I am currently writing this blog post from my full sized bed in my own room in my home stay family house which is one of two that has internet (lucky me), so I will definitely be able to keep up with my blog posts from my home.
Started the day with an early start; we packed our bags and were out of the hotel by 7:30 and off to breakfast at a nunnery where we would spend the day. Here we had a long morning of orientation on health, safety, and homestay etiquette. Following this we had lunch in the nunnery where we got a large piece of chicken, rice, tortillas, and veggies.
Then we met our tutors for the first time. These are one on one tutors that for the next two weeks are going to tutor us for four hours every day. My tutor's name is Sandra and she only speaks Spanish. We talked for about two hours and she was really able to kick start my Spanish skills with a Spanish 101 so I wouldn't sound completely terrible when I entered my home stay. We then roamed Antigua for an hour and then we were off to our separate families.
As I walked into the door, my heart pounding out of control to the point where I could have cried on the spot, I was greeted with a large hug by my home stay mom Irma. This immediately settled my nerves and my teary eyes went away just in time. She led me upstairs past their outdoor garden into the kitchen where I met my home stay sister Keyla who is 13 and was working on a project for her class. I then met the 18 year old older daughter Daniela. I was taken to my room and was pleasantly surprised when I had my own room with a full bed, a couch, a small desk, and lots of space to put my clothing. I met the father who was helping Keyla with her school project. I sat at the kitchen table with Irma and Keyla as I nervously tried to communicate with my limited Spanish ability. At first stuttering over every word, I gradually got a little more comfortable and really did enjoy applying the things I could and communicating with phrases like "me gusta jugar futbal" or "soy de Los Angeles". It was a start! My host mom started talking to me about how I must be so nervous and how I will get much better at Spanish and much more comfortable tomorrow. She was really sweet and was cooking us dinner at the time.
I then went to my room to unpack my stuff and once I was done I heard Adele playing in the kitchen and took that as my cue to re enter the kitchen and start conversation, not that it could really go that far. Keyla showed me all her American music, then I helped Irma crack eggs for dinner. I was soon to meet Erick the 23 year old brother who was so friendly to me, always had a huge smile, was asking me questions and attempting to understand my butchered spanish.
We were then served dinner, and since I was the guest I was served first. Dinner was beans rice eggs and corn tortillas. Irma served us all and did not eat with the family which I think is part of the muchismo, male dominated, culture. During dinner Irmas cousin came over and everyone was talking Spanish really fast and I could not understand a word, but I could just peacefully eat my dinner in silence. I was very happy the family has a water filter and could trust that the water would not make me sick.
After dinner I went on a walk with Irma, the father, and Keyla to the meat shop which was on the same street as her home to get chicken and to another tienda selling fruits and vegetables. She asked me what my favorite fruit was and I told her I loved all fruit but papaya and she bought a large pineapple for me!
We went home and Keyla taught me how to use the shower which is located outside and downstairs in a small bathroom. I could not figure out how to make it hot but I was successfully able to take a shower which I was very happy with!
Now I am in my room exhausted and ready for another long day of Spanish learning and more orientation. Very happy I overcame the initial meeting of my family and am looking forward to seeing how this relationship is going to grow and change as I am here for the next few weeks.
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