Viva Mexico!

As I mentioned in the 100 Random Little Things About Me entry...my now "former" mother-in-law is Mexican by birth, but she's an American citizen. She has always travelled back and forth to Mexico to see family, friends and the nuns in the Carmelite convent she was in as a young woman, which she left just before she took her final vows.

When Fly Boy was a child, he twice had the wonderful opportunity to travel with her deep into Mexico, where he experienced the culture, people and sights. I was and still am very envious because he had that experience with someone who knew the language, the environment and most importantly the people in the country.

Don't pity me, because I HAVE been there. For my 50th birthday, I experienced a magnificent cruise to Mexico, visiting stunning Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan! However a tourist trip is never the same as hanging out with someone who knows the ins and outs of all things Mexican. I have also had the very humbling experience of traveling into Tijuana with my MIL, to visit some of her family that lives in that poor border town, but it was only for a few hours each time. That's why I want to do the Mexican/Spanish Language immersion trip someday. I want to stay there for several weeks or months...maybe even a year and totally be immersed in the culture and language. Now that I am retired, it's something I can seriously consider doing once Ab is on her own.

Anyway...I was talking about Fly Boy's experience in Mexico with his Grandma Tutie. After returning from his first trip when he was about 9 years old, or so....we were talking about his adventures and he was very animated and excited while sharing his stories. I guess I got really excited when listening and thought maybe, just maybe he shared the same dream as me...to actually live in Mexico. I then had the brilliant idea that perhaps he'd like to be a foreign exchange student someday.

So, I posed the question after throughly explaining the concept of being an exchange student.

Me: "Fly Boy! Wouldn't it be cool to live in Mexico as a foreign exchange student? Going to school there for a year and living with a Mexican family!

Fly Boy: "No Mom, I think I'd rather be a terrorist!"

Me: "What? WHAT? A terrorist? I don't understand Fly Boy! What do you mean by terrorist?"

Fly Boy: "You know Mom! One of those people who just goes and visits the country like I did with Tutie!"

Me: "Oh you mean a TOURIST! YOU WANT TO BE A TOURIST!!"

Fly Boy: "Yeah, that's it! A tourist! I just want to be a tourist. That's all!"

Thank God we clarified that!

I am extremely proud to say that my son now is chasing TERRORISTS in Afghanistan rather than the choosing to actually be one!