Time Flies

Hola!  It´s been about a week and a half since we´ve written.  I thought we´d spend more time on the Internet, but I think we´re both a little overwhelmed with the Spanish lessons, homework, and activities. 

We live with a wonderful Guatemalan family that runs the Spanish school.   "La familia" is Grandma (Cha´ita), an elderly man named Lionel (friend of the family), and Gladis (who manages the entire operation), her husband, her two daughters, her brother and his wife, a granddaughter and niece (both 3-year-old chiquitas), one cat, one turtle, and one fish. They call the students "family" also - currently four of us. 

La familia houses us, prepares our meals, helps us acquire the creature comforts, and hosts the classes.  Our commute to class each morning is out the door of our room, up a few stairs, through the kitchen, and into the back yard.  We have classes from 8:30 to 12:30, eat lunch at 1:30, participate in optional activities usually around 2-4, and have free time until 7:30 when dinner is served. 

The toughest part of life here is the immersion.  It´s a family rule to speak Spanish at all times.  I´m on my 8th day of Spanish classes and have begun learning many verbs, but only in the present tense.  Even with my limited vocabulary, I am beginning to understand the gist of what people are saying.  However, to jump in and say something - well let´s just say it takes so long for me to compose my thoughts that by the time I´ve finished a sentence it would be necessary to go back and change the whole sentence to past tense. While it is really challenging, it is also fun.  La familia has a great time trying to prevent us from saying silly things, while having a good laugh at our expense.  All in good fun.  As my professor says, "Poco a poco."  Little by little.  ¡Si!

So far we´ve been to a marimba concert, a hot spring, an historic cemetery, the oldest church in Central America, and a textile market; taken a hike to a spot overlooking the city; and learned to make tortillas and chocolate (from the cocoa bean; my personal favorite).  This weekend we plan to take another nearby hike.  Darrel and I also take walks to Parque Central most every afternoon to shop, have cafè, or just take a break from Spanish (our guilty pleasure).

We will try to keep in touch as regularly as possible.  We miss everyone and hope all is well.

Jane

The Journey Begins

Here´s our new home away from home.  We arrived in Quetzaltenango (Xela) on Saturday afternoon, following a long, sleepless night on the plane and a 5-hour bus ride.  We had our first class this morning, and are both excited about the upcoming learning experience.  Both our heads are spinning with nuevas palabras en español.  Nothing eventful to report just yet, but that can be a good thing. 

Hasta el next-o time-o,

Darrel and Jane

Prologue to Guatemala

At long last we are a week from take-off to Guatemala.  The house is in capable hands, the bills are paid, and we're ready to begin our retirement journeys.

The plan is to spend three to four weeks in the highland town of Quetzaltenango (or Xela, pronounced Shayla) where we will immerse ourselves in the Spanish language and the culture of Central America.  Darrel will be sharpening his Spanish skills while I'll be learning anew.  We will study by day and stay with a local family by night.  Our goal is to compose our final blog from Xela in Spanish (translations available). 

From Xela we will travel to places yet to be determined throughout Central America.  Thanks to everyone who helped us plan and execute our trip.  A special thanks to Alicia, Kara, Sara, Kimberly and Patrick, and Polly who provided great advice, ideas, and tips.

Hasta el proximo vez (until next time), 

Jane and Darrel