When conversation time is over, we walk back to school with the guias. I've rarely walked so much since my days at IU! From school, I take a taxi to my host family's home, because the buses are extra-crowded for evening rush hour and I usually have more "stuff" to carry -- twice a week, mi ropa sucio (dirty clothing) rides the bus with me in the morning, but takes a taxi home in the afternoon, when it's nice and clean, folded and bagged. Having my laundry done is a little luxury I'm going to miss! For just over $2 a kilo, I get same-day service!
La cena, the smaller evening meal, usually is at 7 and often includes either soup of the consistency we consider normal or "dry soup" -- a smaller amount of clear broth with larger pieces of vegetables and meat. One dry soup I plan to make at home is what Olga served me when I was on the bland diet: chunks of very lean ground beef, carrots, zucchini and chayote in the liquid in which they'd been cooked. At home, I'll season it more than I could then, but it was delicious. During cena, Olga, Humberto and I talk over the day's events or discuss U.S. and/or Mexican politics. We all have a pretty low opinion of many on the right wing. (I'm sure you're shocked.)
Before and/or after la cena, there's usually tarea -- homework. Sometimes there's very little -- five sentences in Spanish, using new vocabulary words. But one night, I spent 2 1/2 hours on it and still didn't think I'd done enough. This is not a program for perezozos (lazy people)!
Often, we watch TV -- seldom captioned, unfortunately, but listening helps my accent. Other times, we go to the casino, their favorite recreation. But most nights, I hit the sheets about 10 and if the dogs and roosters cooperate, I'm soon asleep. ¡Buenos noches a todo!
(Next time -- I finally climb a pyramid!)
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