finally...

....I can honestly post that the bathroom situation has finally gotten ahold of itself considering the rollercoaster it´s been these past 4 days!

The Cipro is doing its job.

My classes resumed today. We had a good lesson but she was hard on me for not having homework. The parasite excuse could only take me so far... as such we covered many topics and subject areas.

The school put on a conference today about the political system here in Guatemala as there is a presidential election come Sept. 9. After hearing the discussions and ideologies of the candidates...I can´t imagine having to pick between the upwards of 20 people and voting for 1. And...the political system is like watching the Godfather only with indigenious or non-indigenious family systems.

It is RAINING!!! but I love the cool weather here.

I just dropped off my clothes to the lavanderia and will received the best smelling, nicely folded and dried clothing possible at 6.

I am taking a Guatemalan tipico cooking class today...extremely excited.

I´ve started another new book (my 3rd) about a Peace Corps volunteer in the city of Fuling in China, who taught English and American Literature. He left to volunteer in 1996 and it details his travels and experiences. A lend from Rachel and so far so good.

I am anxious to begin teaching these classes for los ninos in Escuela de la Calle next week. The classes will only be in Spanish and I have to teach mathematics, reading and writing to reinforce what they´re learning in their schools in the morning. Typically students here are in school from 8 a.m. until only 1 p.m. and most schools are private. As such, some of these kids living at Escuela de la Calle and receiving all their basic needs from the volunteers receive classes in the morning and these extra classes as well in the afternoon. As I understand it, it is considerably different than a tutoring session and will require vocabulario. Aye! Wish me luck.

Yesterday, I watched the Rigobera Menchu story with Corinne and Ben. I really enjoyed the movie, but admittedly had a hard time with the descriptions of the torture that was performed on the peoples in the pueblos (small towns and communities) during the war. As such, she is running as Guatemalan´s first female president and we heard of her politics today. She has a fascinating and interesting life. Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigoberta_Menchu for more info about her!

Last night, Corinne´s former maestra, Marta, picked up Ben, Corinne and I and took us to her place outside of the central city area so we could cook Thai food and sushi for her. Turns out you can buy seaweed and rice noodles (or rice pasta...not really sure). The meal was GREAT! and we had the entire night in Spanish. I really really enjoy spending time with Marta and hearing her talk. Her pronounciations and language is easy to understand and she is always generous with her Spanish lessons in conversation. Also, she has led a truly inspiring life as a social worker in Guatemala and in the States. At one time, she spent 8 years travelling back and forth from Guatemala to the U.S. to counsel and teach other volunteers and social workers health care, education, etc. for immigrants crossing the boarder. Very inspiring.

This is my last week here at Celas Maya and I´m going to miss the atmosphere much. I´ve decided to come back during announcement times and see if there are any activities I´d like to join next week and maybe the following weeks.

I was going to climb Volcano Santa Maria this weekend on Saturday, but have declined due to health issues...but it remains a goal of mine, if not this trip, another when I return to Central America.

On that note, I am still very much enjoying my experiences here. I am learning a lot about my abilities to live within a different culture who have a different language than my own, different food than I´m used to, no water from a free-flowing mechanism that I can drink from or cultural customs that are significantly different and can only be learned after 3 weeks with a maestra. My spirits these past few days, admittedly were low, but with antibiotics and anticipation for a whole new 3 weeks, I´m ready to check out what´s next!

Rachel, Sarah, Ned and Joaqim are headed to Honduras on Saturday morning around 3 a.m. I´ve been told. Thanks to you all who made my last 3 weeks truly truly INCREDIBLE. I have laughed till I´ve cried, shared bathroom/lake/parasite/bottled water/Xela Pan/how to refinance my life/all food in general/stray dog/Blue Angel cafe/La Luna cafe and Tecun experiences with you all and would do it again if I could. Stay in touch and let me know you lived through the dengue and malaria in Honduras.