Settling In

This past week I have felt much more grounded than the week before; especially after passing the half-way mark for the first of my two Spanish classes.  I am taking two classes of Spanish while I am here in Antigua, each lasting three weeks, which occur Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m..

In a typical morning I'll wake up around 7 a.m., get dressed, eat breakfast provided by my host family (usually a bowl of fruit and coffee), and then head off for class. My class is one-on-one with a Guatemalan Spanish teacher at La Union language school here in Antigua. Maco, my professor, has been teaching at La Union for several years and is a very patient and fun person.

Not only do these Spanish lessons provide me with university credits, but it is also essential for me to know the language for the internship I will be completing here. I'm sure I will have much more to say when my internship actually begins some time next week, but I will be working with the organization God's Child Project that is based in the outskirts of Antigua. Their mission statement from their website states that, "The GOD’S CHILD Project (GCP) is an educational development organization dedicated to breaking the chains of poverty through education and formation". Although education for children is the main focus, the organization also extends assistance to the children's families through various efforts.

Other than attending my Spanish classes and preparing for my internship, these past couple of weeks have been someof the most relaxing in my life.

I definitely needed a break from the business back in the states. I find myself reading much more now that I am not required to read other books for classes I might otherwise be taking.  One in particular is I have thoroughly enjoyed so far is titled, The Value of Nothing which describes the reasoning and history behind the US's financial crisis in 2008 and how society's "leaders" compound the problem.


Other than relaxing, Antigua offers numerous excursions, with one of them being able to visit an active volcano.  

I hate posing for pictures so I am trying to look
like a dork on purpose

The one I visited is named Volcano Pacaya, and reaches an elevation of over 8,000 feet.  Standing less than 200 yards away from it and gazing over a layer of clouds in the sunset was simply amazing and is something I am very fortunate to be a part of.  Really all of my travelings are a gift that I try to not take for granted.  There are plenty of people in Guatemala who don't even have enough money to travel within their own country let alone outside it.

My wife, Katie...she is a much better model than I

Thanks so much for reading!