Ahem,
After reading the copious amounts of love from friends and family, it brings me to be a bit homesick, missing my Friday dinners, sushi with C, chats and general agreements (and the occaisional disagreements) with T, Sunday dinners with mi familia and pretty much any conversation in English.
It´s weird...I´m literally, hands-down absolutely in love with my life in Guatemala (it´s been 3 days I know), but sometimes during my studies con mi maestra, I want to stop the Spanish and speak English and express every thought I´ve wanted to say since I got here (feelings, likes, dislikes, etc.). Most of you know that talking is something I do pretty much most of the time and here it´s not only extremely difficult for me to do in Spanish, but no one can understand English and it´s necessary. Definitely part of the immersion process and I´m thankful to almost be forced into it. So...again..thanks to everyone who has been reading of my adventures and sending me your thoughts. I think about you all daily!
So...when I last left of yesterday...I had mentioned that the school provides activities every day to different parts of the country, the city and Guatemalan life in general. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to take a hike (about an hour and a half long...and straight up-ish!?) up to Eco saunas Las Cumbres. These are natural saunas in the mountain in which you pay to spend up to an hour in. Once at the top, we were greeted by some women (whom we paid..costs about $2.50), who directed us to the changing room. There we put on our suits and went literally into a very black hole. It´s difficult to explain other than, the volcano heats the water in this mountain and where there are natural creveces forms a natural steam room. I took many pictures and will try to post as soon as I can. The room is very small and a tight fit for more than 3 people (although we fit like 5). I wore no shoes so I can tell you it was very slimy and I couldn´t seen pretty much anything. From my perspective: put on bathing suit in the dark, enter door #1 where there is a shower head and enter curtain #2: a dark hole that is dark and steamy. The walls are made of the mountain rock and there are a few seats to sit on. The whole room was probably 4 square feet. Aye.
The hike down was even more amazing, but at this point, I found this nasty cough I´ve had for 8 days to be getting worse. The moisture here in Xela is nothing like I´ve ever experienced, not even comparable to the midwest. Corinne and I and the group of friends we´ve made had a really great time on the trip. I must mention further some of these friends: Ned is from Minnesota orginally and has no Spanish experience...he is learning quickly and plans to spend at least 2 weeks here. After that...he has no plans. Rachel and Sarah came together from D.C. and are both here for a month. They are AWESOME! Sarah studied in Spain for 6 months and knows Spanish well...Rachel studied in New Zealand and is fluent in German and Russian, so she´s learning Spanish now. Corinne, of course is the friend from Chicago who I went to ASU with and is here with me! Brian and Bridget are brother and sister from CA, who are here for 2 weeks to study Spanish and hang out. Both are really active and have interesting lives in the states. Bridget is in medical school at UCLA and Brian is in the Navy in San Diego. They were all at the Bed & Breakfast with Corinne and I in Guatemala City for the first night in Guatemala. We met, made friends and have been doing the activities together.
As for activities this weekend, I have planned to take a trip to Panahatchel (an amazing lake and beautiful sights about 2 hours from Xela). Tentatively, the only plans I have at the lake is to bungee jump with Rachel. I remember seeing my brother´s pictures from Switzerland and how amazing the experience was and I´m actually really psyched to try it. I´ll give the full report upon my return on Sunday. Danny: post some helpful comments when you get the chance!
It´s raining like mad right now and I´m using the time to surf the net and soon I will begin writing my essay, due to my maestro tomorrow. Goal: use 35 verbs and describe a typical week in AZ. Aye.
more to come!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
el primer dia
!!!
Today was the first day of classes, yesterday being the first day of my arrival to Quetzaltenango (commonly called Xela). We arrived via first-class bus, which took approx. 4 hours. The school is absolutely beautiful! All of our lessons are in an amazing courtyard with open air seating and conversation. Much nicer than any classroom or learning environment I´ve ever encountered.
To call my first day bizarre I think would be an understatment and therefore want to give literally the play-by-play:
1st: arrive in Xela...drop off bags to wait until the office is open and explore the city a bit. It has cobblestone streets and narrow pathways. Drivers are crazy and the people are extremely friendly and kind.
2nd: office opens..wait an hour for my family to pick me up from Celas Maya. Astrid, my "sister" is 14 and accompanied by her brother, Jesus, 15, and their cousin, Jesus, who is 4. All three are extremely pleasant and nice and help me with my things to their home
3rd: I find that I live with Astrid, Jesus [brother and sister], their mother Beatrice, her brother [Astrid and Jesus' uncle] Israel, his wife Flora de Maria and their kids Jesus #2 and Ruby [who is 4 months and so freakin' cute]. Israel is the bread-winner as a lawyer...i essentially live in a very large Guatemalan home with 2 other students from Celas Maya [Heather from Texas and Akuro from Japan]. I have little interaction, it seems, with everyone except for meal times in which all gather to eat.
