Espanol 101. . .

Or maybe something more basic: Spanish 50?

I just completed a week of free Spanish lessons at Proyecto Asis, the animal rescue center near the hotel. Proyecto Asis, in addition to hosting volunteers to work with the animals and build houses for people in the area, also offers a Spanish class. Fortunately, I was able to go to the class for a week for free. It was a great experience. Lindsay, the instructor, was very good. It was just myself and a junior-to-be in high school from California. Of course, I was the laggard in the class, not having as much experience as the 17-year-old girl.

Nonetheless, the experience was very good, and I did learn a lot -- much to the chagrin of the folks who work here at Tree Houses. At least I was able to understand when Darleen and Patricia told Lucy they wished I had never taken the classes, as I was now able to ask for a lot of things and tell them what needed to be done.

Since the class is at the animal rescue center, it was great to walk the grounds before and after class (it was four hours each morning for a week). One of the drawbacks, was when the mapaches (raccoons) would come scrambling through the outdoor classroom. Actually, it wasn't a drawback, but a very nice diversion. The mapaches pretty much took over the classroom, scrambling up our legs and onto the table and trying to make off with keys, pens, notebooks, etc. The critters are still pretty young and very curious.

Not your typical classroom setting, but still a very good time.