We are already into our second week of intensive language training.  So far it is going well.  We had a quiz yesterday that included a grammar test during the first session, as well as one-on-one conversation in español with the teacher during the second.  Grammar so far consists of present tense verbs, regular and irregular, questions and the appropriate answers in español, and muchos vocabularios.  Tomorrow we have to be able to ask and answer in español "donde esta ______" and "que es ________."  The first question uses the to be verb estoy, the second requires the to be verb ser.  Yes, that's right, spanish has more than one to be verb, and if you know what's good for you, you use the right one so that Sandra doesn't frown at you.  Actually, our teacher, Sandra, is quite pleasant, and very patient with us.  Below are some pictures of the Institute and the surrounding area known as San Francisco de dos Rios (San Francisco of the two Rivers).