(Quick Update)

Yes, I did use a translating tool for the title.

I have completed 9 days (a scant 5 hrs per) of Spanish classes. I wasn’t naive about how much I thought I’d walk away with, so I’m happy with the progress I’ve made. The most productive skill I’ve gained is listening comprehension. I’m able to understand the vast majority of things said to me now. Although part of that may have to do with the context of any given situation (classroom, restaurant, bar, etc…), it’s easier to understand when you have a good idea of what should be said or asked of you. Formulating questions or statements is another story. As of now, my ability to interact and learn about people along the way relies heavily on what questions folks happen to ask of me, where I can answer, then formally flip the question onto them with “Usted?”. But given my future surroundings, I’m hoping the road will help me learn more.

Not to do the Spanish language an injustice, but I am quite anxious to be throwing my leg over my bike soon and riding onto new things. I’ve decided to leave Guanajuato tomorrow (11/1) morning. The loose laid plans are to head East to the Caribbean coast, chasing that into the Yucatan peninsula for a few days eventually getting to Chetumal, from which I’ll be crossing into Belize. I’ve read about grand walled cities, Mayan ruins, and one of the greatest coral reefs in the Western Hemisphere en route to Belize. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch some of that.

Previously undiscovered gem of a cerveza

My classroom

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Mercado Hidalgo

Mercado Hidalgo

Guanajuato

My wee little netbook has been trying my patience over the past week or so, and I fear a total and complete failure is imminent. Unfortunately it was my “back-up” for all my photos and video, so if it goes, I’ll be forced to mail it home and hope hard drive recovery will still be an option. I’ll keep trying to limp through posts such as this one for now.

(I have been working diligently on completing this post for about a week, dealing with the software issues on my computer. Naturally it completely failed on me last night, so I am publishing this post in a internet cafe in town here. Just mailed my computer home, and will look into getting a new one brought to me with my folks in Costa Rica near the end of November. So, most likely I will not be able to update this site for some time. Thanks for all the comments!)

Here’s a little footage I was able to squeeze out of the computer before blue screen hard reboots. I’m not entirely happy with it, but I dare not tempt editing anymore on this computer.

Trip Mileage: 4,578

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson