2009's Return to Merida

Returning to Merida is a little like reconnecting with an old friend. A friend who you hope hasn't changed too much while you were gone.

For the past two years we've been lucky enough to come back to a couple constants.

First and foremost, the Gonzalez family. Mama Gonzalez, Margarita, is Carolina's nanny. She took care of Carolina for the first 6 weeks we spent here, when Carolina was only 14 months old, and again last year—five days a week—for 5 months, when Carolina was 2 1/2 years old.

She is with us again, through the month of December, so we have daycare while we look for a preschool for Carolina here. Margarita is definitely Carolina's Mexican grandmother, and she is also our Mexican mother. She takes care of all of us, but keeps a special eye out for Carolina.

Last year, when the three of us were suffering terribly from a horrible (possibly Swine) flu, we told Margarita to please stay home, as we didn't want her to catch what we had, then infect the rest of her family. She pretty much laughed that idea off immediately, and was there the next morning, bright and early, taking care of Carolina when John and I could hardly pull ourselves up from bed. She's the first person we ask when something goes wrong: if Carolina doesn't feel well, the water goes out at the house, or the internet isn’t working. She always keeps her eye out for us, and helps us whenever she can, however she can.

And make no mistake, as incredibly nice as Margarita is (and she is one of the sweetest people we have ever met) she also can get Carolina to nap when we cannot, and who can get her to eat her lunch when we cannot. You see, Margarita has raised three children of her own; we are lucky enough to know all of them, as well, but have a special relationship with her eldest and youngest. Cristina, her eldest, is a real estate agent here in Merida. We actually met Cristina first three years ago when we were looking for a place to rent, and she hooked us up with her mom. She often comes with her mom to babysit Carolina when we go out at night, and sometimes during the day, too. Cristina is Carolina's best friend here in Merida.

Peter, Margarita's youngest, takes care of Fidel for us when we go out of town. Fidel loves Peter, who gives him not two—but three walks a day. Incidentally, Carolina also has a bit of a crush on Peter.

We are very grateful to know the Gonzalez family. They are like our family away from home.

Another important constant are the friends that we've met over the three years we've been here. Some are Mexicans, some Americans, some Canadians, and some Europeans. Some are older and retired. Some are older and working. Some are younger and retired. Some are younger and working. Some have kids. Some do not. What amazes us constantly is not our differences but our similarities, not the least of which is what brought us to Merida—and why we enjoy it.

One thing we all agree upon is that life's pace is a bit different than what we are accustomed to back home; sometimes that's good, sometimes it's frustrating, but the pros always outweigh the cons. People walk slower. (They stroll; they never rush.) Lines are longer. (People have patience in truckloads here.) Businesses close for siestas. (Nearly everyone, including school children, go home to eat a late lunch with their family.) Almost everyone you pass on the street has a smile and greeting for you.

And work still gets done. (Arguably at a faster rate than back home, or at least for us, where we rush through life and multitask three, four things at a time.)

Another nice constant that we have once again returned to are the people who assist us in our lives here. Grisela, our cleaning lady, comes once a week. We met her three years ago and she is always right on time, very hardworking and mysteriously able to wrangle (almost!) all of Fidel's hair out of our house once a week.

Our handy man and friend, Eduardo, is a godsend whether he is dealing with CableMas (our Cable company), the water, the electricity, the plumber ... you name it, he does it. Sometimes he even brings a little something extra for Carolina. Last time it was a little pillow that now she sleeps with every night.

And lastly, our laundry lady, who truly embodies the people of Merida and why we love this place so much. Last year, upon leaving in May, we forgot to pick up a bag of our clothing: a couple pairs of NIcolle's favorite pajamas, among other well worn favorites. When we arrived this year, six months later, she took one look at us, smiled, and brought our laundered, folded and ironed clothes back out to us.

She knew we'd come back. She, and our laundry, were waiting for us.