tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48986771446947074502024-03-13T01:28:56.287-07:00Kimberly AbroadI started this blog during my time as a Peace Corps Ecotourism volunteer in Guatemala. Now I just use it to update about my travels abroad.Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-57173475445341786672013-05-01T17:03:00.000-07:002013-05-01T17:03:04.624-07:00Finishing 27 months of Peace CorpsMy whole last year in Peace Corps... some days went by veeeeery slowly but the months flew by. It is hard to describe or sum up the experience. Well, to say the least Peace Corps was nothing like what I expected first coming in. I have too many memories to list here but will post some pictures and snippets of my life.<br />
<br />I've learned, from different cultural norms, how I can benefit from approaching life in different ways. Guatemalans cherish above all else their family ties. Like in many culture s in the world it is not weird to live with your parents and even your grandparents. There isn´t a child or teenager that doesn´t know how to take care of a baby. Guatemalans are always smiling and cracking jokes. Guatemalans are always reminding their friends how much they mean to them (There are also countless things I could list that I now appreciate even more about Americans and the US) . Guatemalans form close knit communities. Guatemalans walk A LOT slower and can spend hours on the walk home stopping to talk with family and friends. Guatemalan families with nothing will always offer food/drink to guests. Guatemalans are very resourceful. Guatemalans treasure moments (nobody knows what tomorrow brings) and face-to-face time. Guatemalans will climb up a mountain (thinking of specifically this mountain pictured below), balancing a huge stack of firewood on their head or back, have a baby tied on their back, while holding the hand of a toddler. Guatemalans are quick to share something nice to say and very hesitant to ever say something out of anger to you. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Andres Xecul, Volcano Santa Maria</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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While two years of riding in the back of pickups or squished into old American schoolbuses with loud reggaetone music could get old... I will miss it. The pictures below show how crowded the pickups into the center were. If I were standing there my head would tower above everyone. The weighed down tail of the pickup scrapes over every one of the 20 some gigantic speedbumps into town.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to catch a ride into town before the pickup leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we´re off!</td></tr>
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I feel that during my Peace Corps service, I have been taught, guided and directed. I am taking so much more than I am leaving behind. I eventually found out that the world had not changed but my views and I myself had internally changed to understand the global world a lot better. I view development work in a completely different way. Education and empowerment are the only things that will leave a positive and sustainable impact.<br />
<br />At the end of our service we give a presentation to the community about what we have accomplished in our two years at site. A few Peace Corps staff members came from the office to show their support and give thanks. Below is a picture taken after the presentation outside of the community tourism office.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the tourism office</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> History of the church with a local guide</td></tr>
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With funding from the NGO Gestor we managed to train local guides for our community tourism project. Below is the culmination of their final exam. Ending the tour with interpretation and explanation of a Mayan Ceremony. Can you find me or do I blend in too well? :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayan Ceremony</td></tr>
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Below is a picture of Al and his daughter Kathleen visiting a family in Xecul that they have been donating to for years. My sitemate Laura and would join them for dinner some nights and help with translating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedemeyer Family from Kentucky</td></tr>
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Many people from San Andres Xecul make the dangerous, illegal trip to the US hoping one day to be able send much needed money back to their family in Guatemala. Not everyone makes it of course. Meanwhile heaps of tourists from France, Italy, the US, etc. arrive in their town to get pictures of their famous church and the town stays with nothing in return. Now the municipality is charging a small entrance fee to each tourist that arrives (hopefully it will be used for development projects for the municipality). And with our community tours that our office offers various people in town have the opportunity to share their culture and generate an income. Below are tourists playing Guatemala´s national instrument, the marimba!<br />
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I have deep friendships with many other young Americans who went through this with me. I have no doubt that these experiences will bond us together forever. We started with 50 something volunteers and at the end of the 27 months the numbers were barely over 20. Below is a picture of me with 4 of my best girlfriends. We make up the five girls that were left in the ecotourism program. From left to right... Rosie the sweet natured, soft-spoken girl from North Carolina. Me! Mimi the Mississippian with parents from Vietnam, she is a master chef, brutally honest and always loyal to her friends. Christine the biology master from Pittsburgh, was always there to cheer us up in our lowest times (the group counselor! haha). And with lots of perseverance, our little Korean-American Gracie with her always big smile.<br />
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After a few days of medical exams and lots of paperwork we finished our Peace Corps service with the tradition of ringing a bell and holding a small ceremony with certificates. </div>
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Below are the intricate Guatemalan alfombra designs that they make for Easter processions out of colored sawdust.<br />
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Below is a picture of me with Jose, Laura, and Elana. Jose is our close Guatemalan friend who was nice enough to host us and take Elana and I to the airport the next day. It was really weird to be at his fancy house with some of his family members speaking to us in English. Another side of Guatemala. Most families live in poverty but those who don´t usually are very well off. Laura is my sitemate from Hawaii who stil has some months to finish in San Andres Xecul. Hoping to visit her in the future! And on the far right is my sitemate Elana who worked in the healthy schools program and started with my training group and finished at the same time. I have grown very close to both of these women. Many volunteers after finishing service celebrate by traveling together in Latin America or other parts of the world together. Elana and I are doing a three week trip in Peru and a three week trip in Colombia together. On the way back to the states her family has invited me to visit their home in San Luis Obispo for a couple weeks before finally heading back to the Northwest. I hope to do a roadtrip with Elana down to San Diego where she will be starting grad school so that I can visit my aunt and uncle who are living there. Right now we are already through the Peru portion and soon here I will update another blog with our travels.<br />
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<br />Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-39663219080266077282012-05-15T11:01:00.000-07:002012-05-15T11:01:23.012-07:00Experience the Living Mayan Heritage in San Andrés XeculHello everybody! Looks like I forgot I had a blog.... :)<br />
Well I will try to start updating on a more regular basis now. There's a lot to catch up on, but for this one I will talk about my cultural walking tour.<br />
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The central part of San Andrés Xecul lies at the base of a wall of steep mountain. There are four <i>aldeas</i> (or hamlets) that are part of San Andrés Xecul. Each have their own schools, churches, auxilary municipal staff, culture, flavor, and even style of <i>k'iche</i>. K'iche is the principal language that people in my town speak. It is an indigenous Mayan language that has no similar roots to English or Spanish. <br />
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Three of our four <i>aldeas</i> are about an hour hike up in the mountains. The one that I work in most often is the poorest <i>aldea</i>, Nimasac. Many people there don't even speak any Spanish so I rely a lot on working with counterparts that help me navigate the language and culture of Nimasac. One day I explored some forest trails with a friend and found this great lookout point:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Nimasac onto the center of San Andrés Xecul where I live</td></tr>
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Starting a cultural walking tour there has been a long process. But has resulted in a well organized, interactive, and unforgettable tour. I am still surprised that all of the logistics worked out so well. In the San Andrés Xecul culture there is NEVER a rush and it is normal to show up 1 or 2 hours late for an event. But I reinforced the idea that with 'gringos' (foreigners) you <b>have to be</b> on time and ready before the selected time. The point of a community tourism project is to involve various actors to benefit the most people. But this also means that orchestrating and putting everyone on sync is lots of work. I'm so proud of everyone!<br />
<br />
This is a full day tour that will begin the microbus driver and local guide meeting with the group of tourists in the central park of Quetzaltenango (a large city close to San Andrés Xecul). After an introduction of what we will be doing for the day we drive up a bumpy and scenic road to the <i>aldea </i>of Nimasac. First we visit the house of a local family that runs a candle making workshop. For many in Nimasac, this is the way that they make their living. Usually the whole family helps out in some way from the toddlers to the grandparents. Sometimes they are even working 14 hour days and earning very little. This provides an alternative source of income while keeping their traditions alive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9cqPNYpFDhYgLwt0jwufypQqddXyl8DgYV2EScbYwBO6GNVe5DrC3sgEJrY3ZWlgvs1iGGUWLhZuBMPhQQZHRMkHhKPPu-VZBNEmqdfjmKRfpkoy0Xpr0UWz5O-e5ZaiU7w0LSAbT4w/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9cqPNYpFDhYgLwt0jwufypQqddXyl8DgYV2EScbYwBO6GNVe5DrC3sgEJrY3ZWlgvs1iGGUWLhZuBMPhQQZHRMkHhKPPu-VZBNEmqdfjmKRfpkoy0Xpr0UWz5O-e5ZaiU7w0LSAbT4w/s400/Picture+4.png" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning how to twist and cut the wicks</td></tr>
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The tourists get to participate in the whole candle making process beside the the family members. Usually the family members and tourists have lots of questions about each other which starts interesting and fun conversations. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91UaUs6Wgh82FU2zMZwkaRHw-nY0GxSGXU2vRelfuwPFiR3Vz9E7qwUvYQxKajAzLJJR-Wbj_SSD4UKGPSkG57a0osQrhJOdR5GVOLqezyzFCzxxV6ZHxSCUL-NEBhvJgE5eMIoByE10/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91UaUs6Wgh82FU2zMZwkaRHw-nY0GxSGXU2vRelfuwPFiR3Vz9E7qwUvYQxKajAzLJJR-Wbj_SSD4UKGPSkG57a0osQrhJOdR5GVOLqezyzFCzxxV6ZHxSCUL-NEBhvJgE5eMIoByE10/s400/Picture+3.png" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging the wicks on a large wooden hoop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tourists are not just learning about how to make candles. They get
to really see inside the home of an indigenous Mayan family of the
highlands. A truly rare and special experience. With reason, the indigenous people of Guatemala are very cautious of outsiders. It was only in the late 90s that a brutal and bloody 30 year civil
war ended. Military rulers sent out death squads to eliminate 'left wingers' where they massacred hundreds of thousands of indigenous and tens of thousands went missing. While it is not talked about, many still remember or have family that was affected. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuT4hOdnecehCsRJuCHpNAg1nlOng2QOmCeLyGsLic1fyCpWYjtnH-3U63oqEIDQvT1T0MOcpfmT1fyhy_rsy1YPOPgFd3FVkOVqYpwZBJjiYDj2fbWBvaULQ9YMC7QLfi2CvpvfLO7k/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuT4hOdnecehCsRJuCHpNAg1nlOng2QOmCeLyGsLic1fyCpWYjtnH-3U63oqEIDQvT1T0MOcpfmT1fyhy_rsy1YPOPgFd3FVkOVqYpwZBJjiYDj2fbWBvaULQ9YMC7QLfi2CvpvfLO7k/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hoop swings around as dip the wicks in hot wax</td></tr>
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Next we visit a workshop where they make the traditional <i>corte </i>fabric that the women wear as skirts. First everyone takes a rest in the open courtyard alongside the adobe houses of the family. Snacks and drink are passed out on top of a beautiful tablecloth of traditional fabric.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mNuHcnTpWbQnXzUh-qnvLCnT3E3Scrrchg1TTRNZyDUbZlVasZMPHEYn6qc0uKWAuPTq4TQHS8t2ZT6QSDBvhtM7_IgdtT1PAskZZGccHn8F_AsfbG2c00ktCpvq_jPg-x0OLGk6JDc/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mNuHcnTpWbQnXzUh-qnvLCnT3E3Scrrchg1TTRNZyDUbZlVasZMPHEYn6qc0uKWAuPTq4TQHS8t2ZT6QSDBvhtM7_IgdtT1PAskZZGccHn8F_AsfbG2c00ktCpvq_jPg-x0OLGk6JDc/s640/Picture+5.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack and break time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEfo8s4D18dcERpxvKOyVkEABIIz2kaReI-22tYpyx7jF66KyKuwZfu38Uq3BVxSzxMvOo_USyC0Tq8R6l-S-WiuMJaO_uFdS_N2C09HgY7oXaJhtAFCpBWLkGWzlYbojKuSmurBRdTM/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEfo8s4D18dcERpxvKOyVkEABIIz2kaReI-22tYpyx7jF66KyKuwZfu38Uq3BVxSzxMvOo_USyC0Tq8R6l-S-WiuMJaO_uFdS_N2C09HgY7oXaJhtAFCpBWLkGWzlYbojKuSmurBRdTM/s400/Picture+6.png" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machine made of recycled bicycle parts to wind the string</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lJM8pt9CAmz5XvmWJYGmjjzRJioHSpk5N4yzDsh0nIkpL85PNAaJHiGWz1Is0TKU3hGrneSJhJFDNI9bRrFggsfxwxi6JYVQZpYPg2WNSsNbdzxfFk8EM_ZrMLUSowTC78pCBcs3HdM/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lJM8pt9CAmz5XvmWJYGmjjzRJioHSpk5N4yzDsh0nIkpL85PNAaJHiGWz1Is0TKU3hGrneSJhJFDNI9bRrFggsfxwxi6JYVQZpYPg2WNSsNbdzxfFk8EM_ZrMLUSowTC78pCBcs3HdM/s400/Picture+7.png" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping with the final process of weaving</td></tr>
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None of the 16 step weaving process uses any electricity. For all of the intricate designs first they tie hundreds of little knots around along the length of the string. Then they begin to boil water with firewood to make the dye and dip the knotted string into the mixture. After it dries they pull out the string and remove the knots. It is a very time consuming process that results in beautiful hand made intricate knot tie-dye designs.<br />
<br />
Next we take a small ten minute hike up into the forest to a communal Mayan alter where we are greeted by a Mayan priest. Everyone gets to participate in a Mayan fire ceremony using the candles from the workshop we went to in the morning. We use the Mayan 'Book of Destiny' to figure out everyone's Mayan Nahuatl (horoscope). I designed bookmarks that we then pass out to the tourists with their according signs with information. A cheap to make special souvenir that the tourists really enjoy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hyphenhyphenS1LUsL7tnoUeMMBGd_3UFUHVnDKdU2Dv03z6mKPC3VSGo5SGNUEZMoTk9E6aB5fmj1cWEs6phYLGEV9AA2mSzOt09ODWUFChV2kN_MyzaHgpxdk2wpnFSgTzuXIKyAogimJQPgIDA/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hyphenhyphenS1LUsL7tnoUeMMBGd_3UFUHVnDKdU2Dv03z6mKPC3VSGo5SGNUEZMoTk9E6aB5fmj1cWEs6phYLGEV9AA2mSzOt09ODWUFChV2kN_MyzaHgpxdk2wpnFSgTzuXIKyAogimJQPgIDA/s1600/Picture+8.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayan Ceremony in the Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkID0Te865Y8w1skjOke8YToCOOuSNNsSmHFaQDhXZlG_wxgUabJK0PPovBWh-UWEiP6eO96IGjoJrjCwnCuXxFBUEE5Q4uVVLHvjfBrPfcmXwl30JJ9F5iG-TMRLxKfngMhw0TslrY7Q/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkID0Te865Y8w1skjOke8YToCOOuSNNsSmHFaQDhXZlG_wxgUabJK0PPovBWh-UWEiP6eO96IGjoJrjCwnCuXxFBUEE5Q4uVVLHvjfBrPfcmXwl30JJ9F5iG-TMRLxKfngMhw0TslrY7Q/s320/Picture+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Lunch with a Local Family</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After lunch we drive down the the center of town. We visit a lookout point of the town, a Mayan altar, the house of a wooden idol, and learn about the history of the famous church. Afterwards we sit on the balcony of the second floor of the municipal building for coffee and bread (a Guatemalan staple) with a view of the church.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtITUGnrQv-M2x0HD_RBypPduAGhkKYNF6yyWvbvoTMn4PfHyJFWbCAjzqXKhyphenhyphensOMwZlPYFzVUGbfhJfijli_cKXCE-80Cplk9UxqPD2ZEJi_OxUiV9HZCLtxwsedEUJAGhwD_XxxJEdc/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtITUGnrQv-M2x0HD_RBypPduAGhkKYNF6yyWvbvoTMn4PfHyJFWbCAjzqXKhyphenhyphensOMwZlPYFzVUGbfhJfijli_cKXCE-80Cplk9UxqPD2ZEJi_OxUiV9HZCLtxwsedEUJAGhwD_XxxJEdc/s400/Picture+3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dark Wooden Idol San Simon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9xwNR4rXQRZFVH8lFk3nf7rg6uG9qbCCs0fnU17t_gUFH8EU9t1oUF_7SZWqMnzDit1ymBXMtkr6ePYN0oiQRQ2GIzusA0K9zSxWHTiIktN8I6VstxIle04ArgTysQCkaIet51SB2ME/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9xwNR4rXQRZFVH8lFk3nf7rg6uG9qbCCs0fnU17t_gUFH8EU9t1oUF_7SZWqMnzDit1ymBXMtkr6ePYN0oiQRQ2GIzusA0K9zSxWHTiIktN8I6VstxIle04ArgTysQCkaIet51SB2ME/s640/Picture+4.png" width="481" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Famous Church :)</td></tr>
