It was December and cold, and when it rained I felt like my heart had tipped over and spilled out. I had our two dogs for company, but even they seemed depressed with my wife gone. Christmas was coming up. The internet went out in the apartment and I mistakenly believed that because the internet didn't work neither did the television. I was wrong about the TV not working, but it didn't matter, really.
Later I would discover that most English-language channels were running endless repeats of subpar action movies starring Dolph Lundgren and Cuba Gooding, Jr. What's up, Cuba? Do you remember how funny he was in Jerry MaGuire and in As Good As It Gets? For the life of me, I'll never understand what happened to his career since then.
I took longer and longer walks every day. I discovered Juarez Park and a warm and welcoming internet cafe just down from St. Paul's Church off the Ancha. I walked up the hill to the Puertecita Hotel and down the hill to the bus station, and then, just for something different to do, I walked across town, from one side to the other.
Deep into the barrios in the north and high, high up on the Salida de Queretaro, where the trucks started their downhill plunge to the glorieta in San Antonio a mile below. Walking's definitely the best way to see this town, but it just didn't help my mood afterward.
Then I found the Biblioteca. It saved my life or at least my sanity. Now, don't misunderstand me. This isn't an homage to how books I read there at the library kept me on the straight and narrow. The books helped, sure, but what really worked its special magic on me was the library itself.
Every expat I know drops into the library on a fairly regular basis. But, perhaps because it was a completely new experience, I believed that I had found a place that belonged exclusively to me.
(Please continue reading in Part II)
© 2014 Tony DeCrosta
Contact me at adecrosta@gmail.com
Later I would discover that most English-language channels were running endless repeats of subpar action movies starring Dolph Lundgren and Cuba Gooding, Jr. What's up, Cuba? Do you remember how funny he was in Jerry MaGuire and in As Good As It Gets? For the life of me, I'll never understand what happened to his career since then.
I took longer and longer walks every day. I discovered Juarez Park and a warm and welcoming internet cafe just down from St. Paul's Church off the Ancha. I walked up the hill to the Puertecita Hotel and down the hill to the bus station, and then, just for something different to do, I walked across town, from one side to the other.
Deep into the barrios in the north and high, high up on the Salida de Queretaro, where the trucks started their downhill plunge to the glorieta in San Antonio a mile below. Walking's definitely the best way to see this town, but it just didn't help my mood afterward.
Every expat I know drops into the library on a fairly regular basis. But, perhaps because it was a completely new experience, I believed that I had found a place that belonged exclusively to me.
(Please continue reading in Part II)
© 2014 Tony DeCrosta
Contact me at adecrosta@gmail.com
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