A young teen moving from east to west,
First day of school, nervous as could be
Strange happenings, what would happen next?

Before I left my Maryland home, for one
last time I headed to the beach.  I stayed out
and soaked up the sun, for I knew it would
soon be out of reach.  A beautiful tan I received
that day, little did I know, what a difference
that would make.

Walking around my new school early in the morn,
several others looked at me.  They smiled and came
to talk and were as friendly as could be.  But I was in
for a little surprise, when they suddenly opened up my eyes.
My whole life I thought English was the country’s language,
Imagine my shock when everyone spoke Spanish!

The group realized I didn’t understand and with surprise said
“No habla espanol?!”  That’s when they realized I wasn’t like
them, I was a “gringa”, not a Mexican.  I got that all
the time because of that stupid tan.

People ate the strangest food, some folded thing they
called a taco.  I tried it, it was pretty good, but culture shock hit again.
 Laughter came at my expense, when I said “please pass the ketchup”

If you aren’t from the Southwest, there are things you should know.
Only eat hot sauce on your tacos.   They have refried beans.  I thought
this odd, couldn’t they fry them right the first time?

Living in the desert for 30 years now, my attitude has changed.  Tacos
are great with taco sauce, I even love refried beans.  Mexican fare is
the best, but there was a time I’d say, “How can people eat that mess?”

I never knew there would come a time when 70 degrees was cold.
Snowbirds in shorts, natives bundled like it was going to snow.
I’ve learned to love this place, even though I
miss the green and sometimes want to go.

They say home is where you’re at.  But I never thought I’d ever be
a certified Desert Rat!

                                  Mary E Lacey
                                         2010