VACATION TIME!!!!! Well not really but for the next week there is no school in our district. So it's pretty much vacation even though it feels like there is lots to do. Last week we had our big meeting and it went surprisingly well. YAY! We found out that we really have a lot of support from our schools and our superintendent. That is really exciting and motivating. Although it is still hard trying to adjust to our crazy schedule (meaning no school, then we have miscellaneous Peace Corps things when there is school) but I guess that's why the first year really is all about adjustment. I'm getting used to the schedule but it is going to be even weirder during "summer vacations" at the end of the year but that's a long ways a way, no need to worry yet. I've been painting these last few days and recruiting the help of any unsuspecting PCV neighbors. It is moving along well. Just that I'm too cheap to buy painters tape; which is causing a few splotches here and there but I mean it's not supposed to be perfect right? I like places with a little character. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow morning I will be finishing and then pictures will be up soon of my really cute apartamento. Next week is the 4th of July, which is a big (Peace Corps) holiday! I'm excited because I feel like I haven't really celebrated the 4th in a long time, always been working at camp but this year should be fun to celebrate our nation's birth with a bunch of other Americans in Guatemala. More on that later.
Also in about 1 week, I will have been living in Guatemala for 1/2 a year! I can't believe it! So exciting and crazy! I've never been away from home for this long but things are starting to look up here and I've found that my homesickness comes in waves. Like when I receive letters or packages from home! or when I look at all the "work" I'm putting into making this apartment my own and remember that within 21 months, I'll be gone and someone else will be here to change it. It's kinda sad to think about but exciting too! I'm really learning a lot about the passage of time and hopefully coming to a conclusion about what I want to do and who I want to be.
Some other sad news is that Don Pedro's mother passed away this week. It is very sad and although it was rather unexpected the family seems to be doing well. It was very hard for me to see Don Pedro so upset. Today he was cutting up an onion for lunch and I asked him if it was going to make him cry and he said "Ya no hay lagrimas, Lauren..." Which means there are not any more tears. It is so heartbreaking. But it was also very interesting to see how the funeral process works here. She died on Tuesday and Tuesday night there was a wake. At a Guatemalan wake everyone is invited over to the house of the deceased. The family of the deceased prepares food and then all of the guests pray almost all night long. Then on Wednesday we went to a special mass at the Catholic Church. It was really neat because everyone walks from the house and they carry the coffin to the Church. Then after mass, the walk to the cemetery. This funeral was very moving because there were a lot of people and the tradition of walking to the cemetery was very beautiful. The people that didn't come but were passed in the street still paused as a sign of respect. It made me think about funerals in the US and how we always hate getting stuck behind a funeral procession and those are in cars, Imagine if everyone in town walked down all the streets for funerals? It made me wonder how and why traditions change?
Anywho, that has been the majority of the excitement the past few days. Trying to be supportive of Don Pedro and Dona Mercedes while trying to get my own life in order; ready for the adventures of the upcoming week. love love love and send good thoughts for Don Pedro and Dona Mercedes.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Uncle Steve told me to
So Uncle Steve told me to update and I guess it's about time I do so. Things are moving along ok. We are still recovering from the storm, with the changes in schedules, the crazy traffic when traveling, and the continuing rain of the rainy season ; but overall things are ok. I was really starting to get a schedule going and that just crumbled but hopefully things will start to shape up again. June and July are going to be pretty busy. I'm at about 5 and 1/2 months! Can't believe it. Betty went home for the weekend for her brother's high school graduation. It was hard for me to be here without her. It's kinda of funny because we are very close but I mean we don't spend every waking moment together but there was something about the fact that I couldn't spend every waking moment with her that made this weekend so odd. Anywho, today she's back and I'm glad. Hopefully now we will be able to return to some type of system and schedule and normal life... for Guatemala that is.
