Last Day

Today is our last day in Guatemala. When we headed down to Guatemala, I was prepared for things to end up not going the way everyone wanted. That was definitely true as a volcano erupted, tropical storm Agatha destroyed houses and towns all over Guatemala, and we didn't teach at the school for a week.
As today continues, I am struck by how upset I am to leave. At my house, someone is always home to welcome us with a smile and a conversation. Last night, my host grandmother, Amalia, gave me and my roomate Jessica yet another present, a scarf and some postcards, to go along with sevceral earlier presents. The two little girls that live at home, Clara and Amalia, have really started to like us, which is an acheivement from how little they would say to us when we first got here. I am increadibly sad to have to leave and say goodbye to all the amazing people that come and go in an endless stream at home.
This morning, the morning group had their goodbye party at the school in San Pedro. I am part of the afternoon group, so we have not yet had our fiesta. I already think that I will cry when we say goodbye to the kids because even though we did not know them very well and we've only been at the school for a week, they already do care about us. The little girls that run up and say, "Profe juega quien se lleva" or "teacher come play tag with us" will always be part of my memories here.
Overall, I think this trip has taught me more about who I am as a person and what it means to really care about other people then anything else. The Guatemalan people are truely amazing with their ability to continue smiling even though their houses are destroyed and their country is still recovering, and will be, from the disastors that have continuously struck them. As we've driven through Guatemala on our excursions, we've seen 4 lane highways turned into 2 lane highways, and houses covered in 5 feet of mud. The faces of the people are tired and you can tell they are worn out, but they still have time for a smile or a wave, if you give them one. Everything that we've gone through as a group, getting soaked and any problems we've had with each other, is worth it, knowing that the kids we taught will miss us, even though its only been a week, and that we've had at least a small impact on a big problem.

Soccer Game & Water Park

Yesterday was a hardcore day. The bus dropped us off at San Antonio Aguas Calientes and we walked to the soccer field from there. It was cloudy but as we approached the field the sun began shining through the clouds. I had thought this would be a harder game than the one last week because we had less players on our team. Luckily, some teachers from Sevilla joined our to team to help out. Unexpectedly, I felt that it was much eiser to run during the second game probably because I had become accostomed to the high altitude. The final score ended up being Sevilla: 5 and PHA: 4. However, we scored the last goal and therefore we won.
As I was walking to the water park after the game I was sweating bullets and I just could't wait to jump in the pool. I didn't care how cold the water would be. When we arived at the water park I was amazed by how beatiful and eye-catching it was. I didn't hesitate to climb to the top and go off the water slide. The first few times the landing was uncomfortable as my butt kept hitting the bottom, but then I learned that I had to use my arms to slow down. Besides the water slide I swam in the big pool and the smaller one. I had a lot of fun jumping off the diving board and doing cannon balls.
After a couple hours lunch was ready and I had the biggest appetite to eat it. The teachers at Sevilla cooked grilled steak, guacamole, tortillas, beans, and salsa. After lunch I did some soccer tricks with Mr. Cantu and a few other people. As we left the water park I had not realized how tired I had been because I was too happy to notice.

Thoughts While Fishing

As I sat at the little fish pond where 4 people and I were fishing many thoughts were going through my head. One of them was "Why won't these damn trout bite my line?" among many others. In that peaceful setting I began to think about everything else that had happened during the trip. Our arrival 2 weeks ago in the rain, the arrival of tropical storm agatha, and the near destruction of San Pedro. I thought about how working in that setting changed who I was as a person in a mere instant. When i walked into that village and looked at the houses... my heart fell into my stomach. I nearly cried looking at the destroyed houses, and the families that had lived in them. I was in utter awe of everything i was looking at. It looked like a war zone. In that single moment, I became so much more grateful for everything I had ever recieved in my life, and began to feel like a horrible person for everything I had complained about in the past. In that moment, I grabbed my crowbar put on my gloves, and got to work.

I remember not caring at all how long i had to work for. For a few days, i went to San Pedro every day that week, some days for morning and afternoon shifts. I made a few new friends, including 2 Canadian guys who were pretty much exact replicas of my Uncle (my favorite uncle from canada). In working there i also made stronger bonds with the people i was working with, realizing that possibly a few of them were going through what i was experiencing as well. As i was thinking about this, i finally got a bite, which distracted me briefly. It was a tiny and pitiful fish, so I threw it back. I returned to my thoughts, now turning to the lake we had gone to before, aka Lago Atitlan. It was probably the most beautiful thing i had ever seen, even with some trash in the lake. I had so much fun there, despite hurting my back on a dive and having to lifeguard-save three people. Jumping off a 25 foot high deck and the view made up for that. As nostalgia about the lake set in I finally got a bite, and ended up catching a large trout. SUCCESS! After this we left, to pick berries.

