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Hello to friends and family,

Since the last newsletter, we have not been sitting idly upon our hands. Some weeks ago, Joan and I decided that it was time that we learned some more Spanish and tried to improve our image in the community. So, it was my (Ben's) turn in the barrel first. I scheduled a trip to Antigua and enrolled in the Academia de Espanol. Joan and I decided that two weeks at a time for each of us would work out well. During my two weeks at school, Joan would stay with Maggie and the boat, then we would switch. How long we continued with school would depend upon our progress and stamina. I have just returned from my two weeks and this is the story of that trip.

Antigua is about 45 minutes from Guatemala city by taxi. Altogether, with the bus and taxi, it takes about 6 hours to go from the Rio to Antigua. Both Guatemala City and Antigua are at elevation, around 4000 to 5000 feet. In Antigua, it was very cool at night and only approached 80 degrees by mid-day. Not my kind of weather, but Joan will love it. There are many Spanish schools in Antigua and we selected one from referrals of other boaters. The way it worked was that the school assigned me to stay with a local family. For $60 a week you get a room and three meals a day, except Sundays. The tuition is $90 per week for 4 hours a day of one-on-one with an instructor, M-F.

The school was first rate. Well organized and with excellent teachers. I was impressed from the start and that opinion hasn't changed. My instructors name was Mayra and we got along very well. After a week things were going so well that I thought I might extend another week. However, sometime during the second week, as usual, I caught a cussed cold and it limited my ability to think, comprehend and memorized. Still, I took good notes and can now take my time to digest the information. So, I am back on the boat and Joan left for Antigua this morning at 7:45 for her growth experience. Now, I can communicate on the level of a five year old-, maybe. "I want food - where is the toilet? - WHERE AM I?".

Last weekend while in Antigua, I decided to sign up with one of the many travel agencies to climb Volcan Pacaya. It is one of three nearby active volcanoes. One of the others, Volcan Fuego, could be seen everyday from the school, belching smoke and ash. Volcan Pacaya is roughly 25 miles south of Guatemala City. The Round trip from Antigua-, 10 bucks including a guide and security.