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Phew! There are a lot more pictures I could add but it takes a long time with such slow internet connection. But I hope that you guys got a gist of some of the work I'm doing here and enjoyed a virtual tour of San Andrés Xecul's first tourism route!! There are still a lot of kinks to work out and drama with the group dynamics but it's a start. One of my technical trainers from Peace Corps came on a practice tour said that it was one of the best and most authentic tours he had been on. Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-57999183174209257622011-09-15T20:39:00.000-07:002011-09-15T20:51:49.606-07:00Elections & Traje<div class="MsoNormal">September 12<sup>th</sup>, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am very tired. And my neighbors have been blasting beloved eighties hits since eight in the morning so I might as well write.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last night was a very big day in Guatemala. Elections day. Since I arrived in country the political propaganda has been growing and growing. Even rocks and trees are painted with political markings. And with 20+ parties it is a very colorful scene. And also very noisy. Candidates love to slowly drive throughout town with loudspeakers blasting their campaign music. Not going to miss that. For safety Peace Corps has required that we don’t leave our sites at all for a few days until all the elections madness cools down. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7vkMtAu6uPZ-_pK1rTGxM5saW0IAahq5RFx89W06GsDEx78LHBmZiNPb7214rs0tVRDUMO7EHDVQKrJTMRjljEaKiW7-vX0AML9n2xn1fUqrTBA_G5cHzH3z8au3HuZeLrxMnOCmN4Y/s1600/windowview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7vkMtAu6uPZ-_pK1rTGxM5saW0IAahq5RFx89W06GsDEx78LHBmZiNPb7214rs0tVRDUMO7EHDVQKrJTMRjljEaKiW7-vX0AML9n2xn1fUqrTBA_G5cHzH3z8au3HuZeLrxMnOCmN4Y/s400/windowview.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the second floor, right over my front door. </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday San Andrés Xecul was packed with food vendors and lots of people standing around. Waiting with anticipation to see who the new mayor would be. Normally no one is on the street past 9 pm. At night I walked out with my new neighbor and site mate Elana (from California & in the healthy schools program) to go grab some snacks from one of our favorite <i>tiendas</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. I couldn’t help laughing as I noticed for the first time boys hitting on us in k’iche. “</span><i>Jas abi ali</i><span style="font-style: normal;">?!” “What’s your name girl?!”. All the boys learn from a young age that they should always hit on every female possible in the street (even if they are a quarter my age). The sun had set but the streets were livelier than ever. To stay out of any possible trouble we went home and stayed in for the night. Our friends told us they didn’t know what was going to happen. Often in Guatemala there are political assassinations, etc. when the news is announced. The candidates spend a lot of money on propaganda, handouts, and shameless bribes and can get murderously mad when they don’t win. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At around eleven the <i>alcalde</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> was announced and people went crazy! Huge </span><i>bombas</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> and fireworks started going off until who knows when. I think past 2 am I was so sleepy I started sleeping through them. These are much louder than American fireworks. Fireworks that sound like a war has started. Bombs that shake your heart. On top of that, sound carries very well in our little </span><i>pueblo</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> nestled in the base of the mountains. I could hear lots of whistling, hooting, hollering, and victory screams.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge-TgoAod-Map0pf2mdKGjee8Wo0Ec0MH5440OzxFFfAlkH5A_OSY0-Y6zRiNzweyazijpZyY0APDa95F2EPDDap63Kvhi8LJGyqjwR1eA35VVoSZ1HFP8hmHzRF5WH-FV6HwkG_pPYs/s1600/diego.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge-TgoAod-Map0pf2mdKGjee8Wo0Ec0MH5440OzxFFfAlkH5A_OSY0-Y6zRiNzweyazijpZyY0APDa95F2EPDDap63Kvhi8LJGyqjwR1eA35VVoSZ1HFP8hmHzRF5WH-FV6HwkG_pPYs/s320/diego.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my office with my counterpart Diego Hic</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Turns out a school director won. I hope that he cares about education and environmental issues half as much as he claims because that would make my job easier. Today has been pretty <i>tranquilo</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> with the occasional school marching band. Drizzling all day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
When the mayor changes usually they hire their own crew to run the municipality. I have grown close to my friends at the muni so I am praying that some of them stay on. Diego works at the office of the environment with me. He always cheers me up if I'm having a bad day. One of my only close friends in San Andrés Xecul.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This week the huge Independence Day celebrations are coming up so the semi-quietness won’t last long. </div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">_______________________________________________________________________________</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A few Guatemalan girlfriends of mine gave me <i>traje tipica</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. The traditional outfit that the women wear in the indigenous villages. I was very touched by such a beautiful and time consuming gift. They weaved and sewed everything themselves. If I were to buy it from the market it would have probably been about 1000Q or about $125. Coming from a poor family that is a huge gift. Occasionally in San Andrés Xecul I will see women with pants, but they definitely stand out. Because they have taken me shopping for </span><i>traje tipica</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> and gifted me a whole other outfit I am taking it as a hint that I should wear it more often. Right now I am trying for 2 days every week. People are much more friendly and give lots of compliments when I wear</span><i> traje tipica</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. But now when I wear pants people ask “Why the pants?!”. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDl7nDwCl14LsV_qYAa6DKqD9AkpcdOkJbVfRd3i2kkwOv_AUvSUNZP-lAdPkRtCM67ogI_CtC9nuizUFIpKCdmQR6XlOhAjfXgtKpde5aMeTxvYf3yHk2kki5QYKo-8qEMx9iO1zlB8/s1600/guipil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDl7nDwCl14LsV_qYAa6DKqD9AkpcdOkJbVfRd3i2kkwOv_AUvSUNZP-lAdPkRtCM67ogI_CtC9nuizUFIpKCdmQR6XlOhAjfXgtKpde5aMeTxvYf3yHk2kki5QYKo-8qEMx9iO1zlB8/s320/guipil.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My güipil, traditional to Totonicapán<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7B78IfDMH9yANLolK-vrYwX9kjDA6WoBN1shS0lJdZ6f6KWF3eGJ8qcWYzWpUDQ5FrvmIKqLbwRCTb9twX4eEtbEHfPyaTM8jjcns9s5IbpyImFwdKhgMAISWnM0mNcMGRkIQzTM078/s1600/corte.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7B78IfDMH9yANLolK-vrYwX9kjDA6WoBN1shS0lJdZ6f6KWF3eGJ8qcWYzWpUDQ5FrvmIKqLbwRCTb9twX4eEtbEHfPyaTM8jjcns9s5IbpyImFwdKhgMAISWnM0mNcMGRkIQzTM078/s320/corte.png" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My corte. The design is called King's Cape. Hand died and weaved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdKs0QrBu4IZBiXqQ3_F7K6TsJw-s-NhDRGDUuU4feBi6jfvZxQeBHu4Ztcf38G_i-f_1NMVRfmThC41m9GS4tu8D9R-NfCUt5sy0mIwxRA4GPW9idsXmeYK8SB2rjmWPnEtW6owA_nw/s1600/guiflower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdKs0QrBu4IZBiXqQ3_F7K6TsJw-s-NhDRGDUuU4feBi6jfvZxQeBHu4Ztcf38G_i-f_1NMVRfmThC41m9GS4tu8D9R-NfCUt5sy0mIwxRA4GPW9idsXmeYK8SB2rjmWPnEtW6owA_nw/s320/guiflower.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My embroidered flower güipil</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Traje tipica</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> consists of four pieces. The top, </span><i>güipil</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in Spanish, </span><i>po’t </i><span style="font-style: normal;">in K’iche. The belt, </span><i>faja</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in Spanish, </span><i>pas</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in K’iche. And the skirt, </span><i>corte</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in Spanish, </span><i>uq’</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in K’iche. And the apron, </span><i>delantal</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in Spanish. I don’t have an apron yet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Each area of Guatemala has its own traditional clothing. Women love to mix and match with <i>traje</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> from different places. I am obsessed with all the different patterns, colors, and types of weaving. The traditional </span><i>güipil</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> from San Andrés Xecul is a gorgeous pattern of animals. Similar to what you would see on our famous church. It takes about 6 months to a year to embroider the entire </span><i>güipil</i><span style="font-style: normal;">. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4asmHFZYzQ57uG5jIrA965519SFO5G94nfHfXcpiNAHLxyVNBTE1HHAiQ3NDgPW9i_GpNNgNO2VWYnEZRDvyvnlBnnHkQfRqU0PLVUPnKcbaCMRkwf3NbaQq2FflpnDJKLIzv-bTYzVg/s1600/SAXguipil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4asmHFZYzQ57uG5jIrA965519SFO5G94nfHfXcpiNAHLxyVNBTE1HHAiQ3NDgPW9i_GpNNgNO2VWYnEZRDvyvnlBnnHkQfRqU0PLVUPnKcbaCMRkwf3NbaQq2FflpnDJKLIzv-bTYzVg/s640/SAXguipil.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional top from San Andrés Xecul</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here are some typical <i>güipil </i><span style="font-style: normal;">patterns that you can find around here: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn61Az3xvJ1r6dQIpQXqhgfSrwYYmaCdIAYUx4IekT4-YllpciTV7UMw2n8C6xn6iASBW6GHu1MlhOPqrZAN6_lMK3UcHoDJD_AmGaMdCZv_qm_X5u7FWY3lNU2SEPJaxJCvfELgSrw0/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn61Az3xvJ1r6dQIpQXqhgfSrwYYmaCdIAYUx4IekT4-YllpciTV7UMw2n8C6xn6iASBW6GHu1MlhOPqrZAN6_lMK3UcHoDJD_AmGaMdCZv_qm_X5u7FWY3lNU2SEPJaxJCvfELgSrw0/s320/Picture+5.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers in Beadwork</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgaeeoIt8RPn5dFpTcK6JEya2BxDlMaeKeI_dKt4OYe80p1DXIqYj47qUhlg6nOBkc-IQBgepdDy83NCDPhPVmdCoh5RZY3Ucdp3xW6CgtTq1hH95O39iXWYgCFfoChR2PFTp1Z89z84/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgaeeoIt8RPn5dFpTcK6JEya2BxDlMaeKeI_dKt4OYe80p1DXIqYj47qUhlg6nOBkc-IQBgepdDy83NCDPhPVmdCoh5RZY3Ucdp3xW6CgtTq1hH95O39iXWYgCFfoChR2PFTp1Z89z84/s320/Picture+1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woven Deers, Embroidered Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTzEeV7A51etMrCZlpiZRcFLcC76sMJNwcbo0Kbx-BncA2-xp75mTl4NVJL-DtfzZoS3eZKdDfX3Dm1hQNv3LtQXTO6fce8MQUdGymCLVIQ6FvkTOwlwuK_BJ-TAdvxfBUv7YhMspduQ/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTzEeV7A51etMrCZlpiZRcFLcC76sMJNwcbo0Kbx-BncA2-xp75mTl4NVJL-DtfzZoS3eZKdDfX3Dm1hQNv3LtQXTO6fce8MQUdGymCLVIQ6FvkTOwlwuK_BJ-TAdvxfBUv7YhMspduQ/s320/Picture+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross-stitched Basket & Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are still some places where the men wear traje as well. I have seen a few men wearing this outfit with the very thick woven shirt and the wrap around wool skirt (minus the pants) in my town:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11Ep3ImmLT1TExmBbt6GjRG2que_s5J6AYJ81H6_dfSNzmbyy-H4ecgwfI69dSisj87uMzcHXa6SJ_kqibjaMW53HcY61pLrr8qlP80cGodPu7SRqXG8U_zRPz9lNpZB2sB4kl26ahTg/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11Ep3ImmLT1TExmBbt6GjRG2que_s5J6AYJ81H6_dfSNzmbyy-H4ecgwfI69dSisj87uMzcHXa6SJ_kqibjaMW53HcY61pLrr8qlP80cGodPu7SRqXG8U_zRPz9lNpZB2sB4kl26ahTg/s1600/Picture+3.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been embroidering my own <i>güipil</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> with my K’iche teacher for months now. I can’t believe my sister Sara sent me lots of embroidering string! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Along with really, really cute panda slippers which are great for the freezing nights. All the letters, cards, and packages really cheer me up. Thank you mom for all the mouth watering cookies, springroll wrappers, seaweed, and sweet cards! Thank you grandpa and Jackie for the birthday wishes and awesome article (I really want to go explore El Mirador now). Thank you Auntie Evelyn for all the thoughtful letters. And thank you Laura for the Greenland postcard.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">___________________________________________________________________________<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FBabWTknInqMuv5th1iL-qlPBPyS4j3lNYrexpVCKn9f9MpXbzXvSsNfI5pwEeM8ZaycWzDY0wxLrO5O3HALktjp7OJk8arclL_Z4hN3rkNEig2JkY1myZtIz5D6pfo7697ii0Qa1uo/s1600/maraton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FBabWTknInqMuv5th1iL-qlPBPyS4j3lNYrexpVCKn9f9MpXbzXvSsNfI5pwEeM8ZaycWzDY0wxLrO5O3HALktjp7OJk8arclL_Z4hN3rkNEig2JkY1myZtIz5D6pfo7697ii0Qa1uo/s400/maraton.png" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After my first half marathon in Antigua with my host parents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I ran a bit more than I should of and now I am afraid I might have tendonitis so I have been taking a complete break from running. Next time I am at the peace corps office I am going to have them check out my leg. But the half marathon was fun. Lots of Guatemalans cheering us on, bags of recovery honey, music, scenic views of Antigua and the surrounding volcanoes.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzckqJIyiQr4VfuyS-T4-LNHrLzepag1CpgOkTP8DwSZcz9qZz-XIfmp9zFx4xI4jPuMDGTjC2W-mSjR1_ixWUhMF566GOw5rhYkB0VH1cdqXG91a30pEuGMhfdOZCdcITNB1oNljHTKs/s1600/chicibal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzckqJIyiQr4VfuyS-T4-LNHrLzepag1CpgOkTP8DwSZcz9qZz-XIfmp9zFx4xI4jPuMDGTjC2W-mSjR1_ixWUhMF566GOw5rhYkB0VH1cdqXG91a30pEuGMhfdOZCdcITNB1oNljHTKs/s1600/chicibal.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mayan fire ceremony on the shores of the sacred lagoon of volcan chicibal</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Every year at the beginning of the rainy season they have a huge gathering at Laguna Chicibal. Hundreds make the steep climb up the volcano to do mayan fire ceremonies all around the sacred lagoon to pray for rain. No one is even allowed to swim in the waters. Notice the four women standing on the shore? It is very stylish in Guatemala to make sure every article of clothing and accessory is the same color. It feels weird to weird wear blue shoes, jeans, a blue top, and blue earrings and walk out the door feeling stylish.<br />
<br />
</div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-75741204180353258782011-06-17T12:24:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:39:19.874-07:00My Sites: SAX & PAX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Well it’s probably about time I updated everyone about my first 2 1/12 months at site. I will also talk about what happened during the big <i>Semana Santa </i>celebrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In Peace Corps, the first months at site are for integration into the community, strengthening communication skills, and getting accustomed to the way your work/life will function for the next two years. Volunteers have told me that the first months at site are definitely the most trying. The best way I can describe it is as a rollercoaster. You don’t know when your ups and downs will come or how long they will last. It isn’t uncommon for volunteers to be depressed then be incandescently happy, all in one day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I am the first volunteer from the ecotourism program at both of my sites. I have never met another volunteer that had two sites… (--more work, traveling back and forth between sites) (++I can choose which site I feel like working at). I just had my first site visit from my program director and it really helped my counterparts with organization and what direction we should take our work in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>ABOUT MY SITES</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Paxtoca<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I am working with Association nicknamed “AQX”. Their whole name is k’iche—“ Q’ Aq’ Al Xikin”. My program director calls them the <i>asociación de jovenes</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> (association of young people). They want to make Paxtoca into a model for other towns as an environmentally responsible community while preserving and salvaging what is left of the Maya k’iche culture. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1M1cV9wR8nOmdcsbqtG-ss1UefX0eNks4QRItKg2Y5lhoHOFp14Kglt_mEg4meQl3-fmWr9TSt1KAo7vUTvsbSp9iCDR2YcZ6p4obCS4J7tWsKOhUiH4PWn7Rm8xOZFxzNa70U00YpQ4/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1M1cV9wR8nOmdcsbqtG-ss1UefX0eNks4QRItKg2Y5lhoHOFp14Kglt_mEg4meQl3-fmWr9TSt1KAo7vUTvsbSp9iCDR2YcZ6p4obCS4J7tWsKOhUiH4PWn7Rm8xOZFxzNa70U00YpQ4/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Association Q' Aq' Al Xikin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">All the way on the right is the president Dionisio. He is also a director at a nearby school and rarely shows up for meetings. The man standing up all the way on the left with the baseball cap is Damaso. He is the vice president and is the one that always works with me every time I visit Paxtoca. To the right of him are the three people who I am closest to and see the most often. The women are his sisters and every two weeks they have a women’s cooking/nutrition class that meets up. Usually I meet up with them and cook or do a workshop with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgeazPFYG0ztMVAPUQJCOcnAOpCpmT_Bvp0X3g0ranut3PuRPn8UEoUARbCpkIRoLhw4Neo6VBy6PfE1ecAvC02Z8L4OCRyZJhp7m7TtnaYZEp1EV8lgSRTEwiq5jAmjcBDowGMm8i1c/s1600/Picture+23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgeazPFYG0ztMVAPUQJCOcnAOpCpmT_Bvp0X3g0ranut3PuRPn8UEoUARbCpkIRoLhw4Neo6VBy6PfE1ecAvC02Z8L4OCRyZJhp7m7TtnaYZEp1EV8lgSRTEwiq5jAmjcBDowGMm8i1c/s400/Picture+23.