Cuanto cuesta para ir a....?

That turned out to be one of the most useful and necessary phrases we have learned. And even though taxi drivers can tell from the first word out of our mouths that we’re Americans, asking how much the taxi fare is forces them to give us a little respect and a fair quote. Not always fair, but we’ve learned to always ask before we get into a taxi to avoid getting ripped off. Which has happened more than once.

Class was interesting as usual. I’m working on this research project. It’s an epidemiological research study on obesity in Mexican adolescents. I’m basically learning how to do an epidemiological study and using journal articals and statistical databases for the research. Of course it’s all in Spanish so it takes 3 times as long for me to do the work, but it’s good practice and I’m learning many new words. Obesity is an emerging health concern in Mexico. Until now it has not be a problem that most of Mexico has had the privilege to experience. But with development of the economy come the affordability of food and the opportunity for an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. And on top of the that the whole world is facing and epidemic of processed and generally fattening foods. So the younger generation, especially, is being faced with a new problem which is more comfortable than malnutrition but equally dangerous.

This evening I got bored, Matt was busy in lab and all of our American friends have left. So I got bored and got a taxi to the mall in Puebla. The mall in Puebla is like a zoo. Seriously. I was actually impressed by how much it was like an American mall and was pretty classy and clean. There was even a food court with a bunch of American restaurants: MacDonalds, KFC, starbucks. I have not seen a taco Bell anywhere in Mexico though. I get the idea that Mexicans in general do not appreciate Taco Bell. Anyway, clothes shopping was interesting. The sizes seem to run about a whole size smaller than U.S. sizes. And everything was about the same price as it is in the U.S. And yes, everything there is "made in China" too. When I got back I hung out with Matt and Pete. Pete made us spaghetti and meat balls with garlic bread. It was sooo yummy. Pete is seriously my hero right now. My stomach is feeling better (I guess the meds are helping), but it was nice to give my stomach a break with some yummy, familiar homecooked food. Pete is a grad student with a BS in biochemistry. He came from the U.S. to play football at UDLAP because here, you can play for 6 years. He's been a great friend to Matt and I while we've been here, showing us all the good places to eat and making us feel at home. Thanks Pete, you're the best!