Friday, February 21, 2014

Don’t Leave Home in Your Pajamas unless You Want to Go to a Wedding in Them

Kids in Pajamas

You’d think that it would go without saying… Don’t leave Home in your Pajamas. Yes, well, this is Mexico and some rules don’t apply. But they should.

When Ed and I first moved here, we’d wake up in the morning with big plans. Walk down to the zocalo, have a coffee, stop by the bank, buy some groceries and visit friends. Our ambitions were realistic, if we were in Canada and life didn’t always make other plans.

We quickly learned that if we managed to walk down to the zocalo and make it back before dark, or the next day for that matter, we were batting 1,000. I’m not exaggerating. At all.

If I had a peso for every time I said, “It’s only 10am and 25 degrees out. The sun doesn’t set until 6pm so I don’t need a sweatshirt” or, “I don’t need an umbrella, the rain won’t start for three hours and I’m just going to get limes”, I’d be rich. It’s a good thing that limes are waterproof.

Don’t get me wrong, the spontaneity of one’s existence here is one of the things I love the most about the culture. Life is short and they live it to the fullest. But after 11 years, I should have known better.

Sure, I woke up late and Artemis was at risk of being late for school*. However, I should have changed out of my pajamas. I should have worn outdoor shoes. I should have replaced my winter hat with a baseball hat. I should have grabbed a banana. I should have brought my wallet. And I definitely should have brought my phone. But alas, I did none of the above. Why?

Because I was only going one.block.away. One little block.

But like I said, life has other plans**.

And when I got home, three hours and 15 minutes later, Ed’s response was, “I thought you went to a wedding”. Because, believe it or not, it’s happened before***.

Have you Ever Left Home in Your Pajamas?

*Note that everyone is late for everything. It’s cultural. However, if you’re late for school, they close the door and you can try again the next day.

** When I got to Artemis’ school, the doorman sternly told me that I was to go inside to speak with her teacher. I was sure that I was in trouble for some reason. Once inside, I saw that I wasn’t the only parent in trouble. There were over 100 chairs set up and parents lined them all.

In the centre of the schoolyard was a big blue tarp where the entire school was sitting. And in front, a makeshift stage with loud playing music and flashing lights like you’d find at a disco or karaoke. The event, a play complete with clowns, props and candies. They had Artemis’ undivided attention.

As for the storyline, it was about Mothers and Fathers treating each other with respect. About sharing. Giving to others in need. Values. Ninety percent of the jokes and innuendos went over the kids heads. But that didn’t matter at all because the play wasn’t really for them. It was for the parents.

I wish I’d had my camera to capture a bit of the magic. Of the hope that I left with that day. That slowly but surely, things are changing.

*** No, I don’t have any pictures of me at a wedding in my pajamas because, you guessed it, I didn’t think to bring my camera with me when I went to put the dogs downstairs.

Photo Source: Gracey

39 thoughts on “Don’t Leave Home in Your Pajamas unless You Want to Go to a Wedding in Them

  1. francine

    that would drive me crazy. im one of those people who are early for everything. if im kept waiting (more than 30 minutes) I will often leave. that being said I don’t mind people going out in pajamas. I don’t but I don’t care what other people wear as long as they don’t have everything on display.

    I would love to hear more about that pajamas wedding. is there a blog post I missed about it? was it just one wedding or is it common to wear pajamas to a wedding there?

    Reply
  2. Kristen D.

    I don’t mind if people are in their pjs – as long as it’s not grossly inappropriate – like a wedding… 🙂

    Reply
  3. René

    I love this – what a great post! Life that spontaneous would certainly be interesting! You make me long for a change so often…

    Reply
    1. admin

      Dear Kayla,

      I love that you think me leaving my house in my pajamas is “wonderful and enchanting”. Or maybe you were referring to Mexico. Either way, there’s plenty more of all that. Thanks for stopping by.

      Besos, Sarah

      Reply
  4. Debbie S.

    Well, I gotta let my hair down, and try going out in pajamas myself! I need some spontaneity in my life! Sounds like the play was interesting!

    Reply
  5. Tammi L

    I have to say… that sounds like an interesting way of life! We spent a few months in Panama looking at that as a choice, but now I’m thinking Mexico sounds kind of cool too, LOL!

    Reply
  6. Debbie Bashford

    oh my, I would have been mortified!, although many of today’s P’sJ are so nice and could pass for street clothes

    Reply
  7. Elva Roberts

    Wow! I guess it would take me three or four lifetimes to get used to this lifestyle or maybe not. I am a quick learner. Once i walk in a puddle once or twice, it does occur to me that a puddle is wet and maybe I should wear rubbers or go barefoot. On the other hand, it sounds delightful if you take a tote and a rain poncho, cell phone and lunch. Then you would enjoy it more, maybe?! Sounds delightful if you aren’t a Type A personality–if so, the heart attack rate could be rather high. Thanks for this entertaining look at your life.

    Reply
  8. Soozle

    Haha 🙂 I love it! I have to say I am guilty of leaving the house in my pyjamas -including once when I didn’t know there was a tear in the seam at the back… and ended up walking around with a giant hole in my pants…. I learned my lesson 🙂

    But yes, you should always know life throws you curve balls!

    Reply
  9. Nena Sinclair

    Lol, sometimes being spontaneous is the most fun, anyway! Yes, even here, I’ve often seen people out and about in their PJ’s! Strange, though, I think!

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth Friesen

    I work from home and spend the entire day in my pyjamas more often than I can say. I welcome the opportunity to get dressed up whenever I have to leave the house, so going out in my pyjamas holds no appeal for me. I can, however, see the appeal for people who have to wear regular clothing all the time. It would be such a novelty for them! 😀

    Reply
  11. Susan T.

    I am one of those people who are early for everything so when I vacation in a culture that is always late it is a bit of an adjustment. No stress allowed on vacation!

    Reply
  12. Amy Lovell

    ive never left home in my pajamas, and all my pajamas are rags so im sure im doing society a favour by staying home in them

    Reply
  13. Laurie P

    ok I’ve gotten over wearing my Pj’s out of the house, the novelty has worn lol. BUT my boy still does it. Living in this small town has done this to him, and apparently it’s quite common for high school kids here to do this. It’s cool??? I don’t know, don’t really care. However, I will make sure he’s got clean ones on. None of this “hop outta bed and off he goes” business. Gotta draw the line somewhere, right?

    Reply
  14. Elva Roberts

    Living in Mexico seems quite a bit like living in Alice in Wonderland (without the Chesire Cat, The Mad Hatter or the March Hare) . It sounds rather wonderful, I suppose, once one gets used to it or do ‘partimers’ ever get used to it?
    Anyway, it sounds like a really good place to relax and go ‘with the flow.’

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Dear Elva,

      When we first moved back from Mexico in 2008 (we lived there for three years), it was tough. I felt like I was in two places at the same time. However, over the years, I’ve been able to switch between Canada and Mexico very easily.

      Mexico is such a beautiful place with lovely people but it’s a daily dose of living in Wonderland (love the association).

      Besos Sarah.
      Sarah recently posted…Getting Ready for a 5,000km, 4-day, 3-country Road Trip to MexicoMy Profile

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge

Subscribe to Journeys of the Zoo! ⇒