Rainy days and Mondays always seem to get you down

So these past few weeks have been interesting. Definitely rainy (It's cold at 8000 feet)and Mondays really are the worst day of the week. But I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm down. I've had lots to do and now with October in full swing I can dream that the rainy season is over. It hasn't rained in like 8 days. I don't really know what to do with myself. It is also "fall" like weather which makes me incredibly happy. I forgot how much I loved fall: Pumpkins and all baked goods pumpkin flavored, coffee, scarves, and the crunchy leaves... None of these things are here but the dry crisp weather is. Betty also showed me a neat trick of putting cinnamon in my coffee before it brews. Can you say delicious and fally? So as the time passes and Guatemalans tell us we are entering "verano" aka Summer, I know they just don't know that really this is Fall.

As for work, it is difficult to get to school just to say thanks for all your hard work this year & we look forward to next year because there have been so many events like "dia del nino" you know kid's day? Also, our towns fair was last weekend. Causing lots of cancellations and trips on the Ferris Wheel. I would equate Feria with Apple Blossom but more run down and sketchy. Lots of Guatemalan carnies come to town and set up games, there is food and lots of times to go out on the town for some quality fun. I rode some rides probably against my best interest but I lived to tell the tale. First bumper cars, pretty standard and fun. It was so weird to be "behind the wheel", made me miss driving in the US but not too terribly. Then there was this crazy flying saucer thing... I never rode this things in the US I don't know what encouraged me to do so here. Cultural PRESSURE! Anyway, then the Ferris Wheel, oh how nice?! Unlike Ferris wheels in the US where the riders slowly pass in order to see the heights, Guatemalan Ferris Wheels go at breathtaking speeds encouraging all riders to scream in terror. I was riding with twelve year old Alejandra so I tried to keep my cool and prevent vomiting but I don't think I'll be doing that again. Now it's done and I can say that I did it and all is well.

Alejandra and the sketchy spinny ride that required me to sit down for about fifteen minutes afterward in order to ensure no sickness would transpire.






View of the Ferris Wheel seats










In other news my dear friend from training Brent has gone home. He will be missed muchly here but on to bigger, better, and different things I suppose. I'm sad for his departure but know that we have a friendship that will last, it is only disappointing to not have him here in the same country and time zone any more.

I guess all in all I'm really learning a lot about myself and things I want to do with my life. Also, what is important and necessary to be happy? All this and only 9 months in. I miss you all so much, lots of love.

Friday Night Blog

So it's Friday night and time to blog. Things in Guatemala have been crazy for the month of September. Let's start with the weather. So much rain. Rainy season is terrible. However, it has led to a lot of time in my apartment and site. Lots of dinners with Don Pedro and Dona Mercedes. Lots of Tae Bo. Lots of Cat time. Manchitas is so cute and big. Love her so much... I'm thinking she might be done with her mess making. She better be. Anywho, the rain led to lots of terrible landslides, some fell on actual buses and of course Tecpan was right smack dab in the middle of that. Luckily no one we know was injured and every was safe, dry, and unharmed. Along with the rain cutting into the work schedule everyone was preparing for Independence day celebrations. September 15th is a big deal in Guatemala and I think all of central America. Celebrating 189 years of independence from Spain since 1821.

This means school serves even less of a purpose than normal. Everyone learns to bang a drum or play a portable xylophone. How cute? NOT. Not when they practice every day the same terrible songs and who ever is the instructor has no musical background whatsoever. Ok that sounds mean but really I watched a lot of parades and heard a lot of bad music. The xylophones are just dumb instruments to begin with. It just sounds like a bunch of baby toys going off at once. Then the drums are played by mostly boys and I literally think the "Band Director" instructs them to beat their drum as hard as possible. Evident by students carrying drums that are taped back together. I will give some schools credit. They try and some had some fun songs or tricks. But for the most part it was a little glimpse of torture. Imagine the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade with really bad marching bands. It was still fun because it's so unbelievably hilarious. Anywho, parades were held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Sadly it rained Wednesday night preventing the fireworks show. However, we got to hear plenty of fireworks because it doesn't have to be dark for them to be used. In fact they love that popping noise that sounds like machine guns for most holidays... Including birthdays. If someone really wants to wish you a happy birthday, they'll set off fireworks you can't even see in front of your door at 5 am.


It was fun to see schools that we work with and cheer for them in the parade. Same with seeing the Grandchildren. All in all it's been a fun holiday time.

Lauren and Betty take on Guatemalan Parades


The little Drummer Boy


Guatemalan "Float" that plays music for people to dance to

RAIN RAIN RAIN

So the past few days of rainy season have been full of too much rain. I used to like rainy days when you could sit inside, read a book, take a nap, eat soup... I don't like rainy days in Guatemala. I've spent a lot of my time wet, my apartment feels wet, and everything is just damp and not pleasant. Also lots of landslides which are scary but not to worry. I'm safely held up in my apartment with my cheerios, kitty, and host family below. Love