Week 1: Survivor

                It only took a week to understand the difficulty that faces an old dog being taught a new trick. I am  that old dog, appreciative of my extremely patient professora at Spanish immersion school in Antigua, Guatemala.

                The good news: I survived and passed my first exam on Friday.

                The bad news:  My vocabulario is limited and el diccionario is my new best friend.

                It's a new world for an old pup as I struggle with learning and remembering what I will need to know when Lisa and I get to Honduras in nine more weeks.

                I had a dream Thursday night much different than Martin Luther King's about everyone being  judged not by the color of skin, but by quality of character (many Guatemalans, including our host familia, have very high character). My dream was in Spanish and was about preguntar, which, in English, means  "to ask." When I awoke I recalled I had recited, in my mind and conscience, the variations of its usage: "Yo pregunt(o)" ... " tu pregunt(as)" ...  "el pregunt(a)" ... "nosotros pregunt(amos)" ... and "ustedes pregunt(an)."

                My professora  told me dreaming in Espanol was a good thing  -- and muy importante. She said it showed progreso.

                Our first week in Antigua has been much different than life in the United States. There are difficult adjustments -- but also many advantages, such as less distractions. My focus has become sharper because of 7 to 10 hours-a-day practicing a new language. Class begins at 8 a.m. Lunch starts at noon. Classes resume at 2 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. We have half hour breaks at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The hours of study continue  as we have tarea  (homework) at noche (night).

                No more do I watch 3-hour-long football games on television. The TV show Survivor is dead to me. CSI, NCIS, Blue Bloods and The Voice have all be silenced.  The Wheel of Fortune no longer spins.

                The adventure and excitement of our new life grows daily. We are on the path which we were called to travel with the mission of service to others.

                Feed the big old dog! Hasta la vista Chicos!

-- Juan

   

                Welcome to Guatemala! What an amazingly beautiful country and what a fantastic way to start this adventure.

                As John stated, there are fewer distractions. I am becoming so much more aware of the beauty and little details. I appreciate the fresh bread and smell of coffee. I also can empathize with people learning a new language and to cope in new situations. My teacher and I have had numerous conversations about experiences and cultural differences. I have always loved to learn, and this is a refreshing opportunity that is awakening my soul.

                As we shed our possessions (some temporarily, others permanently) and drove away from our cabin in Georgia, reality set in. We are living out of suitcases for the next ten weeks...

                But, I am reminded daily of God's love and to be thankful for everything. Who knew I would be so grateful to have remembered a 3-prong outlet converter? Our room is meager, but warm. There is much poverty, but much laughter and fulfillment. Siestas have become my friend at the lunch break! There are so many examples - my heart is overwhelmed. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

                                                                                                                                                              -Lisa Maria