Except when you’re going some distance, in a small Mexican taxi.
The last time I wrote I was on the upswing after a “failed relationship”. It’s been on the level for a week now; I have some mixed feelings about one of my teachers, but being more than half way through, I’m not going to change. Others have talked about how wonderful their teachers are, but I think in reality, it’s me, my relative introversion, and a degree of insecurity that keeps me from learner more, quicker. In a group (especially) in the marketplace, I’m loathe to speak up, even in a group I won’t typically interrupt the extroverts to contribute. Their loss. My loss.
To recap, assuming I remember a fraction of the last week, I had four days of classes (since the curriculum was revamped for me) followed by a skip day for a cooking class (great fun!). Saturday I joined a school-organized tour: it was interesting, but we had expected an opportunity to return to shops we’d checked out earlier, then the schedule really didn’t offer the time. We ran three hours late and I returned exhausted.
Sunday (today) I’d pledged to be a good lad, catch up on my homework and basically chill. But some other students were keen on a market about 30km away. It too was interesting but it too ran several hours over time with complicated transportation and a lot of walking in the heat. Would have preferred to stay “home”, honestly. We had a very tasty meal, however, and I didn’t get sick from it…
One of several murals in town 
Work in progress. Combines “spirit animals” of a family – two each. 
Large piece with gold leaf 
Young apprentices 
The guide showed us how local plants and minerals used to create a large variety of colors 
The Chef who prepares food for the student was the model for the grandma in “Coco”. 
View of some of the metal work in the church 
Ruins at Yagul 
Church at San Martin market 
Market scenes 
Barbacoa (stewed pork) 
Cozy but cheap 
“Consome” hearty and meaty broth from cooking.