If you read my blog from last Saturday, you’ll remember that I hated SPLL about 1 minute after I got off the boat from Panahachel. It was too hippiyish, too touristy and weather too yukkyish. My mood and attitude has definitely softened over the last week. I can appreciate the attraction that people have for the place and many do. In fact many stay for months, years and even lifetimes from all over the world. Many rave about it, telling me, “this is hard to beat isn’t it”. They aren’t asking, they are making a statement because they assume like the majority of people here that I must love this place as well. “Well, the lake IS beautiful” I reply. Who am I to cast negative comments on their Utopia? I am just not part of the majority. I don’t love it here. I doubt I will be back. But, I don’t hate it either. The local people here are extremely friendly. My home stay family, while I haven’t gotten to know them as well, have done everything to make my time with them enjoyable. There is a charm to the traditional parts of town, and I have even made peace with the touristy area, often frequenting a coffee shop or grabbing a cold beer. For me though, I don’t feel a connection. It hasn’t stolen a piece of my heart. I am not sad to leave. I am glad that I came, glad that I saw it and glad to be going. Not glad, that my trip is ending however, let us be very clear on that!
School was alright. Not great. I was a little disappointed ultimately with my teacher. A super nice women and we chatted a lot but many times I felt she was struggling to really know what to do in class time. I am considered advanced my Spanish school standards so it’s difficult as I don’t want to spend the time going over grammar for 6 hours that I have covered many times. I didn’t however see any evidence that there was a lesson plan or structure and most times we would just sit down, look at each other and start chatting. That was alright to start with but it gets tough after 36 hours, which is what it has been this week in total. I felt I was the one saying, “let’s do another reading comprehension” or trying to find an article in the paper I had bought so we could read it and discuss. Some students were very happy with their teachers but another student was frustrated as she felt her teacher wasn’t explaining things clearly. When you are one on one with a teacher it can come down to personalities and styles of teaching. I can’t fault the school and they certainly do everything they can to ensure you enjoy your time. Had I been staying another week, I would have tried another teacher just to switch things up.
This afternoon, the school had arranged a trip to San Juan, a neighbouring village, which in reality is about 6 minutes by pick up. About 8 of us, piled in to the back of the truck and off we went. Now, San Juan, from what little I saw, is cute. Small, way less tourists and seemingly more traditional. IF I was ever to return I would look to stay there. We went to a local women’s weaving cooperative which I found very interesting. They explained how the wool (which comes from three different plants) is cleaned, prepared, dyed and then used for weaving. The colouring is all natural and comes from either other plants or insects. Red, by the way comes from cockroaches which they collect from the inside of cactus plants. Who would have known. Anyway, take a look………………
Once done there, I took a final stroll and a chance for some final photos around SPLL;
So, to San Pedro La Laguna, I say "Adios" but not good riddance. It's been interesting. Stay tuned for my final blog tomorrow night.
Peace Out!
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