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy to get good shots when you are comparatively a GIANT</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">One of the main projects Paxtoca wants help with is making the mountain behind the town into an ecological preserve where tourists could come and pay to go on guided hikes to the mayan alters and waterfall. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwMjOGkoqoIieJNh3ww8J9zIMrA7vil6zmyX9G5cQyb2IVLo8f5eO2swJDcQUOqggaU3zP_Gd7QgLiI2ik8CIkxGlfLzaRQ2kQAWa8Peo13o3nNzEd-loQD4VReXL_kuZ3noPah3422c/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwMjOGkoqoIieJNh3ww8J9zIMrA7vil6zmyX9G5cQyb2IVLo8f5eO2swJDcQUOqggaU3zP_Gd7QgLiI2ik8CIkxGlfLzaRQ2kQAWa8Peo13o3nNzEd-loQD4VReXL_kuZ3noPah3422c/s640/Picture+2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike to the vista, waterfall is in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The only problem is that many different people in the community currently own it. We are planning to have a meeting with the property owners to discuss signing a possible agreement for land use and also a sanitation plan for their bark beetle problem. They did not seem happy when I told them we have to cut down all infected trees and the surrounding trees, and then reforest the area with white pine. If we cannot get the owners to agree to the park then we will just have to give up and focus on my secondary projects with trash management and environmental education.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>San Andrés Xecul <o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is where I live! It is on the other side of the valley from Paxtoca and also nestled at the base of mountains. But it is much larger than Paxtoca and the town even has a municipality. I work there in the office of the environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My primary project here is helping with community-based tourism. Currently many French, Spanish, and American tourists come (sometimes in the bus loads) and take pictures of our famous church and then leave. San Andrés Xecul has never made any money from tourism. They already have the tourists, amazing things to offer, and a fair amount of advertising. Just no structure or motivation! I really hope to get something started this year because we are on the cover of this year’s edition of lonelyplanet. Amazing. Icon of the Western highlands of Guatemala.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgr4B21uHFjDknNmxFTv05k3BtDm2RibZebcMdxOlQY2xkISxgqwI2p5WiCTkXu3tmHELHxO3mhCQy1MTwwJXe_hgcPZdz_ppwyfO9lzjf2u7NdLcsAX8hE9ddgkVzGy8YyGTQZNXLOQ/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgr4B21uHFjDknNmxFTv05k3BtDm2RibZebcMdxOlQY2xkISxgqwI2p5WiCTkXu3tmHELHxO3mhCQy1MTwwJXe_hgcPZdz_ppwyfO9lzjf2u7NdLcsAX8hE9ddgkVzGy8YyGTQZNXLOQ/s320/Picture+4.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover of the newest edition of lonelyplanet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We have been trying out different possible cultural stops around town. I will write more about them in detail when we have made concrete decisions, which is proving to be more difficult than I imagined. The population is all indigenous and are very wary of foreigners. For example S.A.X. makes a ton of different colored candles for all the Mayan ceremonies that take place so we wanted to make one stop a <i>candeleria </i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">but they do not trust us. They think that we are going to bring people that want to steal their candle making process and put them out of business.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOtFyDEDyAlCa6sxAnv27lVJYS0WxHoxEfiUGncWZCLq24ygiO7hsX6B4JrKxwJsxF_UeypczU77nVHpATivUNY0QOl-ja_WFc0DgG3FhXc9QtOBrac9wEN0BSIlXzxEvvL_B-ER9ssg/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOtFyDEDyAlCa6sxAnv27lVJYS0WxHoxEfiUGncWZCLq24ygiO7hsX6B4JrKxwJsxF_UeypczU77nVHpATivUNY0QOl-ja_WFc0DgG3FhXc9QtOBrac9wEN0BSIlXzxEvvL_B-ER9ssg/s400/Picture+5.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two sisters playing on the family faucet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So much culture here! There are so many Mayan alters and almost every afternoon you can find at least one person doing a Mayan fire ceremony either in the mountains or somewhere in the cornfields. Behind the muni (municipality) is forest with a trail that leads up to a large Mayan alter. The hike takes about an hour to get up and would be a great for all the young tourists that live in the Spanish schools in Xela. Xela is the second largest city in Guatemala and about a 40 minute bus ride from my S.A.X. and a 20 minute bus ride from Paxtoca. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ixg2vn4pQgub1aHU08zVb9WsEsg69Jq5Lg7WJa5CHgtvmZVkFVv5qahtYON9VdvW_p7ICMmEHRxXkiLScOtab7RmfIo8OriD53tE2UWQthFfD_ES_bJWjMEAtGQhaLhVQU4o1PozsB4/s1600/Picture+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ixg2vn4pQgub1aHU08zVb9WsEsg69Jq5Lg7WJa5CHgtvmZVkFVv5qahtYON9VdvW_p7ICMmEHRxXkiLScOtab7RmfIo8OriD53tE2UWQthFfD_ES_bJWjMEAtGQhaLhVQU4o1PozsB4/s640/Picture+10.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire ceremony: <i>El Calvario</i> in San Andrés Xecul</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My secondary projects here will also include trash management and environmental education. There is absolutely no system of trash management currently. Just many sad looking clandestine dump sites. On the road out of town there is a large dumpsite with a sign 10 feet before urging to take care of your environment and keep it clean. The largest dumpsite I’ve seen is constantly burning. During the day there are always women and children rummaging through the garbage breathing in the toxic fumes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have been training for a half marathon that will be in July in Antigua. But I sure do miss the clean air in Seattle (I would have never said that before). The many small burning piles of trash along the street mixed with all the exhaust fumes are not pleasant. And I always have a rock in my hand in case on of the many street dogs decides to try and snap at me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Everyone burns their trash, buries it, throws it into a river, or dumps it at one of these sites because they do not know about other options. I think one of the most important things would be education about the harmful effects of trash (especially burning all that plastic!), how to separate and organize the trash, and setting up a center where people could bring their recycling in turn for some <i>quetzales</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">($). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have also been working a lot with a Swiss NGO, Helvetas. They are so great. Because of them my office has computers, desks, disaster preparedness equipment, and two tree nurseries. All new this year. They have given environmental education books to all the students and hundreds of teachers as well. The 24<sup>th</sup> of this month I will meet with a representative from Helvetas. We will plan days for workshops with the teachers where I will teach them technical vocabulary/concepts and how to use the material in the classroom. I also hope that we do some reforestation projects because we have over 2,000 baby trees waiting and it is one of the best months for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">FUN STUFF<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Semana Santa<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Guatemala is famous for their extravagant Easter week celebrations. The largest in Latin America, people from all around the world come to see the processions. The largest celebrations take place in Antigua but I decided to stay around my site to see how the locals celebrate. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx0nMX5QxJ5FFARYB3bCir6JMnMutZ8qJLgGOMNoM9dSRNf-fBtOse47KzcROJADWxRzR6iUd8pOiBQ7Q9mPxowi6jGYjesx3bVW4YvZ4X2VCpE0lXInhYAiEs_Jqkof2zftem4z3UdE/s1600/Picture+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx0nMX5QxJ5FFARYB3bCir6JMnMutZ8qJLgGOMNoM9dSRNf-fBtOse47KzcROJADWxRzR6iUd8pOiBQ7Q9mPxowi6jGYjesx3bVW4YvZ4X2VCpE0lXInhYAiEs_Jqkof2zftem4z3UdE/s320/Picture+11.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During this week there is an overabundance of this traditional <i>Semana Santa</i> sweet bread</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A fellow volunteer in San Cristobal (closest town over) invited me to a pre-procession prepping party at his friend’s home. I was expecting to maybe work for a couple hours. What I now know is that preparing to make <i>alfombras</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> (carpets) for the processions is an all night process! First we had to sift all the sawdust. Then we laid out tarps and made piles of fine sawdust that we died and hand mixed for a long time. <o:p>We had a fire going the whole night to heat the boiling water for the dye. We even got to make smores :)</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtp5aufGbkWkkjx7fPIZGv8n3KaNrVrLsQaTrJ1S7toAt_uOj5yZU0AzaI-Ca8jV6Sbtm0dYtDhdcfZKazY7Kb9cdNyNuoAowAw7hqfX713gM1Qe1MjfMa-SzqG_CsixDd34RpqGsJxU/s1600/Picture+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtp5aufGbkWkkjx7fPIZGv8n3KaNrVrLsQaTrJ1S7toAt_uOj5yZU0AzaI-Ca8jV6Sbtm0dYtDhdcfZKazY7Kb9cdNyNuoAowAw7hqfX713gM1Qe1MjfMa-SzqG_CsixDd34RpqGsJxU/s320/Picture+13.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Orange</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p>Other people were also painting, cutting, and drawing patterns for the <i>alfombra </i>design. By morning we were ready to go out on the street with all our bags of sawdust.</o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyo-5UMbV1nIwZzYxanBHjFqMCGmwYCHuxWNUkY2AzZyl_gnfuyYjnQGpb18tC9nrhgdmq9cabzWfLHFshBvqbrh09qc8elcg_Nsny9jb-Y6DzRss55c4qlJOx1Gfm4jnbb8AruFn4m8/s1600/Picture+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyo-5UMbV1nIwZzYxanBHjFqMCGmwYCHuxWNUkY2AzZyl_gnfuyYjnQGpb18tC9nrhgdmq9cabzWfLHFshBvqbrh09qc8elcg_Nsny9jb-Y6DzRss55c4qlJOx1Gfm4jnbb8AruFn4m8/s400/Picture+14.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrWlMuInGghd1aAzExOdXchtzxDiKDKFYwwJwVNYqsD509HEomeNYdDkdH0qFPLzMd-cl0qyBF2q7NT-KRsK-u7GnMudInbiECPWQC6AUpkXQWdXG3yziKgAR5Sw8cLHo49l7llJ93Vo/s1600/Picture+15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrWlMuInGghd1aAzExOdXchtzxDiKDKFYwwJwVNYqsD509HEomeNYdDkdH0qFPLzMd-cl0qyBF2q7NT-KRsK-u7GnMudInbiECPWQC6AUpkXQWdXG3yziKgAR5Sw8cLHo49l7llJ93Vo/s400/Picture+15.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After laying the foundation we started with the patterns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKoA4rcujVrENAm1C6qTOmb3rOwFUWbUbnZqIOtZnRy5Fvg0P18PuTAmt0XSczNc9kkn_xRHHrKkZt57tUPvyW6tpC0R7pCRGmhweLzhnzqunnD7zpC2LERYw0IZSTcaF1ev3Qh7ie8g/s1600/Picture+16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKoA4rcujVrENAm1C6qTOmb3rOwFUWbUbnZqIOtZnRy5Fvg0P18PuTAmt0XSczNc9kkn_xRHHrKkZt57tUPvyW6tpC0R7pCRGmhweLzhnzqunnD7zpC2LERYw0IZSTcaF1ev3Qh7ie8g/s320/Picture+16.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our slightly rain-damaged, but finished <i>alfombra</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Our <i>alfombra</i> was just one of many littered throughout town. Later in the day the procession marched through town, destroying one <i>alfombra</i> after another. Below are a couple other <i>alfombras</i>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4MeCvywOUKytprqjsvYW9IP3KbsI1NYCKDo6mijqEyX__TygztkUZHg-BHr9EUO34O-mdy6CAPeL6FmfrmimhFsJPpMltqyqFjHYf0QOv9xdIKD9p7bHrHoiDBOr9guRLlX8doeGY3g/s1600/Picture+19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4MeCvywOUKytprqjsvYW9IP3KbsI1NYCKDo6mijqEyX__TygztkUZHg-BHr9EUO34O-mdy6CAPeL6FmfrmimhFsJPpMltqyqFjHYf0QOv9xdIKD9p7bHrHoiDBOr9guRLlX8doeGY3g/s400/Picture+19.png" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice all the fruit hanging from the arc</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn9v7yIn6HO6qk3T2OpKGIavArPP9V5LofNiMaG4-SydTLCnwHiEAanP0uyEmPHPF0ZZb6JmV6DbpNgbVnyLtzrP0wuDAihLX2QwwOCruXsAp3D2anjAuYBB-l_Q8LPWbwFhwxkSP8Hw/s1600/Picture+22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn9v7yIn6HO6qk3T2OpKGIavArPP9V5LofNiMaG4-SydTLCnwHiEAanP0uyEmPHPF0ZZb6JmV6DbpNgbVnyLtzrP0wuDAihLX2QwwOCruXsAp3D2anjAuYBB-l_Q8LPWbwFhwxkSP8Hw/s400/Picture+22.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Butterflies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then I went home and slept for fourteen hours. I feel like there are random traditions and celebrations every week. And everyday there is a SOME reason to blow up some fireworks. Last month there was a big explosion at one the<i> coheterias</i> (place where they make fireworks) in which four children died and several were sent to the hospital. They usually have the children working for their small fingers. And accidents like this are not uncommon. Apparently two years ago there was another explosion in which a 16 year old girl (who was crowned the community's indigenous princess) was killed.</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH7Uoxb0V12IxcDXI46s8s0fvejBzucoFHyvEDmo7o9NQjrJXNjQAvJOPuREw29BdrBmORt3x8QxCMePdYvyVQVYi6yeoJZ3UJInHPTBzl6F0Ns2q7GmYk9Mh1CWQkCOmu8eLrylQnFA/s1600/Picture+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH7Uoxb0V12IxcDXI46s8s0fvejBzucoFHyvEDmo7o9NQjrJXNjQAvJOPuREw29BdrBmORt3x8QxCMePdYvyVQVYi6yeoJZ3UJInHPTBzl6F0Ns2q7GmYk9Mh1CWQkCOmu8eLrylQnFA/s640/Picture+9.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still don't understand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well I have to run, but I also have a lot of other blog topics I want to share. So look out for another update!</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></o:p></span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-18926323101192180322011-04-27T11:29:00.000-07:002011-04-27T11:35:20.082-07:00Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I really do <i>miss</i> and <i>love</i> you all so first off, sorry I have not updated! It seems like five and half months in Peace corps time, but in actuality it has probably been about two months. But don't worry mom I still have both my legs. And eyeballs.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWROjrMU-vFrw8sco1UhBZK11GZOTjHuu41MGpOLVMyQUKy6CIZ4G2XAn3xzNeO8dsbHXheNl_MFfW14sWVV7dfK_HG-b5_Q1y0dPRrUbtD3KSdxQrrOvoZOgPrciZTa4hdCJNm1FgFc/s1600/whatchuwant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWROjrMU-vFrw8sco1UhBZK11GZOTjHuu41MGpOLVMyQUKy6CIZ4G2XAn3xzNeO8dsbHXheNl_MFfW14sWVV7dfK_HG-b5_Q1y0dPRrUbtD3KSdxQrrOvoZOgPrciZTa4hdCJNm1FgFc/s400/whatchuwant.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from my home in San Antonio Aguas Calientes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There is plenty I could write about but would prefer not to bore you guys so if you guys could email me or comment with topics that you want to learn more about that would be great. My home/work situation, food, dress, weather, people, where I go to the bathroom, how the corn is growin', how I cook my eggs in the morning? I tend to have disorganized thoughts so it would help... while reminding me to write.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok, let me just start this thing finally-</span><br />
