El Agua

Water is kind of a problem for me. We’re not allowed to drink it. “We” being humans, not just foreigners who have yet to adjust to Mexico. My host family has a large Culligan-esque jug in the kitchen, and I keep a pitcher full in my room. At first, I was really cautious about clinching my jaw in the shower and stuff, but now I even brush my teeth with the water from the faucet. It hasn’t hurt me yet.

My host mother is terribly concerned about water. Once, she said something to me to the effect of, “Everyone is worried about using up all of the gasoline and petroleum in the world, but no one is worried about water! Water is life!” She really feels for people in villages not too far from here who don’t have access to fresh water, which is fair.

Also, apparently the water that the people in Cuernavaca get is super awesome. I can’t taste the difference, but I’m not that sensitive and I’m coming from the U.S., not another part of Mexico. She assures me that I will not be pleased with the water in Xalapa. Great.

This is part of the reason why I recently chopped off 10 inches of my hair. Surprise!