We began classes on Tuesday and I got placed in level 5/6 (out of 10), which is good because it will transfer well. So far it’s been pretty easy and boring. We’re going over stuff I already learned, but I guess it’s good review. I’m taking two classes, and each only has 10-12 students, so I feel comfortable speaking up in them. There are mostly Americans here at the language school, but there are also Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Canadian students in my classes, and some of them don't even know English!

We haven’t really gone out much since we’ve been here. My roommate and I have preferred to stay at home and read or watch some Mexican soap opera. We’ve also been feeling kind of sick lately. (It’s that Montezuma’s revenge we were warned about!) Our host mother did throw us a welcoming party. One of the other housemates who has been here awhile invited a bunch of people, so I actually got to practice my Spanish with them. It did get easier after a couple drinks!

I’ve been taking a siesta every day since I’ve been here, sometimes unintentionally. I get home from school and have lunch, and then I’m just so tired. Maybe it’s because of the heat (we have to close all the windows when it rains), maybe it’s because I have to get up early for my 8am class, or maybe it’s the elevation. It’s a normal Mexican thing, though. My host mom takes a nap every day too. The only time it was a bad thing was yesterday when we were supposed to have a city tour downtown. Molly and I both fell asleep and woke up too late to go.

I joined a “conversation club” where we get together with native speakers and spend half the time speaking in English and half in Spanish. The Spanish speakers are at about the same level that I am so it’s not too intimidating. And they are all older than we are. My partner was Enrique, a 45-year-old technician with two kids. I’m going again tonight.

I’m also taking a contemporary latin dance workshop. Yesterday we learned the basic steps for salsa. It’s pretty fun and so much better than dancing in the United States! As our instructor said, latin dancing is more sensual than sexual. I can’t wait to go out to the “discos” to practice!

I need to stop typing because this keyboard is driving me crazy. The letters are in the same places but the punctuation and symbols are different. Plus, the one I’m using is super sticky so I have to take my time to push each letter.