I woke around 6:15 a.m., showered and went downstairs. Elsa was preparing breakfast, which wasn't until 7:30 (which seems late to me). Breakfast was French toast with powdered sugar and fruit. Meals are part of the housing cost, except for Sundays. This is a good place to lose weight. They serve good, well prepared meals, but one plate only – and very rarely seconds. The American propensity to eat until we are full is cut off at the pass. I have been hungry often between meals, which is a very good thing, compared to back home where often I am not hungry at all, but sometimes eat anyway. And, of course, not having a car helps, too.

Soon afterwards we wandered and talked about stuff. I don't really even remember what we talked about – just stuff. One funny thing that comes up often is her height. She is short even for Guatemalans. Even with high heels she came up to my chest. Because of this and the very narrow sidewalks, I generally walk on the street. People can pass by and I don't have to bend over all the time to hear her. J

We walked thru the central plaza and ended up at the Mercado (market), where we just sat on a bench. I do remember that this time was mostly talking about work and school. I told her about AP classes in the US and I found out that she did start university, but had to stop because her English isn't good enough. The last time I was here I remember that she spoke very little English. My afternoon teacher (Diana) would translate for us. If I understand it correctly, students need to be able to speak English to continue their studies in the University. Maria wants to study diplomatic relations or something like that.

We returned to the house for lunch and she went to change for her new job. This was her first day at the front desk of a hotel.

Lunch was at 1:15 p.m. (definitely later than the last house I stayed at) and was vegetables and a bit of beef with onions: again good and sufficient, but not too much.

In the afternoon I went to La Union to see about an afternoon teacher, but was still concerned about Elsa and the possibility of her getting in trouble or losing her job for by passing the school. I actually walked around the block several times debating. Not using the school in the afternoon means no access to many benefits at the school: free wi-fi internet and afternoon activities being the most important. But protecting Elsa and her family won out.

I went back to the house, instead, where I found Elsa, a friend, and one of the daughters surrounded by boxes and bottles of beauty supplies. Elsa is the organizer for one of the Avon-like businesses here. I watched, listened, and even helped a bit. I carried some heavy boxes (heavy for the small ladies) and helped them design an order form. The one they had made the ordering process less efficient and the math much harder. They even have a computer and do everything by hand.

Later I wandered around a bit, looking for payphones and Internet (primarily). I have a phone card from the US , but can't use a cell phone (like Maria's). I need a land line. All of the phones I found either charged for international calls (no card), were in very public places (the plaza), or (this I must admit) were not obvious in their usage. I knew that there was a phone and Internet at the house, but I was reluctant to ask. I didn't want to intrude and they seem to keep the student part different from the family part. Once I explained that my phone card wouldn't cost them anything, Elsa let me use the house phone. I tried to call Denece, but she didn't answer. I waited until the next morning because, again, I am reluctant to ask permission.

OK – I spent the rest of my time looking for dice (dados) to teach the family and the other student “Perudo” – liar's dice. The only dice I found were very small (half the size of ours) or very large (for party favors). I bought 25 (5 sets) at a supermarket for around $3 US (I think). I also bought a gallon of water to brush my teeth with (just to be safe).

Dinner was late (like all of the other meals) at around 7:15 p.m. The meal was some pasta and vegetable soup and perulero (see above).

What was more surprising about dinner was, once again, the family ate separately. Elsa would cook for just us two students (with a bit of our help) and herself, but her family (2 daughters and husband) were nowhere to be found. It seems strange, less family-like.

After dinner I quickly taught Arian perudo (dice game) and then she was kind to invite me to go with her and two other students to the Rainbow Lounge. The other two students are Anick (A-neek), a college psychiatry teacher also from Quebec, and Jess, a junior high English teacher from New York .

Next page - Thursday, July 22 - Stevie - Call Home!

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