San Pedro (not as I remembered it)

When I left Antigua I was under the impression that it was only a two hour shuttle ride to San Pedro la Laguna! So when I booked my ticket (boleto) for 2 p.m. I figured that I would have loads of time to make it to the school, be able to select a family for my homestay and still have time for cena (dinner). As I was quickly reminded, there are NO kept schedules in Guatemala. I wasn’t picked up until 2:30 and I didn’t arrive at the lake until 5:45 p.m.

I felt awful for my shuttle mates as they had to listen to me panic about making it to school before 6 p.m. or Ramon, the school director, would leave without me and I would be stranded with no place to stay (which isn’t totally true…I could get a hostel very easily…I just have a huge American stick up my ass!)

But to my rescue, Moses, a local tour guide in San Pedro, greeted me when I arrived and got me to my final destination very quickly! He led me to Ramon who then took me to my host family (I didn’t get to choose a family like he had originally told me!) I am living with the Gonzelzes—Cecilia (the mother), Maria Elena (the middle daughter 12) and Hannah (the baby 2)—in my very big room with two beds! Unfortunately my toilet is not big—it is actually outside with nothing but a small curtain separating me and the outside world. And the shower that is by my room only has cold water. The one that they let me use downstairs is supposed to be warm, but I have not yet felt that warmth. I was also told today that the students buy the toilet paper (not too sure how I feel about that!)

my two beds :)

My family is very nice and is very patient with me and my lack of Spanish. Unfortunately, there are very few things that we can say to each other because of the language barrier and we tend to end up staring at each other very awkwardly.

maria elena--the middle child

my bathroom and shower--only curtains to separate me and the world!

the view from my balcony

I am not too sure how long I will last in this homestay. I am very lonely and they have not been feeding me very well. It is very hard for people in San Pedro, and in Guatemala for that matter, to make any money. I think that they try to get by giving me as little as possible so that they can come away with something for themselves. I can’t say that I blame them.

I had my first day of school yesterday. My teacher, Elana (I think that is her name—I am usually REALLY good with names and I just cannot seem to keep her’s in my head), is very sweet. She is only 2 years older than me and is married with 2 kids! She was telling me all about marriage in San Pedro, how it is totally normal for a girl to marry when she is 15. She has a great sense of humor and will joke with me about everything. I am excited that she is my teacher. I think that I will stick with her! Hopefully she will get me understanding Spanish better in the next 3 weeks. It was all coming back to me as the hours of school went on. I think that I might actually have a good chance of being fluent by the time I return home. Who knows?! It could be wishful thinking! Seeing as I am bored out of my mind I have lots of time to study.

my teacher Elena! she's the best!

As far as staying with my family goes, I am going to give it a week and see how I feel. I am really longing to see Alexandra’s face (I MISS YOU FRIEND)!! She is coming to visit me on Friday. Depending on how the weekend goes I will either stay with my family or I will check into a hostel.

The rain is poring outside as I type. It is low season for tourism in San Pedro so there is not much to do and there are not many people to mingle with. There are a few other students in my language school, but so far the ones that I have met are realllllllllllly odd. I haven’t quite found any that I would fancy to hang out with! So I guess you can say “Raquel es una perdedora” which means “Rachel is a loser”.

So, after one long and drawn out blog post later…if you see me online…talk to me…I’m bored J Until next time…ADIOS AMIGOS!