October 31, 2008

Study with No Eruptions

Press HERE to view a slide show from
Our Two Weeks in Antigua

Betty with Judith and Elva
 Betty with Judith and Elva
The Gonzalez Family
 Familia Gonzalez
With Julia, Sandrida and Ruth
 Julia, Sandrida and Ruth
Saturday at the Market
 Antiguas Market
Interesting People
 Antiguan Men
Beautiful Children
 Antiguan Children
Coffee at the Plantation
 Antiguan Coffee Plantation

I mentioned in my last entry that we moved from one family to another. Our new room is much nicer. We have internet in the house, which is unusual and something we crave. The food was a lot more interesting in our first family, because it was much more typically Guatemalan food. Other pleasant changes include the teen-age children, Leonel and Marisabel, of our hostess, Ruth Gonzalez. Another has been the addition of a couple of other students. Sandrita is a 30-something Taiwanese women who is studying Spanish and how to dance the Salsa. She is just great. Julia is Korean and has been working mostly and studying for more than three years in Guatemala. So, the change has been mostly for the good.

We have been studying a lot, holding our nose to the grindstone. The effect has been pretty awesome. I have recaptured most of my Spanish and have broken new ground to learn quite a bit more. Betty’s instructor is Judith. She has a master’s degree in teaching and has been a great help to Betty. My instructor is Elva. She also has a teaching degree. She has been great, even outstanding.

We have gone out a bit, especially on the week-ends, to eat and drink at the local bars and eateries. Wednesday was particularly busy. We visited a coffee plantation after school in the afternoon. And I went out to hear some Cuban music at Riki's Bar>. The band leader was Nacho Barell, who is said to have been a member of the Buena Vista Social Club – a rather famous Cuban group. I could not confirm his membership in that band, but I can confirm that his current band is quite good.

The rain ended, so we have been able to view the Agua Volcano with much clarity. The locals say that it has not been active in their lifetime. That could be and we have seen no smoke, nor lava flowing down the mountain side. So it has been great studying with no eruptions.

That about does it for now. I hope you enjoy all the photos.
In the next entry you can expect photos and stories from other parts of Guatemala.

Studying at the Sky Bar without Eruptions
 View of Volcan Agua

Posted by bill at October 31, 2008 02:22 PM
Comments

I like the "I wish I was there" photo - with the cerveza. adios amigos y via con dios!

Posted by: Margie Sanroman at October 31, 2008 03:45 PM

WOW Im very jealous-- looks like you and Betty are living it up! Love the picture Bill, of you "studying" ha..
Everything is good at the house. The cats are my new friends :)
Take care, safe travels and see you and Betty soon! Happy Halloween..

Posted by: Karen Binsfeld at October 31, 2008 03:54 PM

Funny caption on last photo. Great view as well. I think you could sell the image and use the money to pay for your next excursion.

Posted by: Mickie at October 31, 2008 04:26 PM

Hey Diamond Bill....

You never made me study like that back in the day.

Safe and Sane in Alaska

Luv Russ

Posted by: Russ McGee at October 31, 2008 06:36 PM

Hola amigos!

Seems like you two have fun ... we are happy to hear from you. Thanks a lot for the cute clothes for Max and Marie! That was a great surprise and we hope to see you soon when you are in europe again. Please update our new email-address and our best wishes for you!
Heike and Bjoern :o)

Posted by: Heike Günther at November 2, 2008 11:54 AM