The Homestay

When I first went to La Paz, Mexico (about two hours north of Cabo San Lucas) to learn a little Spanish I though doing a homestay would be a benefit.  Reflecting back, I’m not so sure it was much of a help.  Gloria was a very nice, older Mexican lady.  She had some small rooms behind her house that she rented out to students and others.  I and a young lady who was studying to become a teacher usually ate breakfast with Gloria in the mornings and then I sometimes ate later in the day.  In my case breakfast and lunch were the two meals provided.  The food was good, and more than adequate.  

The problem?  I simply didn’t know enough Spanish to get started.  Mostly I had a blank look on my face.  Everyone talked too fast, but even if that hadn’t been the case, I would have been lost because I didn’t have the vocabulary or the understanding to follow much of anything.  And while some might be bright enough to piece it together, I’m not one of those.

By my third homestay, I could converse a little.  This was at a place different than Gloria’s.  In fact each of my homestay’s was at a different house.  All great people, and each visit slowly getting better than the previous one.  I could see that if a person were staying for a month, two, or longer it could be of great benefit.

However, in my case I think I would have preferred to have had the free time after class to wander and inflict my Spanish on the shopkeepers and other locals.  I’m not bashful about getting out and trying the language, early on I had successes and mostly failures, but each time I learned a little more and was fortified for the next adventure.