Some days go by slow but the months seem to be flying by. Practicing to appreciate all the moments. So much stuff has happened and it keeps building so I am not even sure where to start. I think I'll just do this in sections to make it seem more put together.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">LAST DAYS IN MY TRAINING TOWN</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUkuD765PqIlRTh1L6uhNTVKmpP3i4qbzp0XodG6eLlunTgrYatk1RZ9jeo0kisTk0Tl7YWH5jE1BP7Q9rzsxpyJYhoTpv-DdUmTZXTOtUFo6Yzgg2JD3LnbX_zWwLeY_leFDU2yWe6M/s1600/Picture+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUkuD765PqIlRTh1L6uhNTVKmpP3i4qbzp0XodG6eLlunTgrYatk1RZ9jeo0kisTk0Tl7YWH5jE1BP7Q9rzsxpyJYhoTpv-DdUmTZXTOtUFo6Yzgg2JD3LnbX_zWwLeY_leFDU2yWe6M/s320/Picture+12.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Rob & Mike. The remaining people in my training town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">11 o' March</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">After I gave my <i>charla </i>(chat) on forest fires, Edgar (our counterpart at the municipality) approached me a couple weeks later to tell me <i>gracias</i> and that the fire crew had already been working out in the field. Coming back to town from the PC center last night, we jumped off the bus for some reason at a stop earlier than we normally do. Up on the mountain was a forest fire! We stood there watching the fire wax and wane under the starry sky. Wondering what the community was going to do… did they even notice? Then after about 15 minutes of standing there and watching police cars drive up, Edgar comes rushing up with men behind him carrying hoes and machetes ready to scramble up to the fire. They disappeared into the night with their t-shirts and the occasional paper mouth mask. So weird that we got off at a different stop and it was the exact same corner and time that Edgar was walking up. But I was glad that I got to see them in action. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">It can seem a bit boring or tedious preparing an emergency action plan. Getting ready for something that doesn’t really <i>seem</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> like it’s going to happen. But then when the scary/frantic moment comes, it is really easy to see the importance of preparedness. Whether it be taking preventative measures beforehand, being ready to take control of the situation during, or having the resources/knowledge ready to help afterwards.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I just got another text from our security officer about the tsunamis hitting the Pacific coast of Guatemala. I heard a little bit about the big earthquake in Japan but I am sure all you in gringolandia know more about it. My heart goes out to all my Nihon-jin and Gai-jin friends in Japan. I am sure that mom is worrying about all of our Soka Gakkai friends and our dear exchange students, Masayuki and Emi especially.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And stay tuned for 2012 here. It just so happens that Guatemala has a <i>really</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> big earthquake every 40 years. The last one was in 1976 and killed 23,000. Times a tickin’. Guatemala is sitting on top of three tectonic plates, which also results in lots of volcanoes. No matter what I am doing at home now, whenever I hear a big thunder noise my head turns towards the volcano to watch the display. My fear has slowly transformed into delight over the dramatic scenery.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh yes, and training…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">is going by so fast now. I cannot believe how much has happened in so few days. For a while I was stressed out by the busy schedule, assignments, interviews, feedbacks, our last charla, and site assignment. My host mom is always there and purposely tries to make me smile and laugh if I seem off.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two days ago my group finished our last charla. We presented to local teachers environmental education activities that fit into required competencies from the Ministry of Education. A lot of education here is lecture and copy. We showed them examples of creative and fun lessons that keep attention. We got them to laugh a lot and in the end one woman stood up and thanked us for helping them learn so much.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sn_9z8p1gAY12src_1u3mMROXwwEZLaDAlqA3pSEYuLkf9TWn0ZCOPaZwlFm63lLwCjLZgUz-x7Uci4Fewz5Ej6E0NzKFvHBRBm21edNsiaKt6ss37mzsalfHIOM8Nac3Gfw_MZNyNw/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sn_9z8p1gAY12src_1u3mMROXwwEZLaDAlqA3pSEYuLkf9TWn0ZCOPaZwlFm63lLwCjLZgUz-x7Uci4Fewz5Ej6E0NzKFvHBRBm21edNsiaKt6ss37mzsalfHIOM8Nac3Gfw_MZNyNw/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using bottles/grass/funnels to demonstrate water retention that trees provide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I got home that afternoon I plopped down at the kitchen table like I usually do. My mom said with a smile, “Now the only you homework you have is to eat at least 4 chocolate bananas”. We just got a freezer so she had made tons of frozen bananas and dipped them in chocolate. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pBOYbEBXVlRWjq9LmHuXycJ87ZMAxr6uLYCaZ0NJcaN5SoobHwl8KIa3Vmobb0jzKbchUq8BIy6en7cr65CiT66MnxV4ptDNjnq3dulHPf00LMvcSogikEhMy315aSpae3-9Xsoq43o/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pBOYbEBXVlRWjq9LmHuXycJ87ZMAxr6uLYCaZ0NJcaN5SoobHwl8KIa3Vmobb0jzKbchUq8BIy6en7cr65CiT66MnxV4ptDNjnq3dulHPf00LMvcSogikEhMy315aSpae3-9Xsoq43o/s320/Picture+2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My host mom's new husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEKdkNgV2PD98WVYPc-acvHxhb-n_UEwOEYwwgzRsUIJoxckVC35gYshXOUPqI9F9Z1n71KnpxQMxc5slRpMjZrY1K_at__C6dEjJmrjFkOa02wfo_7bkjjeJ1qlrx7COWHnP160Ou4o/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEKdkNgV2PD98WVYPc-acvHxhb-n_UEwOEYwwgzRsUIJoxckVC35gYshXOUPqI9F9Z1n71KnpxQMxc5slRpMjZrY1K_at__C6dEjJmrjFkOa02wfo_7bkjjeJ1qlrx7COWHnP160Ou4o/s320/Picture+4.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">¡Puro Hombres!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And yesterday we received our sites! The day we have all been freaking out about. Our sites determine our climate, food, culture, people, projects, and even language for the next two years of our life. We could not concentrate in class all morning. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83xXsXccfPnXK-_fAKYxJWOikLjqefu_VTTqkhPI3rHxOks4d6s0T4AqoGIPfJEN-lDEqaCU1WjtVYmfaueiajeBaCxtlWHiOikS-qvq4ecQu1ehnlwKY_U-AfxXMy2fu8OTPRsTtFEc/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83xXsXccfPnXK-_fAKYxJWOikLjqefu_VTTqkhPI3rHxOks4d6s0T4AqoGIPfJEN-lDEqaCU1WjtVYmfaueiajeBaCxtlWHiOikS-qvq4ecQu1ehnlwKY_U-AfxXMy2fu8OTPRsTtFEc/s320/Picture+5.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking notes turns into making Ben's hand fancy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally in the afternoon our APCD took us out to the basketball court. It had a big chalk map of Guatemala. He gave us a special speech and then blindfolded all of us. One by one he grabbed us by the shoulders and led us around the map, teasing each one of us with sites all over until he would say, “no my dear, I think this is the place for you, ----". Everyone was terrified with horror stories of people crying when they find out their sites. But it turned out great and he managed to give everybody a bit of what they wanted. I think my site sounds amazing and this Tuesday-Saturday I will be doing a site visit. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeq5uYJo8BuRsnUn_WQ0DmLUpB66USEdhh4p_ZOZ7Tw6uCBLcIihnLycGz9wRJrX_BTcy88A7j_Pqxy-TIMXWXcA-M32JTfWIAi_Aw45lesMr5t1UeYzhiKJVfyFj5TOUj3mCs56YZcA/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeq5uYJo8BuRsnUn_WQ0DmLUpB66USEdhh4p_ZOZ7Tw6uCBLcIihnLycGz9wRJrX_BTcy88A7j_Pqxy-TIMXWXcA-M32JTfWIAi_Aw45lesMr5t1UeYzhiKJVfyFj5TOUj3mCs56YZcA/s320/Picture+7.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit to Brandon Napoli!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> Above is the beautiful moment where we all crowded around the map afterwards, desperately searching for the spot where would live out the next two years.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They speak K’iche, in the chilly Western highlands, and a short bus ride from one of the coolest towns in Central America. </div><div class="MsoNormal">My projects include:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Arranging a cultural walking tour with a main attraction that a lot of tourists come to visit, local artists, the market, etc.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Designing or helping with interpretive trails.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Developing marketing materials like brochures, websites, posters.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Helping the Department of the Environment with business plans, management of natural resources, water conservation.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Teaching English.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Environmental education.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Trash management.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reforestation.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Helping local indigenous people open an ecological park.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>March 21, 2011<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We had a day where our future counterparts all came to the center and received Peace Corps training. I have one counterpart in the Office of the Environment at the municipality. And I have another counterpart from a different town in an association who wants help with the local forest health, trash management, and making their community green.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next day we all left with our counterparts to visit our towns! I got to get a glimpse into the life and work of a current volunteer because she was nice enough to let me stay for four nights. She gave me great advice and it was interesting to see how the healthy homes program works. I am the first ecotourism volunteer at my site so I will probably have a tough time at first.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>March 22, 2011<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today we had our first Mayan language classes. I was first for the oral Spanish exam so I had to come in late. Right away I started laughing because I thought everyone was making popping noises with their mouth as a joke. So many crazy sounds! And so much more exhausting than Spanish classes. Compared to K’iche lessons <i>in Spanish</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, normal Spanish classes are un pedazo de queque. I feel like after 8 hours of K’iche class you could become a professional beat boxer. Fun fact, K'iche is the most common Mayan language in Guatemala with almost a million speakers (7% of the population). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well anyways, here are my last random pictures from my training town:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSRBE_mOpQZRxeHgdp2SC42XyTcgV-fPhOEDi3cmp4z2d75BeMUJOwpctoE5dlOr4NJHJ3Dz1Xof5A9Mhx91oltwnNkVUkftjfgl7h6nlTylW_o1mZ20AWYPCm79VQaoYjuvEAvjGfBE/s1600/Picture+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSRBE_mOpQZRxeHgdp2SC42XyTcgV-fPhOEDi3cmp4z2d75BeMUJOwpctoE5dlOr4NJHJ3Dz1Xof5A9Mhx91oltwnNkVUkftjfgl7h6nlTylW_o1mZ20AWYPCm79VQaoYjuvEAvjGfBE/s400/Picture+10.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">babysitting for an event in my town (international women's day)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ae6m_y84jyjaPwrSGvbfRMKdQj_epgDDAVhT0mPwfonl5Lpig9zBaRBtXIjsYdaqCDxcoRTHXuRxhPTTNt967ZCUp0TV1Za00rEoQwHXyfM1t3PNbaqhYc4EgPW_C-7lT3cRRG30H7U/s1600/Picture+17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ae6m_y84jyjaPwrSGvbfRMKdQj_epgDDAVhT0mPwfonl5Lpig9zBaRBtXIjsYdaqCDxcoRTHXuRxhPTTNt967ZCUp0TV1Za00rEoQwHXyfM1t3PNbaqhYc4EgPW_C-7lT3cRRG30H7U/s400/Picture+17.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An intriguing offer in the grocery store: Free pen with your deodorant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh8gluMaWocWLgys5rMj4TYrwcIF5acdoBXvJZm4i0P4EwBQrM-B8js-56ZsNfekfrNV42aKgEXD_MqQv6aB9BN3geIQ45YV7byki4E6Kk5cKSmTaU6GVX5sxCbPd6LOP5Y_YPaGLWzE/s1600/Picture+18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh8gluMaWocWLgys5rMj4TYrwcIF5acdoBXvJZm4i0P4EwBQrM-B8js-56ZsNfekfrNV42aKgEXD_MqQv6aB9BN3geIQ45YV7byki4E6Kk5cKSmTaU6GVX5sxCbPd6LOP5Y_YPaGLWzE/s400/Picture+18.png" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert's host mom Barbara killing her rabbits for a soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SWEARING IN AS A VOLUNTEER</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now I can officially say I'm a Peace Corps volunteer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">My swearing in ceremony was particularly special and unique because it corresponded with the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps worldwide. It was held at the Ambassador's gorgeous house with probably about 400 people including all the current Guatemala volunteers. The key note speaker was Stacey Rhodes, the PC Chief of Staff in Washington DC. The Peace Corps has a long history in Guatemala, crazy that my close of service ceremony will correspond with the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps in Guatemala. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaIj296qN1x-RRHXNOT8rKbQikADSlNC9bxYRVvd8-d4hwZqziwXxeyMiOGpmSKEVZZ653h3LCrUqcnYCfnnsh7vYBkYbzcFvmNg4yINPL9OL33kq9ex3Cuauneym5cW1yo8UhmoN1zU/s1600/Picture+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaIj296qN1x-RRHXNOT8rKbQikADSlNC9bxYRVvd8-d4hwZqziwXxeyMiOGpmSKEVZZ653h3LCrUqcnYCfnnsh7vYBkYbzcFvmNg4yINPL9OL33kq9ex3Cuauneym5cW1yo8UhmoN1zU/s400/Picture+13.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We also scored a spot on the front cover of the main newspaper here in Guatemala, the Prensa Libre. Here is an online article: </div>http://www.prensalibre.com/noticias/Cuerpo-Paz-celebra-anos_0_451154918.html<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">For those of you who do not read Spanish here is the translation of the beginning:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Before more than a hundred young Americans, the U.S. ambassador Stephen McFarland, greeted in Quiche and swore in 50 volunteers who start community service in villages and hamlets in the highlands<br />
of the country, with health, education, agriculture and sustainable tourism.<br />
The Peace Corps is seen as one of the most prestigious institutions of the U.S. Government. It was founded by President John F.Kennedy in 1961 and has operated in Guatemala since 1963.<br />
<br />
The agency is independent, nonpartisan and dedicated to helping developing countries, with the support of citizens who volunteer for two years."</div><div class="MsoNormal">The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">last part talks about how volunteers are sent to the most remote and needy parts of Guatemala, we receive Guatemalan wages, transport by bus, and some even walk 6 kilometers to where they work.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div>After we took our Oath of Service to protect the constitution of the US, the same one that is used for the military, etc. My host mom and dad came up to me to say goodbye with tears in their eyes. Very unexpected and touching. I miss them a lot. On a happier note, here are some fun pics from the<i> injuriamiento</i>:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span></span></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF2v5rVOC1-v_J2pDmBAryGQE4F7TurolMy0P0AS0IbNzNnu41ING1CZ3Lfpg-xdy_0qcsDJW6yuTzpYrCMYeofCgh4kD1fYBHoIwau8zfD3gRcUGP3zp3gEnblO147-71He2ydGmWGs/s1600/Picture+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmF2v5rVOC1-v_J2pDmBAryGQE4F7TurolMy0P0AS0IbNzNnu41ING1CZ3Lfpg-xdy_0qcsDJW6yuTzpYrCMYeofCgh4kD1fYBHoIwau8zfD3gRcUGP3zp3gEnblO147-71He2ydGmWGs/s320/Picture+11.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Antonio crew at swearing in. Me and Mike look like Robert's children. He is HUGE.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k7PLHNOnm41fx4zR_n9l_1xbtdphjqtLdqvKZ5OIO2dLGblOjLRmmUK5Xlv06tKjIoc9bo9Q0wN7dFKGExRBvYiNWo6SbVbGaEXcRlrvKE9Z6gNROlMilXEeGvp0lzysPnmyU3SAbso/s1600/Picture+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k7PLHNOnm41fx4zR_n9l_1xbtdphjqtLdqvKZ5OIO2dLGblOjLRmmUK5Xlv06tKjIoc9bo9Q0wN7dFKGExRBvYiNWo6SbVbGaEXcRlrvKE9Z6gNROlMilXEeGvp0lzysPnmyU3SAbso/s320/Picture+14.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful traje tipico. I didn't know at the time, but the volunteer on the left lives in a hamlet of my town!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-_7FUILMugT1tHk4C3VJpwwkapWMDV6bwL7sH-sQpj33QvWTtflxEeJFKcUfHB88Ri9Q1uJpXZ0c8g4RvS1jo6QQavyiuU0jvQy10uxyoNft0MIUOGo57nhLL41FrhqHtFwhyuT0YnU/s1600/Picture+15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-_7FUILMugT1tHk4C3VJpwwkapWMDV6bwL7sH-sQpj33QvWTtflxEeJFKcUfHB88Ri9Q1uJpXZ0c8g4RvS1jo6QQavyiuU0jvQy10uxyoNft0MIUOGo57nhLL41FrhqHtFwhyuT0YnU/s320/Picture+15.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creepy tree guy that stood like this for an hour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIIGY4Ij8Ew8aFPh0D3Ji8XN-d-YrlBR7etPMn9hL747mBWBg0GNsLBsO-omxA_l72EQrUKte6I2cNrgKok-w9Uk0RhVfmoKBSYHOTKNrpNEi912f8kyEW52sQCzhavd_LOK-1HvZFDc/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIIGY4Ij8Ew8aFPh0D3Ji8XN-d-YrlBR7etPMn9hL747mBWBg0GNsLBsO-omxA_l72EQrUKte6I2cNrgKok-w9Uk0RhVfmoKBSYHOTKNrpNEi912f8kyEW52sQCzhavd_LOK-1HvZFDc/s400/Picture+8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, Ben lookin' fancy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqSNVXk24n4orWT8yZ50UmGXMKU2mRaBKLkUgtf-P4iyPTF95m8ZcPSLbUF9Q3bpWkfNc5CtxFiKAvsA0MNhpPu5K9_eQ6P-lJnAjtYVW1PhaivGF4T9DqJ2gHoAaw1MFqY75_cqUHh4/s1600/Picture+22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqSNVXk24n4orWT8yZ50UmGXMKU2mRaBKLkUgtf-P4iyPTF95m8ZcPSLbUF9Q3bpWkfNc5CtxFiKAvsA0MNhpPu5K9_eQ6P-lJnAjtYVW1PhaivGF4T9DqJ2gHoAaw1MFqY75_cqUHh4/s320/Picture+22.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my lovely eco amigos</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUv6ejX0sst2ZpBmOCnmJAmiZ-HdjYPxOAPEEFeHwR3SIa1kPxKrRfrdr0m1WF1oTonMPu2epEc_YkSkawNxwJZKxuHqpAcsgqQBWfwYURZc9nWIU6ebIWoZ_Ty7kDLq_77vfejB_bJo/s1600/Picture+23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUv6ejX0sst2ZpBmOCnmJAmiZ-HdjYPxOAPEEFeHwR3SIa1kPxKrRfrdr0m1WF1oTonMPu2epEc_YkSkawNxwJZKxuHqpAcsgqQBWfwYURZc9nWIU6ebIWoZ_Ty7kDLq_77vfejB_bJo/s320/Picture+23.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosie, Kim, Ben, Rob. Now PCVs, yes!</td></tr>
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<div>Ok I think I'll stop here, this is getting really long and I haven't even started on what my site has been like this past month. Another update soon to come!<br />
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<div><br />