My host family is telling me that by the end of the week they will be done with the apartment. I'll believe that when I see it but I'm getting pretty excited. We are going to get some paint tomorrow(how fun!) I think I'm going to have a blue room, a yellow room, and a turquoise green room. I know that sounds like a lot of rooms but once I get everything painted I'll take some pictures and then it will make sense. I'm excited to finally have my own space and to get to play with my cat and just not have to think about every action I make all the time. For example right now my room is right across from the kitchen so every morning when I get up... I can't just go to the bathroom. I have to greet everyone... I bet you are like "Wow, that doesn't sound so annoying." But it is. It is just nice to know you can get up go to the bathroom and go back to bed without worry. Without having to make small talk, which Guatemalans are good at and I normally don't like but have fallen into the habit. It makes me feel less awkward.
This week we have a big meeting with all of our directors as well as our program director and project specialist. I'm pretty nervous. It will be 4 hours long with lots of talking, food, and just stress. Hopefully, it will be helpful and a good way to get our program information out there right before the mid-year vacations. Anywho, not much is happening in my life right now but I'm thinking this week things are really going to start picking up and before I know it, 6 months will be here. Thanks for all the support and love from home. It's making it's way here and helping me through the days. love love love
PS SKYPE ME!
My host family is telling me that by the end of the week they will be done with the apartment. I'll believe that when I see it but I'm getting pretty excited. We are going to get some paint tomorrow(how fun!) I think I'm going to have a blue room, a yellow room, and a turquoise green room. I know that sounds like a lot of rooms but once I get everything painted I'll take some pictures and then it will make sense. I'm excited to finally have my own space and to get to play with my cat and just not have to think about every action I make all the time. For example right now my room is right across from the kitchen so every morning when I get up... I can't just go to the bathroom. I have to greet everyone... I bet you are like "Wow, that doesn't sound so annoying." But it is. It is just nice to know you can get up go to the bathroom and go back to bed without worry. Without having to make small talk, which Guatemalans are good at and I normally don't like but have fallen into the habit. It makes me feel less awkward.
This week we have a big meeting with all of our directors as well as our program director and project specialist. I'm pretty nervous. It will be 4 hours long with lots of talking, food, and just stress. Hopefully, it will be helpful and a good way to get our program information out there right before the mid-year vacations. Anywho, not much is happening in my life right now but I'm thinking this week things are really going to start picking up and before I know it, 6 months will be here. Thanks for all the support and love from home. It's making it's way here and helping me through the days. love love love
PS SKYPE ME!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Life of Nomads
So you can never be too prepared. That's what I learned this week. Really life is always unexpected and I think even moreso in Guatemala. It was so wonderful to have Tyler visit for the past week and it just makes me so proud to have such a great little brother. Seriously any and all problems that could have arose did and amazingly we are still friends and I think we had a pretty good time. But let's start at the beginning. So arrival in Guatemala with a nice first meal in Guatemala City and then being welcomed by my wonderful host family was a great way to start the trip. Although my host dad was in the hospital for a few days, Dona Mercedes greeted us with a delicious dinner and we were able to get some sleep. Little did we know the Volcano Pacaya was errupting, closing the airport and causing lots of problems for the southern part of the country, we peacefully fell asleep to the gentle rain. We woke up on Friday, light rain and ready to begin our weekend away to the Lake. Tyler becoming a pro in public transport, we hopped on to three different camionetas to arrive in Panajachel, a small town on Lake Atitlan. Super cute, even in the rain. As the rain picked up, our spirits stayed happy and we took a small boat across the lake to a very pretty hotel. We felt so cool because we got the guys to knock a few Q off the price, and all the other gringos got the rip. Anywho, arrived at the hotel, checked in. It is very neat, lots of stairs that were a little scary in the rain. We decided to not let the rain keep us down and we went swimming. Pretty fun, then a family style dinner where we met some other travelers. Who were supposed to be hiking Pacaya... We had some nice chats with them and then crashed the hotels hot tub that is heated by real fire. Pretty sweet. It was nice to be on the lake and in the pretty hot tub at night, in the rain later to be known as AGATHA.
