Mexico 07

Oh to Mexico

Oh what a fast change of events, a week and a half ago our house was selling and we were going to be “homeless” this week. Well last weekend the house sale fell through and looking for the bright side I said “hey now I con go to Mexico on the teaching trip! And Rebecca agreed as long as I agreed to go to Vietnam next month. So just a few days later I was on the plane, catching up to the group already in Mexico.

We are doing training in southwest Mexico between Guadalajara and Manzanillo in the state of Jalisco. (an area Pancho Villa apparently spent much time in based on his picture hanging every where) This is an area “TAP-FIRE” (the organization I am down here with) has come for several years as well as having support from Firefighters Crossing Borders. Currently we are in the town of El Grullo, which is a sister city of Kent WA. Two years ago the city of Kent donated a very nice 1989 Pierce engine that they surplused to the city of El Grullo. The fire department is very well established and supported by the local Government quite the contrast from Cambodia, were we feel like we are starting from scratch with limited support. One thing in common is the enthusiasm and eagerness of the students.

My adventure started Sunday night after getting no sleep on shift Saturday / Saturday night. A 21:00 flight from SEA to LAX and then a 01:45 flight from LAX to Guadalajara getting in right at sunrise Monday morning, with nearly no sleep on the flights. After getting through immigration and customs, I was met by Gonzalo Tello, a volunteer firefighter from Gig Harbor that had arrived two days before. After a couple of stops in Guadalajara, including a great breakfast at a market that included a 32oz fresh squeezed mixed juice we were off on a three plus hour drive to the training site in El Grullo. After leaving the outskirts of Guadalajara heading into the Sierra Madera’s, the drive and scenery looked identical as the drive from Phnom Penh to Sinokville in Cambodia, with rolling mountains, cactus and sparse vegetation. Once in the mountains there was quite a contrast from Cambodia with the vegetation continuing to be sparse and the desert continuing. The most amazing thing in the mountains were the thousands of acres of agave plants. Agave plants are the principle ingredient for Tequila. (I have not seen where they grow the worms yet) Also along the way I saw numerous authentic cowboys outfitted on horses. Oh yes, the car that picked us up and hauled us to El Grullo also was part of the adventure. Typical of much of the world, the standard are not quite the same as the USA, we only had to push start it nearly every time we stopped and my door would want to fall off if I opened it too wide (about 10”) but it did get us to our destination safe and sound. We arrived at the Hotel around 13:00 met with the rest of the group that was at lunch. Rather that getting some much needed sleep, I elected to go to the training site and get a “feel” for the students and what we would be doing. Well once there my stand back and watch for today plan didn’t last long, So I ended up helping teach ladders the rest of the day, after walking back to the hotel to get boots, helmet and gloves. The day was rounded off with dinner and a quick phone call to Rebecca. After three days with nearly no sleep I am caught up today and feeling great.

A little about the town we are in. El Grullo has a population of 32,000 including the surrounding areas and is one of the cleanest places I have ever seen! There is no litter, the streets and sidewalks are all washed and swept, the buildings despite being older than dirt all sport fresh paint, there is no signs of poverty, the people are very friendly and appear to be happy and content. It is very obvious the citizens here take a lot of pride in thier community. (I really like this place!) We really are in the “real Mexico” no fuffy resorts here.

Today we started with breakfast at a local restaurant (fried bread with jelly and bacon, withy a very large glass of fresh squeezed OJ. Then more training with ladders and hose opps at the canal. Lunch was provided by another local restaurant, Spanish rice, a meatball and potato soup, and fresh tortes with a fresh fruit drink served in a 5 gal. Bucket. (Yummmmm) Well training for the day is complete and I am posting this before we head out to dinner and getting a shower after training in near 100F heat. Will post more ASAP

Andy