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Published: April 11th 2008
Yesterday we learned how to make chocolate! We went to the house of our driver, Don Francisco, and his 82 year old mother taught us how to make chocolate, Guatemalan style. She was so sweet, and obviously a very hard worker. First we roached the cocoa beans (which they buy from the market) on a giant metal piece over an open flame, then we had to deshell them (which was quite messy!), then we rolled it out on a giant stone. It was an interesting, messy experience! In the end we got to sample some already finished product, in the form of hot chocolate. It was very similar to Mexican hot chocolate in that it was very cinnaminny. It was so much fun just getting to hang out with the staff in a casual way at an actual Guatemalan home.
School is going very well. I feel like I'm getting to know the kids' personalities already, and they are very friendly to us. The little kids always give us hugs. I feel like we are getting more used to it already, and soon it will feel like second nature. We've started planning our lessons out the night before, which works
well. We do a lot of games with the material, which the kids really enjoy. Especially the games involving teams. They can get very competitive! And they actually are learning already. They've already gotten down colors and numbers 1-20. The older kids are learning phrases also. It's awesome to hear them respond in English and know that they're really learning.
It's amazing how fast you can adapt. The city is already starting to feel like home. The sites that were so foreign just a few days ago, are becoming normal. Even speaking in Spanish is becoming not such a big deal. It's of course still difficult, but it's getting easier. I know by the time I leave, speaking Spanish will be completely natural.
Tomorrow we are leaving to go to Antigua, the original capitol of Guatemala. I'm very excited for our first trip! It's only an hour outside of Guate, so it's not very far. I've heard it's a great city. More details to come when I get back!
!Hasta Luego!
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Roasting the cacao beans
Jane
non-member comment
that is the coolest thing EVER! i'm glad you're having a great time(even if it does make me extremely jealous - and the "it" refers to both the chocolate-making and the 'making-a-difference' thing).