Having tutors in Guatemala instead of from Guatemala made a difference. The rapid rise of the price of corn and beans in the spring disturbed me because suddenly Interlangua’s highly-qualified tutors could not afford the food they’d always bought each week. Even then I knew that greed here in the U.S. had played a part.
The Web made it easy to to dip into Guatemala’s culture. My homework was often a link to a story or video. Marco Antonio Tabin Garcia introduced me to the outspoken lyrics and music videos of rock star Ricardo Arjona . Follow the links to listen to Arjona’s “Mujeres” [Women] or “Mojados.” [Wetbacks].
With Sheny Recinos I worked on the huge medical vocabulary I’d like to acquire. My favorite new word is “estornudar,” [to sneeze]. I’m only part way through a wonderful book called Donde No Hay Doctor, also available in English, Where There Is No Doctor, from Hesperian. They contain accurate information, as well as many drawings that make the care concrete.
- Drawings by David Werner and others grace the book.
Sally Terrell Smith 