Hola again,
This language business is getting a bit harder now. Had new teacher, Karina, yesterday. Could understand about 10% of what she said. Know we've only been here a week but frustrating as, if anything we seem to be going backwards. We managed to get here from Mexico with just a trusty phrasebook, but when cook asked us today what we wanted for lunch we couldn't figure out what the hell she was talking about.

Having a cook is not as grand as it sounds - everyone who works has a maid, apparantly, as they have big families but no labour-saving appliances such as washing machines, freezers, food processors etc. The school employs a cook and a cleaner who cater to the teachers, us and the other 5 student residents. We have lunch cooked for us at the school but we either make or buy our own dinner - made Chilli con Carne at the weekend - huge success.

However, we won't be bringing home many Guatamalan receipes. The food is palatable but not very exciting - usually a bit of boiled meat or fish in soup with rice served with tortillas. And beans, of course. However, the world famous avocados here really are to die for - Antiguans eat so many they are sometimes called 'green-bellies' (but presumably not by their friends) . They also make the most refreshing 'licuados', fruit drinks that are so tasty they are almost a viable replacement for cocktails and wine. Almost.

Salsa is....well, lets just say its another steep learning curve. We had a different teacher this week, Paulo. He refused to explain anything in English but was clearly exasperated when eight out of ten students class fell over their own feet on every turn. At least its not just us. We will persevere!
Laters,
J XX