A Little Taste of Home

Enjoying Tapado

Guatemala is rich in culture, mainly indigenous and ladino. My site is a small Ladino community and everyone speaks spanish, many people have been or have family in the United States. There are more Indigenous populations in the surrounding villages, many speak Quiche and Spanish. For the first five months I have been in site, I have gotten adjusted to working in the middle schools and with teenagers and I really feel like I have become a part of my community.  With school being out and feria over, there is a lot of free time. That calls for some adventure and that is exactly what me and some friends did. I hadn't heard much about the Garifuna culture in Guatemala, but what I have heard intrigued me. Could there really be a little piece of Africa tucked away on the coast of Guatemala? I took advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday to visit Livingston with a group of friends.

Luckily for us that same weekend was the celebration of Garifuna Day, celebrating their Garifuna heritage. It was great to not stand out so much, because everyone looked like us. We got to know some locals, get some history and participate in many of the Gariuna day activities. We also ate really great seafood, fried fish and johnny cakes for breakfast and  'tapado'  their typical dish of the daily catch, fish, shrimp, lobster, conch, you name it,  in a coconut milk stew with plantains served with coconut rice. I felt really welcomed and would love to go back.

Local Garifuna Music

To add to all this culture, our hostel offered a real Thanksgiving dinner. Being away from home for Turkey Day was a first and it definitely wasn't my family's cooking but who could pass up turkey and all the fixings whipped up by Europeans and Guatemalans, shared with other volunteers and travelers from around the world. We said grace and went around the table to say what we were thankful for, I was thankful for great friends and family. All in all, it was a great trip and its always refreshing to get out of site and get some 'me time'.

- hasta la proxima

Feeling the Love

I received my first package in site! Woop Woop. Not one, but two care packages and a greeting card, talk about feeling special! I am in wheat thin, tea and macaroni and cheese heaven!

New Room

Home is where the heart is, thats why Peace Corps requires that volunteers live with a host family during their service. Since my initial arrival in site, I have been living in a since room and sharing a bathroom, pila and  kitchen with my host family. I had intentions of finding a larger space, but that proved to be a little challenging with requirements and available options. My site mate who is getting ready to COS had some housing options in mind for me to look at,  including her house when she left. I looked at them all and didn't feel that "this is home/ I'm in love with this place" feeling. I had a little chat with my host mother about my problem and my interest in the front room/ studio in which had been recently vacated by a family. She showed me the space and offered it to me before I could really even say yes. I really enjoy spending time with my host family and they have really helped me with my Spanish and my adjustment. The morning after she offered me the room, as I was brushing my teeth, we discussed about my changing rooms, she asked what color I wanted the room and was going to send the painter over to show me color swatches. This was all happening so fast, no hora chapin here. I chose three just in case one was not available (orange, turquoise, and yellow). The only color available in the quantity needed was turquoise and I was ok with that. The room was painted on Thursday morning and I moved in on Friday afternoon after school. The room is a good size but not big in any way, but to think that a family of 4 and a small store were here prior to me, just blows my mind. She even connected cable and changed the outlets for me. I am glad I decided to stay!

My Room Before 

As the room was being painted my host mom came to my room while I was working and asked what color I wanted the outside, I told her it was fine the way it was and she replied "you cant wear clean clothes on the outside and still have on dirty underwear" so that was that. We decided on orange and red. The first few days in my room it had rained and I realized that one of the corners was getting wet and with the room being a little humid, mildew started to present itself in my humble abode. Everything presents a challenge, thats when patience and enthusiasm come into play. Over all I am very happy with my new space, it is much easier cooking on a stove then it is on a plancha (wood burning stove). Cooking (or trying to cook) on the plancha the last three months has made me appreciate the luxuries in life: fridge, stove, toaster oven and other handy appliances. 

My Kitchen/Dining Room

Troy Davis

A possibly innocent man failed by the American justice system. I am deeply saddened by this story. A week ago on Facebook, I saw a status about Mr. Davis, I thought nothing of it because the status was vague scrolling down I saw yet another. SO I decided to check an online newspaper and find out his story Troys Story. Through all the efforts Davis was executed on 9-21-11. And a week later, I haven't heard a thing about it. Were people just concerned for the moment, just another wave of part time world changers. How American, when you are defeated, just quit. I pray for his family and his true supporters.  For there are many more like Davis that no one has ever heard about.  

We live, we die, and the wheels on the bus go round and round.

