Places That Changed Us: Antigua, Guatemala

When we first met, my Spanish repertoire consisted of “hola” and the wildly incorrect “baño, por favor.” Fernando spoke only a little English, but together we bridged the gap with hand gestures, facial expressions, and impromptu charades. He patiently guided me through verb tenses and vocabulary, occasionally giving me a playful bop on the head with a rolled-up newspaper whenever I pronounced Spanish words with a French accent.

I used to joke that I must be his oldest student — someone who hadn’t studied the language in high school or college and was starting from scratch. But Fernando always countered, “No, no, adults make the best students. They actually want to learn; they’re not just checking a box.”

In the mornings and evenings, I worked remotely, and on weekends, I explored Guatemala. I hiked El Fuego, marveled at the ancient ruins of Tikal, and practiced my Spanish with locals along the way. Speaking the language added depth to my experiences, allowing me to connect with the culture in ways I never could have otherwise.

Guatemala became part of my soul, and Fernando became more than just a tutor, he became a friend. Two years later, we still have weekly Zoom sessions to continue my lessons. I even send him birthday and Christmas gifts to show my gratitude for the patience and humor he brought to my learning journey.