Family in Cuenca

This past week we have settled down with host families in Cuenca. I live about a 20- 25 minute walk from my school, where I study Spanish. At my house, I live with my mom, Silvana, Cristobal (22), Juan Pablo (28), the housekeeper Rosa and her daughter Erika (9). Rosa has lived with Silvana for 9 years and is like a part of the family, comparable to Martha from the Brady Bunch.
The house is on the 2nd floor of a duplex, and is a humble size. There is a living/dining room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and 4 bedrooms spread out onto two levels. There is a gate to the driveway which is locked at night, a front door to the duplex, and another door to our house which is up three flights of stairs. This adds up to me needing to use 3 keys to get to into my house. The first thing I noticed when I came home for the first time was all of the paintings on the walls. The house is decorated with paintings done by Silvana, her mother, and Cristobal. Every home I have been in has original paintings on the walls, which is a part of the culture that I like very much.

Paintings by Cristobal and the Grandma

I love my house and family here. The only person in my family who speaks some English is my mother, but she only uses it when she needs me to understand her. I appreciate that because I really want to come home speaking fluent Spanish. I have a hard time understanding people when they talk at a normal rate, but I feel like I can usually get my point across when I am speaking. Our Spanish class is advancing quickly and I am picking up most of the stuff that I have forgotten in the past few years.

                             

painting by Grandma 

Each morning Rosa walks Erika to school. All schools here require a uniform. I have learned that uniforms are used to erase the presence of the wide variety of social classes in the schools. When I am doing my homework sometimes Rosa and Erika will proofread it for me, or at least answer my questions. Erika is learning English in her school, and I have also helped her with some vocab. Everyone in my home has made me feel very welcome, and it is great to be around such a loving and welcoming family!

Painting by Silvana

In my room, done by Grandma