As I sit looking in my 13x14 sq. ft. room and ponder on my day. I see my blue bucket in the corner that I have bathed from, done laundry in, washed fruit in and ate fruit out of, all in a days work. I think to myself about the reasons I am here and what I want out of my service. I am here to grow, be fulfilled and enjoy life by giving to others. I have always been a planner and had lists for everything, so I thought it was fitting to compile a bucket list for Guate!

• Improve my spanish 
• Learn to cook healthy, inexpensive food from scratch 
• Cook Guatemalan food
• Learn to sew or knit 
• I don't have the patience to knit. I can sew minor repairs to my clothes. 
• Grow something in a tire garden
• Build a bottle project 
• Start a girls group
• The group started with 6 girls and ended up be a kids club of about 15 on my door steps. 
• Climb a volcano or two
• I climbed Tajumulco for New Years 2012. One down, one to go. 
• Go to a soccer game
•  There are soccer games for just about every holiday in Guatemala. 
• Zip line through the jungle
• Take a salsa class
• Read lots of books at least 5 or 6 in Spanish
• I'm making my way up there. None is Spanish yet. 
• Make tortillas (from beginning to end)
• From Nix Tamal to tortillas, this girl has got it down. 
• Find out what I want to do when I grow up
• Ride a feria ride
• Rode a feris wheel for the first time. Never again. 
• Simplify my life 
• Learn to ride a moto
• This will have to wait post Peace Corps. Non-negotiable. 
• Judge a beauty pageant
• Go to Belize
• Sailed the Cayes of Belize and ate amazing fresh seafood. 
• Paint something ( a wall, a bookshelf, a picture)
• Go sky diving
• Make friends (Guatemalan or not)
• Dar palabras like a chapina (public speaking)
• If standing in front of a class of 30 14 year olds counts. check. 
• Build a better relationship with God
• Maintain a journal 
• I tried, its just as hard as keeping up a blog. Will give this another shot. 
• Exercise and stay in shape
• If walking to school (cardio) and camioneta rides (strength training) count, I am definitely exercising and in shape. 

Some things on this list are more important than others, but none the less the most important thing for me to do is appreciate everyday. I may add to this list in the future, but I am ready to start throwing things from this list in the bucket. 

*updated 6/2012

- nos vemos

Nothing Comes Easy.

Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary, and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live along side the nationals of the country in which the are stationed-doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.

But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the PC-who works in a foreign land-will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace.” 

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1961

I have spent the last three months in intensive language, cultural, technical-Peace Corps Guatemala training.  All I can say is I am glad it is over, not that I did not enjoy the plethora of information and  wonderful experiences that come along with training, During one of the first sessions we were told the three characteristics to become a successful volunteer: Patience, Flexibility and Enthusiasm. I need to work a little bit on the patience part but I have two years, right? The best parts of training were hands on, visiting schools, interacting with students and giving a shot at teaching. My favorite experience by far was visiting a middle schools in one of the training towns and having a cultural exchange with the students. They shared their national anthem and a folk dance with us and we shared our national anthem and an 'American Dance', it took us a little while to think of a dance but we all naturally agreed on the Electric Slide.  After visiting volunteers sites and finally receiving my site assignment I was ready to move forward and become a volunteer...and that is just what happened. As of July 14, 2011 I am an official Peace Corps Volunteer! I will be serving in a small town in Quiché, working in three middle schools, working with students, teachers and parents. I will also be working in the Municipalidad (City Hall) with the Commission for Youth and Adolescence. My work will include implementing a life skills program into each school, giving parent and teacher workshops to improve relations with the teenagers and develop out of school activities. I really liked my site when I went to visit and my new host family is very sweet, I cant wait to move in and get to work. 

Down Time in Antigua 

Receiving blessings at a Mayan Ceremony 

Celebrating Dia de Maestros with a little soccer (teachers vs. students)

My host family 

Swear-In Ceremony with Youth Development APCD and PS 

5 Things

1. Don't flush the toilet paper
2. You can't rush some things (ie Spanish, bathroom time)
3. The market is not height friendly
4. Pedestrians do not have the right of way
5. Tortillas are not an accessory

 I have only been in Guatemala for a few weeks and have already learned so much! Life here is different from the states but I am welcoming the changes with open arms. I am living with a family of four in a beautiful house with a garden. I have my own room with a handmade armoire, desk and bed. I also have  electricity, running water and hot showers daily. I must admit I was expecting the worst but I have been blessed thus far and I thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. I have had many first experiences including making tortillas, taking a bucket bath and riding a chicken bus, thankfully getting sick is not one of them. It took a little while for my host family to learn my name, for the longest I was "la chica". 

