Week 3: Guatemala insight

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John writes - 
Late-night comedic TV-show host David Letterman used to have Top Ten random lists. Here is mine after three weeks at Spanish immersion school:
  1. "Boombas" are common in Antigua. The blasts are for events and celebrations. I jump every time I hear one, sometimes several times a day.
  2. Guatemalans love parades, especially on weekends. As I write this the repetitive beat of drums and sound of tooting horns are getting closer and closer as a band marches up the cobblestone street in front of our host-family home.
  3. "Everyday people" are more polite, or at least formal, than in the United States. In passing on the narrow sidewalks everyone exchanges "Buenas Diás (Tardes/Noches)" greetings.
  4. At school "Bien" is not a complete answer to "Como Está?" The question is asked with the hope the answer will be "Muy Bien." A simple "Bien" response will bring concern that you aren't felling better. And never, ever, say "Regular." It means "so-so" in Spanish and it will result in being forced to drink some sort of bad-tasting medicinal tea.
  5. The basic foods are eggs, bread, rice and fruit. Meats and vegetables are limited. Meal portions are smaller. It's an excellent weight loss program (I'm down about 10 pounds).
  6. Randy Newman was wrong. Short people in Guatemala have lots of reasons to live -- and they do not wear platform shoes on nasty little feet (look up the song lyrics).
  7. I'm getting better at rummy. I've won four of eight games with Lisa.
  8. Central American mosquitos like my blood just as much as those annoying insects in the United States.
  9. I really can conjugate verbs in Spanish (yo estoy...tú estás...él está...nosotros estamos...ustedes están.
  10. I am blessed. Matthew 5:9 -- "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." 
               

    Ruins of San Jeronimo College

    Built in 16th century and destroyed by earthquakes in 1773.



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