Preparing for Mexico

By Emily Hogge – Guest blogger traveling in Mexico.
In the quiet calm of my American living room, it's a little hard for me to believe that in 3 days I will be boarding a plane for Mexico. I've visited a few Mexican border towns before, and even worked in Texas within shouting distance of the border, but this will be my first real venture into the heart of Mexico. And, really, my first time being fully surrounded by a language that is not my own.
Even though my friends and roommates joke that I'll return fluent in Spanish and able to salsa like a native, I wonder how much truth there is in their predictions. Will I really speak only Spanish for my entire stay in Morelia? Or, overwhelmed by this foreign language and culture, will I instead seek out other English-speakers to escape it?
I would love to speak Spanish more fluently; that was initially the driving force behind my trip. I'm just unsure of the execution of this goal, and if my slightly shy nature will slow my progress. I wonder if Spanish will naturally infuse my daily experiences, or if I will have to be more intentional in my pursuit of it.
Still, the prospect of four weeks of language study and cultural exploration seems exciting. I love that I will be living in one place longer than the average tourist, long enough to peer beyond the basic sights and sounds. I am particularly intrigued as to what my host family will be like, and what we'll learn from each other. I wonder if the language will be a barrier for us, and what kinds of food we will eat together.
In my final countdown to departure, as I scurry to change the right amount of money into Mexican pesos, and pack the perfect combination of items, I hope that I do not neglect my mental preparation. I would like to enter this trip aware of the challenges, but ready to embrace all that I will experience. I suspect that I will encounter sounds, smells, and tastes that I never have before, and I hope I eagerly soak them up.
Let it all begin!