I'm in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala beginning a Spanish language and cultural exchange program. The school is actually the fundraising part of an organization that provides schooling for local underprivelidged kids. I found it on the web (www.spanishprogram.com). I'm staying with a local family and trying to stay warm! It's much colder than I was prepared for but the people are very warm indeed. I feel very welcome. My Spanish classes are four hours a day, one-on-one! There are also discussions in the evenings about the culture and history of Guatemala. I've learned about the struggles of the indigenous people against the opression of the spaniards who conquered the land so many years ago. It's not much different than the plight of the American Indians or the Blacks in America. It seems education and communication are needed to combat racism and ignorance everywhere.