Week #6

Although I’m not quite sure how it’s possible, the weeks keep getting crazier and crazier. This week was the start of our volunteer training at Primeros Pasos – a clinic on the outskirts of Xela. Training consists of 3.5+ hours learning how to teach health classes with 1) Carlos- the fastest speaking guy I’ve met with a hint of a lisp just to make it super hard to understand him and 2)Jessica- one super rude lady, but really organized. Monday and Tuesday morning we had training, followed by 4 hours of class in the afternoon and the usual nightly activities with the group. Tuesday afternoon I opted to have class at my teacher’s house, where I met her two adorable ten year old twins, Luisa and Douglas. We ate oh-so-good Pizza Hut for lunch, and they later walked me to my salsa class at 6. Of course in the middle of our walk- it started to pour. Thus I arrived at Salsafher soaking wet, but ready for class. The rest of the group coming from school decided not to walk in the rain so yes; I had a private lesson with the one and only FERNANDO. Class was awesome, and he’s always impressed that I learn fast so I learned a ton of new moves last week. Too bad every time we go out dancing the Guatemalan boys either are terrible salsa dancers or they assume we can’t dance salsa since we’re Americans. Maybe one day…

Wednesday night I went out to La Parranda with my friend Steph and her host sister/friends. This discoteca happens to offer a free salsa lesson to kick off the night from 10-11 on Wednesdays. Much to my surprise the whole club instantaneously stopped drinking, got up, and fully participated in the free lesson. The “lesson” was more like a line/square dance, where everyone was spinning and moving together almost perfectly in 4 lines across the dance floor. I couldn’t help but think we were in a Disney movie where one person starts singing and dancing and then everyone else chimes in… regardless, I was overwhelmed and super entertained as I spent this “lesson” laughing in the back row until my open toes were crushed under some ladies stiletto heels- needless to say she was REALLY into the dancing. Thursday night was spent at Kokolokos, mainly because I wanted to scope out Thursday nights there for my upcoming bday this week.

We were supposed to head to the beach all weekend, but since a hurricane (Hurricane Dean) was headin our way, we thought it best probablyyyyy not to go. Instead, on Friday night, we had a Cena de Traje, which is like a giant potluck. Amy, Lauren, and I made some excellent brownies for dessert which were paired with ice cream and the usual sundae toppings- sooo good. The rest of the food was awesome too, including some homemade hummus and a Thai soup. We went to listen to some live music Friday night at Royal Paris- by far the nicest restaurant in town, but everything was expensive, we were tired, and didn’t stay out too late.