One week of Spanish school down, three to go. Wow. This week was as crazy or crazier than I expected. Nine hours of school with an hour commute on either end plus homework every night makes for a long long day. My head is seriously spinning with new words and conjugations as I go to bed each night. By the end of the week I felt like I could not speak Spanish or English anymore. I have been thankful for this Saturday to have a day of rest and not studying.

Team photo on the first day

Despite how difficult school is I am thankful to be in it and am very impressed with our experience so far. Our teachers are excellent and have been in this business for years, some more than 20. They are good at balancing serious study with breaks for laughter, learning funny things and enjoying a scoop of ice cream after lunch.

During a pausa (break) at school.

I am in a class with just Sara and we are at level 5 of 10. I am a low level 5 but I am making do and learning a lot. We have one teacher between the two of us so we get a lot of time to speak, read and listen. This first week was a review of much of the grammar I have learned before and being exposed to hundreds and hundreds of new vocab words. Why do we need so many words to get along? I think we are being excessive. :)

Enjoying a frap at Starbucks. After working at Starbucks I never wanted to go there but it is amazing how much of a difference a little taste of home can make me feel, especially when its dang hot outside.

We also go out to lunch with a teacher every day and this cost is included in the price of our tuition. This is a chance for us to chat casually and and relax a little. We have a budget that is easy to stay within so most days we stop by and get ice cream or a frap on our way back to class. It is becoming a bad habit but it is so good. I love ice cream here.

At the market last week enjoying some free fruit that later made me sick. I learned my lesson.

Besides school, this week we have had a little team time, I recovered from some contaminated fruit and a bad fall, we have become experts at our public transportation route and I have gotten to walk around the neighborhood some and see what is out there. I took today off from studying Spanish and did some skyping with friends and family, did some laundry, and went to see a possible apartment. I am planning to live at Casa Isabel through most of February but that is going to come soon so I am trying to find a furnished apartment. I felt good about the one I saw today so we will see how that plays out.

I fell last week while walking down the street and really banged up my knee. Isabel doctored me since I had nothing. Please notice the leaves on my leg. :)

I feel like so much has happened this week that I could write for hours but I think for now I must say goodnight.

Chao from Chile.

PS- Please forgive any spelling mistakes. My computer knows I am in Chile so it checks it for Spanish misspellings which is pretty much everything. I dont feel like editing.