I think what I can take away from these thoughts is the fact that despite bad things and failures, life can and will go on. There are always better things that can be achieved further on in life. For example, going from small fish to big fish, San Pedro to beautiful lake. Life can suck sometimes, but there is always a chance for things to get better. Fighting through the bad is what makes strong people... its what makes great people. I'm glad that I realize that now, after seeing what we all saw. I hope that everyone else on this trip has taken away something from what we saw.
Aside from my emotional thoughts about this trip, it has literally been amazing. I've loved pretty much every second of it, and am going to be very sad when we leave. New friendships made, bonds strengthened, unforgettable experiences, awesome kids, great teachers. Its been great.

I am 100% sure, I will never forget this.

Back on the Job

After a week of relief and reconstruction work in San Pedro that culminated in the handing off of bags of donations, AND a weekend filled with enjoyment and adventure at Lago Atitlan and the Yalù farm, we've finally gotten back to business teaching the enthusiastic and relentlessly smiling children at the school in San Pedro. With this morning's (Tuesday's) activities also finished, only two days of actual teaching remain.


Considering that my partner, Sergio, and I had a Personal Growth Project (PGP) focused on teaching, the last week was a loss for us in terms of progress on our project and teaching of science. However, instead we participated in some pertinent relief work, which taught us an equal amount of things (even in the realm of science).

Anyway, these past two days of teaching have been difficult because we now have to face the frustration of having to cut more and more material from our original schedule, while still keeping the necessity of integrating English in mind. Still, we're both going at the challenges with much passion and optimism, and FINALLY today we saw the success we wanted during two extended and meaningful science lessons with our two sixth grade classes.



First, with Sexto B we followed up our English lesson on the parts of a house with an activity in which all the kids built their own model houses in groups. Their engagement and creativity was impressive as they took the initiative to decorate and realistically represent the interior and exterior of a home. Next up is the lesson about electricity and circiuts, culminating in the installation of light bulbs in the kids' houses as well as the connection of the topic of energy to their base of understanding of global warming (calentamiento global).

Meanwhile, later in the morning, with Sexto A we utilized their previous knowledge of the planets to teach them the names in English and review the idea of orbit. After testing them on the basic order, we moved the class outside and lead the students in creating a model solar system with 9 students representing the 8 planets and the Sun (as seen in the pictures and video). With great interest and understanding they managed to organize themselves into the correct order, and using our explanation of the term 'orbit' they replicated the paths of revolution of the different planets.


Altogether, Sergio and I felt victorious after such success, and students already voiced desire to try further activities and simulations with science. Still, with such little time we feel the need to make every hour count, so tomorrow's classes are significant in the progress of our project. Nonetheless, we are learning to enjoy the company of the students too, as I've gotten to know many of them by name (not just by face). The fact that they are enthralled about the chances we give them to express themselves only encourages us further, whether it's at recess or in the classroom.
Furthermore, the kids have bounced back from a week out of school exceptionally. Even though we don't see them all day, their patience and focus is exceptional considering they're coming back from 5+ dats without the structure of school. This speaks even more volumes for their passion, energy, and potential that can be tapped.
Altogether, I'll be extremely sad to leave such caring individuals, but with now that I've experienced their presence I trust that with the right oversight, resources, and inspiration (such as we're trying to instill) they'll move on capably and survive the best they can in the circumstances that are Guatemala's (and poorer San Pedro's) reality. The plan is to close with a bang, but I'm not thinking about this as an ending, rather as a beginning, a jumping off point, as I take the last days here one step at a time.

The Kids Love Us =P

The kids in the san pedro school are great. They are all really crazy and energetic but they are all fun, unique individuals. I think that one thing that I love is that when they see us they would always say "HOLA PROFE!". They really look up to us and they are just so interested in us and how we are but when really I personally am more interested in getting to know them and how they are. During their recreo is one of the biggest times where they come up to us and ask to play with them and these kids do alot of crazy fun things; Last time we had a danceoff. All the kids love to dance and love to see others dance no matter what type of dance it might be. They would always come up to me and to do some dance move but sadly i dont know every dance move in the world. Anyways so here is a video that shows some of the fun we have and how the kids react to us.

2 bags of clothing, a bar of soap, and a tube of toothpaste...

Today, we neither taught nor helped clean up in San Pedro. Instead, the whole group went after lunch and gave out the donated clothing we'd collected before leaving the US. We gave it all to the 14 families who we've been helping this week--first by clearing their ruined houses, then by cleaning the sites, and now by giving them things we have in excess and they no longer have.

Arriving was different from the rest of the times I'd gone this week. In my van, for most of the way there, it was dead silent. Everyone seemed to be thinking. I simply looked out the window and thought about the difference we'd seen in just five days. It's remarkable. A neighborhood that was laid to waste just a few days ago was already revitalized and buzzing with a sense of hope. When we stopped on the hillside where we'd been working--this time wearing sandals and relatively nice clothes rather than work boots and old jeans--we attracted some stares.

Then we brought out 28 trash bags filled to bursting with donated goods: clothing for all ages and genders (and tastes), shoes of all sizes, and a few thousand stuffed animals, among other things. The manner of the stares changed. A collection of eager kids gathered around us. We paired up in twos and stood, waiting, as a crowd of somber adults descended the hill in our direction. Elaine and I went first. Each of us holding a trash bag (and Elaine some soap and toothpaste), we approached the women who seemed to have presented themselves as the first people to recieve the regalos. We explained the contents of each bag as they watched us with careful but grateful eyes. They thanked us, we wished them luck, they placed the bags carefully on their heads, and they walked away. This process repeated itself thirteen more times: the tired people, each with their own way of showing thanks, and the nervous students, wary of seeming condescending.

I got out my camera, having changed my Personal Growth Project from documenting the school in San Pedro to documenting the cleanup from the tropical storm, and started taking photographs. I felt strange, snapping away with my expensive camera while these people were standing here accepting old clothing, but that's what I'd done all week, having explained to them that I was going to use these photos to help them by showing people in the US what their lives are like now. I hope that you, if you are reading this from far away, will see them as such.

Maybe you're thinking ... why am I here?

Hi everyone!

It's so exciting to read your stories from Antigua. Seeing the pictures and reading your names and realizing who's on this journey just makes me smile. I remember showing you all pictures from the first junior journey back when you were freshmen and you all asking ... "can we do that when we're juniors?" It's amazing how fast time has flown ... and here you are!

Isn't it strange how things happen? Here you thought you were going to Guatemala to learn Spanish and teach English - and now you're involved in something so much bigger than yourselves. I guess I know a little something about how you're probably feeling right now ... The amazing thing about your being there at this time, is that you can be a source of so much joy for people who are really scared right now. You know that your families are safe. You know that you will have warm homes to return to. So now your job is to just be with people who's present and future might be a little more uncertain. And that means playing with little kids, smiling a lot, and practicing your Spanish by asking people how they're doing - and actually listening to the answer. You don't have to be a psychologist or some kind of expert in anything. Just be yourselves and you will be amazed at how much good your presence alone will do.

Please keep writing and telling more stories! It's good for all of us to read, and it's good for you to write for an audience because it will help you to clarify your thinking. I have graduation here in Haiti on Saturday - then I'll be home on Sunday (unfortunately not in time for PHA graduation.) So I guess I'll see you all when you get back. Enjoy some tortillas and the huge avocados and the pollo campero for me!

Have fun and be safe!!

Much love from Haiti,
Ms Bowman

Helping Out San Pedro

After the tropical storm that passed Guatemala, the department known as Sacapetequez which we are in was greatly affected. Although everyone knows that we are safe, I just want to reassure the readers back home that we are all perfectly fine! Because of the storm, the school where we teach in San Pedro was canceled for the entire week,so on Monday we went to San Pedro to see if we could help out the families who had lost everything. We were the first group to see the the disastruous effects caused by the storm which were saddening,but at the same time surreal. The group began to walk from the school to the homes closest to the top and as we reached our destination point the area got worse and worse. When we reached the top, I was in shock. The earth below us was split in two with trash inside of the crevice, aluminum roofs pushed to the sides, furniture infront of the homes, pieces of wood mounted on top of each other, and the families working to clear and rebuild their homes. I felt as if I was at home watching CNN , but I wasnt. It was hard for me to really accept and internalize what had occurred because it´s one thing to hear about situations and events like this one and another to actually be placed in the situation itself. I was helping out along with everyone else,but it was such an elusive concept to really take in. Personally, when I saw the crumbled homes I didn´t know what to feel because I never saw something such as this up close, and I didnt know how to react to it. Today was the third day working to help clear out the dirt,rocks, mud, and trash,and every day it feels even more worthwhile being here. Something that we are all realizing as a group is that this trip is no longer mainly about us and immersing ourselves in a different culture, but about the families that were greatly affected and our role in restoring what they had. After working there for a couple of days now, I feel that as a group we came together and offered all that we had. It was an experience that I am still dwelling and reflecting on because of the profound impact that it had on the people, on the group,and on me. It was an amazing time and experience and I´m looking forward to returning tomorrow!

