Spanish Language School in Antigua, Guatemala
Day 10 (July 8, 2018) - Antigua, Guatemala
¡Hola, amigos! ¿Cómo están ustedes?
We finally made it to Guatemala last week. It still doesn’t seem real that we’re on this huge trip. I think it will still be a few weeks until it does seem real. It may seem crazy, but we haven’t really had any time to relax. There was a lot of stress and anxiety associated with selling a house, selling a car, quitting a job you really like, and moving away from home. We spent some time with family in Orlando and Denver, but I think we spent most of the time sorting out a million pre-trip details. Everything from buying health insurance, sorting out debit and credit cards, and buying last minute clothes and supplies.
Travis and I got into Guatemala on Thursday, June 28th. Travis flew in earlier in the day from Orlando while I arrived at night, flying in from Denver via Dallas. A special thanks to Dow for helping me rack up all those frequent flier miles. I managed to get an upgrade to business class. The upgrade points are about to become useless after I lose my status this year, so I figured I’d use them while I still could. While I know that I shouldn’t get used to such luxuries, I will say that it was the most comfortable flight I’ve ever been on. What a difference a few extra inches and a real meal makes for comfort. Although technically I don’t think this is my first business class flight, but I’m not sure business class on a domestic Russian Aeroflot flight really counts. I’m sure my parents remember this flight better than I do, but if the seat backs fall forwards during landing in economy I’m not sure business class really counts as luxury so much as provides you with a working seat belt. Regardless, the flight to Guatemala was a nice indulgence before the start of our trip.
We spent the first few days doing the whole tourist thing and getting to know Antigua. It’s a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. But our ability to sleep in was short lived. We’ve been enrolled in the Don Pedro de Alvarado Escuela de Espanol for the last week. What I envisioned for this was that we would take some classes and pick up a little Spanish in our first two weeks to better help us on the rest of the trip in Central and South America.
I thought this would be fun and an interesting way to spend our mornings. Little did I know what we were getting into! But I’m so glad we’re doing this!
We signed up for 20 hours of class per week, which is considered a standard amount of class time for introductory lessons. Four hours each day, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to noon. The lessons are 1-on-1, so Travis and I each have our own teacher who we work with. The school itself is very pretty. It is basically a large, covered outdoor patio with numerous small plastic tables and chairs. There is a small administrative office and an outdoor kitchen that they use to prepare food. Each student-teacher pair has their own table. There were maybe 15-20 students in our first week, but the space is large enough that your lessons still feels very private. You can hear people talking in the background but it’s not at all distracting.
I had taken four years of Spanish in middle and high school, which means I’ve forgotten all of it by now. I have some familiarity with the basics; however, I’m finding that this prior experience is not always helpful because I often think I know something but find out that was I thought I knew is simply incorrect.
Despite the challenges, I’m so glad we’re doing this. I’ve learned so much in such a short time. It’s also a bit humbling. I’m used to being so-called ‘good’ at my job and these classes are reminding me what it’s like to start something new again. It’s tough to try something new! But I think the effort is well worth it. We have one more week of class before we head off to new places. The time on our own will also be helpful to digest all the information we’ve received. I’m already considering taking more classes later on in our trip. It makes for a very intense and exhausting week, but I feel like I’m working towards something very useful.
¡Hasta luego, amigos!
¡Hola, amigos! ¿Cómo están ustedes?
We finally made it to Guatemala last week. It still doesn’t seem real that we’re on this huge trip. I think it will still be a few weeks until it does seem real. It may seem crazy, but we haven’t really had any time to relax. There was a lot of stress and anxiety associated with selling a house, selling a car, quitting a job you really like, and moving away from home. We spent some time with family in Orlando and Denver, but I think we spent most of the time sorting out a million pre-trip details. Everything from buying health insurance, sorting out debit and credit cards, and buying last minute clothes and supplies.
 |
| Leaving Denver International Airport |
Travis and I got into Guatemala on Thursday, June 28th. Travis flew in earlier in the day from Orlando while I arrived at night, flying in from Denver via Dallas. A special thanks to Dow for helping me rack up all those frequent flier miles. I managed to get an upgrade to business class. The upgrade points are about to become useless after I lose my status this year, so I figured I’d use them while I still could. While I know that I shouldn’t get used to such luxuries, I will say that it was the most comfortable flight I’ve ever been on. What a difference a few extra inches and a real meal makes for comfort. Although technically I don’t think this is my first business class flight, but I’m not sure business class on a domestic Russian Aeroflot flight really counts. I’m sure my parents remember this flight better than I do, but if the seat backs fall forwards during landing in economy I’m not sure business class really counts as luxury so much as provides you with a working seat belt. Regardless, the flight to Guatemala was a nice indulgence before the start of our trip.
 |
| You mean to tell me that wine is served in a glass and not a plastic cup? It's the little things that can make travel not so unpleasant. |
We spent the first few days doing the whole tourist thing and getting to know Antigua. It’s a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. But our ability to sleep in was short lived. We’ve been enrolled in the Don Pedro de Alvarado Escuela de Espanol for the last week. What I envisioned for this was that we would take some classes and pick up a little Spanish in our first two weeks to better help us on the rest of the trip in Central and South America.
