Wow, when they say that September and October are the rainiest months in Xela, they weren’t kidding. I have never seen this much rain even during monsoon season in Southeast Asia. This weekend wasn’t only rainy, it was freezing as well. I was working in my wool hat, scarf and one mitten—really difficult to navigate a mouse in a mitten-clad hand. At one point I was wearing two pairs of pants and three shirts and I managed to squeeze my fleece jacket over that as well. And I wasn’t even outside! And then came the blackout. Ohhhh, if I only found my headlamp, I would have been wearing that for extra warmth AND be prepared for power outages. Thankfully I had a flashlight, and the stove is gas because, por supuesto, I was in the middle of cooking dinner.
Worked very diligently all weekend on el calendario and I completed about six pages. Was on a roll with a new treatment and I’m having a blast with this project. Just hope Stef and Tony like it as much as I do. Lety likes it. And some other guy who works here who shows up at the oddest hours and always manages to scare the crap out of me likes it. He just showed up at around 10pm on Saturday night and he talks so fast I never understand what he’s saying to me so I usually just nod and say “sí” a lot. Although I was slightly freaked out on Saturday because of the hour and the fact that he felt it was absolutely necessary to return a wooden phallus that los payasos use as a prop to the table next to where I was working. De todos modos, I’m sure it was nada but it was a little weird and I didn’t say “sí” once. And I’m sure he was equally freaked out to see me sitting there, singing “Sugalumps” and wearing almost every piece of clothing I have including a hat, scarf and a single mitten.
Today began my final week with Carlos. I requested that we study more instead of conversing because I want to target my problem areas. We’ll see if he listens. He definitely didn’t this a.m. but after the break I insisted on studying the different forms of “to become” and we focused on definitions and examples. My spoken Spanish was much better than it was on Friday, and I found it much easier to communicate this morning. Maybe 25 hours a week is too much. Anyway, I told him I want our last week to be really productive and he kept agreeing…veremos. I am going to a different school next week for sure.
I found a yoga class in Xela and I’m going to head over there now. I still have to write about our cooking class last week. We made “boxboles” (bosh-bowlays) an interesting traditional dish from the Ixil culture north of Xela. Mañana…
Incredibly scary picture, Tricia! (Even though it is interesting how prepared they are for the worst–the raised sidewalks, I mean.) Be safe. I assume power was restored by the time the guy returned the wooden phallus.. (The only thing that would have made the image in my mind creepier would have been candlelight.) Also, I cannot believe how much Spanish language material you have covered so quickly. I hope you are getting a chance to rest your brain!
This week we have lost power every day, for like an hour a day, not sure why because no one seems to know…or care. Yes, I need a brain rest…I had a little one today, but I need a few days in a row. Found a yoga place here and that might help me not understand even more! Hope all is well xoxo
I think all your teachers will feel friendly towards you and want to converse. I remember Montreal and the owners of the B & B discussing the judge’s dilemma with you(in english)!
It’s your enthusiasm.
LOVE YA
I remember them, but I mostly remember how nice they were to you…and I was so happy your first b&b experience wasn’t a nightmare, as it easily could have been. Legs and enthusiasm…como madre, como hija xoxoxo