Lady Bug Circus

Academia Falcon continued...

Classes are small, 2 to 5 people- maybe 6.The fee is about $25 per class per week, so 4 classes for 5 days is $100. There are grammar, conversation, vocabulary, cooking ($16 supply fee is required), and salsa dancing classes. Private classes are also available. Students I talked to, who were getting them, said they learned way more in a private class, so I would do this next time. They are considerably more money but well worth it.

Your level is determined by a written exam you submit via email and an oral exam when you arrive. There are work books you can get for a 300 peso ($30) deposit or you can just buy it. Much of the home work is in the book so either way you need to have one.

Cooking class was great. Very fun and the food was always delicious.

It's great to learn about the ingredients and finding them in Mexican grocery stores when you get home is a thrill.

Besides classes there is an event every evening during the week. An orientation (where things about the school and culture were explained eg. Mexicans feel that it is their right to make as much noise as they want), a movie, a lecture, an interchange between the Spanish and English students. There are also tours available, one is a walking tour at night through the streets of Guanajuato, another is a mini trip to see a huge statue of Christ. There is also a tour to San Miguel Allende, with stops along the way in Santa Rosa (to see ceramics),

a stop to see the grave site of the famous musician and composer of Ranchero and Mariachi music ,Jose Alfredo Jimenez. Touted as the second most visited grave site after Elvis's. Yes, that is one big sombrero.

Another stop is in Delores Hilgado to see a fabulous church. I blew it. I was buying trinkets (great ones none the less) when I missed my opportunity to enter the church. When I was ready a wedding had started.

Across from the church was a plaza.

and some of the very best ice cream ever.

It's my guess that this band would be preforming for the wedding that was taking place across the street. We did continue on to Atotonilco and San Miguel but I didn't take any photographs. More tomorrow.

Language School,Guanajuato

The Academia Falcon was a great experience. Next time, I will do it a little differently but for this trip I wouldn't have changed a thing. Staying in the dormitory was so convenient ($16 a night), so I would do that again. Most of the other students stayed with families for $22 a week. Everyone seemed to really love the families they stayed with and made a point to beat it home to share the main meal with them. A person can always change families if they are unhappy. Also I would suggest asking for a home without pets. One student was staying with a family that kept their dog on the roof (not an uncommon practice) as a guard dog and it barked all night. We did hear a lot of barking dogs most nights, so packing ear plugs might be a good thing. There is plenty of bottled water in the room and we had hot water all but one day. If you get a room without a bath room be sure to bring a flash light. One towel is provided but there aren't any wash cloths. Also the sheets are a poly cotton blend and covered with pills, the good news is my sister didn't need to use the bed bug powder she brought.

Class rooms are on the left and the dorms are on the right. There is a snack bar where you can get a ham and cheese or egg torta (sandwich on a hard roll, very delicious)that has tomato and avocado, or quesadillas. Cafe con leche or hot chocolate is also available and quite good. Some classes start at 8:30 and the snack bar doesn't open until 9:00 but there are a couple near by places to get a bite or a cup of coffee down the street. More about the school tomorrow.

Marvelous Treat for Your Eyes and Mind

While at the Academia Falcon in Guanajuato, I met a woman who is a photographer and has traveled all over the map. If you love to look at interesting photographs of people, odd and broken signs and every day places that are given a different perspective through her lens, then take a look at her site . I spent some time with Sedora in Guanajuato and watched her interact with the people she was photographing. It was always with the utmost respect. People seem to be as interested in her as she is in them.These photographs are thoughtful, some are humorous and most unforgettable.

Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico

It's hard to know where to begin because there is so much to share. This was my lunch plate after enjoying chicken mole and rice. It was at a little place that was tucked back behind many little metal sheds with vender's selling vegetables, trinkets and bootlegged CDs . I would have taken a before photograph but I couldn't wait. I had been walking down the hill from the Museum of Mummies ( kinda creepy and sad ) and the cemetery that is behind it and was ready to sit down for a bite. From there I walked on toward the big market (has a name but can't remember) and along the way I saw this funeral home or so I thought. When I got closer I saw baskets of vegetables for sale in the doorway. Inside about 7 feet, were stacks of caskets covered with clear plastic and dust. Behind them I could see caged singing birds and a TV that was on. It was a great day to be out exploring Guanajuato.