Catherine, August 8, 2018 in Guatemala
"Today Marleny, my teacher, and I worked on verbs all morning. Tomorrow we will start with the irregular verbs. We took a lunch break, and then after lunch we worked on prepositions and more verbs. We spend a lot of time speaking in Spanish. I’m slowly catching on.
"Today was beautiful, sunny and the butterflies (they are transparent with colored trim–they look like little pieces of light flying from flower to flower!) flew in and out of my apartment all day as I studied Spanish with my teacher. I had lunch at the most tranquil place, in a garden. After lunch, I had the famous chocolate drink–felt that I had died and gone to heaven!
"After studies were over in the afternoon, I walked into town, went to several historic sites and then to the grocery store. I walked downtown to the Arco de Santa Catalina. Quoting from the guidebook, it’s all that’s left of a convent dating to 1613. As the convent grew, it expanded to include a structure across the street. The arch then was built to allow the nuns to cross to the other side while avoiding contact with the general populace in accordance with strict rules governing seclusion. Its current version with a clock tower is a reconstruction dating to the 19th century, as the original was destroyed in the 1773 earthquakes.
"I also went walked to La Merced, just the outside today, one of Antigua’s most beautiful churches. A service was being held. I’ll visit the historic ruins of the monastery inside another day.
"Today was sunny, and for the first time since I’ve been here, the Volcan de Agua was in full view! Spectacular!
"My favorite time of day is the late afternoon, and that is true here as well. Everything is vividly lit at that time of day. I know enough Spanish now to ask where things are in the grocery store. One thing I bought–a wash cloth! Apparently they aren’t used that often around here–they use those sponge things instead, but I like my washcloths, so I was happy to find one there.
"The place I’m staying is just wonderful! I love it more every day! The peaceful garden, the beautiful flowers everywhere, the limes and the lemons that I am free to use–it’s all so renewing.
"Time to cook, eat and then study before I go to bed.
"Tonight, I’m cooking the squash I bought in the market for dinner, along with some bread from the bakery, and some local pineapple, which is so sweet! also from the market. The people who own this place have a full time gardener and a housekeeper as well.
"My bedroom has a screened window, and shutters to block out all light–it is the best place to sleep ever!