4th: I was picked up at a time when the family was headed to a fiesta for some members of their church. We came into a ceremony in which several men and women were seated around an altar of literally statues of baby Jesus, of the Archangel Michael and crucifixes galore. It was explained to me that the past President of the committee of the church was exiting and the new one was incoming. The ceremony took literally 3 hours to complete. First, there was a small mass, then an introduction of the new committee members [mind you..there was intense incense and prayer and ritual occurring]. The new President was given a sash in which it prominently displayed the "King," which is literally a doll that sits in a glass case in the President's home.
After the incense and prayer, the old President then gives the new President stuff...literally things to put into his house. For example, the President was given clothes in which to dress the "King" with [a petite dress make of tool]. I kid you not, for 3 hours I watched these men exchange these things. There were final prayers and incense and then we ate. First, chili relleno con pollo...I removed the pollo. Next was mini hotdogs [seriously] in which I gave my carne to Jesus #1. We then left [or so I thought] for mi familia's casa. No, no...next we arrived at the new President's house. There, we were served a delicious meal that I absolutely loved. However, during the dinner, they would repeatedly pass around drinks for the guests, liquor included. It was a homemade, clear and smelled faintly of rubbing alcohol. I declined the first pass, but Israel, the second time, called over nuevo Presidente and stated [in Spanish] that the President would be very sad if Arizona did not represent at his party!! Therefore, el Presidente and I took shots, however, you cannot just shoot alcohol in Guatemala, no you say "con permiso" to every elder in the room first. Aye. So...I became tipsy my first night here...and classes started at 8!
Today:
Met my instructor, Jose, who is a maestro by day and a bartender by night! He's been giving me the in's and out's of Xela nightlife and turns out he does some design on the side...therefore, our conversations have been extremely ecclectic. He did a lot of verb review with me and I find that being immersed and talking to someone for 5 hours..it's possible to be able to communicate well by the end of the week...in the present tense anyway.
I've met great great individuals here at Celas Maya and in my own living situation. I really enjoy walking and exploring the city! Every day they have fantastic outings and field trips planned for the students [today is to a natural sauna and a hike]..tomorrow I'm off to the hotsprings and this weekend we might take a trip to Antigua. I'm loving the living situation, the area, my studies and being here in Guatemala. I have to admit that last night I did have twinges of homesickness. It's very quiet here in Xela in the evening and it can be lonesome when you're used to the city sounds. But! I'm hoping to move my way around the city and meet more new people.
more to come...
Today was the first day of classes, yesterday being the first day of my arrival to Quetzaltenango (commonly called Xela). We arrived via first-class bus, which took approx. 4 hours. The school is absolutely beautiful! All of our lessons are in an amazing courtyard with open air seating and conversation. Much nicer than any classroom or learning environment I´ve ever encountered.
To call my first day bizarre I think would be an understatment and therefore want to give literally the play-by-play:
1st: arrive in Xela...drop off bags to wait until the office is open and explore the city a bit. It has cobblestone streets and narrow pathways. Drivers are crazy and the people are extremely friendly and kind.
2nd: office opens..wait an hour for my family to pick me up from Celas Maya. Astrid, my "sister" is 14 and accompanied by her brother, Jesus, 15, and their cousin, Jesus, who is 4. All three are extremely pleasant and nice and help me with my things to their home
3rd: I find that I live with Astrid, Jesus [brother and sister], their mother Beatrice, her brother [Astrid and Jesus' uncle] Israel, his wife Flora de Maria and their kids Jesus #2 and Ruby [who is 4 months and so freakin' cute]. Israel is the bread-winner as a lawyer...i essentially live in a very large Guatemalan home with 2 other students from Celas Maya [Heather from Texas and Akuro from Japan]. I have little interaction, it seems, with everyone except for meal times in which all gather to eat.
4th: I was picked up at a time when the family was headed to a fiesta for some members of their church. We came into a ceremony in which several men and women were seated around an altar of literally statues of baby Jesus, of the Archangel Michael and crucifixes galore. It was explained to me that the past President of the committee of the church was exiting and the new one was incoming. The ceremony took literally 3 hours to complete. First, there was a small mass, then an introduction of the new committee members [mind you..there was intense incense and prayer and ritual occurring]. The new President was given a sash in which it prominently displayed the "King," which is literally a doll that sits in a glass case in the President's home.
