First casualty of Guatemalan stomach issues—Katie vomited twice last night. We can't decide if this is from something she ate or drank, which would be odd since we have had all the same things, or if she has the flu, which just seems unlikely and like the worst timing ever. Also the Celtics lost, so last night was a failure all around. (If you're ever in Antigua and have the need/desire to watch Boston sports, Monoloco is the place to be.)

As for the orphanage, I have a few very strong but very different feelings on it. The first is that I love it. I love working there and I adore the kids.  They are so affectionate, so sweet, and so outgoing... I fell in love with all of them. The language barrier didn't seem to matter at all. I just played with them and read to them in Spanish, which was good practice for me and patience for them, as I stumbled through most words. It was Mother's day on Tuesday, but they celebrated yesterday so we got to see them put on a show—singing, dancing, acting, lip-synching. SO cute. I have pictures. It's really sad because I was only doing a week there, and because of orientation and rides never showing up yesterday was my first, and last, full day. We aren't going today because Katie's sick and I am super nauseous. And tomorrow, because of a problem with El Salvador, we can't go either. Then I move on to teaching English. It makes me really sad because I love the kids (and I've already decided that if I don't like teaching as much, the week after I'll go back to the orphanage), however, that orphanage is incredible. It's beautiful and well staffed and just... really, really nice. As much as I love hanging out with the kids, and giving them individualized attention, I can't help but feel that I could do more good elsewhere.

So as much as I'll miss the kids and the opportunity to get to know them more, I'm not too devastated. And I'm hopeful that the change in placement will lead to more free time. Surprisingly I have very little of it! And I want more time to focus on my Spanish. As of now I wake up at 6, leave by 6:45, work from 8-12, home by 1:30, class from 2-3, nap, shower, study, read, until 6, dinner, then go out until like 9:30, then bed. Basically I have 3-6 free time, which sounds like a lot but really isn't! So I wouldn't mind more time to study my Spanish/explore the city.

Finally, El Salvador! We are going this weekend. There's an issue though—apparently after we paid they realized they had overbooked, and apparently we were the last ones to pay. So now we're taking a different bus from everyone else that leaves at 8 am tomorrow instead of 2 pm... so we miss our placement, we don't travel with everyone, and I guess private rooms at the hostel are sold out so we have to stay in a dorm, but still pay the same amount of money as everyone else. Which I don't understand but they seemed very firm on. But regardless, we'll be in El Salvador this weekend! Hopefully taking surf lessons.

So yeah. Impressions 1/6th of the way through. And in case I wasn't clear, I kind of love it here. I'm already thinking of extending my stay. Yet again.

Oh yes it's Ladies Night

Ladies night at Mono Loco (Funky Monkey) tonight. All women get drinks for 4 Q! That's three drinks for about 2 US dollars. So I will not be posting anymore tonight (unless I get in and feel the need to drunk post), but will still be up bright and early at 6 am tomorrow morning.

Just had dinner with everyone—there are five school girls who live here, a retired school teacher, Dede, who is getting TEFL certified, and Kate, from California who's been here since January studying Spanish. First time we all ate at once, and it was muy delicioso.

Just helped Dede fix her skype. I feel so useful. However when I went to unplug it I just broke the outlet. I would say you win some you lose some, but as that's our ONLY outlet, this is much more of a loss than most gains.

Time to drink.

Antigua, Guatemala

I forgot about this blog until just recently, when I remembered but couldn't find any record of creating it. But here it is! Aqui esta! And I'm so ready to start blogging again.

I'm in Antigua now! It's so different than anything I imaged, though honestly I had absolutely nothing to compare it to, so I had almost no expectations. Anyway, I was pretty terrified before I came, but on arrival pretty much all my fears were assuaged. I have felt safe almost always (except last night, but it was late and we were drunk so...), and the food is delicious. More Spanish than I expected has come back to me, but classes are helping less than I thought they would. But I refuse to give up. Poco a poco, as mi maestra says.

I have more to say, obviously, but I am crazy tired. We have to get up at 6 and be at the orphanage by 8. It's only 3:30 so while Katie is at her lesson I'm going to nap. Expect more soon!