Nov 4 2010 Arrival in Xela

Well I didn·t have any problems getting to Xela...picked up at the airport and driven to the Almos bus station for a 5 hour drive to Xela.There were numerous places where avalances had blocked two lanes of the four lane Pan American highwy.The steep nountain slopes and rosion is incredable.I arrived at Celas Maya at 4pm and was assigned my home stay family.A young boy named Carlos,14 yr old,came to get me for the 10 minute walk to his home. The house front looks like a garage door on a busy street with a small entry door.You know the situation.Everything is locked up and gated..Imside things are pretty basic but OK.There is a man..Jugo and his wife Patricia and two chidren-Anna age 9 and Carlos age 14.Upstairs lives a nephew Elgin who is studying to be an architect. Elgin,s mom and sister were also visiting.It,s hard making small talk in a foreign language..I,m always searching for words.The house is long and built back from the street with no yard whatsoever.Fortunately the bathroom is beside my room..Floors are tiled and bedrooms rustic..plaster cracking walls ..ill fitting doors..few windows to let light in.There is a sitting room that look like a little family shrine.Pictures of family and religious symbols.A prominant bible..I watched TV for a while..the news of course.No one speaks english.For supper I had scramled eggs and refried beans...plus bread.I was pretty tired so went to bed about 8m...My room is small but sufficient....It gets dark here around 6:30 pm.I slept well because the trip tired me out...especially having to wait in LA for 5 hours and then sleep in  a crowded plane.
Today I had my first langage class,It was for 5 hours straight..half hour break...with 4 yr old Carlos...I enjoyed it...he is funny and entertaining...No one converses in Enlish.I talked generally about family ,work,economics politics.There are about 12 other students here .The schol is comfy...internet cfe...nice court yard where yoou sit with individual instuctors...free coffee...This afternoon I may partake in a cooking class to make empanadas.On saturday I can join I hike to a nearby volcano..The largest actvevolcano in central america.Sundy there is a tour to Chichicastenaga.I don·t think I will be bred here.It is chilly at niht-glad I bought pajamas-but sunny and warm during the day.,
So far so good...