The Mennonite Woman's Escape Part 3
Going to a bookstore was, to me, was like being allowed to pick up as much candy as I wanted without an adult telling me no.
I picked up a book I'd heard women talk about for a long time and had seen traded at the Flea Market. I also picked up magazines that I'd seen others reading. I was surprised at what was in them, and I was red-faced as I read them, but I read them.
Before, I couldn't look at any books or magazines because I was a Mennonite wife and woman. We were required only to read the Bible and approved books of the church.
On the drive down, being allowed to drive was a joy. I had driven to help with harvesting, go to the flea market to sell, or go to the co-op to pick up food and supplies. Driving and seeing the change in scenery was almost as good as sitting in the passenger seat, watching the scenes go by as we headed south.
When we stopped at what Mike called the midway point, I was again scared of what could happen. This time, I wasn't only alone with Mike; but I was in a foreign country.
No one knew where I was, and no one was looking for me there.
As we walked across the street to the restaurant and Mike introduced me to the owners, everything changed for the better.
I had never had conversations that were so unstructured, so much fun as I had the last two days.
Mennonite women and men have a very limited vocabulary and subjects: family, work, religion, and other things that can be talked about, but only in passing.
This life is so different. We talked freely and happily. We talked about the food and how it was made in every detail.
They had enjoyed watching me eat, and I had so much fun eating their food, laughter, and their freely offered friendship.
The Mennonite culture is so restricted and formal that it's impossible to describe to an outsider, but understand this is an engrained form of actions and beliefs.
The ride down was wonderful, as I was able to see the sights, villages, and people along the way. To be able to discuss them with Mike was enlightening because he knew so much about Mexico.
Arriving at the house and finding out it was his house was very comforting until we found out that Benjamin had been killed. After talking to my daughter and the police, I was very upset and saddened. Mike assured me I was still welcome to stay.
Setting up the computer in the room I would rent was another form of freedom for me. I would be able to contact my daughter and see the world with it.
Going to dinner at a restaurant serving foods from 3 countries other than Mexician was a fun exploration.
Making an appointment at the spa scared me, but I had to go or not enjoy it here as much as I could. It was the "English" thing to do.
The next morning's bus ride to and from the market showed me there wasn't a problem getting around on my own if I needed to. The people here liked interacting with us.
I instantly understood the market and the people. The Spanish language was hard for me to understand, but we worked at making ourselves understood for sales.
Years of bartering and trading made it fun. I use that word so much here because that is what I feel, and as we got to know each other and the people here, it would get better, I was sure.
In the past, Mike would say to friends "that he wasn't a Texan when he was in Mexico because he didn't eat beef there." It was clear why after seeing all the vegetables, fruits, fish, chickens, and dairy products.
Coming back to the house, Mike demonstrated how to make the fruits and vegetables safe for us to eat.
He had water delivered for the water fountains in the kitchen and each bedroom/bath area.
We cut up what looked like enough salad with chicken for four people, but the two of us cleaned up every scrap of it.
Before I left for the spa, I repeatedly "thanked Mike for bringing me and letting me stay."
I told him I would like to cook for us if he didn't mind. He said, "Yes, we can each cook because I enjoy cooking too. We can either trade off or sometimes both of us cook together".
As I left, I told him, " It might be a while because that was what I was told."
As I walked to the spa, I thought about what I was going to do.
It started when I started getting scared of Benjamin and thought of leaving for my safety.
I knew I would have to disappear, which meant moving and changing my appearance.
A couple of months ago, when one of my booth customers from out of town asked to take my picture, I said, "Yes, if you give me copies."
They mailed them to the Flea Market to the booth. I studied them and saw that everything about my dress had to change.
I started buying outfits from weekend vendors as I could. I kept them at the booth. When Mike closed his booth up for his three-month-long trip, I knew it was time to act. I took the clothes home and packed the little I had.
When he said I could come, I was overjoyed.
That first afternoon, I went to have my hair cut for the first time. I almost cried when I was told about the "Locks for Love" program and was happy to help.
They had asked me about taking pictures of my hair before and after my haircut for their board and sending them to the main office.
I said, "Yes."
They sent one of the girls next door and had pictures made for me.
Now I'm going to a Spa to have the hair removed from my body. This goes against everything the church taught me. I knew that my daughter did it in some ways, but I didn't know to what extent.
I wanted to walk without being always hot and sweaty, swim, and move freer.
When I entered, I saw the same woman I had talked to the night before, Salina. She smiled and said, "I wasn't sure you would show up. We are ready for you. What is in the bag?"
"This is new underwear for after and a gift for swimming, I think. Before we start, I have one question. Can we take pictures as we go?" So I'll have a record of it?" I asked.
"Yes, and I was going to suggest to you. We have visitors from Europe and have the same thing done; they wanted pictures, too," Salina said.
We walked to a room in the back with a barber's chair, a shower, and a huge hot tub. There were two girls back there, too. I met Midge and Blanca; they would perform my makeover.
We opened the bag, and they saw my chosen underwear. They liked it and commented about how right it was for me.
I opened Danna's gift. It was an older-style swimsuit, but it was gorgeous. It was green with mesh side panels. I was in awe.
We all looked and felt it for a few minutes before we got back what I came for.
"They took pictures of me in the tracksuit, with my new camera, front and back. When I took it off, they gasped at the ugliness of my underwear. They said, "You must never wear anything like that again."