Nuestro Español Esta Mejorando

Every morning all the students arrive at Sevilla. Half go to San Pedro to partake in a community service project, however the other half participate in one on one spanish classes. The first night we got here, we were all introduced to our teacher. My teacher is Gustavo or Stevie Wonder.

I am not going lie at first I was ambivalent about the whole one on one class. I am more accustomed to being in a class. Yet to my surprise, I found that the one on one spanish classes ARE THE BEST! You are able to focus on what you need to work on and what you want to learn. I, for example, had no idea what este, ese, and aquel were used for until the other day when Gustavo explained them.

Not only are the classes intensive because of the amount of oral work you need to do, but they are also so much fun. After our break at 10 am, everyone usually gets together with another set of students or teachers and play scrabble. And yes it is in spanish. I don't like it because I think that scrabble is boring, and I can't play scrabble in english never mind spanish. Although this is very true, it is also very true that it is an excellent way to improve your spanish vocab. Therefore, it has it's uses.

Overall, I am very pleased with how intensive the classes are and how fun they are as well.

Fuego de la Tierra y Agua del Cielo

In the last two days, a volcano erupted mere miles from us and a tropical storm hit everyone hard. Guatemala city is covered in ash, which has turned into heavy, heavy mud because we got over 30 inches of rain yesterday alone. San Pedro has turned into a river, other towns are experiencing landslides and flash floods, and as of this morning some houses have been completely destroyed and others are filled with feet of water. Children have lost their homes. Families have lost their loved ones. Many are stranded, with no way to get back into Guatemala (both major highways, to El Salvador and Mexico, have been totally shut down). Had we been an hour behind schedule yesterday on our trip, right now we'd still be on a little macadamia nut farm on the way to San Antonio with no way to get back into Antigua. An American man who lives in our house, a state department worker learning Spanish so he can go on a project in Honduras, didn't come home last night, even though we called and said he'd be back my 7. Our mom said, "Jeremy no viene y estoy preocupada", and I think she was speaking for everyone in Guatemala.



Everything is changing.

About 20 minutes ago, our whole PHA group was in Sevilla, sitting in a huge circle and sharing how we felt about yesterday, when the storm was completely in Antigua and we were all out in it. Lots of people talked about how much it "sucked" to be so wet, to be walking around in the incessant torrential downpour, how they were "annoyed" because it was so uncomfortable and because this wouldn't have happened back home. Yeah, we got wet. Yeah, we walked through puddles up to our knees and took pictures in the fountain en el centro because we couldn't possibly have gotten any wetter. And no, this wouldn't have happened in America. But wasn't that the point?! Wasn't it surreal to be such a part of something so big and out of our control, something we'd be part of afterward too? The only thing I could think about during this discussion was that this trip was becoming something much bigger. It's exciting and scary and unbelievable. This isn't Haiti or Katrina, we aren't just watching, we're a part of it. Tomorrow we're going to San Pedro not to teach, but to see if the kids need our help. We're bringing all our donated clothes, and all our biggest smiles, and we're gonna work our butts off for anyone who needs it. This project isn't about teaching kids how to say "naranja" in English anymore, it's about rebuilding families, and homes, and hope. I think that's much more valuable, and despite all the struggle this country is going through right now, I couldn't be happier. I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time.

Chillin' with the niños

This is the third day here and I've already fallen in love with teaching in San Pedro. Xavier and I teach the adorable little first graders, all of whom are both eager to get to know us and extremely shy of these big new americanos. We decided that our first lesson would be just the alphabet in English, since they're so little and have such short attention spans (just like American kids, only it's harder to communicate to them that they need to sit down and stop chasing each other around the room!). By the end of the hour-long class, they were all singing the ABCs with gusto and spelling their names with English letters. Activities they loved were coloring name tags for themselves and writing their names on the board. The latter was a last-ditch, in-the-moment idea that they all loved. One student comes up to the board, writes their name, and we ask the class what each letter is called (em!-ay!-arr!-eye!-ay!). They get so into it--they scream the letters and beg us to go next.

