Six Weeks

We have now been in Oaxaca for six weeks (and Mexico a bit longer than that) with four weeks to go. As is probably a cliche, the time has both flown by and feels like it has gone on forever. I am definitely not ready to leave, except in those moments when I am anxious to get back (news of a burst pipe at home doesnt really help matters in either direction, either) In any event, I thought this would be a good time to take stock of the things I miss and the things I don't. (In fairness, I thought last weekend would be a good time as it was the halfway point, but we were busy)

* I miss a social life. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to my wife and son about so very many things. But other than them and my collaborator (with whom I almost exclusively talk math) and a few casual conversations, I havent really talked to anyone else since my parents left. And there are times when that has been hard.

* I don't miss the weather. I could really get used to clear skies and highs around 80 every day. I really could.

* I don't miss cellphones and 3G internet. We had said we were going to get a cheapo cell phone to use while we were here, but the weeks passed and passed and it started to feel less and less neccesary. And yes, there are moments when I would like to be able to call Kay in the mercado or look up a restaurant's address on my iphone, but in general it has been very easy to go back to living in the 90's.

* I miss tv, but not nearly as much as I thought I might. I had planned to do Netflix streaming and the like while we were here, but instead I've been reading and listening to podcasts and doing actual math at night.

* I don't miss non-Mexican food. The other night Kay said to me that she might be starting to get a little sick of certain kinds of Mexican food. I don't share the sentiment. Although now that I'm typing this, I could use some chinese food.

* I miss good beer. Not that I drink that much of it at home, but after six weeks of Bohemia (a fine beer, don't get me wrong) I do wonder when the craft beer revolution will really hit in Mexico.

* I don't miss teaching or being department chair. I know, thats a real shocker.