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</div></div></div></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-76527612153341759832011-02-26T11:07:00.000-08:002011-03-10T10:33:55.133-08:00Group Adventures In Field Based Training<smallfrac m:val="off"><dispdef><lmargin m:val="0"><rmargin m:val="0"><defjc m:val="centerGroup"><span lang="EN-US">For a week long field trip, throw a group of people together in a microbus…</span> </defjc></rmargin></lmargin></dispdef></smallfrac><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> Although they are given a schedule beforehand they never know what is next.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In the many places they visit, they will usually not know where they are.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">During lectures, when they are accessible, they <i>will</i> play with sticks (draw in the dirt, debark, build mini houses/Mayan sacrifices, throw them at each other).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Nicknames will begin forming within the group.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> They will become close, fast.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> They will laugh and learn much more than they could in a classroom.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> Intense group separation anxiety will settle in shortly afterwards.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have been on almost ten long fieldtrips and those have been the common trends. Can I get an amen?</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Tt1dpHt_1VzQuqeITAsIQw_clTGPIi_rM0R6HsHzxnngl_LcJdtKLYt53XvJwJy8lklvOsWbWcCxT3j516JED1h4Ej75vvGkxTn3UNZFVui3Q3y_UGWkpVHuCuF-EcDE2GPblpywiLA/s1600/campingroup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Tt1dpHt_1VzQuqeITAsIQw_clTGPIi_rM0R6HsHzxnngl_LcJdtKLYt53XvJwJy8lklvOsWbWcCxT3j516JED1h4Ej75vvGkxTn3UNZFVui3Q3y_UGWkpVHuCuF-EcDE2GPblpywiLA/s400/campingroup.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(front to back) Christine, Lily, Edrick, Ana & Kim, Ben, Rob</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The last night of the trip I had a migraine so I didn’t get any sleep and skipped breakfast in the morning. I started to hear a sawing noise outside and then a big boom that shook the whole cabin. Right after Mimi came in smiling and chatting. She then proceeded to calmly tell me she was going to throw up now. I just plugged my ears while she was in the bathroom. As she was throwing up, Rosemary and some others girls entered the cabin talking about their diarrhea and I just said out loud, “OK, now I feel like we’re in the Peace Corps!” and we all started laughing. Even when some of us had diarrhea, were down with a fever, were throwing up, or had migraines—it didn’t seem to rain on our parade. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Field based training was a great overview of different possible sectors of tourism we could be working with at our site. We traveled around quite a bit and got to hear stories and advice from current volunteers to go along with the experience.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Day 1- Cultural Walking Tour in Totonicapan </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We went on a walking tour throughout Totonicapan entering the homes of local artists while experiencing first hand the craft creation process. We got to visit weavers, box makers... and a </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Pottery workshop! He told us about his family’s long history with clay, where he gets his clay from, how he prepares it, how he molds it, and then let a few of us play “Ghost” with him. He has spun the wooden circle below with his foot about 8 hours per day for the past 50 years so it has a nice groove.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Gb0uSAK3tVm-airbbOtR5Nu-M53uKU9FM8oE4RCRwhYiJmBnhIi5fWCIYtEmgukl2DAhORDa32F0JL6luRM5S8dsB0i3pZto5YlvLaZGRpswT4LgI4zXDgE4xTDQa7zdesoceftE4a4/s1600/clay.dude.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Gb0uSAK3tVm-airbbOtR5Nu-M53uKU9FM8oE4RCRwhYiJmBnhIi5fWCIYtEmgukl2DAhORDa32F0JL6luRM5S8dsB0i3pZto5YlvLaZGRpswT4LgI4zXDgE4xTDQa7zdesoceftE4a4/s400/clay.dude.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As we finished the tour, we strolled down the road and watched a beautiful show of sunset colors and lightening storms.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcwb4O4oMABXJejMJd5wfTh56abYodzVAMQbEQh2ZhWV-w0QzFPWXLE7fgT5YXoKp5SNPfJfsYnxHEzOFqgj_WdD_56-hdyClfV38YIueRMlfCPzEte0Zu8_-QIePhKcvTE1LiDgFquY/s1600/totosunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcwb4O4oMABXJejMJd5wfTh56abYodzVAMQbEQh2ZhWV-w0QzFPWXLE7fgT5YXoKp5SNPfJfsYnxHEzOFqgj_WdD_56-hdyClfV38YIueRMlfCPzEte0Zu8_-QIePhKcvTE1LiDgFquY/s400/totosunset.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totonicapan</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">That night we ate at a small comedor. All of the artists joined us for the meal and spoke afterwards. Everything they had to say was very kind and touching. The funny, quiet box maker had my favorite quote:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“We all have the same blood, just not the same height.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Day 2- Environmental Education in El Aprisco forest, Totonicapan</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Off with a bang! First thing in the morning we begin to prepare our lesson plans. What better way to start off a day of environmental education than to actually give a lesson? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">They paired us off in twos and divided us up along the trail that wound through the El Aprisco forest. Each of us had a station where we would talk about a specific topic and had an activity for each group of children that came through.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We waited nervously, shivering (Toto is almost 3,000 meters above sea level) in the dark pine forest, for the first group to come while we paced back and forth mumbling phrases in Spanish to ourselves.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ours was “El Ecosistema”. We split each group up into “the plants”, “the deer”, “the wolves”, and “vultures & beetles”. We asked each group what they eat and then asked them to put their hands and weight on the shoulders of those they depend on. Then we would pull one away and ask “Now what happens when you pull a part out? Everyone falls! You can’t just take out the parts you don’t like, even the spiders and rats have their place”. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7X21_SjCUdsC2wGFOJxU5CYtE7haUqF1sLyhUbpWWjr_5EDYoFfjK1rGUZ326SNlDRPxDeRn0IgUpZEY-RkEbtM7d2Bhq6suv0SwIzluGpMDUiZHXG4x-ZeZlZo5CMo1h0bM1O-v-VE/s1600/ninosecosistema.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7X21_SjCUdsC2wGFOJxU5CYtE7haUqF1sLyhUbpWWjr_5EDYoFfjK1rGUZ326SNlDRPxDeRn0IgUpZEY-RkEbtM7d2Bhq6suv0SwIzluGpMDUiZHXG4x-ZeZlZo5CMo1h0bM1O-v-VE/s400/ninosecosistema.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It went better than I expected. The kids were very smiley and receptive so they must have understood us. I asked one group of kids if I could get a picture with them and they got so excited, rushed over, and clung on.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TACIzvZjpon4Sjs40geV-kl-xRY0UUNebDAu-dl7uYqfj86ypQNIoSaTPa_MPPVXrIM9u4yVSbkjUx2R4OQ09rBBiXvqiyuCzsfjdi0pZt130SUAWEsHKz0nUhIYY1zBFPd0iAI-0xc/s1600/enviroed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TACIzvZjpon4Sjs40geV-kl-xRY0UUNebDAu-dl7uYqfj86ypQNIoSaTPa_MPPVXrIM9u4yVSbkjUx2R4OQ09rBBiXvqiyuCzsfjdi0pZt130SUAWEsHKz0nUhIYY1zBFPd0iAI-0xc/s400/enviroed.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It just so happened that it was “Dia de Carino”. It is their equivalent of Valentine’s Day, except they also celebrate affection between family and friends. Lily and Joey at the last station helped children make cards for baby trees that they would take home and plant. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpuBi8QPQPFpLJwtS7daOr1QZYvQXInZf8LjdcjTFXpZ5rRgLp75rnntpiTmKhMuQYO1LncEWkLBFaENSH_-hj-F3zKlZAu0-_P7pqdgYw_u2i5MabuPs3CQZslux6KrjzpHPZm9-vCk/s1600/joesterlily%25EF%2580%25A33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpuBi8QPQPFpLJwtS7daOr1QZYvQXInZf8LjdcjTFXpZ5rRgLp75rnntpiTmKhMuQYO1LncEWkLBFaENSH_-hj-F3zKlZAu0-_P7pqdgYw_u2i5MabuPs3CQZslux6KrjzpHPZm9-vCk/s400/joesterlily%25EF%2580%25A33.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Una familia llena de amor hace la vida mejor</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The rest of the day was filled with interesting presentations on education topics from current volunteers and our program director.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Day 3- Trail Building in ???</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We packed our bags early to leaving the freezing pine forest. We headed towards a volunteer site on the coast that had coffee and macadamia tourism. A strike and blockade prevented us from reaching our destination. Supposedly it was supposed to end at 2 pm so we decided head back to freezing Totonicapan for the trail building and come back to stay the night there later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN-US">This is Oliver, one of the many current volunteers kicked out of the Verapazes for the stage of siege that is going on up north. Luckily for us it means that they are free to help in training. He is almost done with service and has seriously been roughin’ it for the past two years. His site has no Spanish (Q’eqchi’), no electricity, no running water, and he literally had to build his residence. He got a brief mention of his site (Adetes) in the newest LonelyPlanet on page 221, check it out grandpa! He accompanied us for FBT and for trail building showed us how to build this to measure slope grades.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI-ksqb27svV57d7Ewdh_ukLlGlugdLbYsvBMQibt8uLE1MHiwOu2USE6SA88hwQe1fy7P6zNIynIIuXjy3aRtcnw_FwY9DoroPpH01txYujzi8YDdC-JQ-VzFtSF7xT1V21bM0sHKFM/s1600/oliver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI-ksqb27svV57d7Ewdh_ukLlGlugdLbYsvBMQibt8uLE1MHiwOu2USE6SA88hwQe1fy7P6zNIynIIuXjy3aRtcnw_FwY9DoroPpH01txYujzi8YDdC-JQ-VzFtSF7xT1V21bM0sHKFM/s320/oliver.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have 2 Oliver anecdotes to share. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">1) His first night at site the hammock he was sleeping in was tearing into his skin. Because the floor is dirt he moved to sleep on top of the table. He then started to feel something biting him all over and started screaming. His host family that was sleeping in the same room (the house is the room) came over and started getting bit too. Turns out it was a troupe of ants that were marching through. This whole scene is much funnier when you picture Oliver not understanding anything. Now he is fluent in Q’eqchi’ though.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">2) He would go on runs around 5 in the morning. One morning a little kid saw this strange gringo running around in the mist and was frightened because he thought he saw a ghost. Oliver had no idea he had scared him. Later on Oliver’s host parents explained that they needed his hair to make a soup that the little boy would eat to cure his fear. He gave them his hair.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Also apparently the more indigenous the area, the more they like Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, and Rocky.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We tried driving back to the warm coast but yet again were stopped by the blockade. Blockades are really common here. I remember on my last trip always having to wait at them. Our directors called around to see if it would be safe to walk across. After about an hour of waiting and rumors of tear gas we decided not to. Because it was getting dark soon, sadly we had to stay at a really nice hotel right across from where we were parked. The air conditioning, the pool, the restaurant, the big beds, the <b>hot showers</b>, oh the horror!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSBl5ZHVxR_e8gKMnpD0AvvRMtjN8DLzXq2ZTWCvJKcSyA-64MOTNCAh1faJwdDPt3e9EmGvXRg3Z0nBdB-5JG675Qgau9rYclS_nuQ1lDNCsJE3KSk_ZYvlQ9zDTaEWTKDTCRQB7qI/s1600/group.poollilyontop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSBl5ZHVxR_e8gKMnpD0AvvRMtjN8DLzXq2ZTWCvJKcSyA-64MOTNCAh1faJwdDPt3e9EmGvXRg3Z0nBdB-5JG675Qgau9rYclS_nuQ1lDNCsJE3KSk_ZYvlQ9zDTaEWTKDTCRQB7qI/s640/group.poollilyontop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Here is a photo of the security guard on grounds showing us to our room. I think it is so funny that even if they are guarding a case of pop they will carry something like this around.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1lD9D-lnZSJ4XQ6k67ObwGNtXojj1WVJSni4QvPNcCRZ2KHbbJIfdy4nWtfgt9rjZ5No8w9kRegS10E9gsTMutKSdSq9W1SIK28p0tCrkTnSoPjfyVh_up095Fua2ba4BJ_T9yvlQ-w/s1600/rifledude.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1lD9D-lnZSJ4XQ6k67ObwGNtXojj1WVJSni4QvPNcCRZ2KHbbJIfdy4nWtfgt9rjZ5No8w9kRegS10E9gsTMutKSdSq9W1SIK28p0tCrkTnSoPjfyVh_up095Fua2ba4BJ_T9yvlQ-w/s400/rifledude.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmJnnQML_fBATdKpG-vj1X6Vl0Q7w-q8DWPkUDugGighmrq7RqrAq6mIF7rnJcu-e4DK5_E8Z3Jnd_-_7-wliby5JSIUbjgPdfl9PBKXk_cOfdNUpsycXmpWgq2m5znFMZXE1y6-Vsa0/s1600/4girlshotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmJnnQML_fBATdKpG-vj1X6Vl0Q7w-q8DWPkUDugGighmrq7RqrAq6mIF7rnJcu-e4DK5_E8Z3Jnd_-_7-wliby5JSIUbjgPdfl9PBKXk_cOfdNUpsycXmpWgq2m5znFMZXE1y6-Vsa0/s400/4girlshotel.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi (left), Grace (front), Christine (back), Kim</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Corazon Del Bosque</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For the remainder of the trip we stayed at a small park “Corazon Del Bosque” where a current volunteer is stationed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPoEnR61GW1K22M4ouqdUiMr9dB_488Pi6kjFO6phesImuov5__UaE6vPQpYMuPPoG5zxkJPNwh4pdSt2H2hHM67bIVigfs8FLsLyVlYsHW0ysAOmWNSpy_e6TcAWxK3LeXTZfOK50e0/s1600/corazonsign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPoEnR61GW1K22M4ouqdUiMr9dB_488Pi6kjFO6phesImuov5__UaE6vPQpYMuPPoG5zxkJPNwh4pdSt2H2hHM67bIVigfs8FLsLyVlYsHW0ysAOmWNSpy_e6TcAWxK3LeXTZfOK50e0/s320/corazonsign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi4Pfl1xigMVFwl7rLlpjQNENabbzQqyk3JLnwYgZZzx2TZYJMN1CuWcnFimFBsM71oFJ_LSMjc70DFOkbPCTHCbpveBZmavNSAMKQPfXQevbI0pFwQUjtr72iql8t5PC-SoE0PpNy9A/s1600/fire%2526moon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi4Pfl1xigMVFwl7rLlpjQNENabbzQqyk3JLnwYgZZzx2TZYJMN1CuWcnFimFBsM71oFJ_LSMjc70DFOkbPCTHCbpveBZmavNSAMKQPfXQevbI0pFwQUjtr72iql8t5PC-SoE0PpNy9A/s400/fire%2526moon.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bonfire and moon (upper right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
At the bonfire we made smores, had a guitar, sang tons of songs, and laughed about movies that make us cry.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For all the documentary buffs, we got to see “south of the border”, “crude”, and “exit through the gift shop” on various nights. The few days here were amazing and we learned a lot about writing business plans, marketing, how to mudplant during an ultimate tournament, the state of tourism in Guatemala, birding, agrotourism, preparing for emergencies, tourism alliances, and making things out of recycled materials. Like earrings, bags, even schools, and playgrounds like this one below:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lsJ-UHtikDGmCyZxzefKdaTwyUiGbUHwKoURQjkHpYQdvIiP6CECsIAt5KkF56F9x2JOL7YxYhUpH3hYsh_cKpRF46fYWsS-ABDfkTxeVw8pvrB2nAAdE3bYZ9ByRz6oDkFRcrshtmg/s1600/recycldplgrnd%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lsJ-UHtikDGmCyZxzefKdaTwyUiGbUHwKoURQjkHpYQdvIiP6CECsIAt5KkF56F9x2JOL7YxYhUpH3hYsh_cKpRF46fYWsS-ABDfkTxeVw8pvrB2nAAdE3bYZ9ByRz6oDkFRcrshtmg/s640/recycldplgrnd%2521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">On our dawn birding trip I saw a Quetzalillo! The brown backed solitaire had the coolest bird call too. Almost as cool as the black faced solitaire I heard in Costa Rica. What is it with solitaires?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Last Day At Chuiraxamolo</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Chuiraxamolo is another current site where one of us will be lucky to serve. Complete with a zipline, beautiful forest, and this view of Lake Atittlan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAoLINxobC8GRWXzOgTFk0K4KV4c4FgwczgvEAaw4ODON2xkGzjHmBLQPZgudVaZI_612TxLLGGGW19WCa7UFh_E9nVNeudOLchPV-e8DgTlgYniawPkL6SoV2jpH8-hy2tS0r7xiNVc/s1600/balconyviewlake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAoLINxobC8GRWXzOgTFk0K4KV4c4FgwczgvEAaw4ODON2xkGzjHmBLQPZgudVaZI_612TxLLGGGW19WCa7UFh_E9nVNeudOLchPV-e8DgTlgYniawPkL6SoV2jpH8-hy2tS0r7xiNVc/s640/balconyviewlake.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Some people call it the most beautiful lake in the world. It is a collapsed caldera surrounded by volcanoes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Our technical trainer, the one and only Chris Mayer helped put in place an awesome interpretive trail at this site. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqrbVsqfuAiAwskgWC5jdKg7s58Sh0WM-HwPvElNA20A4JptRR_hSsVDm9ZKB0QJxXPGwiqhAeuyPfN0B597GP1DQDwFhKNlWiLvtbHK6cOp2XomwDlcsu2Js9R_fbiEcaqo9nT0UOa8/s1600/semilladecreacion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqrbVsqfuAiAwskgWC5jdKg7s58Sh0WM-HwPvElNA20A4JptRR_hSsVDm9ZKB0QJxXPGwiqhAeuyPfN0B597GP1DQDwFhKNlWiLvtbHK6cOp2XomwDlcsu2Js9R_fbiEcaqo9nT0UOa8/s640/semilladecreacion.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KqcVukBgJ7VvN9LosGDW_aaXuFajMEs5PoOuligfucp6x-ReYG8OTLjWTbkLPVVD4QLeKEI2MXCblWEIjlQshzmWvwQD4hSS7XmV8OFXsfmIzxMLt8y9tJXWwnFPBqfLt_j893lMgiY/s1600/soldierstepping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KqcVukBgJ7VvN9LosGDW_aaXuFajMEs5PoOuligfucp6x-ReYG8OTLjWTbkLPVVD4QLeKEI2MXCblWEIjlQshzmWvwQD4hSS7XmV8OFXsfmIzxMLt8y9tJXWwnFPBqfLt_j893lMgiY/s640/soldierstepping.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">He taught us the process of putting in an interpretive trail at our site and taught us first hand about maintenance and sign building:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d42qL49PpOZWtvt2q31TRQsvHlLNaHBnQ3-RopEr1OAbl08WAOeEqJ4tvAmyo1ziGsH3h9zR509VHZ5RS-hPme5U7SbyUAD6MxdfdwMJ1tcnMdsvtAs6CQBD4tTc2SoCWLQCb6UC-qA/s1600/christinekimsigns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d42qL49PpOZWtvt2q31TRQsvHlLNaHBnQ3-RopEr1OAbl08WAOeEqJ4tvAmyo1ziGsH3h9zR509VHZ5RS-hPme5U7SbyUAD6MxdfdwMJ1tcnMdsvtAs6CQBD4tTc2SoCWLQCb6UC-qA/s320/christinekimsigns.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Chris Mayer (he’s like Chuck Norris, you <i>have</i> to include his last name) lives on the lake and kindly took us into his home for the afternoons lessons. Then came a Peace Corps Response volunteer doing trash management at the lake. The communities around the lake drain RAW SEWAGE directly into the lake. On the edge of the lake you can see water pumps (water treatment is very minimal here) right next to the sewage drains. It is recommended by the medical office to even wash yourself in purified water here.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-oOnK4o2sjjRC6Sih4rFao4VnNATLz9TlTOroeAXiRvOZf8GgK3ZpSnQFPw4nzE3hfJDDTtaa7TcBPpWsJr-cttebocng5X82tChVg5rYZRpVg4JVxqkmviVG_5P0LarX9zIepSx7Dw/s1600/group.attit.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-oOnK4o2sjjRC6Sih4rFao4VnNATLz9TlTOroeAXiRvOZf8GgK3ZpSnQFPw4nzE3hfJDDTtaa7TcBPpWsJr-cttebocng5X82tChVg5rYZRpVg4JVxqkmviVG_5P0LarX9zIepSx7Dw/s640/group.attit.2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole ecotourism gang. Ok minus one person...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">** The Ecotourism Group of 2011 strongly endorses the following statements**</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Chris Mayer’s does not get amoebas from drinking water. Amoebas get amoebas from Chris Mayer drinking water.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Chris Mayer doesn’t speak Spanish. He <i>lives</i> Spanish.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Chris Mayer’s watch doesn’t tell time, Chris Mayer tells his watch what time it is.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Before Chris Mayer arrived, Guatemala was flat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5HsAXtFiN5FM9LDMV-UolnFyjLv59WC5CJuI34xw948g0APJDCA6LFwJIfMmvjZPO-BZhKLCIoL9Ouqj9i3KUO8H0wI-eJ_ul2VWBI8kC2MB4B7ig8BZr8G4MqQ2BDzIhTh25uWhVzc/s1600/chrismayer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5HsAXtFiN5FM9LDMV-UolnFyjLv59WC5CJuI34xw948g0APJDCA6LFwJIfMmvjZPO-BZhKLCIoL9Ouqj9i3KUO8H0wI-eJ_ul2VWBI8kC2MB4B7ig8BZr8G4MqQ2BDzIhTh25uWhVzc/s400/chrismayer.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the great FBT Chris Mayer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