The weather and the people are pleasant, although the rain season starts at the end of the month. Every morning as I walk to Spanish class all the kids and old people look at me like ‘who is this outrageously tall stranger and why is she here’, I have gotten a little used to the staring following me with their eyes. Once a week I have training at the Peace Corps office, and I have to ride the chicken bus. The buses are 2 speed- fast and stop. But, imagine if you would, 80 men and women crammed on a school bus, three to four people per seat and there you have a chicken bus experience! Guatemala is slowly becoming my new home, poco a poco! So while you are enjoying the summer and cold lemonade on the porch, I will shortly be swimming to Spanish classes in mud puddles. 

Traveling Pants

this month has been a whirlwind. I am currently on a plane to Providence to visit family, which I am very excited about. last week was my last week at work and it was harder than expected, I woke up monday morning expecting to go to work but I didn't have a job to go to. For the past two years I could not have worked for a better organization serving the homeless community of Chattanooga. It didn't feel like I was leaving “just a job”, I was leaving friends and family, people that I would not have crossed paths with if it wasn't for the Community Kitchen and I am beyond grateful for such an amazing experience and being able to be a part of the family. 

In other news, in exactly one week from today I will be on a plane to Guatemala. I almost cant believe it. THe preparation has been overwhelming- packing, paperwork, saying goodbyes ( which I am terrible at doing). Packing is a headache in itself, making sure I have everything I need for 2 years in 2 bags less than 80lbs and I am infamous for overpacking. AlthoughI had my bags weighed and i was only 7lbs over and i still have items that need to be purchased. I am going to try my best to reorganize my bags because I have no clue what is in which bag and I have a feeling I never will... Overall, I am anxious and excited to begin this journey. Providence >Philly>NY>MIA>Guatemala! 

The Count Down Begins

I am officially 30 days away from leaving for the Peace Corps. I almost can't believe it. The past few weeks have been very busy for me, traveling and visiting with friends and family, most of which I will not see until I return. Last night mom and the ladies from the church hosted a going away shower for me when you typically think shower, your thinking wedding or baby, nope not for me. Although some people would hope. In all it was great, everybody asked questions, we ate Spanish food and I got some much needed necessities (skittles, Swiss army knife, duct tape, etc). The biggest surprise was a visit from my dad, I am not big on surprises, so it caught me off guard. Sobbing in his shoulder, that was when I came to the realization I was leaving the comforts of home for 27 months and that I was a big daddy's girl.

Aside from all the fun I have been having and finishing things up at work, I really need to get my behind in gear because I haven't packed anything. All I have is lists spread around my room, purse and any where else I can manage to put a sticky note. Wish me luck!

Christmas in March (kinda)!

I am a bit late, I am sure you can understand why. I received my invite FINALLY. Patience does pay off and so does a little persistence. Now to prepare myself, my family and my bags for the next chapter of my life.  I leave for Guatemala  in April.  I will do my best to keep the world updated.

Emotional Roller Coaster

As I’ve gone through the application process with the Peace Corps I have been riding an emotional roller coaster. As of recently I have only experienced 2, love and fear (of my dad lol). I came in to the process with the mindset of- no expectations. no disappointments. Its a bit hard to do when 2 years of your life is in limbo. if you have been following I was originally nominated to depart in February, its January and I was medically cleared on January 10th ... I was nervous about not being able to leave for my original nomination, I knew I wasn't but I was hoping for a miracle. I hadn't heard from placement and was getting nervous, so what does every nervous applicant do...call placement ( Im still working on my patience, don't judge me). The officer explained to me that I was late due to my medical clearance and I should hear from them in 6-8 weeks, I could expect placement no later than September. I was speechless, sad, disappointed, heartbroken, wanted to curl up and play dead until I could comprehend what she had just said to me. All in All, I am not leaving next month. After a few hours/days I began to see the bright side of this. I had more time to spend with my family and friends and work on somethings that I needed to resolve before leaving. 

Peace and Blessings. 

One Step Closer.

First post of the new year! I FINALLY was able to fax in the last of the requested documents for my medical kit. I hope their expectations are met and I can move forward. I can't believe I am almost leaving. I hope I can still leave in time for my initial departure, I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else other than Central South America.

Til next time.