They invited me to be their English-speaking guest speaker at their formal classes Tuesday. So in a classroom setting, the next day, from nine to noon, I did my best to give them practice listening to my opinionated answers, and I pitched in a few jokes.

This could be a valuable experience for a family. Here's the scoop.

Monday, I had my camera out and just as the sun broke through and I was getting good light on Oaxaca's main church, a tall stranger greeted me in English. He asked if I liked Oaxaca. I said yes, and thought, "I'm snagged. He will give me a tourist guide pitch." I spoke to him in Spanish. He spoke English, I continued in Spanish. Then he said, "You must speak English, I've got a group that needs to practice English."

I found myself at the center of the zócalo (main plaza) attraction, surrounded by a dozen Mexicans, all English teachers in the public school system, asking me a list of prepared questions. The leader's idea was to find a tourist and initiate a conversation. All spoke English, and all needed more practice.

Well, they hit the jackpot. I was alone and ready to gab.

They invited me to be their English-speaking guest speaker at their formal classes Tuesday. So in a classroom setting, the next day, from nine to noon, I did my best to give them practice listening to my opinionated answers, and I pitched in a few jokes.

I also had an agenda. "Who are the Top-Ten Mexican Heroes?" I wanted to know. The teachers, now my students, got out paper and pen and wrote out a rank-order list. I got a couple of surprises, especially the one who in number 10 place wrote, "Picasso."

I think he or she ran out of names at number 9, and figured "Ah, heck, le voy a tomar el pelo." (pull my leg).

Then a question came up. Juan Antonio Guzman asked about "a family cultural exchange."

He'd like an interchange with an American family. "Mi casa es su casa." (My home is your home.) Juan Antonio would host an American family and later he and his family would be the guest in the American's home.

I asked Juan Antonio, "How large is your family and how long would you plan to visit?"

Antonio said, "I have a wife and son. I would like to visit for about 3 weeks."

Juan Antonio is in his mid-forties and his son is a teenager. I asked him if he had an email account. He said no, but his friend, a fellow English teacher, Herminio Escobar Toledo, offered to be the contact since he has a computer and uses email.

To Follow Up If an exchange would interest you, email Juan Antonio Guzman care of Herminio Escobar Toledo, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Outline your situation, desires, family size, ages, interests and time frame. Say what you think is important.

Others also showed interest in an exchange, and if you visit Oaxaca, you would be a welcomed guest at an English class.

As I understand it not all the teachers live in Oaxaca City. Some are from smaller towns. One man mentioned to me that he lived in a colonial home some distance from Oaxaca and offered to take me horseback riding. (I had mentioned my varied youth on both ranch and farm.) So, there may be both city and country living possibilities.

Ask about humidity and seasons if that is important to your comfort.

All in all, I think it could be a great education and an adventure with fine people.

This story is from my Forty Days in Mexico.
The previous story in the series is Grand Marquis Arrested in Oaxaca!
The next story in the series is Hacienda Trail, Mining and Marvels.