I thought this would be fun and an interesting way to spend our mornings. Little did I know what we were getting into! But I’m so glad we’re doing this!
 |
| Spanish language school. |
We signed up for 20 hours of class per week, which is considered a standard amount of class time for introductory lessons. Four hours each day, Monday through Friday, from 8 am to noon. The lessons are 1-on-1, so Travis and I each have our own teacher who we work with. The school itself is very pretty. It is basically a large, covered outdoor patio with numerous small plastic tables and chairs. There is a small administrative office and an outdoor kitchen that they use to prepare food. Each student-teacher pair has their own table. There were maybe 15-20 students in our first week, but the space is large enough that your lessons still feels very private. You can hear people talking in the background but it’s not at all distracting.
I had taken four years of Spanish in middle and high school, which means I’ve forgotten all of it by now. I have some familiarity with the basics; however, I’m finding that this prior experience is not always helpful because I often think I know something but find out that was I thought I knew is simply incorrect.
On the first day, my teacher Olga quickly reviewed all the basics with me, and after establishing my level of understanding we went from there. The typical lesson starts with a 15 to 20 minute conversation, in Spanish, of mostly small talk. This is a chance to practice conversing. These conversations mostly involve Olga speaking to me insanely slowly and me struggling to recall the words I need or finding ways to avoid the use of words I know I haven’t learned yet. We’ll then go through some exercises together based on what we had talked about the day before. As if doing homework was bad enough, I have to complete this homework right in front of my teacher. I’ve never been very good when put on the spot and the same applies here, but at least I get immediate feedback. Around 9 am they bring around cups of coffee and a cookie to your table and the lessons continue.
At 10 am a bell is rung, signaling the start of a half hour break. This break is much appreciated. At this point my brain is starting to burn out, but we’re only half way through the morning. The break is a chance to talk to other students, grab a bite to eat (they always prepare a small appetizer that you can purchase for a nominal cost, <$1), or you can take a walk around the block and try to clear your mind. After the break the lessons continue. We alternate between discussing new information and then practicing that new knowledge through numerous exercises. Everything is always in Spanish, unless I’m asking what a Spanish word means in English. The format is very similar to the classes I took in high school, but rather than 50 minutes we go for 4 hours at a time. I spend a huge portion of the morning speaking, whether that be by correcting pronunciation, reciting exercises, or attempting conversations.
I admit to being incredibly happy when the bell rings at noon. My brain is now about as useful as mashed potatoes. For me it’s the combination of intense concentration and, frankly, social interaction for such a long duration that is physically and mentally exhausting. But these lessons are draining for all the students. I think everyone ends up in bed earlier than they usually would. The metal energy required to be so focused all day is huge.
After the lessons are over Travis and I will head out to lunch somewhere to decompress. I usually get another coffee as an attempt to kick start my brain again (it usually doesn’t work). On a good afternoon, we’ll hang out at a coffee shop or bar to review the lessons from the day and work on memorizing new words. On a bad day, I’ll decide that my brain has had enough and take a nap.
 |
| After the bell has been rung for break. |
At 10 am a bell is rung, signaling the start of a half hour break. This break is much appreciated. At this point my brain is starting to burn out, but we’re only half way through the morning. The break is a chance to talk to other students, grab a bite to eat (they always prepare a small appetizer that you can purchase for a nominal cost, <$1), or you can take a walk around the block and try to clear your mind. After the break the lessons continue. We alternate between discussing new information and then practicing that new knowledge through numerous exercises. Everything is always in Spanish, unless I’m asking what a Spanish word means in English. The format is very similar to the classes I took in high school, but rather than 50 minutes we go for 4 hours at a time. I spend a huge portion of the morning speaking, whether that be by correcting pronunciation, reciting exercises, or attempting conversations.
 |
| My teacher, Olga, pulled out the scrabble board when she realized my brain had melted and was useless when we only had 15 minutes left of class. It was a good way to practice Spanish words. She won though. |
I admit to being incredibly happy when the bell rings at noon. My brain is now about as useful as mashed potatoes. For me it’s the combination of intense concentration and, frankly, social interaction for such a long duration that is physically and mentally exhausting. But these lessons are draining for all the students. I think everyone ends up in bed earlier than they usually would. The metal energy required to be so focused all day is huge.
After the lessons are over Travis and I will head out to lunch somewhere to decompress. I usually get another coffee as an attempt to kick start my brain again (it usually doesn’t work). On a good afternoon, we’ll hang out at a coffee shop or bar to review the lessons from the day and work on memorizing new words. On a bad day, I’ll decide that my brain has had enough and take a nap.
 |
| My notebook is quickly becoming filled with Spanish verbs. |
Despite the challenges, I’m so glad we’re doing this. I’ve learned so much in such a short time. It’s also a bit humbling. I’m used to being so-called ‘good’ at my job and these classes are reminding me what it’s like to start something new again. It’s tough to try something new! But I think the effort is well worth it. We have one more week of class before we head off to new places. The time on our own will also be helpful to digest all the information we’ve received. I’m already considering taking more classes later on in our trip. It makes for a very intense and exhausting week, but I feel like I’m working towards something very useful.
¡Hasta luego, amigos!
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