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DIA ONCE
This was it!
EL DIA FINAL!
My last day at Academia Espanol de Antiguena…and I was kind of sad. Ever since I had started studying Spanish last year, I had dreamt of coming to Antigua when Covid restrictions were lifted. I had finally done what I had set out to do and fulfilled my goal.
Am I fluent now? Absolutely not.
Does my accent and use of the language make the locals cringe? Probably so.
But as the morning went on, I learned that I do understand a great deal. One of the things I enjoyed most was when Patricia and I had conversations about our lives. Similar in age, length of marriages and sexes of our children (yay boys!), there was much that we had in common outside of the fact that we live in separate countries. When Patricia talked about her life, I understood most of what she said, but it was frustrating that I couldn’t communicate everything I wanted to tell her. I’m just not there yet.
Earlier in the week, I had asked Patricia if she knew of a place that I could donate some clothes. I had brought along some clothing items that I no longer wore at home. While I wore them here, I had no plans to bring them back to Virginia. She had named a few places for me, but I was hoping she would volunteer to give the items to people she knew who might need them. And that’s what she did!
The day before, I had worn a very colorful shirt with a nice pattern. When I walked into our classroom, she complemented me and said how much she liked the design. I was on the fence about leaving that particular shirt, however, when I found out she liked it so much, I decided that it had to go in the bag! When I handed her the bag of clothing and she noticed that shirt on the top, her eyes lit up and I told her that she should keep that shirt for herself! In fact, if Patricia likes that whole bag of clothing for herself, then I hope she keeps it and enjoys it.
Every day during class, I brought an insulated, Yeti-type cup to class, filled with my bebida del dia, Coca Cola Sin Azucar, because you know…I needed my caffeine to help my brain translate. One day, she asked me about the cup and if it kept drinks both cold and hot. She told me the word for that type of cup and mentioned that they don’t sell anything like that here. On my last day, I found out that it was “Teachers Day” in Guatemala when Patricia brought in a little goodie bag given to her by the Director with some hand sanitizer and a small bottle of liqueur. Even though it might be strange by our standards to give someone a cup that you were just drinking out of, I decided that she might like it. I told her that it would need some washing but if she would like to have it, it was my gift to her for Teachers Day. I have never seen someone’s eyes light up the way hers did and she quickly took it to empty the ice and wash it out, thanking me a million times. It really touched me and although I would’ve liked to have kept my cup to have something to drink from for the next couple of days, I realized how little many of the people here have. I can walk into Walmart on Tuesday and buy another one for seven dollars, they cannot.
While we were talking, she also mentioned how little the children here have in regard to schooling. Covid has really put a damper on the children’s education. School is not free and even when they can attend, things like books are not provided. Desks are simply wood planks placed on concrete cinder blocks. Parents have to work very hard in order to buy things that we take for granted like pencils, pens and notebooks. Now that children are having to do school online, many are not receiving instruction at all, since most families don’t have computers, phones or tablets. She told me of one teacher who, in her opinion is a true hero. She watched as children brought an egg or a vegetable as payment to him and sat in his doorway as he instructed them. When asked why he did it, he said that it was his duty.
I really wish that my children could hear these stories and realize how much they take for granted. They all have cellular phones, they have notebooks from school that only a portion of was used, they had textbooks provided for them and they have all had the privilege to attend college.
As the bells were ringing in the noon hour at Iglesia de Merced, our classes officially came to an end. I gave Patricia my email address and asked her to stay in contact with me. I told her that I hoped to return next spring and asked that if I brought supplies for the school children in her town, could she distribute them for me? I truly hope to do this and provide some assistance to those who really need it. We know that in the United States, Covid has affected our lives greatly, but it really has taken a toll on so many others worldwide.
Bidding Julio, the Director, a farewell as I walked out the door, I made my way home for the last time…across the street.
After lunch, I decided to take a walk and start some of the shopping that I needed to do. It was a lovely day and I enjoyed browsing in some of the stores I had never ventured into near the ruins of Colegio Compania de Jesus. After a few blocks, I found myself in the Plaza Mayor. Walking under the portico, I stopped to inspect some embroidered blouses in a store. I suddenly realized that a hallway led to an artisan’s market that I did not know existed. Searching for different nativity sets (which I collect), is always first and foremost when I am abroad. Although I had a beautiful one that I purchased here before, I was searching for something a little different made of a bleached wood. I had just about given up hope of finding what I wanted when I stopped in a store and asked about nativity sets. The young woman reached behind some other statues and started to pull out a nine-piece set that was exactly what I was looking for!
The owner, Roberto, and I struck up a conversation and although the price was a little high, we made a deal. There were some beautiful items in his shop and if anyone is ever in the central plaza, you should take a look at Mayanwood #20 in El Mercadito Artisans market! He’s a pleasure to talk to!
Finally, I made my way back to my other favorite store, Nim Po’t, with my shopping list in hand. It took two baskets to get everything I needed and I left wondering how the heck I was going to get it all in my suitcase!
It was time to celebrate my successes in Spanish school tonight! I headed toward the Cathedral and found a nice restaurant with a quaint courtyard, Las Atorchas (The Torches). Honestly, I don’t know if you can get a bad meal here. Everywhere I go, I enjoy the most amazing food, including tonight, a chicken curry with Guatemalan flare. It was absolutely delightful!
Cerveza in hand, I toasted myself for making it this far and wished myself luck with my future studies.
My Spanish-speaking amigos and amigas had better be ready to help me practice!
What I learned: Always go with your gut. If I hadn’t changed schools I wouldn’t have had the lovely experiences that I had this week.
Photo of the day: The Fountain of the Plaza Mayor
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Antiguena Spanish Academy
- https://www.spanishacademyantiguena.com/
- Address: 1a Calle Poniente #10 Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepequez 03001
- Rates: $ 110 one-week classes, 4 hours, 5 days from 0800-1200. $ 135 one-week classes, 5 hours, 5 days from 0800-1300. $ 165 one-week classes, 6 hours, 5 days from 0800-1200 and 1400-1600 or 1600-1800. $ 175 one week for both (not each), if you and a friend shared a teacher 4 hours, 5 days. $90 one-week classes, 4 hours, 5 days, 1300-1700.
El Mercadito Artisans Market
- Address: 5a Avenida Norte, Antigua, Guatemala. Adjacent to Plaza Mayor, next to Wendy’s.
Nim Po’t
- https://www.nimpotexport.com/
- Address: 5ta. Avenida Norte 29, Antigua Guatemala
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, 1000-1900, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 0900-2000.
Las Atorchas
- http://www.lasantorchas.com/
- Address: 3a Avenida sur 1, Antigua, Guatemala 03001
- Hours: 1100-1500 and 1800-2200, daily