratified by the turnout. Sales are going well in Winnipeg and on the internet which is also encouraging. But I am determined that my next book will be fiction. Two self-help books are more than enough for this writer.
I moved in to my son Kyle’s that night after the book launch. I was exhausted and basically vegged on Wednesday. On Thursday Laura and I went out computer shopping and then enjoyed a delicious lunch at Fionn MacCalls. I spent a lovely day with Donna and Eleanor on Friday. A highlight was going to the Conservatory at Assiniboine Park.
I spent the night at Donna’s and in the morning we went to some local craft sales. Then Glenda picked me up and we had a great visit over lunch at Montana’s.
Now I’m back at Kyle’s and catching up on my writing. I can’t believe that the time has flown by so quickly. Hard to imagine that two weeks ago at this time I was sitting in the airport in Puerto Vallarta awaiting a flight.
May3
First Week In The Peg
Monday dawned dark and dreary. The cool temperature of 7 degrees soon were accompanied by rain. How I long for the sun and the heat of Mexico! But it was time to venture out in this depressing weather.
My first appointment was a medical one. Then there was a break for some shopping. And then off to see my financial planner. And then another quick break for shopping.
It was nice to relax at Donna’s home afterwards. The weather had improved and the sun shone brightly. It had been a full day and a lot had been accomplished.
Tuesday morning rewarded us with sunshine and warmer temperatures, although frost was visible on windshields. Another medical appointment in the morning and coffee at Tim Horton’s. A lovely afternoon visiting with Donna and Glenda was most enjoyable.
On Wednesday Donna and I went to McNally Robinson to check out the display for my book launch.
Then it was off to the dentist. Audrey picked me up from that appointment and we went back to Donna’s to get my suitcase. We had a delicious dinner afterwards at Nikos, my favorite Greek restaurant on the Corydon strip.
On Thursday Audrey drove me to my next medical appointment and then Nancy picked me up. On Friday I saw my optometrist and ordered new glasses. Then Nancy and I had a fabulous lunch at Clay Oven, another favorite restaurant.
Saturday was partly cloudy, but we ventured out for a lovely drive to Lockport and along River Road. I captured this little guy when we stopped to look at the locks.
These are just some of the highlights of my first week back. Way too many appointments, but I guess that’s what I get for staying away for so long. It has been wonderful seeing my friends again and catching up on what has been going on in their lives. And I look forward to seeing more friends in the next couple of weeks.
Apr27
Back In The Peg
It’s Sunday and I’m back in Winnipeg, or Winterpeg as it’s so commonly called. Only this time there is no snow on the ground. And the temperature climbed to a balmy 20 degrees Celsius, almost as high as our night-time lows in Mexico.
My flights back to Canada were uneventful and actually quite enjoyable. On the flight from Puerto Vallarta to Calgary, my seatmate turned out to be a man from Guadalajara who didn’t speak English. I was pleased that I got to practice my Spanish and was able to help him with the customs forms.
I had a six hour wait in Calgary for my next flight and drank way too much coffee in an attempt to stay awake. I also ran the batteries down on my iPhone, my Blackberry and my laptop. But the flight took off promptly on schedule despite the need to deice the plane. Yes, Canada is not quite as warm as Mexico.
Inside the terminal, my bag was one of the first to come down the chute. David was there to meet me and we headed to Tim Hortons for breakfast.
Breakfast was yummy but very different from my usual at Jahanve in Tlaquepaque.
I’m staying with my friends Donna and Loris now. It has been so great catching up on everything. As an added bonus, their granddaughter Ella was here. When I left for Mexico she was an infant. Now she walks and talks and just turned two!
Tomorrow all my appointments start and this will be a hectic week. Doctors, dentist, financial planner……….that’s what happens when I stay away for such a long period of time.
Of course the highlight is my book launch next week, and I look forward to seeing old friends as well as new at this event.
Mar20
The Countdown Is On
I can’t believe that my time is almost up in Mexico. It seems like only yesterday I arrived in Rosarito, and yet it was almost a year and a half ago.
I had fully intended to settle down in the Baja. However, after a week of unsuccessful attempts at finding an apartment, I decided that maybe Rosarito just wasn’t the place to hang my hat. While the beach definitely had its appeal, the idea of living in a poor man’s Vallarta did not.
After a spectacular bus ride through the mountains and a rather tedious journey south, I arrived in Culiacan in the face of hurricane warnings. But instead I was greeted by hot, humid and sunny weather. I spent a few days visiting with my Mexican family and then headed for Guadalajara.
I rented an apartment in the same house as I had the year before. I was home. My favorite tiendas and taco stands were still here. The neighbors were the same. The only difference was the newly paved sidewalks and streets, most welcome after having had knee surgery. I quickly and easily found a job teaching in a language institute, and the time has just flown by all too quickly.
My life here in Mexico has for the most part been comfortable and fulfilling, despite the challenges of obtaining a work visa and health care coverage. The stress level is significantly lower due to the slower pace of life. There’s always another bus, there’s always another train, there’s always another day.
I enjoy my classes and have amazingly delightful students. The learning experience has been reciprocal, and my students have taught me a great deal about life in general, not just life in Mexico. And I am so grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity over the past few years.
It was extremely difficult to book that flight back to Winnipeg. While I am excited about seeing my family and friends, as well as my book launch, I am not looking forward to the flurry of other activities that await me. After a prolonged absence, there are medical appointments and financial planning that require my attention.
But I am determined to focus on the more positive aspects of returning to Winnipeg. My son had a house built a couple of years ago and his yard is now finished. I have a lot of catching up to do with friends as a lot has happened in the time I’ve been away. There is a new museum I want to visit. IKEA is applying for a liquor licence and Target has come and gone. In lieu of my usual online church service while here in Mexico, it will be great to attend in person. I plan on going to some of my favorite restaurants with my friends. And a cemetery visit is definitely on the agenda to see family who have passed on.
But today is a beautiful, sunny day here in Mexico and my laundry is drying outside on the line. And I will venture out shortly to my favorite incense shop and then spend some time in the Jardin Hidalgo before I teach my afternoon classes.
iamkaren23 