I have just completed my first week of immersion in español in Cuernavaca. There are three Swiss students, one Austrian student and three of us from the United States. On the first day we studied español and then rode the bus to El Centro. There we saw for the first time Cortes´Palace, the Cathedral and the government buildings. Cuernavaca is the capital of the state of Morelos.

I am living with Evelia Urbano and her two adult daughters. My room overlooks her garden where there are papya, mango and lemon trees. She serves me fruta from her jardin every day. There are beautiful yellow-breasted canaries that live in her trees. They are as plentiful and our robin red-breasts in Plainfield. Their singing is exquisite and they coo to each other every night. Evelia speaks very slowly and helps me speak proper Spanish at mealtime. She has already become a good friend.

Yesterday we went to the Museo Muro and saw many paintings by Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera. The museum has a wonderful collection of Mexican painters from early 20th Century and current artists. Tomorrow, we´ll take an excursion to Mexico City and visit Frida Khalo´s home and museum. Everything is in español. That´s the idea! And I´m learning many Spanish words and phrases. The speaking is going very slowly, however.

I left home without my camera so there are no photos yet. John is shipping my camera to me. What a guy! I hope to be able to share photos soon.