The moment Luis Enrique rung the doorbell to the tall, green house my stomach dropped in anticipation. What would they be like, my host family for the week? Would they speak any English? Or would they understand my Rosetta Stone beginner level Spanish? Would the house be comfortable? Would I feel awkward and uncomfortable? All these thoughts loomed my head as I waited and waited for the door to open. It felt like an eternity.

Finally after a couple more rings, the door opened. I secretly gave a sigh of relief. I was tired, dirty and hungry. Plus I was eager to meet my new host family who I had heard all about from Ms. May, my son’s school teacher back home who runs the exchange program for Casa Xelaju.

The door creaked open and a dog barked. A young man answered the door and some words were exchanged briefly in gunfire Spanish. All I understood was “Nicole” (my name), “si” and “uno momento por favor”. I entered the dark house to silence and pulling in my enormous red suitcase. I was told to wait there for a moment in the long, narrow hallway, and there I stood for another five minutes waiting for the matron of the house.

Five minutes later of awkwardly waiting alone in a strange, unlit house the young man, named Cristian, returned again. He showed me my room for the week and explained that his parents were not home at the moment. I pulled my red suitcase inside my small, comfortable room and began to settle in.

Cristian had informed me that the house had WIFI which was a pleasant surprise. I had brought my trustworthy iPad along on the trip so I could keep current on emails and use it to Skype my family back home. I didn’t bring a cell phone so you can imagine the relief when I was able to call my husband Paul at home and let him know that I had safely arrived. The kids said hello and the usual “I love you’s” all making my exhausted emotions drain. I felt alone and confused, wondering what on earth I was doing in Guatemala in this strange bedroom far away from the comforts of home.

Thankfully as a well-versed traveler, I knew that I was going through the initial culture shock that I always experience upon arriving in a new place. After so much excitement, anticipation and planning surrounding a trip, I always feel this crazy letdown the moment I finally arrive. It is natural and human, so I know enough now to not let it bother me. It always only last a couple of days and unfortunately when it is a short trip, that means it is almost time to go home by the time I’ve fully adjusted to my new surroundings and am settled in.

It was approaching eight o’clock and there was still no sign of the family. I was beginning to get really hungry as we normally eat insanely early back home because of the kids. Finally, I heard some commotion and peered outside of my bedroom door to see Sondra and Sergio, the patrons of the home, walk in the door to greet me. They were warm, friendly and full of life and energy. Exactly the kind of people I adore spending time with! They graciously welcomed me to their home and told me that dinner would be ready in a little while.

By 8:45 pm, the typical time for “la cena” in Guatemala, the rest of the family began to arrive and it was a rather large group of people which startled me. Around one small table sat, me, Sondra, Sergio, their three sons (ages 14, 19, and 22), their daughter-in-law and two other Guatemala students who were living there and renting space. It was quite a large, lively group of people and let me tell you, the conversation was unstoppable.

I think in the first thirty minutes I understood maybe one or two words. Their Spanish darted around the table like a racehorse and I could hardly keep track of all the changes, nor could my head. I turned left, then right than across then next to me, moving so fast that as soon as I got there and listened to someone talk, the conversation had already moved to someone else. It was a hard, lonely place to be! For I LOVE to talk! I make friends with anyone, anywhere. Yet the language barrier that night was so huge I could hardly say a thing.

I felt like an idiot! Yet I tried not to let it get me down or too stressed out. For what did I expect? I was a French major not Spanish and have not seriously studied Spanish for at least eight years! Although the food was very good and the family was delightful, it was too much for me the first night.

An hour later, after the meal was complete and it was approaching ten, everyone said their “buen provecho” (which I found confusing because it means “enjoy your meal” or “good appetite” and it is said after you have eaten!) and “buenos noches” and were on their way. I went to bed praying that tomorrow would be better. It wouldn’t be so hard. I would be able to talk with these wonderful people and I would love it here! I fell asleep quickly to the sounds of a busy house.

Here are some photos of lovely Xela that will give you an idea of my home away from home for the week:

Grand view of the city from up above.

I love this picture of Xela, especially the gorgeous yellow church that pokes out off in the distance!

Here you can see how Xela is a valley surrounded by lush green mountains and volcanoes. The land of eternal Spring!