Hola!
Well, I just spent my first 24 hours in Guatemala. I forgot how much of an adjustment it is getting accustomed to a different country, especially a 3rd world one. It's absolutely beautiful here. There are lots of green covered mountains and big blue lakes. I'm staying at a Spanish school and the director picked me up from the airport. He's from Canada. The host family is so nice, too. They are very accommodating. If there's any problem, the director is right here and I have his cell phone number, too. The town is small, good for walking around, with many bars, restaurants, salsa clubs, cafes and beautiful courtyards where you can see the 3 volcanoes surrounding the city.
My day will consist of 7am breakfast, 8-12 Spanish lessons, 1pm lunch, with activities in the afternoon. They partner with a travel agency so there are always excursions I can join. There's a gym right around the corner and then the nightly bar/music scene is great. Monday night we have salsa lessons, Tuesdays and Thursdays are lady's nights (free drinks). Everyone speaks Spanish and there are a ton of schools around the town. I feel safe, as there are so many Canadians, Europeans and Australians. I'm not the only gringo around! :)
So far, there are 5 other students staying in my house. The homes here are concrete blocks with tin roofs with the center of the house open to the sky. I have a piece of sheet rock separating my room from the next one. My room is painted peach with a navy blue curtain and gold/maroon floor tiles - a very basic room with a tiny bed. But it's private. The bathroom does have a hot shower, thank goodness! My stomach is adjusting to the food. It's not bad, just different. The coffee is good and strong, but they eat bread or rice and beans with every meal. There is a fresh fruit/veg market around the block where I can get fruit during the day.
I met a nice girl last night walking on the street. She was telling me about an 8 hour hike to the top of the volcano and we spend the night. From the top, you can see the next volcano which is active and watch the lava flow at night. I hear it's a great time! I may do that. There's also big waterfalls nearby and the hippie town near Lake Atitlan.
I'm a bit homesick for now, but I know that it will get better the more I'm used to the lifestyle change. Some of the people here don't have electricity and have to carry bags of wood on their back and walk up hills to their house to heat it and cook their food. The kids don't have tvs and play outside all day long. They don't know any different, but they are happy. Big smiles from these kids.
Well, I have to get my fruit for the day and mobile Guatemalan phone at the store. Hasta luego!
Julia (hoo le ya) my spanish name :)
