Day 5

I am really trying with these kids. The girls are easy enough, but it’s harder to connect with them now that Elena is strict that I only speak English with them and they don’t understand me. Hugo is a terror. This morning I have been called stupid, a witch, and have taken as heavy a beating as a 3-year-old is capable of doling out. As Elena said in her broken English, “he is horrible, like a bull.” One minute he is happy and laughing playing with me and the next insisting that one of his sisters or his mom takes my place. I am trying, but it will take a while for him to warm up to me completely, and then it still won’t be easy as he fights his family as well. Is it weird that I still love this kid even though he is a royal pain?

I was told that the church was hard to find and given how pathetically lost I’ve been, I decided it would be a good idea to try to find it today as I’m very anxious to be able to attend tomorrow. The roads getting there are very confusing and limited to pedestrians. At one point I had three older ladies who despite seeming to be in agreement, were talking over each other, gesturing and giving me directions very quickly in Spanish, of which I gleaned very little. I don’t care to go into detail, but suffice it to say that 5 hours later, a tired, hungry, cold, sore Liz gave up and decided to return since it was raining and getting dark. I can at least get to the area somewhat efficiently now, so I’m hoping if I leave early enough tomorrow morning, I will be able to find it in time.

Elena was the only one home when I returned since the kids were at a friend’s house for dinner. It was nice to have some time alone with her when she’s relaxed and not yelling at the kids or chastising me for misunderstanding her directions. It was good to be able to laugh with her as we prepared and ate dinner and tried to communicate more complex ideas through our language barrier.

Today, I tried and failed, but tomorrow is a new day.