Schools With a View

摘要

It was hot, it was raining, and the mud made a difficult climb up a steep, rocky trail that much harder. Rambo wanted to give up. I refused. And when we emerged from the tangled woods to see the Pacaya volcano erupt, we agreed the effort was well worth it. At least I think we agreed. He simply let out a snort before munching on some weeds. I'd met Rambo a half-hour earlier, when three seemingly heaven-sent words reached this New Yorker's ears: "Taxi to Pacaya?" The question came from a Guatemalan girl atop a horse. "Cuanto cuesta?" I asked. "Cuarenta quetzals [about $5]." "Excelente," I replied, and took her place on the horse. I'm no cowgirl, but I was studying Spanish in Guatemala and was lagging behind my fellow students as they tromped up the trail on this school-sponsored Saturday hiking excursion. I wasn't feeling well and Rambo was a four-footed savior.