</div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-58963118559283179672011-02-12T11:37:00.000-08:002011-02-12T11:37:31.276-08:00Coffee & Culture<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">February 4<sup>th</sup></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Today for Spanish class we took a bus to <place w:st="on">Antigua</place> and visited a museum of coffee and Mayan culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guides took us through the history and the whole process of making coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Countries that produce the largest amount coffee in order from most to least are: <country-region w:st="on">Brazil</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Colombia</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Vietnam</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Indonesia</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Mexico</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">India</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Guatemala</country-region> (<country-region w:st="on">Costa Rica</country-region> was #11 for all my <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Costa Rica</place></country-region> peeps out there).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the top three countries in coffee quality in order are <country-region w:st="on">Ethiopia</country-region>, <country-region w:st="on">Kenya</country-region>, and third place is <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a picture of the coffee “cherries”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes <metricconverter productid="6.5 pounds" w:st="on">6.5 pounds</metricconverter> of these to make <metricconverter productid="1 pound" w:st="on">1 pound</metricconverter> of roasted coffee (40 cups).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWkblncaij8hJzF-eTX7iGbBULAldsdYxO-1PlIUS60Aq2y019lZwF0l5l7cf9bZ2AM1of3iSVAfv1lOvk1RFn7sjYklyvBBHzLkRX0TAAZW1eFNTGPcrs-xOZFLskzIttgVVsSDdqR8/s1600/coffee.cherries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWkblncaij8hJzF-eTX7iGbBULAldsdYxO-1PlIUS60Aq2y019lZwF0l5l7cf9bZ2AM1of3iSVAfv1lOvk1RFn7sjYklyvBBHzLkRX0TAAZW1eFNTGPcrs-xOZFLskzIttgVVsSDdqR8/s400/coffee.cherries.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Here is where they sundried their coffee:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4w0mAqHNwyn69UUhiL5mnSsltZHhyScIpM5ZVp5A0k_7Zj6t_SkVP5-KOM7zrcoS8cEE9XMn7MXKnEapL9YPykCkT8xVoNdarLIgiXziUOj1Aj2BzTK5HmNsM2ByfW9T3vh9p1_tHcw/s1600/sundried.cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4w0mAqHNwyn69UUhiL5mnSsltZHhyScIpM5ZVp5A0k_7Zj6t_SkVP5-KOM7zrcoS8cEE9XMn7MXKnEapL9YPykCkT8xVoNdarLIgiXziUOj1Aj2BzTK5HmNsM2ByfW9T3vh9p1_tHcw/s640/sundried.cafe.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">At the end we got a delicious cup of coffee and proceeded to the Maya museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guide showed us tons of crazy instruments like these below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are called Tuns or Tunkils and are made from hormigo wood (platymiscium dimophandrum).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are hollow inside and have an H shape cut into on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hit them with wooden sticks that have rubber on the ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j_V4e1YcQJmGNA1lzx8PRVISOwqQihmaFSg32yl-wO6yzMMPDOdRG49zfseaOWBCyEGJdgrV2lgobXxqfVFVogEFvS4PK5lTdMRrMbwj0zy9C604Fy_o3pDbageAJYm9R_1yEjaJGuw/s1600/tunkil+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j_V4e1YcQJmGNA1lzx8PRVISOwqQihmaFSg32yl-wO6yzMMPDOdRG49zfseaOWBCyEGJdgrV2lgobXxqfVFVogEFvS4PK5lTdMRrMbwj0zy9C604Fy_o3pDbageAJYm9R_1yEjaJGuw/s400/tunkil+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We also got to see a Maximón</span><span lang="EN-US"> (pronounced Ma-shee-mone) alter. From what I understand, Maximón is a mix of Catholicism and the Pre-Colombian Mayan God Mam. He is represented by different effigys and stays in his house all year and comes out for holy week. Worshippers stop by and offer spirits and cigars:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnTy8_e-gp0og6Kgxz6U0UVbBsMhbzWqSqt6_mFMTxYrmaax42EddEcHsqLED3GYZyjY9qCUG_PWIAq0Lh0_FarYTl7TWhL1YjGoy4JxJnHjqALDJYJuCBMcNwtzhbGTqZuzZ1dPa8M0/s1600/maximon+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnTy8_e-gp0og6Kgxz6U0UVbBsMhbzWqSqt6_mFMTxYrmaax42EddEcHsqLED3GYZyjY9qCUG_PWIAq0Lh0_FarYTl7TWhL1YjGoy4JxJnHjqALDJYJuCBMcNwtzhbGTqZuzZ1dPa8M0/s400/maximon+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">And then the tour ended with a “no words” video of various dances, festivals, and ceremonies all around <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very trippy. One with giant colorful kites (maybe <metricconverter productid="12 feet" w:st="on">12 feet</metricconverter> across), one with giant dancing birds, one where they swing around a giant pole on ropes, of course many with fireworks, and a ceremony where they were pouring alcohol into the mouth of a wooden Maxim</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ó</span><span lang="EN-US">n (after they stuck a burning cigar in his mouth). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">5 de Febrero</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">This morning the whole group gathered at the training center to partake in a traditional Mayan ceremony. First, we helped to get the offerings ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I helped unwrap dried corn husks that had incense chips inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The incense was made from pine sap and a mixture of other plants, here is what they looked like: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvHQ1YckQRWZ2JXZlVO8P__Es76yzlDbDE6F-mPulaPMRE2Bs3_f57vHfu9u7xr7Ybav6n1Ug3chMgAZY71dQxqq66cpb9rmwzAdFrHB_0_ich0PN9WHoVB4jU6cHEOGYAGJ0__CT6Ss/s1600/incense.chips+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvHQ1YckQRWZ2JXZlVO8P__Es76yzlDbDE6F-mPulaPMRE2Bs3_f57vHfu9u7xr7Ybav6n1Ug3chMgAZY71dQxqq66cpb9rmwzAdFrHB_0_ich0PN9WHoVB4jU6cHEOGYAGJ0__CT6Ss/s400/incense.chips+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Then the priestess began building the base of the offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The middle square is sugar, most of the circular disks are made from ground chocolate nibs, the liquid on top is honey, and piled all around the sugar are dried barks from various plants.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz5S1rg5Tr5Dy-exwrue1iCAIOHyJRw2LOPpcUujfhzZRj941cUD8j-J3FUynmuO4XqBbGhpigyYlRxubolpxNAumBs-eHIdlEHZsvYqY1UkdQdeHujJHbWirQ6efjDxNq-KlWWl6HU8/s1600/circle.raw+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz5S1rg5Tr5Dy-exwrue1iCAIOHyJRw2LOPpcUujfhzZRj941cUD8j-J3FUynmuO4XqBbGhpigyYlRxubolpxNAumBs-eHIdlEHZsvYqY1UkdQdeHujJHbWirQ6efjDxNq-KlWWl6HU8/s400/circle.raw+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Then she began to add candles of different colors, whole chocolate seeds, flower petals, etc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFar4KxR2vlVpbT_K7aytBAhYHRkCRkACx_8dQoggAb6LSTG2q1BpQb-0kPAk8I2pDdm-QgreDyYmaTiWtQsVDd25bTFAQPULbFPViysG_B_ELk1UFLxybWNy0qlhhMLV64zQ_cDjyyg/s1600/circle.flowers+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFar4KxR2vlVpbT_K7aytBAhYHRkCRkACx_8dQoggAb6LSTG2q1BpQb-0kPAk8I2pDdm-QgreDyYmaTiWtQsVDd25bTFAQPULbFPViysG_B_ELk1UFLxybWNy0qlhhMLV64zQ_cDjyyg/s400/circle.flowers+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">She explained each section and color with detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll try to recount what I remember, which is not easy because there was a lot of information that she gave us and the ceremony was at least three hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The red represented the East, our blood, the energy from the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The yellow was nourishment, yellow corn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The section with pink flowers and the black candle was the night, shade, black corn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The white was white corn, the air that keeps us alive and cleans away bad things like illnesses.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniRZJHppCoAx7IYqwVo4WBAirKAxoTEceXdce9NXL47TEwITlbfSF6m45BQ7jcjTGtcQ2CXRA2JRpIxS4uad067qHBLRlOwpjHVxGuAy9-xb7R2mbDrZpSAMVbicoc7icpLSh_Iieb8E/s1600/fire.woman.praying+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniRZJHppCoAx7IYqwVo4WBAirKAxoTEceXdce9NXL47TEwITlbfSF6m45BQ7jcjTGtcQ2CXRA2JRpIxS4uad067qHBLRlOwpjHVxGuAy9-xb7R2mbDrZpSAMVbicoc7icpLSh_Iieb8E/s400/fire.woman.praying+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Mayan calendar goes in rotations of 20 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For each of the 20 days there is a god, a special energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She explained that this was an offering, but also a celebration so she went through each of the 20 gods and offered alcohol, refreshments, sugar, seeds, tobacco etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the prayers were made in Kakchiquel, which is also the language my host dad speaks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has taught me a lot of the basic words so I understood when she kept saying matiosh (gracias).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave thanks to the mother earth and kissed the ground, to the moon for illuminating the night, to the sun for giving us energy, to the plants, to water (river, lakes, sea, watersheds), to the divine law, to justice, to peace, to the loyal friends we meet along our pathway, to the cosmo, and to the stars (she named off a lot of constellations).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the ceremony we also participated and made offerings when she would tell us to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We “paid” a few of the gods having to do with prosperity/money/business with the incense chips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made candle offerings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During one part she just had the men come up and did specific prayers for them, then the women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave blessings to those who have passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also one part where we gave blessings to those we knew who worked in the medical field as healers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave two red candles, one for Julia & one for Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She also gave blessings for the success of our projects and safety on our journeys. She always threw in crosses of protections. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqwzIMxkvkVoddJo19H3hmdOOp1oyIiRiiHrkzPuP6jhBk7Z20r847RCibQWrnDrIh96Yq3wRlt6CjezA-_wDvi0EG5Su-luAcI-PFrZcYg9gX2WcwI_Rmz5Zl2nPpznYxF1H3pPzaCI/s1600/crosses.of.protection+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqwzIMxkvkVoddJo19H3hmdOOp1oyIiRiiHrkzPuP6jhBk7Z20r847RCibQWrnDrIh96Yq3wRlt6CjezA-_wDvi0EG5Su-luAcI-PFrZcYg9gX2WcwI_Rmz5Zl2nPpznYxF1H3pPzaCI/s400/crosses.of.protection+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">She could tell that a lot of people were drifting off in the end and she said “Keep your mind and heart here as one, everyone together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just in this little moment, it’s not very long.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are pictures towards the end:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenr99EOPHvaEWkPjPr1H_1OrvA_5X2v9jsQUV-_trmhaOIOLvTsITt3zVwH-o3-YXF7IBvdpBT1GnGRqZR723UxhY8zwVulhQXHOOggQOpYa7VAKIlCLr6AvV17jIaeYVpKGOuFn2okU/s1600/mayanceremony.enthralledJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenr99EOPHvaEWkPjPr1H_1OrvA_5X2v9jsQUV-_trmhaOIOLvTsITt3zVwH-o3-YXF7IBvdpBT1GnGRqZR723UxhY8zwVulhQXHOOggQOpYa7VAKIlCLr6AvV17jIaeYVpKGOuFn2okU/s640/mayanceremony.enthralledJPG.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Afterwards we got to eat traditional Mayan food of course using what they used, their fingers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN23scljLseEBqn4RKDMlOoKxbbRjqRuCYC_6BPIyBGaugqBD9DQBuPLYiOv-aoYteeTurMubTgupJXtG2csYmNBEgco_IqkRWwMDB1i2pdQmXWIqW1IeWb8z6VM0OrgKTUYRBYctxck/s1600/mayan.food+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN23scljLseEBqn4RKDMlOoKxbbRjqRuCYC_6BPIyBGaugqBD9DQBuPLYiOv-aoYteeTurMubTgupJXtG2csYmNBEgco_IqkRWwMDB1i2pdQmXWIqW1IeWb8z6VM0OrgKTUYRBYctxck/s400/mayan.food+copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was chatting with her during the lunch hour and HAD TO ask her about what she thought of 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to hear it first hand, what a Mayan woman thought about all of the fuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that there will be a lot of change as we move to the next cycle of light and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her what sort of changes and she replied “lots of volcanic eruptions, landslides, changes in weather so there will be people that die but those who live will be in peace and harmony as one”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right after that I walked over to the training director Craig and asked him not to place me near a volcano please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">9 de Febrero</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Whew! I have completed my first charla!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the first big steps towards becoming a Peace Corps volunteer here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is always a painful and necessary learning process for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard enough to give presentations in front of a classroom of Americans in your own language but man is it stressful to give a presentation in Spanish to municipality workers and farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention that my training director, program director, country director, a current volunteer, etc. stopped by the municipality to watch us perform.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">They gave great feedback afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned to definitely keep it simple, and then make it even more simple. And I need to use more visual objects and have less writing and reading in my lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of people may not even be able to read and could get down on themselves and lose confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also need to repeat, repeat, repeat my points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot believe how helpful my summer job as an orientation leader will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a ton of different icebreakers and public speaking the whole time and that’s what I will have to do here all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the current volunteers say that the icebreakers are essential and really do make a huge difference in how comfortable everyone is, and in turn how much everyone participates and learns.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Feb 12, 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">For Spanish lately I have been walking to the next town over and getting lessons with the more advanced group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it has been great and I’m definitely learning a lot more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Tomorrow morning the whole ecotourism group is leaving for a week of field based training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at the schedule I can’t believe how much it reminds me of ESRM fieldtrips, especially the ESRM field trips in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Costa Rica</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But OF COURSE that makes sense because I was studying ecotourism there…. hahahaha. We get to check out sweet ecotourism sites and parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we will be doing environmental education on the trail with niños, a zip line, trail building, and we get to visit the sites of current volunteers.</span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-28402353063106631802011-02-03T13:47:00.000-08:002011-02-03T13:47:21.617-08:001 down, 26 more to go!