As the sun sets behind the volcanoes...

It's early evening here in Antigua and I am sitting by an open window, enjoying the breeze and the fading sunlight. There are probably a lot of things I should be doing. Oh well.

I have been here nearly four weeks, though in a way it feels as if I have always been here. My Spanish is improving to the point that I am finally getting a little better at eavesdropping on conversations, speaking spontaneously, and skimming ridiculous anthropology readings (in Spanish...and French). Thanks to my Spanish teacher, I now realize that those men on the street haven't been saying "good afternoon" but rather calling me attractive. That's the difference between ¡buenas! and ¡buena! I think I'll pretend I'm still ignorant.

The past week and a half since I last wrote has been pretty calm. Mostly I get up, eat food (amazing, amazing food), go to classes, e-mail and skype, write, go to Mass, and do a little studying and reading. Classes are going well, and continue to be very relaxed. Spanish is probably my favorite. We do a little reading and a little writing, but mostly just talk, learn new vocab, and review grammar. Since there are only five students, there's plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Out Latin American Studies class, well, I'll let you know. We have mostly discussed theory behind theory in philosophy and anthropology (think: worse than Levi-Strauss). As a result, I think I'm more confused than I was when the class began. Hopefully that will change. History class is an intense three hours every Monday afternoon. As I wrote before, the professor is an ex-guerrilla from El Salvador. As such, we're learning about the various stages of human social and economic development, from Primitive Communism to Capitalism to Socialism in addition to things like the Social Relations of Production, Productive Forces, ideology, and social explosion. Yes, we're learning Marxist theory, like it's fact. Don't worry. I've been told I'm not allowed to come back wearing a beret. In that case I'd just stay here...

My internships are also going well. I am working through my second book catalog entry for the CIRMA Social Sciences library. Switching between French, Spanish, and English is not nearly as difficult as I thought. Sometimes I find myself halfway through a paragraph before I register which language I'm reading. It's a pretty cool feeling. I am also volunteering at an after school program for younger kids called El Semillero de Mi Angel Guardian. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, I help a group of second grade boys with their sumas, restas, multiplicaciones, y divisiones. It can be a little hard when each one wants your attention and help, but I'm learning a lot (and brushing up on my math skills).

This weekend a few of us are going to Monterrico, a beach town on the Pacific coast. I'm looking forward to chilling out (not that I don't do plenty of that here), eating seafood, and reading on the beach. Miss you all a lot. I'll make another update after returning from Monterrico. Have a happy valentine's day!