Friday, June 20 (evening)

This evening I went with other teachers to visit a teacher, Lety, whose father had died. Deciding to go was an interesting cultural experience for me, although “interesting” is not really the right word at all. Yesterday Rafa told me that class tonight was cancelled because of this visit and then suggested that I go along. I felt a little funny about going even though I know Lety, and in fact she was the first teacher I met. I asked Julio, and he suggested that it would be a good cultural experience. That didn’t sit well with me, so I asked Javier what he thought. His response (translated) was, more or less, “You and Lety are fellow teachers (compañeras), and it seems only right that you go to show your support in order to build your relationship with her.” I found that very moving, and it was clear to me that I should go.

We all gathered at the school and walked together through the rain and the very wet streets. I was feeling a little shy, and Lucas took me under his wing. He has been one of my favorite teachers all along, but this is the first time we had a conversation in Spanish. It was very rich and warming.

It is hard to describe the evening. When we entered the room, which had been cleared of everything except benches, a bed, and an alter, we hugged Lety and her sister and mother. Then there was what seemed to be a service and sharing of Lety’s father life and death and periods of silence. I didn’t follow much of what was said because it was mostly in T’sutuhil, the Mayan language spoken around the lake. It was a quiet event but more contemplative than somber. We were all given coffee and rolls. After about an hour, we hugged the family again and departed. It did seem to mean a lot to Lety that I was there. Afterwards Ramón and I walked back to the school, mostly in silence. I realized tonight that there are very few cars in San Pedro, largely because the streets are so narrow. The main mode of commercial transportation is the tuk tuks: three-wheeled vehicles, sort of motorized rickshaws.

Earlier in the day, Cecelia, my French homestay friend, and I went out to breakfast because Rosa wasn’t feeling well. Cecelia is leaving on Sunday, and I will miss her. We have been spending some nice time this week. Once again, I managed to forget that having a quick breakfast is not a good idea in Guatemala, but the waiter was very gracious once again.

I taught an extra class this morning because some of the teachers had had to miss their scheduled classes. Rafa decided to join, and I saw once again that often teachers are the worst students. He dominated the group and intimidated the other teachers by his presence. Yesterday he joined an English conversation I was having with another teacher and quickly realized his effect and left. Today he didn’t seem to be aware. Afterwards we talked, and I suggested that he and I work together individually since his presence seems to have a dampening effect on the other teachers. I am very pleased that we will be working together; he is wonderfully supportive of me and is eager to improve his English. I think that between our intercambio and our collaborative teaching, we will both learn a lot and be friends as well.

Ramón and I met this afternoon to talk about my schedule. It was a good process of putting our individual needs on the table and coming to an agreement. We decided, based on my request, that the beginner group will meet three times a week instead of five. We also decided to offer only two other groups, each of which will meet twice a week and will be comprised of a maximum six of teachers who are really committed to studying English. Ramón stressed that he wants me to have students who are “cien por ciento (100%)" committed, and he also told me I was free to refuse any student who wasn’t willing to work with me. What a difference from last year in Minnesota, when I was told, “Your job is to make sure you never cause any work for your director.”

Selvin and I had a delightful exchange this morning. I was partway through my class on the porch outside the office when I realized I didn’t have an eraser. I walked into the office and said, “Necesito (I need) at which point he handed me an eraser. I said (translated), “What a miracle!” to which he replied, “We have very good communication.” It took me a while to stop laughing.
I have wondered over the last year whether I would be able to find a work situation which could handle and absorb my big personality. There doesn’t seem to be a problem here. I feel that I am valued and that my opinion is sought and honored. When Ramón and I negotiated our schedule, I felt very much equal with and respected by him.

Julio, my regular teacher, was out having a beer with his other student and didn’t get back for our lesson, so Javier stepped in. We were teasing him earlier that he looks like a Mayan Johnny Depp. We had a great lesson, and I felt I made another good connection. Once again I seem to be connecting much more strongly with the men than with the woman, and I still don’t know what that’s about.

Yesterday and today we had strong rain storms during afternoon classes. It is such an experience to see people coming in from the garden and finding places to continue their lessons. Today there were at least five pairs working in the community room. Yesterday some of the pairs didn’t get up to the main school in time, so they sheltered in the building for the children’s project. The storms come up so suddenly it is hard to plan for them. During these storms, the lights tend to go off and on at least a half dozen times.

My Spanish is coming along really well. The English conversations I have with the teachers are pretty elementary and involve a great deal of translation, usually more on my part, so I am using my Spanish even then. I know it’s a good sign that when I am speaking Spanish, I am beginning to forget the English words. Felipe and Rosa don’t speak any English at all, and I don’t spend that much time with the Spanish students.

I sometimes miss having a good friend to spend time with, but mostly I feel immensely blessed to be here with this group of people.