Another early start today. Señor Gary, our taxi driver, dropped me off in front of the bookstore I'd requested at 8:00, but I failed to remember that most businesses don't open here until 11 or noon. So I headed over to the school to hang around before handing out the test to the LBATers. Though I was relieved to not be taking the test myself, I still felt a little nervous for them because I remembered the anxiety I felt last year going into the first test. Ten weeks of material crammed into one can be pretty intimidating, especially when having to write about it in another language.
Emnet and I left the school around 9:30 in search for some films for Doctora ("some" meaning 20+). On the way to Blockbuster, we stopped at a tea place that was kind of pricey, but well worth it. We shared a kettle of caramel toffee rooibos tea (fab!) and sat on little cushions in a sort of arabic style lounge. I really should switch to tea over coffee...
After walking around for an hour or so and searching right and left for bookstores that would possibly sell movies, we decided to call it a day and have some lunch. I had fun wandering around Condesa for a while on my way home, meandering through bakeries and outdoor markets until I reached my apartment again.
Not long after I returned, Doctora and I went to the outdoor market together and were absolutely amazed by the quantity of fruit and vegetables we saw. And the prices! The market must have been 200 meters in length and reminded me somewhat of Pike's Place Market in Seattle... except it was better. Strangers don't call you "guapa" and give you free samples of THE BEST produce in the States. :)
Later in the evening the group met at La Bodeguita del Medio where we got a 1.5 hour salsa lesson and dinner for 60 pesos (~$6). It was a great way for the students to take a break after a LONG test and forget about academics for a while. I'll be the first to admit that I have two left feet, but the salsa lesson was surprisingly easier than expected and twice as fun. We just might have to go back to La Bodeguita!
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." - Psalm 19:1
