couldn't be better

We're at the Hacienda Castillo with the other 37 volunteers in our program. The temperature is perfect and there's a group sitting on the veranda typing away. We had lectures today (boring but I was well-behaved) and started our Spanish lessons. I'm in the intermediate group. I'm braver at trying to speak than I thought I would be. I think it's because I was speaking French last month. They really want us to be speaking fluently when we are done. John's been studying hard and is making great progress.

OUr group is really interesting. There are nine in the technology transfer program with John. There are about six in a new environmental education program, and the rest in various other environmental programs. There are some recent college graduates, some with advanced degrees, many with lots of interesting experience. Counting us, there are four or five who were volunteers before - one in Malawi and one in the Philippines.

We will hear where we are going on Saturday, which will be great. We think it will be Guadalajara but we aren't sure. We'll also meet our host families where we will stay for the next ten weeks.

This place is a hotel/conference center. The buildings are old and it's pretty basic in terms of amenities but it's beautiful, there's hot water from 8-10 in the evening and 6-8 in the morning, and there's internet access as you can see. What could be better?