I am not an architect...

Oy, in a post a few days ago I wrote something to the effect of 'buildings here are built like buildings in many places Í've been.'

This is simply not the case. The thing is - I'm not an architect (despite that one-semester class back in 12th grade). So, try to let it slide that I compared (superficially) the building techniques of Antigua with those of China´. Since then, I´ve gone on a much better walk through the city, a fantastic guided walking tour with an Antigua expert, and I´ve had a better look at this fine city from above at a great lookout on a hill north of the city.

Without borring you with the full history of Antigua (and if I did, I´d remind you that I'm no historian either), major parts of this city have been here since the 1700s. Oh sure, huge chucks have been destroyed in several different earthquakes, but still... the infuence of the long history is everywhere.

It used to be the capitol of Guatemala and we can thank our lucky stars that 'they' decided to move the capitol. There's no way this place could have survived if it hadn't been downgraded from capitol. Since then, they've declared it a national historic monument (the whole city), so they´re started doing what they can to restore (in in most cases just preserve) the look and feel of the main 12 by 12 block area of the city.

There are about 30 churches in town. They like churches.

Keyboard Settings

Short entry for those who care. Here in Guatemala, the internet cafe computers are all in Spanish. Good thing I've already learned what a "Ventana" is (a window). I just found a setting that alows me to finally switch the keyboard back to standard english settings (I don't know if this applies to other computers). And wow - does that makes a difference. I was "Copy/Pasting" the "@" sign whenever I needed it and I had no acces to a " or a ;

However am I meant to write without some valuable puctuation options (even if I use them completely wrong)??? Anyhow, the guy next to me just asked how to make an "@" and I was happy to have finally found one answer!

On a realated note, I brought a collection of books to read while I'm here - yes, I'm expecting to have occasional free time. One that brought "Eats, Shoots and Leaves." Ironically applicable given my current blog entry. I think I'll go have and read a chapter before dinner!

A Map, A GPS, a Gringo, and a Guidebook

Yesterday, the school took a group to visit a nearby volcano (there are at least three nearby). I opted out of the trip - hoping they'll do it again while I'm here, and when I understand more - so I could actually get out and see Antigua (I do live here afterall).

In my past travels, I've become a bit addicted to the safety of a GPS when wandering in uncharted countries. So, I grabbed a map, my Lonely Planet guide book and my GPS then headed out for an afternoon on the town. Antigua isn't really big enough to warrant a GPS, but I am (as Sandra says) 'Gadget-Boy' - so I brought it along.

As it turns out, the GPS and the guidebook weren't all that usefull. I need to figure out how the grid system of addresses works before I can actually find anything in the book. And since the town is so small - the need for a GPS is slim at best) aside from feeding my Gadget Additiction).

(At some point, I'll figure out how to post photos... but for now just me and my ramblings. Enjoy!)

The main city is a grid of about 10x10 blocks (not nearly as big as LA or SL blocks though) and it took me a few minutes to realize that 'Via Una' doesn´t mean '1st Street.' (Hey, I´m a beginner!) But, it actually means 'One Way.' Good thing I´m not driving!

Some people in L.A. told me to prepare for major 'cutlure shock' coming to Guatemala. Maybe they don't know my travel history? This is a great little city and so far I really like it (but how could I not?). In many ways it like mixing Korea, Isreal, mainland China and Mexico all into one.

All the streets are cobblestone from ages past and the city actually has laws in effect to limit the potential destruction of the old-style architecture that makes it so quaint and picturesque: No buildings over 2 stories - for instance. And although many of the buildings are built (much like buildings from those other places were built) out of low-grade unfinished cement-concrete... they paint the walls all sorts of bright colors. So, walking the streets is always a cheerful colorful experience (Korea and mainland China still haven´t figured that much out).

I eventually found a few places listed in the guidebook - including a trustworthy ATM so now I'm completely set. I have a school. I have a place to sleep and three meals a day. And now I have money. What else is there? Some might say I ought to get a job or a girlfriend (heck I heard that back in LA). But so far, things seem to be working out just without either... but I´ll keep you posted.

Anyhow, I´ll slowly figure out the addresses and eventually make it into some of the various Churches and other landmarks. Stay tuned for those adventures (as well as my eventual visit to the volcano and elsewhere).

Centro Linguistica ''La Union''

More keyboard troubles. I have no idea how to put 2 dots over a u 'u' on a PC.

Anyhow, the school... I was referred to 2 different school here in Antigua. This one sounded like it would suit me. And it does. (No offense Joey - your school sounded cool too, and I'm wondering if 1/2 and 1/2 would have been a good idea). Oh well.

Most (probably all) of the schools here in Guatemala offer one-on-one instruction. In Costa Rica (later in the trip), I'll likely be in group classes (4-6 students), but I'm really glad to have the solo attention to work on whatever isn't 'clicking' at any particular moment. (Today it was 'ser' and 'estar' - anyone who speaks Spanish surprised? I thought not).

Anyhow, here's the drill. They offer variable programs (you can pick how much school you want). I picked the 5 hours a day 5 days a week route. This leaves me with afternoons to check out the city, do my homework, go on short trips, rest, and otherwise be 'on vacation.' I have a feeling that it's going to keep me plenty busy.