Recess is an ordeal, but a hugely fun one. The kids get half an hour to run crazily in circles and scream at the tops of their lungs--all with no teacher present. Some of the kids, though, would prefer simply to sit and talk (as would I; being here is exhausting!). Sitting in a corner of the courtyard and chatting (en español, of course) seems more like real teaching than when we stand in front of a class. These interactions are, by far and away, my favorite part so far.

Antigua v. America

It was the second day when I realized that I just wasn´t in the Estados Unidos anymore. I mean obviously I noticed that I wasn´t in America any more, but walking these cobblestone streets really opened my eyes. When we first arrived in Guatemala, we drove through Guatemala City, which really is nothing more than any other ciudad that could be in any other pais. Nothing special. Not yet. Pero then we entered Antigua. Totally different. Antigua is old- not like ancient grandmother old- but like antique old. Something to be cherished and kept safe. Everything is viejo and that means it has a history. In America, we are made to believe that the constant updating of our lives is what´s best for us. Pero in Antigua (which ironically means Antique), things are best when they are preserve.

The people are different tambien. Friendly in a surprising, sincere way. When they ask, ¿como esta? they actually care for an answer. Like, because I am human and they are human we should automatically care for each other. Its nice to know that gente still care and they aren't afraid to show it. Its beautiful. It shows strength. Y that not all people are the same. I was going to Antigua primarily to teach ingles and learn espanol, but I ended up learning that people are different and being cynical is going to get me no where fast.

And now I'm wondering why. Why in America are we constantly trying to get better? Why can´t we stick with what we have? And when did we decide that was the best course? Why do Americans always need things? And if being rich and always changing and trying to make things new, the best course of action, why are people in Antigua always smiling? Why are they happy? And why are they contento with what they have? And how do I end up like that too?

¡Me estoy quebrando la cabeza pensando!

The only word I can use to describe this trip so far is OVERWHELMING - it's not bad, or good, or fun, or scary, it's just all of the above. The second we got here Eva and I went straight to our house, where we walked in and I promptly forgot how to say 'nice to meet you'. This realization was followed by lots of 'hola' and 'gracias' and smiling, despite how disappointed we were that we had different rooms. we put our stuff down and sat down in the sala with the family, and I have NEVER been in such an awkward situation. Everyone was silent, and Eva and I were beyond nervous, and it was just such an outlandish experience that no one had any idea what to do. After about 10 painful minutes of silence, we went to Sevilla.
...And I was going to try to go through the last couple days event by event, but as I'm writing I'm forgetting. I feel like I'm learning and experienceing and storing SO much in my head that there's not room for anything that isn't extremely memorable. So here are the things I remember:
- That horrifyingly awkward host family meet-and-greet
- Me and Eva's first walk home (MUCH further than anyone else by about 15 minutes), where NOTHING could have prepared us for the sight of the monsterous volcano in front of us, and the mist-covered mountains that completely surround Antigua. I know we're really high up, but it feels really deep here
- Our salsa class, which was SO fun and so much more enjoyable than I had been expecting! It was the perfect chance to let go of a lot of the stress I'd been holding in
- Last night, when it was my host sister's 18th birthday, and unbeknownst to us, her friends decided to surprise her with a cake at dinner, they showed up at our house ringing the doorbell maniacally and setting off FIREWORKS, OUTSIDE. Looking back it's funny, but it was definitely in the top 3 scariest moments of my life - Eva and I were completely convinced it was a drive by (it sounded like multiple machine guns, really), and in one or two more seconds I would've been hiding under the table. It was terrifying and my heart was still beating a little too fast when I went to bed

Again, I'm losing my train of thought. There's no possible way for this much information to fit in my head, especially because now I need to designate half my brain to Spanish. I even find myself simplifying what I say in English before I say it, like I do when I try to speak Spanish. Like my profe says, 'me estoy quebrando mi cabeza pensando!' I hope I can find a better system to internalize all these new words and experiences, however subconciously.

I can't believe it's only been 3 DAYS...and I can't wait for what's to come. Thinking about it and realizing what a RIDICULOUS amount of stuff we've done is overwhelming, but DOING it, you're in the moment. I'm really happy I'm here!

