First Time outside the U. S...

     dversepoets.com  This week  our challenge over at dversepoets.com is to write about a first time..can be about anything...I was 15..
                                               by klr

I cried riding the bus through the poorer section of town  

After arriving in humid weather por avion,

        oh, how I wanted to go into town

Our meeting place by the fountain, I stood alone

Classroom echos floated to the rosy garden terrace

Each day returning to our host family's home

I fell in love - with everyone, with a country

Senora de Silva, a distinctive widow

        and her three progeny

Cristina the eldest, engaged, working, ready to move

Brother Horatio became my guide (also sneaked kisses in the dark)

Mothers would not approve

But eight year old Berta was indeed a delight

When I was ill in her lap 
        my head she let lie
brought me soup and sang to me 

To spread my wings was exactly what I needed 

free of strict parents just 'to be'

Invited to a huge birthday party
Relatives gathered, we danced and sang 
        laughed, ate hearty

Drank my first tequila from bottle with worm inside

Everything came easily as I studied 

Now all is coming back to my mind

I bought a hand forged candelabra, quite a find
one big grey sombrero covered in grey felt 
        with gold stone design

and dolls for my sisters

I copied the recipes of good food we were fed

and took lots of pictures

We explored museums, beautiful churches, and parks

Every night a parade for a virgin icon

        the smell of corn tortillas and firework sparks

Perhaps because I had three years of Spanish A+ graded

there never was a trace of fear
Mariachis serenaded

Were I could write pages of the people and place

describe food, characters, the full story

        of what I faced

I remember wanting to return year after year
One time I ordered a plate of small trucks instead of shrimp

Misunderstandings could evoke a smile or jeer

Time to leave, I cried and held my roommates hand

Enamored was I with the people, their culture

       their land

Working hard to eke out a living 

where a small upper class ruled
yet people were generous and giving

Awareness of poverty in our world as a young girl

( as well as discrimination), it was acutely felt
       when I saw it for real

I was struck by the humbleness and mirth

of those who welcomed me 

The skies of Jalisco, what an education is worth