After the incense and prayer, the old President then gives the new President stuff...literally things to put into his house. For example, the President was given clothes in which to dress the "King" with [a petite dress make of tool]. I kid you not, for 3 hours I watched these men exchange these things. There were final prayers and incense and then we ate. First, chili relleno con pollo...I removed the pollo. Next was mini hotdogs [seriously] in which I gave my carne to Jesus #1. We then left [or so I thought] for mi familia's casa. No, no...next we arrived at the new President's house. There, we were served a delicious meal that I absolutely loved. However, during the dinner, they would repeatedly pass around drinks for the guests, liquor included. It was a homemade, clear and smelled faintly of rubbing alcohol. I declined the first pass, but Israel, the second time, called over nuevo Presidente and stated [in Spanish] that the President would be very sad if Arizona did not represent at his party!! Therefore, el Presidente and I took shots, however, you cannot just shoot alcohol in Guatemala, no you say "con permiso" to every elder in the room first. Aye. So...I became tipsy my first night here...and classes started at 8!
Today:
Met my instructor, Jose, who is a maestro by day and a bartender by night! He's been giving me the in's and out's of Xela nightlife and turns out he does some design on the side...therefore, our conversations have been extremely ecclectic. He did a lot of verb review with me and I find that being immersed and talking to someone for 5 hours..it's possible to be able to communicate well by the end of the week...in the present tense anyway.
I've met great great individuals here at Celas Maya and in my own living situation. I really enjoy walking and exploring the city! Every day they have fantastic outings and field trips planned for the students [today is to a natural sauna and a hike]..tomorrow I'm off to the hotsprings and this weekend we might take a trip to Antigua. I'm loving the living situation, the area, my studies and being here in Guatemala. I have to admit that last night I did have twinges of homesickness. It's very quiet here in Xela in the evening and it can be lonesome when you're used to the city sounds. But! I'm hoping to move my way around the city and meet more new people.
more to come...
Saturday, June 9, 2007
arrival!
Today I made it Guatemala both timely and safely.
Coming I had no expectations of vegetation, people, food or life! So far, each moment has been exploring my surroundings, brushing up on my terible espanol and spending time with my dear friend Corinne!
Had a lay-over in Houston and only flew 2 hours to Guatemala City...I met an interesting Jersey girl who was stuck with her relatives for 2 weeks ¨preaching the Word¨in a quaint villiage north of here. She was torn between wanting to travel to Guatemala to see the sights and having to spend time studying the Bible, literature in which she ¨knew nothing, nor cared about.¨Ah well...she shared her brownie with me, increasing her coolness status two-fold.
Corinne and David, and employee for Habitat for Humanity in the national office here in Guatemala, met me at the airport today only 2 minutes after my things arrived...perfect timing!! We caught a ride back to the Bed & Breakfast where I´ll be staying tonight. Bussing myself to Xela tomorrow morning--early to meet the host family and get settled. School begins on Monday.
As I said, Corinne and I have been exploring and working on our Spanish skills...over cervesas and papusos (tortillas con queso y chili). The weather is humid and cool, breezy and everything is GREEN. I absolutely love it so far :)
New favorite food (only food at this point): papusos
Beer: Gallo!
more to come...
Coming I had no expectations of vegetation, people, food or life! So far, each moment has been exploring my surroundings, brushing up on my terible espanol and spending time with my dear friend Corinne!
Had a lay-over in Houston and only flew 2 hours to Guatemala City...I met an interesting Jersey girl who was stuck with her relatives for 2 weeks ¨preaching the Word¨in a quaint villiage north of here. She was torn between wanting to travel to Guatemala to see the sights and having to spend time studying the Bible, literature in which she ¨knew nothing, nor cared about.¨Ah well...she shared her brownie with me, increasing her coolness status two-fold.
Corinne and David, and employee for Habitat for Humanity in the national office here in Guatemala, met me at the airport today only 2 minutes after my things arrived...perfect timing!! We caught a ride back to the Bed & Breakfast where I´ll be staying tonight. Bussing myself to Xela tomorrow morning--early to meet the host family and get settled. School begins on Monday.
As I said, Corinne and I have been exploring and working on our Spanish skills...over cervesas and papusos (tortillas con queso y chili). The weather is humid and cool, breezy and everything is GREEN. I absolutely love it so far :)
New favorite food (only food at this point): papusos
Beer: Gallo!
more to come...
Monday, June 4, 2007
taking a break
I have been working 'round the clock on Rio Salado work without much time to pause and consider what I need to do to prepare for my trip, which I depart for in less than 5 days.