<div class="MsoNormal">Jan 15-17<sup>th</sup></div><div class="MsoNormal">Big festival in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:place></st1:city> for a few days en el dulce nombre de Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strangest things I have seen in quite some time. And that says a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say the weirdest moment happened when I was trying to walk back home Saturday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First I notice a man balancing on high heels, sporting a bra, and lifting up his mini skirt to pee on an alley wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn left onto the road because on the right there seems to be a costumed group of people beginning to gather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even get a block and there is a gang of crazy Donny Darko-esque characters bouncing around to really weird music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize there’s no way I can work my way through there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So after watching for a while, confused, I turn back around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!! There are now huge fireworks going off in what looks like a giant dance of transvestites/firemen/clowns etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even go back down the road I came on and try a different route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m trapped in between Disney-world-gone-wild and Drunk-men-in-mini-skirts-rave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to get home ASAP to my host mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that people in giant animal character costumes would ever scare me… but I chose to try and force myself through the rave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entered like a battering ram and came out the other end baffled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmss7Om9FYBsiTLa6ETmbqWFEUWoBCHFSbPeeGTemtc_ul9WF5B9SWkevzumZeZ45G5m_GFnycVWKvqRq6X4xJDZGzA6mKoVqLcE-qUBfMYGM2OxpFU_6p5DgKrYDb_gWO3yZjfP1I2iE/s1600/P1221075+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmss7Om9FYBsiTLa6ETmbqWFEUWoBCHFSbPeeGTemtc_ul9WF5B9SWkevzumZeZ45G5m_GFnycVWKvqRq6X4xJDZGzA6mKoVqLcE-qUBfMYGM2OxpFU_6p5DgKrYDb_gWO3yZjfP1I2iE/s640/P1221075+copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our technical trainer Craig and even Guatemalans do not know the roots of these traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have “elderly” dances where even young men dress up like old ladies and dance around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards a man from the dance crew goes around with a fake handgun demanding donations for his piggy bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty clever idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQxQPVCSFrJ_4AzQbxRfQXeslxKneMIqjQpKcudZ7jvzZ8juQUQymrTQe_nAp4wIaZO9BH1U5MZrQEiABRFAkUW3VB2VCs6-tk2Lscw5wvLmJCvN4z8J51wqvY5dZFGlrCglET59UcIc/s1600/old_people.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQxQPVCSFrJ_4AzQbxRfQXeslxKneMIqjQpKcudZ7jvzZ8juQUQymrTQe_nAp4wIaZO9BH1U5MZrQEiABRFAkUW3VB2VCs6-tk2Lscw5wvLmJCvN4z8J51wqvY5dZFGlrCglET59UcIc/s640/old_people.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They have ones where they dress up like crazy giant looney tune characters and jump around really fast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT9BjDaB9j0dXn097l17B8oKxJQKfcTqJYHoar8KwQMQ-vEv_FFi5-TFjmquWn25Hlwu-fCLcAPV3syyfyTc1xrU-EOSrww3iRFUkEGLUrzvn2U42cS4unDV5d2Vj7YqXVT-jVamYObo/s1600/animals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT9BjDaB9j0dXn097l17B8oKxJQKfcTqJYHoar8KwQMQ-vEv_FFi5-TFjmquWn25Hlwu-fCLcAPV3syyfyTc1xrU-EOSrww3iRFUkEGLUrzvn2U42cS4unDV5d2Vj7YqXVT-jVamYObo/s640/animals.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dances where there seems to be a jumble of random costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend had her host dad asking her to put make up on him for their town festival earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completely normal, even for the macho guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they even had a fake cameraman: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOgsHYzOjN0iHhnxxJwelb3qtdfzXhCKm987DUbUMJUMrIhmDR4qI8xmoUBJdYdqAz3TPsd-MCBGyJoL0RymgYOdQcdlFvmeOVbwoiSPz2fX31yYkoF__8eTboDn4LWclQVkcTvjcgg0/s1600/fake_video_camera.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOgsHYzOjN0iHhnxxJwelb3qtdfzXhCKm987DUbUMJUMrIhmDR4qI8xmoUBJdYdqAz3TPsd-MCBGyJoL0RymgYOdQcdlFvmeOVbwoiSPz2fX31yYkoF__8eTboDn4LWclQVkcTvjcgg0/s640/fake_video_camera.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Everyday most of the party activity seems to be at the central park where all the street food, games, and music are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music louder than any concert I’ve been to in the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel my heart vibrating to the bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the outskirts at seemingly random times and locations there are parade processions, jousting (yes on horses), and “toritos”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how people knew where to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really wanted to see a torito and got wrong directions a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally on Monday I got to see the toritos with my host mom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They attach lots of fireworks to a giant metal cage, place the cage on a guy, guy runs around, fireworks shoot into crowd, crowd runs away screaming and laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCMXfuprQ4o-UQB_bRzRligFaKS_fwDJa2E8R7kruGs13XkUgs0zBE-uQlePfZIUUunDzGEZzVgWzuWwr7ZQV4NfDeU0i6x982_laXZ_HPU1dChzPJ_nuZnHrPCa9Lv-8LG2xzRyDL9k/s1600/beforesequema2+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCMXfuprQ4o-UQB_bRzRligFaKS_fwDJa2E8R7kruGs13XkUgs0zBE-uQlePfZIUUunDzGEZzVgWzuWwr7ZQV4NfDeU0i6x982_laXZ_HPU1dChzPJ_nuZnHrPCa9Lv-8LG2xzRyDL9k/s640/beforesequema2+copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiR0WvyX1kg-h_oIdbMuwtpnWApYISdeeNBy45BTJ5UJxVr-xHGNaSo_WOUCOuJQ1Vo74cFO0CWp4Q9qDGMf-vSc8VKaHl_gkaL5fOH7rz7qPYkuoQCwaR7c8ItcfdGP-fiqc7SHk_uQ/s1600/torito+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiR0WvyX1kg-h_oIdbMuwtpnWApYISdeeNBy45BTJ5UJxVr-xHGNaSo_WOUCOuJQ1Vo74cFO0CWp4Q9qDGMf-vSc8VKaHl_gkaL5fOH7rz7qPYkuoQCwaR7c8ItcfdGP-fiqc7SHk_uQ/s640/torito+copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jan 25</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t get myself to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really sick.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jan 29</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first heard about stool sampling I was grossed out by the idea.<span> </span>But after having really bad diarrhea for days I was so excited and pumped about giving a sample. I had to drop it off in Antigua. But it turned out that Gladis (my language and culture teacher) wanted to go to Antigua that day anyway to teach us fruit/vegetable/spice words in the market. It was also required that we haggle (regetear) in front of her. We were on a bus back to our hometown from <st1:place w:st="on">Antigua</st1:place> and it hit a bicyclist. It jammed up the traffic pretty bad. The medic ran so fast, weaving through the street. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jan 30</div><div class="MsoNormal">Seems like I’ve been sick forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I have medicine so that should change soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For safety reasons they are now giving cells to all the volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re the first training group to receive them in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Guatemala</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Free calls between Peace Corps people here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any close friends or family want the number just let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can call cells from skype for like 2 cents a minute I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also I heard there’s a google program out this year that you can call cells with for free.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jan 31</div><div class="MsoNormal">The medicine worked wonders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel awesome!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just got back from a soccer game and actually scored a point for once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are also each preparing our own “charla”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A charla is an educational presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are interactive and definitely work off of group input and creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We (the four in my town) are presenting to the municipality about environmental topics… in Spanish. I am presenting about incendios forestales (forest fires) and brechas (firebreaks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been stressing about coming up with my lesson plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally came up with an interactive activity that involves candy and possibly lighting things on fire so it should go smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I have to turn in the outline and a couple other assignments tomorrow at the center so I better get to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, tomorrow is already February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to switch my calendar page, a picture with Toni.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a picture of my group taken when we first got to our town, flashback:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44p3_N-tB8z4JGTMci9Y71ouqgPiAo3hLsBSvUrMvu7UCQMd2fDlc_MWp9LnrayHlggn49l6LVTSRO6Aoj4yOyEu4H6t8IDvgE3_6bKHfMgs4Iy5aE38ejDY2ueWKX6azZu_jiGA4ayA/s1600/migrupoespanol.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44p3_N-tB8z4JGTMci9Y71ouqgPiAo3hLsBSvUrMvu7UCQMd2fDlc_MWp9LnrayHlggn49l6LVTSRO6Aoj4yOyEu4H6t8IDvgE3_6bKHfMgs4Iy5aE38ejDY2ueWKX6azZu_jiGA4ayA/s400/migrupoespanol.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-46199832834904779322011-01-19T16:22:00.000-08:002011-02-22T15:24:22.520-08:00PCT- A note on Peace Corps TrainingIn the nights I have been reading a Peace Corps chronicle “Living Poor” by Moritz Thompson who served in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Ecuador</place></country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Peace Corps training is like no other training in the world, having something in common with college life, officer’s training, Marine basic training, and a ninety-day jail sentence” plus being in a completely different culture!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it used to be more extreme in that there were more training rounds in different countries where people would get kicked out before reaching their site country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the training people today also told me they used to have stern looking people in white lab coats not talking to you, but watching and writing down everything on a clipboard. Whew, it’s not like that anymore! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It is kind of reminiscent of being back in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very packed schedule with lessons, papers, textbooks, presentations, vaccinations (so far I’ve gotten my second hep a, typhoid, and 2 rabies pre exposure shots, and going to get 2 more rabies shots fo free! Super duper), Spanish lessons for six hours on the off days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think the people that work at Peace Corps make it fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Spanish teacher will have us walk out into town for 15 minutes and make friends with someone and ask questions about their job, then come back and share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that’s a Spanish class I can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the states I always felt awkward speaking Spanish, but here I am really good at lots of different salutations, chatting about families/weather, getting directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because that is how I learned all of my Spanish.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have an awesome view of Volcan Fuego (left) and Volcan Alcanatengo (right).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try to put a weekly photo of it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXYbtx390OLeP3GbrDV7hnog-osLRrJdS4354Nw5c3-IyaYYUNSG6PZjdTzTJZCgBKoBxfhriU-zP2AYz5KjOZ6f633UszpuAp9phyZ6IHUrBSagEPuLpxcs_Cgs1dNXmYoykKb5vvBQ/s1600/volcanvistafumando.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXYbtx390OLeP3GbrDV7hnog-osLRrJdS4354Nw5c3-IyaYYUNSG6PZjdTzTJZCgBKoBxfhriU-zP2AYz5KjOZ6f633UszpuAp9phyZ6IHUrBSagEPuLpxcs_Cgs1dNXmYoykKb5vvBQ/s640/volcanvistafumando.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A couple minute walk from my house I also get an awesome view of Volcan Agua from the street.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTgst0jkdfefcD2kVet2Jd5ik4a3-Zk0EOgnhAd4Ifn92rSILqDixkNZXByQBmPNg8hnGyDZQvGl6yRY2obZdGuohVRWI4-MDJ-38yHBUUipm6Dn8v4Se3mOrW3VJ47AeNmQ0BVMZ-2o/s1600/volcanagua.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTgst0jkdfefcD2kVet2Jd5ik4a3-Zk0EOgnhAd4Ifn92rSILqDixkNZXByQBmPNg8hnGyDZQvGl6yRY2obZdGuohVRWI4-MDJ-38yHBUUipm6Dn8v4Se3mOrW3VJ47AeNmQ0BVMZ-2o/s640/volcanagua.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jerry, the 76 year old, is one of the three others in my town. I freaking crack up whenever he uses the expression “Back in ‘<country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Nam</place></country-region>!” b/c he is being serious, unlike another certain lady I know. He said all the fireworks that go off here constantly sound exactly like the mortars from back in nam. I don’t really understand them yet. I’ve never seen one with any sparks or color, just for the big bang sound I guess.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But two of some of my favorite people have already dropped <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span> Southern accent David went back to propose to his girlfriend in the South.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His last girlfriend he bought a horse for and built a barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she sold the horse and broke up with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone told him it sounded like it was straight out of a country song and he said his friend did write a song about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t stop laughing at his accent after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An odd character for Peace Corps I thought, and it does turn out that trying to get a hold of his gf everyday was too stressful for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other was a really awesome volleyball girl named Alicia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had such a chill and awesome personality that everyone loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we left for DC she talked about how she wanted to live with the indigenous people and learn to use a loom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I don’t think she realized that stuff always sounds more romantic and easy than it actually is. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Another guy in my town is having a hard time, because even though he’s had Spanish class he can’t understand when people are talking to him and can’t vocalize very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was wandering around town alone and depressed and another gringo saw him and said, “you’re a volunteer aren’t you?” he replied “why?”, “because you look depressed”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hahahah. I’ve just been telling him he is getting better even if he doesn’t notice it (poco a poco) and to cheer up and make the best of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess everyone keeps saying the beginning of training and when you first arrive at your site are the hardest times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the dropout rate is 25% on paper, I heard from another person it is actually about 50% ...</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1-11-11or in <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Guatemala</place></country-region> -> 11-1-11</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the crazy chicken American school bus rides there are always three people to a seat, the third hanging off into the aisle and leaning on either the other person doing the same thing or against someone squished in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is soooo crowded and the roads are so twisty and bumpy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the ‘ayudante’ or bus helper has to try and walk through the seemingly impenetrable aisle for money collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People climb the seats and bars like monkeys to get out of the way. People that can’t fit inside hang off the ladder on the back or out the side doors and squish in when trucks go zooming by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I NEVER THOUGHT THE BUS COULD BE SO MUCH FUN!</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho35xV2POz0BKgRS1wcMH9Q-vlidt9bPpcpxAxYBCxhVNDrb43dyB4wjDHV4CqsG6jEcKinaUTn47ELmjVErbHy3rTL6yml0k416hjQcCGNaup89uT99fPMaUVMMcP2ykvQll-IM59_j0/s1600/buses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho35xV2POz0BKgRS1wcMH9Q-vlidt9bPpcpxAxYBCxhVNDrb43dyB4wjDHV4CqsG6jEcKinaUTn47ELmjVErbHy3rTL6yml0k416hjQcCGNaup89uT99fPMaUVMMcP2ykvQll-IM59_j0/s400/buses.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My mama showed me how to make corn tortillas from scratch and we made so many we couldn’t remember why we started making them. Hers were quick, circular, and never had holes. Mine had rips and for the most part were shaped like elephants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my first time to ‘tortear’, yes there is a verb specifically for making tortillas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seriously eat five with every meal, making my daily tortilla intake about 15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost equivalent to my daily banano intake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those are pretty much the bulk of my meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, as you can see I’m going crazy and rambling about tortillas. