One month!

I have been in the Peace Corps for a whole month. In some ways, this month has gone by very fast and in others, very slow. Still, the experience has been largely very positive.

Right now the most difficult aspect is the lack of personal time that I have. Guatemalans expect all time to be spent together as a family and do not understand if someone wants any alone time. It is starting to get better though, as this afternoon I have been able to read, take a nap and just surf the internet for useless information (ahh, nothing greater!).

I'm very excited about being in classroom and feel less nervous every day about the language. Right now, I have no problems speaking and have had some great conversations, especially with my host mom. But sometimes it can be a little difficult to understand people, especially if they use a word that is uncommon.

I posted a picture of the black sand beach that the trainee group went to on the Pacific Ocean. How beautiful!

Love always,

Marc

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

Been awhile

Okay, I now have wireless internet on my computer, so I should actually be able to keep up with this blog.

So, spanish is really coming along. Now the focus is just increasing my vocab. But it is great to be able to have real conversations in another language.

I got sick, twice. It was a little rough, but it is over now and I am probably stronger now that I went through it. I have great health care here, which definitely eases the mind.

The job has really started to take shape and I am really enjoying it. Basically, I am a teacher of life skills at local middle schools. The language is a bit intimidating, but now that I have been in front of a class in spanish, I feel much more confident. The director interpreted me and my counterparts in the community having a short activity, as us taking over a class for two hours. So, our 15 minute activity was over, and we had to fill another hour and 45 minutes of class time. The teachers were no where to be found!

But the class we built strong relationships and now the students know us and are really enthusiastic to see us in the community or in school. It is so great to walk down the street and have kids yelling, "Marcos!!!" when they see you or having kids on the "Marcos alert," yelling to their friends and relatives that I am walking down the street.

Anyway, life here is awesome and I am truly enjoying my time. Peace Corps is slowing down and making sense.

I hope everyone is great!

Marc "Marcos" Franzblau

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

Update!

Sorry, I have not had anytime to update the blog. It´s been so incredibly busy here.

Basically, my life right now is studying spanish and beginning training for the actual job. It´s been pretty remarkable how quickly you learn a language when you have to use it everyday.

As far as the living conditions, I do not have some of the comforts of home, but overall, things are comfortable and I have no real complaints.

I am having a great time here and learning an incredible amount. My host family is great and very hospitable.

Things are just going to get crazier, but this has been a great experience so far.

Love always,

Marc