The beginning

I have arrived in Xela! I arrived here yesterdat after spending my first dayin Guatemala City, mainly hanging out at the bed and breakfast, and doing alittle exploring after the long flight. I then took the bus here yesterdayfrom Guatemala City, which was an absoultely beautiful ride. The highlandsare gorgeous, with volcanoes and lakes a plenty, and I can´t wait to do somehiking and camping. As soon as I got off the bus, I went right into 5 hoursof Spanish class. My teacher is very nice (we change teachers once a week,so she will only be my teacher until tomorrow) and has told me that while Ihave a good accent and will be able to speak spanish, we have MUCH reviewingto do. It appears that I make up a lot of words, making Italian soundSpanish. While that worked when I was in Boston, it won´t work here... WhenI mentioned that I was only going to study for 2 or 3 weeks, she screamed"no! you need to study more months!". So we´ll see. The school itself isvery nice, with a gorgeous courtyard and patio where we do all of thelessons. They also have a nice internet cafe, coffee and tea for students,and plenty of people to answer all our questions. The other students arequite friendly as well.

I spent my first night with my family yesterday. It is a small family withan older couple (she appears much older than her husband, not sure whethershe really is) and his two brothers who live with them. My room is nice, andthe family is used to students so the señor of the house is quite talkative.I have already eaten a lot of beans and eggs, and have my fingers crossedthat it wont be dinner tonight as well. Although I have already found thefruit market, where I will fill up on fresh fruit and vegis. I hear its getting close to fruit season, which I am very excited about. I think Imgoing to stay with the family through the end of next week and then find anapartment or room for the next few months.

Xela is a town that feels small,because of the extremely narrow streets that I would be terrified to drivethrough, but large buses do - but is actually the second largest town inGuatemala. So there is much to be discovered, and I´m looking forward to it.I am meeting with the clinic next week, where I have arranged to work, and amalso exploring other opportunities as well to see what presents itself. I amso happy to be in Guatemala and looking forward to the next few months. Ifeel oddly at home with broken sidewalks, lack of hot water and spottyelectiricity (pick pocketers and people trying to rip off gringos too...) butalso warm and welcoming people. It is also amazing that with technology you are all just a cheap cell phone call away and I still snoop on facebook.

Guatemala is waiting for all you reading this...