Day 27

     My first day of school.  One on one private lessons actually, for 6 hours each day.  My teacher, Brenda, is 24 and studying tourism at the local university.  She is really funny and very patient with me.  I think I might be a difficult student.  Anyway, I had forgotten how much I enjoy expressing myself in another language.  I also enjoy the process of learning.
     In the afternoons we have planned activities.  Today, we went to Banos de Chicoux which is near the town of Zumil.  The banos are natural hot springs that you sit in for medicinal purposes.  I think most people go there for the hot water which is scarce elsewhere.  I didnt participate and instead sat around talking movies and translating jokes with the teachers.  Tom Cruise is popular here, too.
     For breakfast: fried eggs, black beans, salsa and tortillas.  For lunch: chicken with salsa and rice.  For dinner: fried ham, beans and rice.

Hotel - $0, Food - $0, Trans - $1, School & homestay - $18
Total - $19

Day 28

     Had to get up at 5am this morning to finish all of my homework.  The crowing rooster next door would have probably waken me up anyway. In the afternoon I ran errands and sat in the parque central for a couple of hours.  The sun felt great. 
     One of the more daring aspects of living with a family is experienceing the local food.  Without too much commentary I have chronicled the meals each day.  Martha is anexcellent cook although sometimes it was hard to find the balance between not offending and not getting it again.
     For breakfast: corn flakes and bananas with warm milk.  For lunch: spaghetti with something like squash.  For dinner: black bean puree with fried tostados.

Hotel - $0, Food - $5, School & homestay - $18
Total - $23

Day 29

     Very cold again in Xela this morning.  I think it is extra cold because it is summer back home.  Martha surprised me with french toast this mroning and everything got much better.  More Spanish lessons.  I am finding the more grammar I learn, the less I actually know.
     Lunch today was chicken soup.  I had a great conversation with Rosie.  She is a very driven 17 year-old studying to be an executive secretary.  I spent the afternoon in the ark again.  Funniest shirt belonged to a local man wearing a Joans birthday at the beach - HIlton Head 1998 t-shirt.  Maybe he was there, but I dount it.
     Dinner: tortillas, scrambled eggs, black beans.

Hotel - $0, Food - $6, School & homestay - $18
Total - $24

Day 30

     I really missed the french toast this morning when Martha brought out the corn cereal.  It was like watery instant oatmeal, but corn.
     Another humbling day at school.
     Came home at lunch to find everyone crying and sad.  Sheny, age 17, lost her job.  She was working 40 hours a week as a seamstress sewing together Lee and TravelSmith pants.  This was in addition to going to high school at night.  Apparently, the company lost the contract so Sheny lost her job.  Unfortunately, the economy is not very good and her options are limited.  She supports herself.  Bad day.
     Went jogging to escape the house and ran to Volcano Santa Maria (about an hour away).  At the farms along the way entire families were harvesting crops of carrots, onion, and cabbage.   FOr our school activity tonight, we celebrated the full moon with a bonfire, drinks, and a very good folk singer to entertain us.  He sang simple songs about country life, wainting peace, and protest songs that were not flattering to Guatemalas big neighbor to the north.
     For lunch: BBQ ribs, rice, cucmber salad.  For dinner: cant remember

Hotel - $0, Food - $6, School & homestay - $18
Total - $24

Day 31

     Three big events today.  FIrst, my last day of schol and our graduation dinner.  It was hard to say goodbye to Brenda.  After spending 5 hours a day talking, we were good friends.
     The second big event was the start of a national telethon to benefit disabled children.  There was live music in the park in the afternoon (fianally heard a marimba concert), ubiquitous children with coffee cans asking for donations, and a live program televised from Xela.  My whole family plus boyfriends and me went to the telethon that night.  Just like in the US, we enjoyed really cheesy emcees and mediocre live acts.  Anyway, I think I was on TV.
     The final big event was Ladys 23rd birthday.  She celebrated with her family in Starkville.
     For breakfast: rice, meat, plantains.  For lunch: fried pork chops, potatoes, cheese.  For dinner: paches de papa.

Hotel - $0, Food - $9, Random (donation - $1), School & homestay - $18
Total - $28

Day 32

     Up early this morning - this time to hike Volcan Tajamulco with Quetzeltrekkers, a local nonprofit group.  Tajamulco has the distinction of being the highest point in Central America.  Our group of 18 truly international travellers and 2 guides left at six, took several buses, and hiked for four plus hours with heavy packs.  The hike was especially beautiful as we crossed through green pastures (sheep, wool_ and farm land (corn, potatoes).  We camped at the tree line, just minutes short of the summit.  We had a bonfire and roasted marshmallows.  Our spirits were up even if it was cold and getting colder.
     Because the cky was clear and I had had bad luck with the clouds and fog on previous climbs, I agreeg to go with several others to the summit.  We made it just in time for the clouds to completely cover everything.

Hotel - $0, Food - $1, Tours - $40
Total - $41

Day 33

     Just rewards.  Enjoyed a beautiful, clear sunrise at the summit this morning.  We could see all the way back to Xela and Antigua and also well into Mexico.  Definitely worth the suffering.
     Hurried down the mountain (well as fast as I could go after being so tired), bused back to Xela, then another bus to Guatemala City, and met Lady at the airport.  She was excited to see me, but not too excited as I didn ' have time to shower beforehand.

Hotel - $30, Food - $4, Trans - $8       Total - $42