Day 2

First day of Spanish course.  Managed to locate the school.  A bunch of local ladies standing around and in the building, none of them knowing much English, finally directing me to the office.  The director of the school, Julio, quickly called in a teacher without much explanation or introductions and sent me off.  She and I walked for several blocks through the city with my new teacher wondering if this is what class would be, us wandering the streets trying to communicate with my limited Spanish and her limited English.

Eventually made it to a garden (jardin) on the outskirts of town where several students and teachers were already studying at tables.  Finally started learning some Spanish grammar in a more formalized way though the garden is quite chilly in the morning.  During the half hour break I spoke briefly to another student as we tried to figure out the food vendor (all the teacher's pushed their way up to the table and quickly ordered all the food up).

Later returned to the hotel to pack up and check out and managed to carry my large pack (later I realized I had bruised my hip with my heavy pack) the half mile or so back to the school's office to obtain my homestay assignment.  My host mother came and fetched me at the office and we walked another quarter mile or so to her home.

The home is very basic.  My room as well (pictured right), but for only $60 a week plus 3 meals a day I'd say it is a steal!  She offered me water and we sat there awkwardly not being able to speak much to one another.  I tried asking questions, but based on her answers I don't think she really understood.  Plus my stomach was growling, thinking I might be offered some lunch.  Eventually she excused me and I made it back into the city and found a fast food restaurant where I scarfed down a chicken burrito with french fries only to be served dinner at home just a few hours later.  My host mom served what she said were Guatemalan tacos (some fried concoction rolled up with a green sauce over the top) and a huge plate of spinach!