My Guatefamilia

While I may have left behind my family in California (hi mom!) I was lucky enough to meet an amazing Guatefamilia here in Quetzaltenango. As part of my Spanish studies, I am living with a Guatemalan host family: Elyda, 30, Luis, 29 and their two kids, Ale, 10, and Luis, (above) 5.

In many ways, they are similar to a typical American family: Luisito loves to play soccer and videogames, Ale watches Disney channel religiously, while Ely and Luis give homework help, cook delicious meals and send the kids off to bed.

However with current economic conditions in Guatemala, my family, like others here, still struggles to pay the bills. The $40 per week that I pay for food and lodging is the main source of income. Luis, though very qualified, has trouble finding consistant work, while Ely stays home to care for the kids, cook, and take care of the house.

My Guatefamilia is well-off compared to others. They have a nice TV, stereo, computer, and a three story house (I share the top story with two other language students). But despite the nice things at home, my family can´t afford to go out to eat, see a movie, or take weekend trips.

At first, with my rusty Spanish, I felt like an outsider but now after two weeks I´m more like the American cousin. Ale and I watch ¨Patito Feo¨ together (on Disney Latino channel) and Luis, Luisito, me, and a group of neighborhood kids play fùtobol in the street every weekend. I still have a bit of trouble decifering Luisito´s spanish but otherwise I am right in the middle of the daily dinner table conversations.

Hasta luego!