Author Archives: Kim Baumgaertel

We walked into the dining room this morning and Jim said, “Groundhog day.”  You know the movie, right?  Bill Murray, Punxsutawney Phil:  same day over and over and over and over?  Our days have a “Groundhog Day” quality: 7:15 a.m.  … Continue reading →

No wifi in our rooms tonight, but here it is in the lobby.  This has happened now and again, and we guess that when big tour groups roll in, the wifi gets turned on upstairs but when there are very … Continue reading →

  1.        Today we learned how to ask for stuff.  I want, I need, give me, pass me, excuse me.  These phrases are extremely useful for shopping, eating in restaurants, and riding in taxis.  However, in Carrefour, where we generally … Continue reading →

Children, your father and I took a field trip today and he didn’t make any mistakes. Also, we survived yet another day of intense heat by drinking lots and lots of water and wearing our hats. Here’s Dad at Volubulis: … Continue reading →

Jim is working on his pronouns at the moment (ana, heeya, huma, nta, ntee, hna) because we’re comfortably entrenched in our hotel room; and more importantly, he has sufficiently recovered from the two mistakes he made today.  When I asked … Continue reading →

I confused some in my last post by mentioning that “Jim is the oldest student in our class” and “I am the youngest student in our class”. I could have also said that all our classmates speak English, and that … Continue reading →

We have homework this evening, therefore a list: 1.        Started class today. 2.       We have two classes, two hours each, back-to-back. 3.       Four hours is a long time to pay attention. 4.       Our two classes are taught by two different … Continue reading →

  In the middle of the night when unable to fall back asleep, or very early in the morning before groggily forcing ourselves out of bed, we both experience a sense of desperation. For me it comes as vain imaginations … Continue reading →

Yes, we are.  And, we’re pretty content at the moment relaxing in our plain little room with AC and gold velveteen curtains.  Getting here was not so bad, as Baumgaertel-time got us to the correct terminal three hours prior to … Continue reading →

After a smooth travel day yesterday, or the last two days, or whatever, we arrived in Madrid last night to very warm weather and a clean hotel near the airport.  We are thankful to have made our connection in London … Continue reading →