After speaking with some of the friends that are to join me in Guatemala, I was (and still am) that I may be making part of the journey to Central America by myself. Without going in to too much detail, I am confident, that all issues and worries will be resolved by this Friday. Knowing all along that I would be working and immersing myself in the culture, I hadn't given much thought to the idea of going without companions. The idea of having someone along with me eased me into not knowing a soul in a country, which primarily speaks a language I do not. I, however, have received some incredible advice recently from loved ones, friends and colleagues on embracing the idea of complete immersion. I have been in contact with the school for several weeks now, arranging my pick-up from the airport and my sleeping arrangements while I'm studying. They are all incredibly wonderful and supportive and have provided me with amazing adivce and primitive language skills so I can get around pending my first arrival. While I don't anticipate heading to Guatemala by myself, I am slowly coming around to the idea and trying to embrace what that would mean for me. People do it all the time! From other countries, cities, nations, cultures, etc.
I am increasingly anticipating my trip, which is SATURDAY!!!
On another note, thanks to all of you who made my birthday WEEKEND an amazing one. I am so so blessed to have the family and friends that I do and I look forward to sharing with you my experiences.
P.S. who wants to come visit??
After speaking with some of the friends that are to join me in Guatemala, I was (and still am) that I may be making part of the journey to Central America by myself. Without going in to too much detail, I am confident, that all issues and worries will be resolved by this Friday. Knowing all along that I would be working and immersing myself in the culture, I hadn't given much thought to the idea of going without companions. The idea of having someone along with me eased me into not knowing a soul in a country, which primarily speaks a language I do not. I, however, have received some incredible advice recently from loved ones, friends and colleagues on embracing the idea of complete immersion. I have been in contact with the school for several weeks now, arranging my pick-up from the airport and my sleeping arrangements while I'm studying. They are all incredibly wonderful and supportive and have provided me with amazing adivce and primitive language skills so I can get around pending my first arrival. While I don't anticipate heading to Guatemala by myself, I am slowly coming around to the idea and trying to embrace what that would mean for me. People do it all the time! From other countries, cities, nations, cultures, etc.
I am increasingly anticipating my trip, which is SATURDAY!!!
On another note, thanks to all of you who made my birthday WEEKEND an amazing one. I am so so blessed to have the family and friends that I do and I look forward to sharing with you my experiences.
P.S. who wants to come visit??
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
i love today!
Got to sleep in...
Got to visit an old boss and share some chats (shout out to Mike D.)...
Got to add some golden to my locks thanks to Dawn.....
Got to be relax and enjoy the day!
Got to catch up with the roomie over Thai at FATE...
I've been working towards finishing my Rio projects and homework, which for sometime was the defining factor as to whether or not I was heading to Guatemala or not.
Took a final...got an A!
Have my prescription for malaria meds. thanks to Mom
The anti-diarrheals are purchased and accompanied by the rolaids (not knowing what to expect).
Watching a beautiful sunset and appreciating the fact that being a teacher DOES have benefits (see: SUMMER break)
Got to visit an old boss and share some chats (shout out to Mike D.)...
Got to add some golden to my locks thanks to Dawn.....
Got to be relax and enjoy the day!
Got to catch up with the roomie over Thai at FATE...
I've been working towards finishing my Rio projects and homework, which for sometime was the defining factor as to whether or not I was heading to Guatemala or not.
Took a final...got an A!
Have my prescription for malaria meds. thanks to Mom
The anti-diarrheals are purchased and accompanied by the rolaids (not knowing what to expect).
Watching a beautiful sunset and appreciating the fact that being a teacher DOES have benefits (see: SUMMER break)
Monday, May 28, 2007
New to blogging...New to Guatemala!
After many viewings of friends' blogs for various purposes, i decided I needed a way to keep both friends and family posted on my upcoming travels to Guatemala. Check here often for updates on my trip and travels throughout Central America.
I leave June 9 with hopes to immerse myself at the Celas Mayas school in Quetzlatenango, Guatemala. I will arrive in Guatemala City that Saturday, catch a ride to the school in Xela and meet my family. I am to live with a host family during my stay in Guatemala and will be receiving one-on-one tutoring services, 5 days a week at the school. Some days I'll take trips other days I hope to dance, learn to cook Guatemalan food and form friendships in my new home for the summer!
Check out: http://www.celasmaya.edu.gt/ for where I'm staying, what I'm doing and where I'll be!
I leave June 9 with hopes to immerse myself at the Celas Mayas school in Quetzlatenango, Guatemala. I will arrive in Guatemala City that Saturday, catch a ride to the school in Xela and meet my family. I am to live with a host family during my stay in Guatemala and will be receiving one-on-one tutoring services, 5 days a week at the school. Some days I'll take trips other days I hope to dance, learn to cook Guatemalan food and form friendships in my new home for the summer!
Check out: http://www.celasmaya.edu.gt/ for where I'm staying, what I'm doing and where I'll be!
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