Yesterday, we had a good class! We stayed at the school and went over homework and worked on reading and pronunciation. I have always said that pronunciation in Spanish was easy because that vowels are always pronounced the same and the rules were concrete and reliable. All of that still reigns true, but- my gosh- I do struggle with it. Some of us have been working with some of the Guatemalan students, teaching them English, and I think the switching also throws me off. It is, however, good practice if I want to be an interpreter one day.
After class, lunch. Homework. Then Mary, Andrew, and I left to find a second-hand clothes store we had heard about it. Half-way there, Andrew asked if we knew where we were going. We knew the shop was near the La demo market, but the market is about four blocks in size... So then commenced our hunt for the second-hand store that we didn't know the name or the location. Eventually, after entering many shops with no luck, we ended up finding a really good second-hand store with lots of items. You know what is better than a second-hand store? A second-hand store at which you can barter (If you're reading, Haley, be proud!)
We headed to dance class afterwards. It went pretty well, except the instructor lost it for a moment because we were chatting and guys were doing moves that girls hadn't been taught yet. He listed his credentials and then proceeded to go from person-to-person, naming the things they do badly in front of everyone. While I understood where he was coming from, it certainly was not a pick-me-up for the group as a whole.
Today would have been the birthday of my teacher's mother, who passed away nine years ago. He mentioned that he wanted to visit the cemetery, so we decided to do that during our class. We walked to the cemetery which was huge and very beautiful. I should have taken more pictures. All of the tombs are above-ground. Some are very decorated and painted bright colors.
A gitana (gypsy girl), who is said to have "died of love" after she and her lover were forbade to be together, is buried at the beginning of the cemetery. Rocael told me that people who are suffering from unrequited love visit the grave and write notes or leave flowers. Sure enough, there were fresh flowers on her tombs, which was covered with writings, some as recent as yesterday. Rocael set off some fireworks in honor of his mother's birthday because she loved fireworks. Then we headed out. Much like the other day, he knew so many people that we passed. One woman, named Alba, took my arm and we walked and talked for a few minutes- she was so sweet!
Then we went to a centro commercial because my stomach was rumbling something fierce. I got arroz con leche, which is basically a milk and rice drink. Rocael also ordered us two delicious sweet muffins things that I cannot remember the name. Yum though. Then we went to a really cool store (My teacher was friends with the owner- are you surprised?) and I bought a gorgeous, embroidered shirt! We returned to the house after that and the Lastrapes picked me up to go to the shelter. We watched a movie with the girls today! They seemed to really enjoy it.
I do not remember if I have written about Mama Chayito yet, but she is the mother of the director of the school. She was in Guate for my first week here, but she returned last week. She is such a precious lady! Always ready to dole out a smile or hug or pat or cute little saying and I love having her here!
This weekend, a small group of us are traveling to Huehuetenango for some of the students to see their pápas for Father's Day. While I certainly wish I could be with mine, joining someone else in celebrating their father will do until I can be back home with my own!
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