We went to sleep Friday night, to the gentle rain and woke up the next morning to even more rain. Although the Casa del Mundo is a beautiful hotel that really gives you a nice secluded feel, it's not nice in the rain. There was not a lot to do, so we decided we needed to get out of there. After 12 hours we were already feeling like Jack in the shining and didn't need to take our chances. Just to make sure we weren't already scared enough, during breakfast we saw a landslide just a little bit away from the hotel and the rain was continuing. We did make some new friends during breakfast from Durham, NC. Artists traveling through, they decided to stay the night but we were ready to get out of there. So we went to the dock and waited. Everyone was telling us different answers, "No more boats are coming" or " A boat will be here in 15 minutes." The conflicting answers were not comforting. We even had the comfort of seeing someone from the hotel rig up one of their boats and take a man with an umbrella somewhere... Under a tarp. This hotel man also did not appear to know how to drive a boat, so I'm glad we waited. Eventually, another boat showed up and we got on to return to Panajachel. Upon arrival the rain had really picked up. The streets were starting to flood. We went to a hostal, dropped off our stuff and went on a quest for lunch. During lunch, we were freezing and beginning to realize that we could be stuck on the lake for a while. Also, that our hostal had nothing for means of entertainment. So we proceeded to search for a hotel with TV. We found it and moved from our hostal to a more secure and entertaining location. After a few trips out to get water, uno cards, and some snacks. We ventured out for dinner. As the power was going in and out and the streets were at about 6 inches of water, I was starting to freak. Luckily my brother and partner are the two most laid back people on earth, causing me to worry enough for the 3 of us.
In our hotel room, we played uno, watched some tv until the power cut out and eventually fell asleep. In case your wondering Betty won most of the uno games. The next day we woke up and it was sunny! Imagine our shock. We went exploring around Panajachel, which had a lot of destruction. The river in town was flooded, lots of bridges, homes and trash. The lake which is usually a pretty clear green was full of wood and trash. The river had people all over the place looking for wood and other goods. We ventured up to Solola, despite everyone and their mother telling us that there was not going to be passage for 3 days. We went and stayed the night with other volunteers and to have a bit of change of scenery. The next day we returned to Panajachel, and 2 other volunteers came to visit with us as well. Then as Peace Corps was telling us that the roads were still not safe to head back to Tecpan... The three of us got a terrible case of food poisoning. I don't know if words should describe how sick we were but it was awful. AWFUL! Gut wrenching... I don't think we will be eating pupusas for a long time. Tuesday was spent in a nicer hotel just trying to recuperate. It was not a good day for any of us. Not only were we feeling terrible but we were running out of money.
Had to ask the parents to wire us some money, such a pain. It was much appreciated but the act of recollecting the money was pretty difficult of course, why would anything go as planned on this trip? So as I walk into Western Union, I begin to process the transaction, let's just say that the ID I have issued by PC, is so frustrating. For some reason people always give us crap for not having our passports and I'd just like to say "REALLY GUATEMALA? I can't walk around without worrying that my $10 crappy cell phone might get stolen, do you think I'm going to carry around a US Passport,( we were told it was worth $10,000 on the black market) when I don't absolutely need it?" Anyway, after talking with her supervisor and telling me that she can't process the transaction, I was so frustrated. I had been sick, I was stuck, my little bro was supposed to be having a great trip, we had no money, so I cried. I told the woman that they told my mom there would be no problem with this ID and now I'm stuck here with out money. I fully believe crying is a much better option than getting angry, because guess who got the money? After this transaction, it was time to travel to XELA. Another city that PC felt would be safer and make it easier for us to make the journey home.
At this point, we were so tired and just wanted to be home. NEVER ONLY PACK THE ESSENTIALS CAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO NEED MORE. Also, always bring a credit card. In Xela, we met up with some other volunteers and had delicious hamburgers. I think the best I've had in Guatemala. Although, pain was felt later, too heavy and too soon after the pupusas, they were so good. Thursday, was spent doing laundry, and we went to the movies. Saw Robin Hood. Then recieving the most wonderful news in the world Friday we could go home. Finally. We watched the Celtics Lakers game in the hostal, went to bed and got ready for the journey home... 5 days later than anticipated. Leaving in the morning we got home. The road is still in bad shape. So much earth in the middle of the road. What was 4 lanes, now 2. Chimaltenango was one of the departments the worst hit and we'll see how long it takes to clean up. Very sad, but luckily no one we directly know was hurt or harmed. After eating lunch, we took showers, and naps and felt 10000 times better. The host fam was so happy to see us and to officially see Tyler. After getting a good night's sleep, Saturday morning was spent exploring for souvenirs and getting ready to head to Guatemala City so Tyler could catch his flight. Saying goodbye was hard. I don't think I can explain in words how wonderful Don Pedro and Dona Mercedes are. They are already waiting for Tyler to come back and I think they spent about 20 hours with him total in their house. They are just so kind and sweet and one of my favorite things about my life in Guatemala.
