Masher in Guadalajara

After 3 1/2 weeks with my brother ... I can honestly say that he has improved in Spanish about 300%. We spent most mornings at the language school, with Isabel our teacher. Brian is the GRAMMAR MAN. Twice a week we have conversations, and occasionally watch movies. We also volunteered / asst. taught the English conversation sessions. For one hour at night, Mexicans come for free English conversation practice at the language school. Brandy, the teacher from Canada and her husband Walter from Detroit are hilarious, and they keep the class entertaining with annecdotes. We took several day trips, such as to Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. Though I was all ready to go swimming, the black water snakes and lime green warm water persuaded me that this was not the best idea. A highlight of the trip to Mexico was our 3 day weekend get-away to San Blas. This small beach town has beautiful waves, and we rented surf boards for an hour. They had a religious festival honoring the Saint of San Blas, with a marching band. The strange part was, the party was at 4:30 in the morning. Brian and I stumbled down to the town center to see what all the noise was about, and we proceeded to walk behind the band (tuba and all) all the way until they marched into church at 5:00 A.M. Finally we got a clear explanation the next day. Also we went to the Christian Science church almost every Wednesday and Sunday in Guadalajara. They did not have an organist on Wednesdays, so I played the organ for several services. A final highlight of Guadalajara was the food: both cooking in the apartment together and eating out: Besides the staples of cereal, yogur, PB and J, meat sandwiches and salads (and barbeque sauce on EVERYTHING for Brian) we also prepared a delicious pasta, sauteed veggies, and even french toast. Eating out: some highlights were platanos fritos (fried bananas) tortas ahogadas (drowned / soaked sandwich) lonches (sub-type sandwiches) and the Hawaiian pizza from Gigante, and dozens of little snacks along the way. It was an excellent trip. I am grateful to have spent time with my brother, and to have been able to wear a T - shirt every day during February. Final comment: Raul, Melanie, Angel, Krisztine, Franko, Isabel, Don Luis, Alfredo, Lourdes ... Ryoku, Tim, John, Walter, Brandi, these people made it memorable too. These few people represented their countries and shaped our experience here. Thank you all!