I am half way through school and am getting more comfortable with Spanish.  Still have to force myself to think before speaking so as to avoid stupid errors.  Next step is to talk more in the street with locals.

Last Thursday at about 11 am one of the teachers (my favourite) received two complementary tickets to a performance of flamenco at the Ex Hacienda de San Gabriel de Barrera.  The performance was at 12 pm so I skipped classes to attend.  It was my best experience of Cervantino 2014 which ends tonight.

On Friday after classes the students and two teachers played soccer with the teacher’s team for practice.  Lots of fun and I did pretty good for a 60 year old.  The average age of the players was around 25, the youngest being 15.

After the game and a shower at the house, I headed back to the school to participate in a general Friday night social.  Having the most disposable income I bought the beer, lots of it.  It was a small gathering.  We started playing cards then sat around talking and listening to music and danced a bit.  The teachers normally drink all night and this time I stuck it out until 4:30 am, getting to bed at 5.

Had to get up at 8 am to get money as I was meeting the organizer of the home stay at 10:30 to pay my bill and to watch the soccer game between Real Madrid and Barcelona.  After that I went home and took a siesta until around 5pm.  Went out for dinner but returned home early to relax watching my telenovela.

I’ve decided to rent my own apartment here in Guanajuato and I was able to find a place close to el Centro on craigslist.  Met the property manager and saw the apartment this morning.  I’ll be staying there Nov 1-21 and Dec 13-Jan 3 at a cost of $125/wk.

Living with a family has been great but after six weeks I felt the need for more privacy, independence and a location closer to el Centro.  I think I got lucky finding a place so easily.  I’m looking forward to a different experience having to do shopping and cook.

Another week of school, another week of Cervantino, all is well.  I’m lucky to live away from el Centro during the festival as it can get very busy and noisy.  In 5 weeks I leave Guanajuato to meet my sister in Mazatlán for our trip to Copper Canyon.

I am 1/3 through school and 1/4 through my trip.  My Spanish has settled down and I’m satisfied with the progress, however, I can’t help but realize how impossible fluency will be after my trip.  Hmmm …

I’ve been to a number of (free) Cervantino events including a tribute to Ceasaria Evora tonight which I really enjoyed.  Watched a 4 hour film version of Hamlet in English and found the Spanish subtitles helped me understand the old English!  Lots to come as the festival runs until October 26.

Had a cold last week and Montezuma’s Revenge these last two days.  Ojalá that all will be back to a healthy normal tomorrow.  Obviously Dukoral is not fool proof.  Oddly, I think I caught the bugs from food prepared by a teacher at the school.

Rain, lots of rain fell this week with thunder and lightening, causing torrents of water to cascade down the callejones and flooding in the streets. It was quite amusing being en el centro when the rain started with everyone dressed for summer dashing for cover. I bought an umbrella which has served me well. Usually the downpours are brief and it has not yet rained during the day.

Cervantino starts this week which will bring excitement to the city and to our daily lives.  Looking forward to it!