Mucho español

Seven hours of Spanish instruction today! I am actually learning more about the structure of the English language as well. Teaching sixth grade, I don't cover topics like reflexive pronouns, direct and indirect objects, gerunds, and the subjunctive tense, and it's been a long time since I learned that (if I actually did). I can understand why my students look at me as if I have two heads when I am teaching them about subject and predicate or various types of clauses. You have to be a "language-lover" to actually want to learn these concepts. Lucky for me, I am. Surprisingly, I am flying through the textbook, and a lot of it is just coming back from high school (thanks to two wonderful Spanish teachers!)

Update on the school: the director of the school is "embarrassed" for me that I cannot be volunteering with the kids this week (according to Rafael). However, I will double up on my Spanish lessons this week and get to spend 3 full days at the school during my last week instead of just the afternoons. Apparently, it is one of the poorest schools in La Ceiba, and it is right next to a landfill. However, Rafael says it is very safe and that I will love the children there. 

I found out a bit more about the CASS (Central American Spanish School) where I am receiving my lessons.  Rafael and his brother, Jimmy, are "renting" an old hotel (pictures from yesterday) to hold classes at. I used quotation marks as they are not actually paying anything for the space but have agreed to work on fixing it up. They both live there and have workers who are doing minor renovations on it. It is their hope to open up the rooms for student to stay in. 

So many delicious meals today - I had 4 because Rafael bought me some pastellitas (like British pasties but with much more flavor) during my afternoon class. Quesadillas for breakfast, Chinese food for lunch, and eggs, rice, and fried plantains for dinner. I also had a lot of tasty fresh fruit today - sandia (watermelon), mango, and avocado. While I was eating dinner, Argentina's grandson came to visit. His name is Alex, he is 16 years old, and he speaks English better than anyone else I have met from Honduras. He attends a private bilingual colegio (high school) in La Ceiba and is hoping to move to the US when he graduates. He plays volleyball for a national team and travels to other countries for tournaments. I only chatted with him for a few minutes, but he seems like a friendly, hard-working kid. 

I will have tomorrow afternoon off, so I will probably find my way into town to buy some postcards, exchange money, and explore the shops. I also need to figure out what I want to do this weekend. There are so many interesting options! 

A few pictures of a resort-type area where I had my lesson this afternoon: