First Day of School

6/28/04 Today went well. We made it to school on time and both feel like we've been placed correctly. James was worried at first that he was not in the right class, but after the afternoon conversation class we both realize we have much to learn. We signed up for extra conversation classes in the afternoon, but I will miss some of those since Susana wants me to come help during Guelaguetza week. I'm also going to sign up for some cooking classes at school (these workshops are at no extra cost) so that I can get some of the kitchen vocabulary down. The teachers at ICO are very patient and speak slowly for us in the beginning classes, but no English. I'm surprised at how much I understand but how little I can respond. Our conversation workshop teacher talked with me a little about superstition. He was a little horrified that I owned a black cat, but did not consider himself superstitious. He believes in an "energy" but isn't certain about ghosts and witches.

I also decided to stay in my hostel for the entire 4 weeks in the city. It is rustic, but I am comfortable here and think I'd like the time to myself before moving in with a family in Etla for 4 months. After James leaves, I get to move into a room on the roof from which I'm told I can see the main dances of the Guelaguetza on the mountainside. It is a beautiful view of the rooftop garden and the surrounding mountains. Hopefully, it is also a little cooler up there at night than in the room we have on the interior of the hostel now.

I was originally thinking I would send back gifts to some of you, but I found out from my teacher today to send even a small item it cost her $90USD. I don't think I'll be sending anything home except postcards and emails. I may try to do some shopping before James leaves if he has room to carry items back with him.

A student in my class recommended a restaurant called VIPS and we went for lunch since it was very close to school. I won't waste time reviewing it as it was very much like a Denny's. Not impressive. For dinner we went to La Rustica and had pizza. It was a nice change after eating at a very small local place last night that upset our stomachs a little this morning. Speaking of local fare, we passed a place today that had the soup special listed as "Sopa de Gato"...Ken or Ruben or Monica, if you read this, please let me know what that means because in my limited Spanish I read that as cat soup and I'm sure that can't be it. Anyway, we'll be back up to local fare tomorrow, just have to give the system time to adapt. I have found that the wine here leaves something to be desired, but I was expecting that. I actually think that the temperatures without air conditioning have turned the wine a little; even wines I know taste a little off. Luckily the beer tastes great. I think it is kept much cooler than the cerveza in the Yucatan. Not much more to report today unless you want to hear Spanish practice.