A relaxing ride to the capital ending in the wonderful Westin Camino Real hotel. Although, the trip had many low points... this hotel has the most comfortable beds and best shower I've had in Guatemala, it was very worth it... Who knows if only the crazyness of the week made the hotel even better but it was a great night to relax and allow Tyler to get ready for his trip home and me my return to Peace Corps life. I can officially say I had the best shower yet since being in Guatemala and a pretty great night's sleep... So anyone who comes to visit, we should stay there for sure. SO NICE!
Then today was the journey home after a stop at super walmart (Hiper Paiz) to get some necessities like batteries and glue. Now I'm home, reflecting on the crazy week. It was insane to be in the midst of a natural disaster, be scared but then have nothing too terrible happen to you and then to see all the destruction and suffering that surrounds you. Pretty surreal. Anywho, it was so nice to have my little brother here for a week. It made me realize how much I miss him and how proud I am of him. Ty, you are the best and I love you so much. I hope you make it back soon and I know 2 weeks from now, this will be the funniest week of our lives... right?
We went to sleep Friday night, to the gentle rain and woke up the next morning to even more rain. Although the Casa del Mundo is a beautiful hotel that really gives you a nice secluded feel, it's not nice in the rain. There was not a lot to do, so we decided we needed to get out of there. After 12 hours we were already feeling like Jack in the shining and didn't need to take our chances. Just to make sure we weren't already scared enough, during breakfast we saw a landslide just a little bit away from the hotel and the rain was continuing. We did make some new friends during breakfast from Durham, NC. Artists traveling through, they decided to stay the night but we were ready to get out of there. So we went to the dock and waited. Everyone was telling us different answers, "No more boats are coming" or " A boat will be here in 15 minutes." The conflicting answers were not comforting. We even had the comfort of seeing someone from the hotel rig up one of their boats and take a man with an umbrella somewhere... Under a tarp. This hotel man also did not appear to know how to drive a boat, so I'm glad we waited. Eventually, another boat showed up and we got on to return to Panajachel. Upon arrival the rain had really picked up. The streets were starting to flood. We went to a hostal, dropped off our stuff and went on a quest for lunch. During lunch, we were freezing and beginning to realize that we could be stuck on the lake for a while. Also, that our hostal had nothing for means of entertainment. So we proceeded to search for a hotel with TV. We found it and moved from our hostal to a more secure and entertaining location. After a few trips out to get water, uno cards, and some snacks. We ventured out for dinner. As the power was going in and out and the streets were at about 6 inches of water, I was starting to freak. Luckily my brother and partner are the two most laid back people on earth, causing me to worry enough for the 3 of us.
In our hotel room, we played uno, watched some tv until the power cut out and eventually fell asleep. In case your wondering Betty won most of the uno games. The next day we woke up and it was sunny! Imagine our shock. We went exploring around Panajachel, which had a lot of destruction. The river in town was flooded, lots of bridges, homes and trash. The lake which is usually a pretty clear green was full of wood and trash. The river had people all over the place looking for wood and other goods. We ventured up to Solola, despite everyone and their mother telling us that there was not going to be passage for 3 days. We went and stayed the night with other volunteers and to have a bit of change of scenery. The next day we returned to Panajachel, and 2 other volunteers came to visit with us as well. Then as Peace Corps was telling us that the roads were still not safe to head back to Tecpan... The three of us got a terrible case of food poisoning. I don't know if words should describe how sick we were but it was awful. AWFUL! Gut wrenching... I don't think we will be eating pupusas for a long time. Tuesday was spent in a nicer hotel just trying to recuperate. It was not a good day for any of us. Not only were we feeling terrible but we were running out of money.
