Escuela de español in San Pedro

     After a deep stretching yoga class, perfect the day after the hike, and a bumpy 2ish hour bus ride to Panajachel, we fended the men competing for our boating business and bounced along the huge Lago de Atitlán towards San Pedro de la Laguna.  Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake that sits at 5,100 feet and is surrounding by volcanoes that rise as high up as 10,000 feet.  Squashed between an elderly local couple and clinging to our bags, we protected ourselves from the splash and enjoyed the beautiful views.

The Panajachel boat dock

Hold on!

     Upon arrival we slowly walked up the hill, stopping for helado (ice cream) of course, and found the Cooperativa Language School.  We arrived just in time to get picked up by our host family.  We are staying at the director's house which is pretty neat (albeit a little intimidating!).  Lorenzo runs the school, sits on the school board and is active in church so is certainly an important man in town.  We met his wife Andrea, daughter Elena, son Lorenzo and perro (dog) Rocky who really likes Mark!

   They also have another older son who is studying at a military academy about 2 hours away so he can get higher quality education that may get him in to universities.  We were brought up to the top level where Lorenzo Jr's birthday party was on the beautiful balcony of their friend and tenant Mike, a 60-something retired American who now lives here permanently.  He spent 10 years in the Air Force then taught chemistry for many years.  In 1995, he came to Central America for 6 months and returned every summer break.  Eight years ago, he started the process of building his apartment and now enjoys an amazing home with a lake view for about $300/month.  Not bad!
    This birthday party for Lorenzo is particularly special because about a year and a half ago, at the age of 7, he was diagnosed with pituitary gland cancer and had many months of treatments in Guatemala City, about 4 hours away.  Last year, at his 8th birthday, they thought it may be his last.  So to see him healthy and happy for his 9th birthday is quite special for the family and the fiesta mood reflected that.  Lorenzo showed us his gifts which included clothing, toys and a very nice bicecleta (bicycle)!

Suzy keeping up with los niños

    Monday was our first day of classes.  My maestra (teacher) is Angela and very kind and patient.  Mark is with Nicolas.  The four hours, including a break to introduce ourselves to everyone, went by quickly!  Then we returned home for lunch with Lorenzo Sr. and Andrea.  Mike told us she is a really good cook so we are lucky to be at her house!

Angela and I learning introducciones

The beautiful escuela grounds!

 Unfortunately, we most likely won't be able to stay with them next week since Lorenzo has an MRI scheduled in Guatemala City.  But for now, they are very kind and I am very thankful that Mark knows enough Spanish to actually converse with them at meals, etc.  I learned a lot today but it is hard because I keep thinking of the German words for introductions, numbers, etc.  I know just enough German to mess with my Spanish learning but not enough to actually be useful there!

   We spent the afternoon studying at a nearby restaurant called Mikaso.  It is right on the lake surrounded by a few houses that are submerged in water.  The lake has no outlet, only through evaporation, so any increases in moisture are quite visible!  Apparently it naturally cycles up and down but there are many lakeside communities that would be affected if the waters didn't recede.  We also shopped around town for a cumpleaños regalo (birthday gift) for Lorenzo.  Our first purchase was a Real Madrid mochila (backpack) but we came home and immediately saw that he already had a really nice Real Madrid mochila so went right back out again to purchase a Real Madrid (his favorite team) scarf.  This was a hit and he loved it!

San Pedro is a very religious city with lots of religious street art and paintings.

    Day two of classes went equally well!  I have tarea (homework) so I must get to that!  Buenos días!