Series of Unfortunate Events (Yet We're ALL FINE); My First Impressions and Where We Go From Here

It's Day 4 and much has changed since I woke up tired (after Wednesday night salsa classes). The food is still incredible, the weather is still grey and rainy (yet exotic in the valley covered in mist Antigua sits in), and the route to Sevilla from my home is only getting more familiar, but Thursday's developments have clearly affected some anxiety in me. For one, on Thursday morning at the school in San Pedro, Sergio and I discovered the irregular schedule of our sixth graders and the time frame that we would have difficulties fitting our envisioned science lessons (part of our PGP) into. Secondly, the eruption of the volcano Pacaya (safely 60 miles from Antigua) has cancelled classes for today and has thrown off our lesson plans further.

OK, here is where I make the clarfication. We are completely safe! During my Thursday language class at Sevilla, I did feel the slight tremor that shook the ground of Antigua, which was an exhilarating yet mysterious experience at first, but since then there has been no actual sign of impacts of a disaster (that IS affecting Guatemala City). At my host family's home the TV has been on all day, but everything is running normally in Antigua. The streets may be more empty because of the lack of public school children, yet the Centro is still packed and it's business as usual at Sevilla. Additionally, my Spanish teacher assured Maurina and I for 10 minutes that volcano eruptions are a normal event for Guatemalans, meaning there may be a State of Emergency in the capital city but life goes on for Antiguans. There may be a lot of "but"s in my thought process, but I truly feel safe and trust Mr. Cantu and our team leaders 100%, as well as all the students, to responsibly react to the adversity (which was expected when we left for Guatemala) that we are being faced with.

The reality is that with such an incredible experience there come dangers and risks. However, we are behaving and making wise decisions when it comes to managing the accompanying risks of being foreigners (of relatively wealthy standing) in situations that are unusual to most of us. The consensus from our first journal-sharing meeting was pretty clear on this point: we're realizing how fortunate we are and how important it is to be respectful (yet also aware) in our relations with our host families, local citizens, and the kids in San Pedro.

Personally, I'm doing very well. We all have our minor issues with food, with our peers, or with our physical state (minor fevers or colds), but we're all intact and are looking forward to the breathtaking sights of Lago Atitlan. Every day is another step forward (a philosophy Alex previously referenced), and I'm optimistic about the doors I'm going to open by expanding my skill with Spanish and breaking ground in creatively inspiring San Pedro's kids with lessons about their world from the scientific perspective. In sum, I'm living by postive-minded phrase "lo vaya bien", with hope and determination.

First Impressions of Guatemala -- WOW !

The first day in Guatemala was a lot to take in . I met my host family and it was just nerve-wrackinggggg ! Yes , I can speak the language but honestly , I was speechless . That first night we also met our spanish teachers & my teacher looks EXACTLY like my Tia Tita; scary but funny :) . The best part so far was the salsa and merengue class; I did not think I would actually learn something , knowing that its usually the same thing over and over again . Teaching is the most unpredictable thing I have ever done; I was not expecting to be teaching such different second graders . I have two second grade classes at San Pedro and they are completely the opposite from each other . One has all males who dominate the class and the other evens out but of course , there has to be that ONE trouble-maker . Overall , its been going pretty goodd -- Cant wait to see whats nexttttttttttt !

Take it one day at a time ...

Today makes day 3 that I've been in Guatemala. I'm already home sick, snapping at people, and getting on peoples nerves and yes, it's JUST day 3. Yet, I love it here. My host family is amazing and they can speak English. You're probably thinking " Score, thats great for you ! " But no. They don't speak English to me nor will they ever. It stresses me out, but in the long run, it'll help me out a lot. The food you ask? AMAZING ! I can honestly say I'm not just eating the snacks I have stored away in my room. My roommate? Well that's a different story. Haha, i'm kidding. Alex is helping me out a lot and I love having my best friend as my roommate ( it's a plus ! ) My teacher is very understanding and sometimes I feel bad that she has to repeat everything at least 4 times. She says she doesnt mind because that's what we're sitting there for 4 hours a day doing. She's a huge help and i'm actually learning a lot while having a good time with her. This morning wasn't our best day, just for the simple fact that I broke down crying when she said hi to me. She helped me relax and the rest of my day was much better. The kids are adorable and they even help me with my Spanish. Hopefully I come back speaking a little better ! Well, as you can tell as soon as you get here, you start going ! Now I'm off to dinner, tell you more about it later :)