Our language study in Cuernavaca (about one hour south of Mexico City) is phenomenal! Not only are we learning how to say more than “hola” and “gracias” we are staying with this amazing family who are the number one reason for the richness of our experience. Our host family (who live a two-minute walk from the language school) consists of Mirna, her daughter Arantza (12 years), and Mirna’s mother. Just down the hill from Mirna and family (within the same yard) are Mirna’s sister Irma, her husband Peter, and their sons Kevin (16 years) and Bryan (12 years). They also have a very friendly dog named Lukas who is a gentle Boxer/Rotweiler cross. We all have a lot of fun together…we have our own private apartment-like area in the upstairs of Mirna’s house come downstairs to have meals with the family. Arantza really enjoys Zam, Hizee and Ziko and they spend a lot of time together. The language school has a pool so every day when our language study has ended and Arantza is done school, we all go swimming together. We also play a lot of basketball together with Arantza, Brian, and Kevin (a highlight for Zam.) Mirna, our host “mom,” is very understanding of the kids needs and loves to hug, kiss, and tease Ziko! Ziko sometimes puts up a fight but secretly enjoys every minute of it of course!