They also offer various 'activites' in the afternoons (most of them free) to help practice what's covered in class: games, movies, outings, even dance class! So, I think it's going to shape up to be a pretty fun and short lived experience.

Oh and one more thing. The school organizes/coordinates opportunities for the students to do service in and about town. (I call it town, because I'm used to calling LA a town. I'm not alone in that, am I?) But my point... At some point, I hope to get set up with one or more of these programs, so that will gobble up some more of my time while I'm here (and give me more real-life opportunities to help the Spanish grow). More on that as things develop.

In all reality, I get the feeling that all the school operate about the same and have similar rates. Some are newer or cheaper, but the idea is the same. And even the most expensive schools in town are pretty cheap (about $5 per hour of class time).

Food and Conversation

So yeah, after four hours with Freddy I went home. Lunch had been pretty quiet, with a lot of smiles and laughter and little conversation (you know aside from the whole 'editoro' episode).

But over dinner I was able to ask Juatita about her family. It turns out she's a monther of 3 and grandmother of 9. I'm assuming there's a husband in the story but we didn't get to that. Two of her kids actually live in California. And her granddaughters actually stopped by for lunch earlier.

She has several guest rooms, but I'm her only guest/student right now. Who knows, maybe next week there will be more - or not.

I'm having flashbacks to the 'what do you learn at school today' conversations of younger years! If's fun and educational. I learn stuff at home and say it at school. And I learn stuff at school and say it at home.

I'll bet when I was younger, 'Where did you learn to say that?' had a different meaning when my mom and dad said it.

Can I Speak Spanish?

Wow... Where to begin? I´m realizing (just in trying to envision what to write) that so much will inevitably be edited out and the question is... What stays and what goes? For starters, a quick thank you to all of you who filled my in-box with suggested items to add to the itinerary! Wooo Hooo!

And now, before I go on... Let me first say that this keyboard alone has me completely confused. Forget Spanish, a new city, compeltely unknown faces, being tired, and all that. Well get to that eventually, but right now - I want you to know I cant figure out how to do an apostrpohe. So there...

As for the trip - Ive (See? No apostrophe) been here for 10 hours and I already could talk your ears off (though not in Spanish - yet). The school provided a ride from the airport to Antigua. A part of me (the part expressing experienced-traveler-snobbery) had me wondering if that{s (oh wait, found it: ' ) the woose's way out: its the first time I've been greeted at an airport by a driver with my name printed on a sign. I soon got over it and I was so glad for the quick connection from Guatemala City to Antigua.

My driver (fun to say that), Carlos, took me to the school where I met too many people and promptly forgot all their names. After a bit of registration stuff, Carlos showed me to the home where I´ll be staying and introduced me to Jaunita. By this point, I was exhausted, so a nap was in order...

Then, my house mom (Juanita - SP?) served up lunch. Yum. It was a quiet meal. Aside from where am I from and how long I'm staying, I don't think we talked about much. Oh and after trying to translate 'editor' into Spanish using various words I found in my dictionary (all of which were useless)... I finaly realized the reality of the ol' 'Spanish for Dummies' trick... Just say the word with an accent and add 'o' and hope. It worked! So there, I work in television and film and I'm and editor from Los Angeles. Whew... That was tough.

However, it's amazing what 4 hours with Freddy (my teacher) did for our dinner-time conversation. Yup, right after lunch I started school. Why wait - right? Normally, I'll be attending school in the monrings, but on this first day - I started in the afternoon.

Freddy spent a lot of time just asking about me (but I think he was really just trying to guage my Spanish - or lack thereof). For the past 2 weeks, I've been 'studying' in Los Angeles by listening to CDs while I exercise. You may laugh - I give you permission. But you know what - it soooooo helped. Anyhow, we talked about where I'm from, my family (2 sisters, no brothers, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc...) and where they live, how long I'll be in Guatemala, what I do (I knew the answer this time), what shows I've worked on (he knew American Chopper, but not the Bachelor - go figure), etc...

Anyhow, point it - I kept laughing as I realized I could (in a very limited way) actually speak Spanish: given a very patient teacher and very simple, present tense subject matter (as long as grammar isn't THAT important). But, if you ask me what I did yesterday or what I'm doing tomorrow, well... I can't do that yet. Present tense only thanks.

And then, if I try to talk too fast... French and Korean come blurting out of my mouth. Yup, I can't help it. 'Amma' in Korean is kinda link 'um' or 'maybe' or 'sortof' in english. So, when I stutter in Spanish, I say 'amma.' It's embarassing, but somehow not as much as when I say 'le' instead of 'el' or 'pour' instead of 'para.' You'd think that the Spaniards and the French could have avoided this whole problem 1000 years ago, but no...

So yeah, here we are: My high school French fading quickly and my 15 year old missionary Korean is slowly hiding away as well. However, the shool has 5 or so Korean students, so the temptation to talk to them in Korean is pretty strong (though not as strong as the urge to talk to other Americans in English).

So anyhow yeah... I got here safe and sound; I've started class; I'm having all sorts of fun and giddy about how things have gone so far.