Days One and Two

I forgot my hairbrush. And the currency conversion makes me very averse to buying a new one - Q48!! No way I am spending 45 anything on a hairbrush!!

It turned out to be a good thing that I got two hours of sleep the night before my flight, because I left Boston, and then woop, all of a sudden awake in Charlotte. Didn't even have to get off the plan, and then woop, awake in Fort Lauderdale. And on the final leg, I woke up to look out my window to see what I assume was the Yucatan Peninsula. In my little notebook, I drew some of the coast, a distinct fish-shaped island, and a seahorse-shaped coastal lake. Hopefully when I have the time, I can scan a map and figure out where I was.

Esvin from the school picked me up at the airport and drove me through billboard heaven (Burger King, cell phones, cars, travel, Chuck-E-Cheese, Domino's...), up and over and around some hills, and toward Antigua. Other interesting things that I noted along the way - tons and tons of people everywhere, but no sidewalks; Guatemala City constantly smells like the Fourth of July because of all the diesel smoke and brush burning smoke and broken car smoke; Guatemala City is very noisy from music sharing of all sorts; most of all, it was nice to see some leaves on the trees.

As soon as we got to Antigua, Esvin brought me to the school to get some paperwork and pay, and then I headed to my homestay with Jose and Karla Sanchez. The Sanchezes run their own language school out of their home, and I am thinking about studying with them one week because they are so nice. They've got three kids, Carlos, Carlosmaria or Karlamaria (?), and Tiffany, and two dogs, Princesa and Oichi. My room is big, with two beds, a desk, and a cute little armoir. I am convinced that there are rats living in the wooden ceiling because I can hear something munching at night, but I haven't seen any glowing eyes yet. Hopefully they enjoy their ceiling home and don't want to spend some time in my bed with me.

Also at the house are three other students, one from Canada, one from Minnesota, and one from England. The one from England sneaks out before lunch every day and gets some fried chicken. I think that he and I will be friends (because I see the hilarity in that, not because I have some special fondness for fried chicken).

Language class started today, from 8-10, 10:30-12, and 2-5. Right now we are flying through grammar that I know is in my head somewhere and doing a ton of vocab. I think my kindegarten-level Spanish skills (being generous there) are going to put my teacher, Olga, to sleep. She yawns at me a lot. I say, "Is that correct?" a lot and most of the time she looks to the side and says "Ugh." Either I am awesome or beyond help.

I joined a gym today so I can have some time to clear my head. For a month it costs three times my gym in Plymouth, $34, but since it wasn't listed in Quetzales I was able to handle it. Seriously - $34 for a month at the gym or Q48 for a hairbrush - which seems like a better deal to you?

I told my family that I am a vegetarian, and I think they are secretly feeding me vegetables with meat powder.

This week is Saints Week or holy week, so there is quite a bit going on. Last night I took a walk and came across a procession of people dressed in purple robes and pointed hoods with signs regarding the stations of the cross, other people swinging metal baskets of incense, and a giant structure that I can only call a float being carried by forty or fifty people representing the crucifixion. Like always, such religious devotion puzzles me. I wonder how people are feeling when they participate in something like this. I wonder if the three boys dragging along the generator to light the float feel that they are receiving some special favor in God's eyes.

And for Caitlin, regarding your questions, the weather is perfect. MV's best earlier summer day where you can wear shorts and a t during the day but you want jeans at night. And the colors. Awesome. The indigenous women dress like I am sure you have seen in pictures, all of the buildings are stucco or some sort of concrete and many are painted nicely (my house is red), and the central park has those trees that are full of purple flowers. Along with a fountain that is surrounded by mermaid shooting water out of their nipples, which they are holding in their hands. There are tons of great textiles to buy, but things aren't nearly as inexpensive as I would have thought. I'll need to explore before I find goodies to bring back for everyone.

Tomorrow is six more hours of class, and then who knows!