First week in San Pedro la Laguna

I made it to Guatemala! I had a little bit of a hassle with delayed and cancelled flights, but I arrived in San Pedro la Laguna in one piece, if a little tired.

I am taking 6 hours of Spanish courses a day. My teacher uses a very conversational style of instruction, which I really like because it gives me a lot of practice. Vocabulary is coming slowly, but my grammar has improved vastly already. I look forward to the next five weeks. The grounds of the school are absolutely incredible. We have a great view of the lake from the office area, and instruction takes place in little thatch roofed huts in the garden. I'm surrounded by flowers and cacti and coffee trees.

I'm living with a family in San Pedro. Rosa is the mother, who spends all day cooking and cleaning and generally caring for us and her children. She and Domingo have three sons living at home, ranging in age from 16 to 22. Their two daughters don't live at home right now. One is studying nursing in Xela, and the other lives in San Pedro with her husband and 1 year old daughter. My room opens up on to the garden, which is full of avocado trees; we eat fresh guacamole almost every day. Beyond the street in front is an awesome view of the mountains to the east. When I walk out into the street, the hill slopes down to the lake. It's beautiful. I'm in heaven. That is, I would be if it would stop raining. The mornings are usually somewhat cloudy--sunny but cold if we're lucky--but in the afternoons it rains without exception.

I would love to write a more in-depth entry today, but I don't have the time. Teagan, one of my roommates from Border Servant Corps, is in town, and I have lunch plans with her and her boyfriend. Maybe I will make it back down tomorrow, but if not, until next week know that I am safe and having fun and learning MUCHO!