GUATEMALA July 8, 2008: El Ultimo Dia y La Ultima Nota

Hi all —

Hola del hotel circa del aeropuerto Guatemala. Hoy fue mi ultima dia en Antigua y en las clases de espanol.  Es obvioso(?) que no hablo tanto espanol como deseo y que una semana no es sufficiente tiempo para aprender hablar (o escribir) bien. Pero yo trai(?) mi mejor.

OK.. back to ingles!
Today was the last day of my studies with Rafael, and we spoke only in Spanish.. actually it’s been mostly Spanish because Rafael’s English is not all that helpful. But it’s tiring for both of us. We talked a lot about my work and about how the language school works and about whether or not the US is in a recession and how this impacts other countries.

I learned that Rafael’s house has 8 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and that he rents many of them out to students who come from places like North Dakota to learn Spanish and to build houses por la gente pobres… They stay for one or two weeks and Rafael’s wife cooks two meals a day for all these kids.. (ranging in age from 14 to 20).. I think the groups that come might be church-affiliated, but Rafael didn’t seem to know. They fit 5 people in one bedroom, 3 in each of two rooms and the rest are doubles! All of the instructors at this language school have several gigs!.. One came with lots of jewelry today to try to sell to students — which Rafael thought I should buy as I’m sure all the teachers get some kind of kick-back.

We also talked about hobbies and collections. Rafael collects key chains (llaveros) and also canceled stamps from all over the world. I explained a lot about California (and also Arizona)… that California could be four states.. He was fascinated about the town of Guadelupe (near Phoenix) which is nearly 100% Hispanic. He found that very interested.. (me too) also the plan of Guadelupe which I drew for him, complete with the square in front of the church.

I grabbed a very quick liquado de pina which they were able to produce during the 30 minutes I have for lunch.. but barely…  After saying our goodbyes, I walked to see the convent that trains indigenos to be capuchinos… and just like clockwork it rained when I was half way there.. I trudged along and it was worth it.. The building and plan is quite wonderful with lots of gardens and courtyards … immaculate and totally well maintained. I think there might be a catholic high school attached to the convent as some girls were walking in with me but they quickly disappeared and seemed to know their way around. The convent is located in another part of town so walking back to Meson Panza Verde was through a different route — definitely a poorer side of town.

One more Antigua description I omitted from my earlier emails.. The sidewalks are about 3.5 feet wide.. and get more narrow when utility poles and other protrusions occur.. most houses have windows and sills that protrude as well.. so often the walk area is only 2 1/2 feet.. maybe less.. And as most houses have lush courtyards.. vines climb over to the street site.. and even when neatly cut they are about 5’5″ above the sidewalk.. maybe 5′ 7″ at most… so the scale is great for me, but I pity tall tourists.. I think they mostly walk in the streets and not on the sidewalks.

Late in the afternoon I took a taxi to Guatemala City and as we rounded the mountains and approached… it was clear this was another world.. giant fast food restaurants and corporate buildings.. I saw the largest Taco Bell I’ve ever seen in my life.. two stories of eating area.. lots of parking.. quite ironic… Traffic and pollution galore… But I got the hotel close to the airport.. a giant Marriott.. two towers! and here I sit.. My plane is at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow and I need to be at the airport to check in by 5:30… Taking the 5 a.m. shuttle.. So it’s early to bed..

Hasta manana en California
Fern