Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Puerto Vallarta and Spanish School

I am sorry it has taken so long to make an entry.  I have been super busy since arriving in PV on January 22.  The house we rented is beautiful.  It is four stories high, has two bedrooms and four bathrooms.  We have deck on every floor except the ground of course and a rooftop terrace that is huge, has a beautiful view and a great space for hosting.  

It is situated downtown PV and is just a 10 minute walk to school.  It has been great to be situated where we are as we are a lot more surrounded by native Mexicans versus the American, European and Canadian transplants.  Not that we don't enjoy meeting them. It just seems we are a little better immersed where we are now in everyday Urban Mexican life.

The people are so friendly and helpful.  Especially, like most places, when we attempt to speak the language.  

The Spanish Experience Center is an amazing little school.  The classrooms are no more than five people per teacher and they do an immersion style learning model.  I was the student last week but this week i have three classmates.  A couple form Canada (Quebec) and a student from Denmark. I have already learned a lot but nothing where i can form any complex thoughts.  my greatest challenge at this point is having enough vocabulary.

We have had it mostly low key so far.  Forrest and I had a spa day yesterday after school.  But before that mostly hanging out, going out at night (only on the weekends for me) and relaxing on the beach.  

Our travel plans at this point are that we are staying in PV until February 22 and then we head home to get ready for our expeditions.  In March we go to Honduras to dive and do species cataloging in the reef systems.  We are attached to a science group and are going into highly protected areas where no one but scientists are allowed.  our next trip is Costa Rica where we are patrolling beaches to protect sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs.  We have a big trip planned for the Galapagos and Forrest is still making plans for Machu Pichu for us.


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