Desperately Seeking: The Sounds of Silence

This is a post I've been thinking about since our first weeks in Mexico. One of the most surprising and significant adjustments required of us when we moved here was an increased tolerance for noise.

Now, of course you would expect a certain amount of noise in a sizeable city, and Saltillo has a population of around 650,000. The real kick in the head was that you can't get away from the sound. From the normally peaceful refuge of my cozy, cozy bed (I love my bed), I could expect to be woken as early as 6:00 by any of the following:

-the LP gas truck honking up and down the street
-loads of dogs barking or fighting to the death without being quieted by their owners
-Señor burro (not sure which neighbor keeps a burro)
-cars honking for the occupants of neighboring houses

In addition, the noise pollution ramps up later in the day. Stores like to hold promotions where they set up speakers outside their doors and blast passers-by with music that is almost certainly causing permanent damage. Somehow this is supposed to draw cusotmers. Alternately, they may hire a car or truck with a loadspeaker on the top to drive up and down the streets promoting a grand opening. When the circus came to town, they used the same tactic, but broadcast from low-flying airplanes.

Last night was a real treat. One of the neigbors on the block had a party, and rented a very powerful karoake machine. At 12:30 I woke up and thought that Jason was downstairs watching a very bad movie at high volume. As I shook off the cobwebs, I realized that the noise was coming from outside. We're talking traditional Mexican music with lots of horns, accordians, and "AAAAIIIIIIYYYYYYYYs"!! This is not the first time we've been passively included in a party in the neighborhood, but I'm crossing my fingers that it will be the last.

As some of you know, we have plans to move back home soon. We came to the point where we decided it was best for us as a family to be back among all our friends and family. John Deere has offered, and Jason has accepted, a great job based in Minneapolis. He will do some global traveling, including back to Saltillo from time to time. It has been a great adventure and learning experience for all of us, but we do look forward to returning home. Hopefully, to the (relative) sounds of silence.