Had to ask the parents to wire us some money, such a pain. It was much appreciated but the act of recollecting the money was pretty difficult of course, why would anything go as planned on this trip? So as I walk into Western Union, I begin to process the transaction, let's just say that the ID I have issued by PC, is so frustrating. For some reason people always give us crap for not having our passports and I'd just like to say "REALLY GUATEMALA? I can't walk around without worrying that my $10 crappy cell phone might get stolen, do you think I'm going to carry around a US Passport,( we were told it was worth $10,000 on the black market) when I don't absolutely need it?" Anyway, after talking with her supervisor and telling me that she can't process the transaction, I was so frustrated. I had been sick, I was stuck, my little bro was supposed to be having a great trip, we had no money, so I cried. I told the woman that they told my mom there would be no problem with this ID and now I'm stuck here with out money. I fully believe crying is a much better option than getting angry, because guess who got the money? After this transaction, it was time to travel to XELA. Another city that PC felt would be safer and make it easier for us to make the journey home.
At this point, we were so tired and just wanted to be home. NEVER ONLY PACK THE ESSENTIALS CAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO NEED MORE. Also, always bring a credit card. In Xela, we met up with some other volunteers and had delicious hamburgers. I think the best I've had in Guatemala. Although, pain was felt later, too heavy and too soon after the pupusas, they were so good. Thursday, was spent doing laundry, and we went to the movies. Saw Robin Hood. Then recieving the most wonderful news in the world Friday we could go home. Finally. We watched the Celtics Lakers game in the hostal, went to bed and got ready for the journey home... 5 days later than anticipated. Leaving in the morning we got home. The road is still in bad shape. So much earth in the middle of the road. What was 4 lanes, now 2. Chimaltenango was one of the departments the worst hit and we'll see how long it takes to clean up. Very sad, but luckily no one we directly know was hurt or harmed. After eating lunch, we took showers, and naps and felt 10000 times better. The host fam was so happy to see us and to officially see Tyler. After getting a good night's sleep, Saturday morning was spent exploring for souvenirs and getting ready to head to Guatemala City so Tyler could catch his flight. Saying goodbye was hard. I don't think I can explain in words how wonderful Don Pedro and Dona Mercedes are. They are already waiting for Tyler to come back and I think they spent about 20 hours with him total in their house. They are just so kind and sweet and one of my favorite things about my life in Guatemala.
A relaxing ride to the capital ending in the wonderful Westin Camino Real hotel. Although, the trip had many low points... this hotel has the most comfortable beds and best shower I've had in Guatemala, it was very worth it... Who knows if only the crazyness of the week made the hotel even better but it was a great night to relax and allow Tyler to get ready for his trip home and me my return to Peace Corps life. I can officially say I had the best shower yet since being in Guatemala and a pretty great night's sleep... So anyone who comes to visit, we should stay there for sure. SO NICE!
Then today was the journey home after a stop at super walmart (Hiper Paiz) to get some necessities like batteries and glue. Now I'm home, reflecting on the crazy week. It was insane to be in the midst of a natural disaster, be scared but then have nothing too terrible happen to you and then to see all the destruction and suffering that surrounds you. Pretty surreal. Anywho, it was so nice to have my little brother here for a week. It made me realize how much I miss him and how proud I am of him. Ty, you are the best and I love you so much. I hope you make it back soon and I know 2 weeks from now, this will be the funniest week of our lives... right?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
What a Funny Story
Arrival in Airport.
volcano erruption to close airport.
Non-stop rain on trip to Lake.
Stuck in rainstorm at the lake.
swimming in rainstorm.
stuck in hotel.
flooded streets.
Scary landslide road.
HUGE WATERFALL.
Stuck in hotel again due to food poisoning.
Moving to another town due to possible future storm.
Money wiring.
Crying to get money that was wired.
And it's only Wednesday.
All are safe. Will update the real story in time.
volcano erruption to close airport.
Non-stop rain on trip to Lake.
Stuck in rainstorm at the lake.
swimming in rainstorm.
stuck in hotel.
flooded streets.
Scary landslide road.
HUGE WATERFALL.
Stuck in hotel again due to food poisoning.
Moving to another town due to possible future storm.
Money wiring.
Crying to get money that was wired.
And it's only Wednesday.
All are safe. Will update the real story in time.
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