Jess and Stacey’s Travels

Antigua Pix-click on photo for more pictures

Since we returned from our hiatus Stateside, we have been staying in Antigua, Guatemala.  We are each taking two hours of private instruction.  The Spanish is coming back for both of us.

This is the rainy season which will continue through October.  It rains at least once every day now.  Although, we’re not sure what is normal versus what rain is the result of hurricanes Dean and Felix.  As you can see from the picture, sometimes it comes down faster than the drainage systems can handle.  This was taken outside our door.

Let it rain-click for more pix

Also, the temperatures are much cooler than when we visited in May/June. We are wearing our sweaters or fleeces at night and during the day when the sun doesn’t shine.  It is nice to walk around the town in cooler temperatures.

We are living in a place where we’ve stayed before.  It is a small ‘compound’ of apartments called “El Rosario” in Antigua operated by a women named Olga.  There are rooms and apartments that are rented out for long-term and short-term stays.  Olga rents to travelers, the majority of which are associated with Spanish language schools.
Staying here is a great value and a good way for us to practice our Spanish.  Every renter with Olga has the option of paying a couple extra dollars a day for 3 great meals that are eaten communally. Olga has a young woman, Francisca, that helps with the cooking and cleaning.    Spanish is spoken during meals which is good practice for everyone.
Dinner conversation is usually interesting given the diverse cross-section of people.  Olga eats with us and is extremely patient and good at correcting our Spanish without seeming critical. 
Right now there are 6 other guests and the two of us.  Leo (22) is in the Coast Guard and is spending 6 weeks here to learn Spanish while he awaits his helicopter pilot classes to begin in Florida.  Char (?) is down here to fulfill a life-long dream to learn Spanish.  She is a retired assistant dean of students from a major university.  John, a retiree, vacations here frequently to improve his Spanish.  His brother and sis-in-law are here too.  A young woman, Gina, is here on her way through from Costa Rica. She is returning to the states on Wednesday.  We recommend this place for the hospitality of Olga and Francisca, as well as for the food.  [read on]

Thanks for all the concern about our well-being given the plethora of hurricanes.  We´re in Guatemala and fine.  Hurricanes resulted in more rain during our already rainy season.  More to come shortly.