My New Family, Friends and School
Hello Friends and Family!
I first want to start off by saying "thank you" to everyone who has been so supportive. Both before I left and now since I have been gone with the kind emails. Your thoughts and support mean a lot to me.
Okay, so a quick update and a few answers to some of your questions. Like I stated earlier my home stay is with a mother (Doris) and her son (Mario). Doris will turn 46 this November 3rd and Mario is 24. Doris has two older children, one son (not sure where he is at or what he is doing) and one daughter Andrea who is teaching Spanish in San Pedro, a city on Lake Atitlan. Doris is divorced and I am not sure what her ex-husband is doing now.
Currently I live with two other housemates John and David. They are from England and are 28 years old. Both have decided to travel for about a year and a half starting in the States and then going around the world. John and David are also studying Spanish at Celas Maya and we are having a great time. There is also one other guy Richard living at the house, who is about 37, and teaching computer applications to a private school for younger Guatemalan childern.
A typical day for me here in Xela: I get up at 7:00 am (and you all know how I like to get up early), take a shower, have breakfast with the family and then off to school. School starts at 8:00 am and goes until 1:00 pm with a break at 11. My current teacher Karol is 29 and recently graduated from college. She is amazing, doesn't speak much English and assigns me a ton of homework.
At 1:00 pm we all walk home which is about 3 minutes away and have lunch again with the whole family. There is an older lady Liz in her 50's that joins us everyday for lunch. Her and her husband moved down here about a year ago and are doing missionary work. Lunch in Xela is by far the biggest meal.
After lunch is usually followed by a nap, some activity (gym, walk, computer lab) and then homework. Dinner is at 7:00 pm consisting of two eggs and some bread. Other times it can be black beans and fried plaintains. Dinner is not my favorite at all and we have all learned to buy extra snacks and keep them in our rooms. Sometimes we will go out or just stay at home. I am constantly tired due to the constant noise here I am not getting much sleep. Plus the total immersion program has my mind racing with Spanish words.
My family here is absolutely amazing. They are kind, patient, fun and lovable. I feel totally at home here and they are a big part of why I am enjoying myself so much. They constantly tell me to say hello to you all, so "Hello" from Doris and Mario. Generally the people here in Guatemala have been great. They have suffered a lot, appreciate life, and have big hearts.
The school is also amazing. They are organized, efficent, and helpful. Great teachers and a ton of students. Currently 32 students and we all get our own teacher. It has also been a great way to meet a lot of people from all over the world.
Jenn and Sally (new friends from school) both around 27 from Calgary, Canada, John, David and I or going to Lake Atitlan this weekend. I am really looking forward to it.
Xela is a quaint town, filled with old buildings and people bustling about their day. I find the city cute with a ton of things to do and all the things that I could want in the States. I have even been to the English speaking movie theatre, done yoga, and bought protien powder at GNC for the gym, and a variety of other things. :-)
Yeah I am going to like it here!
I first want to start off by saying "thank you" to everyone who has been so supportive. Both before I left and now since I have been gone with the kind emails. Your thoughts and support mean a lot to me.
Okay, so a quick update and a few answers to some of your questions. Like I stated earlier my home stay is with a mother (Doris) and her son (Mario). Doris will turn 46 this November 3rd and Mario is 24. Doris has two older children, one son (not sure where he is at or what he is doing) and one daughter Andrea who is teaching Spanish in San Pedro, a city on Lake Atitlan. Doris is divorced and I am not sure what her ex-husband is doing now.
Currently I live with two other housemates John and David. They are from England and are 28 years old. Both have decided to travel for about a year and a half starting in the States and then going around the world. John and David are also studying Spanish at Celas Maya and we are having a great time. There is also one other guy Richard living at the house, who is about 37, and teaching computer applications to a private school for younger Guatemalan childern.
A typical day for me here in Xela: I get up at 7:00 am (and you all know how I like to get up early), take a shower, have breakfast with the family and then off to school. School starts at 8:00 am and goes until 1:00 pm with a break at 11. My current teacher Karol is 29 and recently graduated from college. She is amazing, doesn't speak much English and assigns me a ton of homework.
At 1:00 pm we all walk home which is about 3 minutes away and have lunch again with the whole family. There is an older lady Liz in her 50's that joins us everyday for lunch. Her and her husband moved down here about a year ago and are doing missionary work. Lunch in Xela is by far the biggest meal.
After lunch is usually followed by a nap, some activity (gym, walk, computer lab) and then homework. Dinner is at 7:00 pm consisting of two eggs and some bread. Other times it can be black beans and fried plaintains. Dinner is not my favorite at all and we have all learned to buy extra snacks and keep them in our rooms. Sometimes we will go out or just stay at home. I am constantly tired due to the constant noise here I am not getting much sleep. Plus the total immersion program has my mind racing with Spanish words.
My family here is absolutely amazing. They are kind, patient, fun and lovable. I feel totally at home here and they are a big part of why I am enjoying myself so much. They constantly tell me to say hello to you all, so "Hello" from Doris and Mario. Generally the people here in Guatemala have been great. They have suffered a lot, appreciate life, and have big hearts.
The school is also amazing. They are organized, efficent, and helpful. Great teachers and a ton of students. Currently 32 students and we all get our own teacher. It has also been a great way to meet a lot of people from all over the world.
Jenn and Sally (new friends from school) both around 27 from Calgary, Canada, John, David and I or going to Lake Atitlan this weekend. I am really looking forward to it.
Xela is a quaint town, filled with old buildings and people bustling about their day. I find the city cute with a ton of things to do and all the things that I could want in the States. I have even been to the English speaking movie theatre, done yoga, and bought protien powder at GNC for the gym, and a variety of other things. :-)
Yeah I am going to like it here!
posted by Unknown at 1:57 PM
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