The atmosphere is so different here in Guadalajara (and Mexico City also in some ways) from the EEUU. I feel really at home because of the Catholic atmosphere. The piety of the people is so great. True, not everyone comes to Mass, etc. but the Church is more tangible here.

For example at the parish where I am, there are six Masses on Sunday and priests hear confessions during all of them, and many people come. The statues and furnishings in the Church are beautiful, and people are very reverent to the Blessed Sacrament and our Blessed Mother’s image, etc. The parish has a food pantry, clothing for the poor, medical supplies for people, and a bookstore that is open almost every day. There are catechetical classes, the Rosary, etc. very frequently. People are just in the church during the day, too. It’s great.

I got the “Windows Key” on my laptop to be used as a modifier key to get international characters in x.org.

¿Tienes sueño?

The pastor of the parish taught Ryan and me to play Dominoes last night. I think I understand how to play. We begin classes a week from today.

Estoy esperando en el aeropuerto ahora, and I just got coffee at Starbucks. I just wanted black coffee, and their menu lists “el cafe del dia” (sorry no accents, I’m too lazy).

Here’s how it went down:

Starbucks employee: Que quieres a tomar? [What do you want to drink]

I: Que es el cafe del dia? [What is the coffee of the day?]

SE: Cafe del dia? Cual talla? [Coffee of the day? What size?]

I: (emphatically) Que es? [What is it?]

SE: What size?

I: Que es el cafe del dia? [What is the coffee of the day?]

SE: What size (indicating the different sizes)

I: Alto, por favor. [Tall, please.]

People in adoration at a nearby parish.

Zacharias and I in an alley.

A motorcycle weaving in and out of traffic.

Part of the garden of the place we are staying in Mexico City.

The cathedral of Mexico City.

Part of the reredos behind the high altar at the cathedral.

I in the sacristy of the cathedral.

Since you can’t drink the water.

We arrived safely and punctually in Mexico City. I cannot emphasize enough how large this city is (Es una ciudad mas grande que todas las otras ciudades en la tierra.). I also cannot emphasize enough how bad the traffic is. The lines on the road mean nothing. The signs mean nothing. Nothing. It is an absolute free-for-all struggle for survival.

So far, it’s been great. We went to the cathedral, which is absolutely amazing, of course. On Friday, myself and three others leave for Guadalajara.

We have some photographs (Tenemos algunes photos.), and I’ll try to get them up when I can.

I just offered my first practice extraordinary form low Mass in our chapel this afternoon. It will take me some time to be graceful with all the gestures and to associate the gestures closely with the prayers. I’ve also got some memorizing to do!

When I’m in Mexico, I’ll probably practice the ordinary form of the Roman Rite Mass in Spanish. This year, it would be great to learn the roles of Subdeacon and Deacon at solemn high Mass as well.

I still have not received a call from a supervisor at ASUS. Of course, I’m leaving for Mexico tomorrow, so I doubt I’ll be able to make any progress until I get back. I may try to email them.

I called technical support again and gave my service number.

The person I talked to this time seemed pretty well informed in regard to what I wanted, but he kept insisting that since Microsoft had written the EULA, I would need to contact them. Of course, the EULA itself says that I should contact the manufacturer of the computer, which is ASUS. The representative also reminded me that they do not sell computers without operating systems. I tried to explain that the fact that I can accept or decline the license indicates that the OS is a separate component. I also affirmed that I would have taken a no-OS computer if available.

We didn’t seem to be getting anywhere, so I asked whether I could talk with anyone else. He said that a supervisor would call me, so now we wait.

“Hi, I bought a laptop, which I received yesterday. When I booted it up for the first time, I was prompted with a license agreement for Windows Vista. It said that if I did not accept the agreement I should contact the manufacturer of the computer about getting a refund for the copy of Windows that came with the computer. I did not accept the agreement, and so I’d like to see about getting a refund for my copy of Windows.”

I called technical support this time. I had to wait on hold only for about a minute before I was able to speak with a representative. He patiently let me explain what I was asking about and then looked into it. He said that he wasn’t sure where I was getting the information about being able to obtain a refund from but that I could call back and talk to the supervisor in a few hours. I have a service number now, also, so I’m starting to develop a history with ASUS.

When I called back and selected Notebook Customer Service, I was again greeted promptly by a different but equally friendly representative. I explained my problem, and she instructed me to contact Microsoft. I then explained that the EULA directed me to contact the manufacturer of the computer at which point she instructed me to call back and select Technical Support from the menu.

I’m about to try again.