School's Out!

---

Yes!!!!! School is over. I gave my dictionary to my teacher because she's been praising it and she wants to study English. I have a small pocket one to use on the rest of my trip. Tonight later on (officially starting at 8PM but more realisticaly closer to 9PM) is our "grad"party. so I just went to the bakery and bought some sort of coffee ring - no idea what it taste's like but it look's to have fruit of some kind. Sure hope I graduate!

Tomorrow holidays begin and it's off to a water park by the Pacific with 30 Cubs and family members (none of whom speak English!) This afternoon at the main park there was a big parade/protest organized by the students of San Carlos University. They were having a good time and there was a large crowd to watch - some waited two hours for it to begin. I took a little video of the action.

Locked myself out of my room today - had to borrow a gate key from the maid and wait until after 5 for the owner to come home and unlock my room. Bought a few souvenirs at the local tourist trap near the park.

At 5PM I met with a fellow who spoke to us at the school earlier in the week - it was his idea. Amazingly I understood a lot of what he said, and he seemed to understand me. He told me not to worry about using the wrong tense, etc. A few times we used English words - he has travelled extensively in the USA and I think elsewhere. He administers a local solidarity project, speaking at events, and to schools, organizing tours, etc. It was quite interesting and we talked for over an hour until he realized he was late for another engagement!

Lots of things I haven't gotten to do - have not seen a finca - (farm) - haven't seen a quetzal or visited a nature reserve or seen the Glamis mine (my friend says that 1% of the profit stays in Guatemala).

So this will be my last post from Xela - will try to do one at Flores next week, or maybe Guat City on Thursday. It's been a real adventure with some surprises in details for sure, but overall about what I expected. I feel fairly safe walking around Xela now, even in the dark, but would not stay out real late and walk alone just in case - there are always a few drunks around, like in any city. Wish I could say I speak Spanish now but that would be a bit of an exaggeration - I know just enough that I can usually make myself understood. As for my grammer - well - you'll have to ask my teacher! (I say that knowing it's unlikely you'll take the trouble to find out how!) Hasta Luego!

---

Comments

[Marian & Tom Weselak]

Safe Journey
Allan You have had exciting time with many very interesting episodes but it is coming to the time when you will be coming back; We are wishing that you have a safe journey home;