February was a good month. I liked it because our friend Daniel came down here to visit, we got to visit some new parts of the country, we finally started spanish lessons and Sam had a wonderful month at school and at home.In the beginning of the month we explored an area in the eastern portion of the country called "Rio Dulce". It was nice to travel with another family from CAG - Ric, Kelly, Kesey and their family. The Rio Dulce river travels into the Carribean on the border of Guatemala and Belize. We stayed at a rustic "hotel" on the side of the river. I liked it because it was like upscale camping. The hotel was remote - an hour boat ride and no roads. But we stayed in bungalows and someone else cooked for us. Even though it rained the entire weekend, we had fun kayaking down the river to where the river meets the sea. We saw an iguana and toucans, pelicans and cormorants. We also got to swim, hot spring and explore a little cave.
Just a week later, we got to spend time with Daniel. I hope he got a little much deserved R&R and a little Central American adventure as well. We took him to the tropical, Pacific coast for the weekend - right on the border of El Salvador and Guatemala. We found a nice (but expensive) hotel on an island. To get there, we took another boat, but this time through a Mangrove forest with literally thousands of crabs lining the shore of the Mangrove swamps and more cool birds as well. The beach at the hotel was quiet. The surf was perfect for Sam and me, but most people perfered the pool. Sam was introduced to boogie boarding and I got re-introduced - it was super fun! If only the french guys who ran the place, fed us....it would have been a perfect weekend.
What I liked about this month was the change in Sam. Certainly not horrible, but it is safe to say that Sam has had some tough days at school and at home this year. However, this month he has been a super star. He is staying "green" at school which basically means that he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing. I like to mention that he is staying "green" at home as well. Suddenly, he is being much more cooperative, polite and kind. Of course, he has always had these qualities, but he did not always express these qualities all the time. Now he is. In addition, his spanish is taking off. He is communicating very well with Cristi (his super, wonderful nanny) and is doing better in the spanish portion of his day at school. Lets just say that we are very proud of him.
As for our spanish....we took the first step and hired a tutor from school. We have only had 3 classes, but everything we do helps. Perhaps by the end of the second year, we can have conversations with people???
Finally, we are in the tough stretch of the year at school. We do not have a break until Easter (Semana Santa) which is not until April!! Usually, I take my own ski vacation and that gets me through until spring break - this year, I have to tough it out! Wish me luck!
If you are interested in pictures from Isleta de Gaia and Rio Dulce you can click on the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/GrobGuat
