Though I have felt pretty comfortable overall, I miss the comfort and company that came with living in my old host family’s house. I’ve been satisfied just going into the Plasti-Centro to buy some plastic wear from Silvia and chat for a bit. But then, Rosa, a women who I work with in the superintendant’s (CTA) office, invited me over to her house the same day I had my language class. I sure didn’t have anything else going on! I walked through town toward the Pinchazo (where you get flat tires fixed) and was about to enter the shop, asking if they knew where Rosa lived when she came out and rescued me, laughing since I had wandered too far. Inside her house, she showed me the different rooms and introduced me to her three truly lovely daughters. Odalys is a mature, thoughtful 18 year old waiting to start her practicum; Ashley is an outgoing 10 year old; and Dyana is a precocious 7 year old. I had so much fun talking and joking with them that I tripped over my words more than usual, giddily trying to get my jokes out.
Just seeing how the girls interacted with each other and their mother was like being a guest their special world in which family bonds seemed impenetrable and sacred yet just being there gave insight. We had coffee and bread the first night and the Ashley and Dyana tried teaching me Kaqchikel. The following night, I translated Dyana’s storybook to English. The girls laughed and listened intently, attempting to follow the Spanish words as I switched languages. I ended up eating dinner with them that night as well, which was especially enjoyable since I’ve been eating alone.
I’ve returned each day since the first evening to play with the girls and talk with Rosa and Odalys. I brought some of my photos for the girls to look at since they showed me theirs the other day. Today Dyana, Ashley, and I also ended up playing a “game” of reading U.S. history-themed flashcards in Spanish. No idea where those came from though I did learn how to say checks and balances in Spanish! Actually, I have already forgotten. Great actvity in reading outloud and reviewing U.S. History I. I went to Pana the other day and bought all of the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies so I think I’m going to surprise everybody with them. First, by using their kitchen and second, by giving them all the cookies they could possibly desire.
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