The first day of school is Monday. Class starts at 8:30 a.m. I will be taking three Spanish courses every morning Monday to Friday until our departure on March 31. The goal is to speak Spanish at an elemental level.
Our first day out in Guanajuato, the day after we arrived, we walked to school and met Juan Carlos, one of my professors. He was warm and welcoming making my transition to Guanajuato language student easy. Most language schools like Escuela Mexicana begin by giving you an entrance exam. This helps them place you at the appropriate level with the appropriate instructor. My exam is Monday. I have no doubt that I will be in a beginning class.
The school is in a historic building around the corner from the Cervantes Iconographic Museum on Plaza San Francisco. It is a short walk uphill from the plaza and a cafe that serves real Illy coffee. Yes! As in Chile, it is hard to find real coffee in Guanajuato. Nescafe rules.
Walking in the entrance to school we noticed the tall, 12 foot, ornamental doorways and 10 foot windows. The rooms, including a kitchen and dining room for planned cooking classes and a number of classrooms, are open, airy and brightly painted with the expected high ceilings.
The school encompasses two floors with an open courtyard and a charming roof garden from which you can see the church spires dotting the city. We actually orient ourselves by the churches as we can see them from the rooftop patio at our house, from the rooftop garden at school and by the street view of their elaborate facades as we walk by.
Please Note: Current studies of the aging brain say studying a foreign language is one of the best ways to keep your brain active and sharp. I promise updates on my language mastery and the increasing suppleness of my brain as this trimester progresses.
MedFlies 
Testing….
We don’t have tests but, for instance, today I had one night to prepare a presentation in Spanish on a favorite movie. This required speaking solely in Spanish about a, relatively, complex topic (at least complex for me.) My professor is great and very understanding. It is not an easy assignment, however. To me, this is a test.
Looks like another wonderful experience! I would b eating all the oranges!
We are. They are very juicy.
Jill, your dedication to your study of Spanish is so impressive! Good luck tomorrow.
I am persevering. It is my strongest language skill.