Lazy Sunday

I still have a lot of time on my hands, so I follow my routine of the last 2 days of getting up early and walking over to the internet place. There are tons of internet cafe's around here. Many are simply a few computers in a barber shop/restaurant- anywhere computers fit. I've been coming to one of the faster and better one's that has Conexion. It has 3 huge rooms and about 30 computers. I have my own station. There is a headset to listen to music/play games and it's a flat screen- pretty high tech. It's always busy in here as you can also print/photocopy stuff. Right now I am the only one here. I think all the tourists are hung over.

The computer I was using the first week was pretty ancient........and I had to use different keys to get what I wanted (i.e. to get the @ symbol you needed to press Alt and then 6, 4 ...........crazy!). I like this spot much better.

My family doesn't feed me on Sunday's.........I'm on my own. Last night we had tamales for dinner-corn dough with a small portion of pork filling and wrapped in banana leaves. These were made by the grandmother (who is 91 years old). The food was steamed and I thought very good. I actually had to look up what I ate this morning via google. I thought I knew what I was eating- but I thought I had better check.

On Friday night Zoila (the mother) asked what we would like for breakfast. Choices were: pancakes, eggs or toast. It seems like breakfasts are your typical Western style. I'm actually going to a restaurant next door after I'm done for granola, yogurt & fruit. I might venture to a pizza joint for dinner. It's nice that there are so many choices here. I'm also glad to have the opportunity for local food with the family.

With my limited Spanish, I've made out that my family consists of: Zoila and Alfredo (I would guess they are in their 50's). 2 children. Dalila- who lives at home and goes to University. Alfredo Jr- who lives in Chicago and is married to a local Guatemala girl. They have 1 child Emily who is 6.

Zoila's mother also lives with them. I can't remember her name. She was talking to me yesterday, and I made out that she has 8 children. Her husband died 43 years ago (or he died when he was 43- not sure) and that she can live on her own, however, her children insist that she takes turns and lives with them. She was in Chicago for 4 years and liked it there. The grandmother is in great health and very active. She keeps talking away, thinking I understand everything she says. She also pulled out her 2 jewlery pieces to show me. I think there was some history with it, but I didn't understand. All I got out of the conversation is to be careful or people will pull the chains off your neck.

Alfredo has a ceramic shop. He is the only one that works there. All done by hand. I haven't seen any of this yet.

The house they live in is very narrow and long. I've only seen the first half. There is a black iron door out front. No number on the house. I had to ask people on the street where Zoila lives when I was looking for the house. This door opens up into a living room. Very basic and small. Old furniture. Cement walls. The room next to that is the kitchen. No sink in there which I find strange. Can you imagine trying to cook dinner and you have no water handy? I see them walking to the middle of the house for water. Hmmmm...... You then walk down a hallway and to the right are 3 small bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The left of the hallway is a narrow courtyard full of plants (opens up to the outside). The hallway is also full of bird cages. They love their birds. They sing all day and then the cages are covered up late in the afternoon. My bedroom is the closest one to the bathroom. 1 double bed and 1 twin bed. No closet- just a metal clothes holder. 1 small bed table. The only light in the bedroom is the one lighbulb in the ceiling. Very bright- as it doesn't have a cover. Ceramic floor tiles with cement walls painted different light colors. The other 2 bedrooms are used by the family right now. I think they move around, based on how many students they get. They've mentioned up to 4 students at a time. The bathroom is big. Water does not work in the sink, but if you turn on the hot tap you get some water. I'm still brushing my teeth with bottled water so no big deal. The stand up shower has some hot water. All the pieces are a dark green color. Everyone uses this bathroom for showers, as it's the only one with hot water.

This is how far I've gone in the house, but I do see stairs going up to the patio (I've seen laundry hanging from there). I also noticed the middle of the house with another courtyard with cement water basins. Similar to the ones I've seen in Europe where they do their washing. Past that looks like a newer version of the front of the house. I believe this is where Dalila's room is. Karen mentioned she is in that section of the house- and her small room also has a kitchen or is in the kitchen. I didn't quite understand.

It's pretty easy to get around here. You get lost, but then don't, as the town really centers around a central park. I just keeping looking for the Volcano and try to figure it out from there.

It's slow season right now, so not alot of gringo's around.

I hope to lose some weight around here-and if I stay away from the junk food- and keep walking around- I should be able to do this.

Got to go.......Karen just came in to see if I was here. Pretty funny, she went out last night and still hasn't been home yet. Oh, if only I was in my 20's!!