1st Day of Spanish Classes

I woke up this morning at 7:05am when I needed to be at the school at 7:30am. I went to bed at 9pm so I didn't feel like I needed to set my alarm, but apparently I was very tired. Breakfast was delicious fruit with granola. It was very fresh and juicy! I hurried out to class and they gave me an orientation at the school about safety and activities. I signed up to take salsa lessons, a photo tour, and got paired up with a native Guatemalan to talk Spanish with.

(Volcán Fuego, which is constantly active)

I found out that there is a holiday on Thursday called, "Guatemalan Army Day" and nobody is happy about it because the army treats the civilians so badly.

(street vendors selling fruit, I cannot buy these because they are not clean)

I took a Spanish placement test and then met my 1st profesora (teacher). We went into a room and went over basic stuff and then progressed really fast to harder topics. We took a 20-minute break and I was able to grab some food. I enjoyed talking to the Spanish lady who made my pastry. Pastry shops and helado (ice cream) are everywhere out here. When I started conversing freely with my profesora, she told me that pregnancy is a huge problem out here. Women are unable to get birth control and the fathers flee when they find out about the pregnancy.

(Tuk Tuk, motorcar)

School is also not freely available to all children and there are sometimes 1 teacher for 50 students. Only the Guatemalans with money get a good education.

(Students from a private school in Antigua)

After my morning class, I had a 1-hour break and then I met with my 2nd profesor. My second instructor just talked to me the whole time, without using a book. I liked this method much better since I don't get a lot of opportunities to just speak Spanish. We talked about all kinds of things like the kids swim team, the marathons I run, and what I do in my free time. I talked about the weather in Colorado. Interestingly enough, there has not been any rain the entire time I have been here. Surprising that this is Guatemala's Winter! Over 70 degrees every day! My instructor was shocked when I told him how cold it gets in Colorado in the Winter. Time was up before I new it!

(My Spanish Book)

I then walked back home and had dinner, which was another delicious meal: fish, salad, rice, and beans. I have about 2 hours of homework to do every night, which will keep me busy.