i am not going to use capitals because they are difficult on this computer.

i couldnt have had a better welcome to guatemala. i went directly to antigua. then met an adorable retired man, max. we took a little stroll to san francisco church and around the town center then had tea and played cards...i should say tried because he didnt quite grasp the concept of kings corners. my host then picked me up and we went to his house...absolutely beautiful! he had some other friends and thier new baby staying there also. we stayed in and snacked and chatted all night. i really like them and his friends live in san marcos just across a bay from where i am staying so we are going to get together again. the next day we went out for breakfast then all drove to panajachel where i caught a launcha to san pedro.

as it turns out, this really is a small planet because the first people i saw when i got off the boat walking down the street were karp and dave...friends from home. i checked into the school and my host, debra, came to pick me up. she's super sweet and a great cook and luckily quite good at pantomiming. after dinner i went out for some drinks with other students staying with her...both great. we stopped at a bar and who is sitting there...but of course karp and dave. overall, a very fun night.

today, i climbed a mountain referred to as "the indian nose"...looks like one...with karp, dave, and our guide, juan. my lack of fitness kicked me in the ass half way up the 6000 ft climb, but the view from the top was more than worth it. i was shocked to walk through plots of coffee, corn, and other crops at that elevation and grade and tried to not look quite so tired and sweaty when the 2 elderly women passed seemingly effortlessly.

The local people are so welcoming and luckily very patient with my "spanish". i ate my lunch with debra's husband, an artist, and was able to communicate, but i am very anxious to start classes on monday.