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaRoZ9zS5ZVS18Bh2XCIJ-C2_87tFEYAqCFqAsFXgdnwkRVkh31ev75Va-xUmqbPW_9wMSTTTPKOpoprT08Etif9V8CqTlqvE6T-ZBYMDnlCJ_ukrAJSbhhz8Se105OJetD5Dt2T2lhA/s1600/circleoftortillas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaRoZ9zS5ZVS18Bh2XCIJ-C2_87tFEYAqCFqAsFXgdnwkRVkh31ev75Va-xUmqbPW_9wMSTTTPKOpoprT08Etif9V8CqTlqvE6T-ZBYMDnlCJ_ukrAJSbhhz8Se105OJetD5Dt2T2lhA/s400/circleoftortillas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The coolest Guatemala Spanish specific word I’ve learned is pronounced (boo-yah!). I don’t know how to spell it. My dad explained that it means a lot of noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is only a word you would use in the streets with your friends, and in the house you would be respectful and say ruido. Guatemalans also have a very suavecito accent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so comforting and soft sounding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they always say uh huuuh, quietly and high pitched at the end, like someone would do in the states talking with a child.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">P.S. I dislike diarrhea. I dislike talking about diarrhea. I dislike hearing about everyone else’s diarrhea. Today we had the most disgusting lecture about diarrhea, amoebas, ringworms, tapeworms, hookworms IN DETAIL for about 4 hrs. And she made us sing the diarrhea song. And told us they already stool sampled someone in our group and found ringworms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then of course we had lunch right after. But seriously, you gotta be careful, diarrhea kills!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s photos of the most recent diarrhea deposits:</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Just kidding!</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My favorite new thing to do when my mom is cooking, throw a banana on the coals for 5, then commence eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now whenever she has the fire cooking, “Keem-bear-lee! Quieres un banano asada?” Si madre. Si. Yo quiero. Yo quiero mucho.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowL-HJ4SVp1zgTIKfjKgdfzSt12qTOZrR5fEzh3sCd33ZTC-lI92rSgJUhKJ8Rl3YzDDHnSKmUt-apvW6zOXV6Je6d1cYP6bCRfIhHQ03o1r-s0ipHAI86AaVLOWziy_DO4_VMYN7fiY/s1600/bananoasada1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowL-HJ4SVp1zgTIKfjKgdfzSt12qTOZrR5fEzh3sCd33ZTC-lI92rSgJUhKJ8Rl3YzDDHnSKmUt-apvW6zOXV6Je6d1cYP6bCRfIhHQ03o1r-s0ipHAI86AaVLOWziy_DO4_VMYN7fiY/s320/bananoasada1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-74587675456871432052011-01-10T15:12:00.000-08:002011-01-10T15:12:25.867-08:00¿Sacatepequez whhaaa?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">ok, guys here´s a jumbling of my thoughts that i haven´t even looked over. but it´s getting dark soon and i have to be home before then!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Santa Lucia</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We all left from our hotel in DC around 3:30 am and nobody really slept on the plane ride so when we arrived we were all super drowsy. For the local transportation in Guatemala (and in some other countries in Central America) they use old American school buses and paint them with bright colors and crazy decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are also called chicken buses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We piled in, got out of Guatemala city as fast as possible, and headed toward the town of Santa Lucia for the Peace Corps headquarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we stayed for a few days with host families in pairs of two while they tried to figure out our Spanish level. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">While most of Peace Corps is a solo experience, it was fun to have a few days with the other trainees and instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really eased a lot of people into the culture because you still had to share your room with another American. Then when we all went to the headquarters in the morning there were lots of people to swap stories with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me the transition was much easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Central America still feels familiar and warm, I didn’t realize I missed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Costa Rica study abroad prepared me for the climate, eating beans and rice everyday, not putting toilet paper in the toilet, and hand washing my clothes. The month long homestay I did afterwards in San Vito prepared me for living in a conservative latino home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has proved useful and definitely eased culture shock. And unlike others I was fully trained in taking cold showers beforehand ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful to have had those experiences and also to have traveled through all of Central America and Guatemala previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am not too anxious to sightsee here and can really spend time getting to know the culture, language, and families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can also share what I’ve learned with the other volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have really cool, interesting things to teach each other.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I can’t stop laughing at people though. Especially when they all come in looking drowsy and shocked in the mornings before training sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I find most funny is hearing from everyone the difficulty they’re having in basic tasks: showering, going to the bathroom, eating food, and sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus it is a way for everyone in the group to vent and connect to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes everything much easier to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our training coordinator Craig shared with us that some houses have hot water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while the electric shower head might<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> look</i> sketchy, it really is ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend Meredith came in the next morning and told us that she got shocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she told her host family, they showed her that you’re supposed to use the shower curtain to grab the handle. She is so funny, I asked her how you say diarrhea in Spanish and she replied liquido del culo.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Luckily my host mom ran a massage parlor and a traditional Mayan sauna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I loved her cooking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you that know my eating habits more, you know that I like to have lots of different flavors all at once. For breakfast she made eggs, bread, a sort of bean soup (frijoles colados), yogurt, and fruit loops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mmmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my roommate really liked the food too, but usually never finished everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both got really strange looks on our faces after our host mom listed off tons of ingredients that were in a hot drink she handed us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we could catch is that it had eggs, fish, sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It actually was really yummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also happy that they use very very spicy (pica mucho!) chile sauce here, unlike in Costa Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her son, his wife, their children, her grandmother, and their animals were always around to greet us too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that they were probably give us traditional food. But my host family lives in the city and has access to junk food. I was going to the bathroom and saw my host father bringing on dominoes secretly after we went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not really jealous.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Headquarters</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The director Craig always gives us enthusiastic, comical, informative speeches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, is married to a Guatemalan woman, and works and lives here he is an invaluable resource.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I really like that he doesn’t try to candy coat what it is going to be like. “It’s going to be hard. Damn hard.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Things I learned from Craig:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*For some reason the average amount of volunteer injuries and mental health issues are twice as many in Guatemala than the worldwide average.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*The US has 1,500 malaria cases per year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are that many in Guatemala per week.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*Our malaria medicine might induce night terrors or just vivid colors and smells in dreams. True that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*There are 5.6 homicides per 100,000 in the US. Guatemala: 48-50. A lot in Guatemala city, this is why we avoid it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*Because we the volunteers don’t have a lot of time together: “Share your heart and who your are right now. There’s not much time. You guys are going to need each other for the good and bad times. People at home aren’t going to be able to relate”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*Guatemalans will never answer no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ask them for directions they will give you somewhere to go even if they don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the Japanese they want to appease you for group harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ask, “does this bus go to Antigua?” they will say yes, even if they know it doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if someone asks us, and we know it is a no, then he said we should respond, “Saaaaaaber!!” Kind of like, “Whoooo knows?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anytime you ask for directions ask a few times.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*ALL OF US BELIEVE IN GOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve had communities totally reject Peace Corps forever after getting an atheist volunteer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if they ask us if we believe in God, we say yes even if it’s the little bush outside our window.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*We will put away scientific reasoning in conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t fit and sounds condescending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will listen to Craig because I want the community to accept and trust me completely so my project will be most successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having small talk about the weather today on the porch or asking how somebody’s cousin is at the corner store can be some of the biggest parts of the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said people from small towns are some of the most successful volunteers, yes!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*Guatemala is the most conservative country in Central America. Instead of “this is Juanita” you would say “may I present Juanita”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the street only use “good morning and good afternoon, etc.” never “hello”. Always use titles and overplay them instead of downplaying them like we do in the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to brag about my degree for the next two years for respect, not bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adults are not friends with members of the opposite sex unless they are family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you bring the opposite sex into your bedroom and close the door, even for a moment, you just had sex with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a conversation on the street with a member of the opposite sex all of a sudden you guys are bf/gf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are my age and not married with children they feel really sorry for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*It is weird to have “alone time”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you go into your bedroom and close the door they will assume you are sad about leaving your boyfriend/girlfriend in the states.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*It takes about 2 weeks on average to finally figure out all the people who live in your house.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*And everything in the house is assumed communal so expect if you accidentally leave some money around that children will whisk it away quickly for candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children will also enjoy going through your things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">*And give our rent money to the madre, not the papa. He will go to the cantina (bar).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">While Guatemala is the most conservative country in Central America. There are definitely plenty more conservative developing countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a RPCV in our group who served in Tonga and he said you couldn´t even invite a friend over of the opposite sex and nobody was EVER alone in the street even if they lived alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said one volunteer had a tongan boyfriend and after a year invited her bf over for the night, the next day her neighbor came out angry and speared her pet dog in front of her..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">San Antonio, January 9, 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There are about 17 ecotourism volunteers and over 30 healthy schools volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Us 17 ecotourism volunteers have been separated into groups of about 4 into various towns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My training town is San Antonio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will meet up with the other three in my town occasionally for Spanish lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Tuesdays we will all travel together back to the headquarters for technical training.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There are great views of the mountains and various volcanoes from my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Volcan fuego is always spitting out ash.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There is only a mom and dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad works all night and sleeps during a lot of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is very nice and always has lots of things to teach me about Guatemala in a very fast pace over meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also speaks the indigenous language, Kakchiquel and has been teaching me some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use it to make them laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend pretty much every second with my host mom and their pets (a dog named Dadi, dos gatos, 4 little birds, and two parrots which kind of just chill in the trees talk about how they’re hungry or yell Paco randomly).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cook, go to the market, platicar (chat), wash clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is cooking lunch right now and burning plastic garbage. Hence I am in my room, writing on my laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am finding it hard to sleep because—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!</b> Oh what was that again? Oh just extremely loud fireworks that go off throughout the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guatemala has a bloody history of war so Craig makes jokes about waking up and thinking, “It’s the war again!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the 5 am one I wasn’t so startled. Adjusting little by little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a tradition to wake people up on their birthday by lighting loud fireworks off outside their window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never noticed how many birthdays there were before this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5:30 am this morning we left to get seats at the church for the Catholic mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was extremely interesting for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I go next Sunday I’ll try to get some pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of the fireworks there was a town festival last night so lots of yelling through loudspeakers and marching band music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the day it is very sunny and hot, pretty tranquilo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like how chill it is but my host mom keeps asking me if I’m bored. Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I feel lost or homesick looking at my bracelets from Patrick and Laura help me feel grounded and give me a reality check (you are a person with your own family Kimberly!).</span></div>Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4898677144694707450.post-8757624804111996082011-01-05T00:18:00.000-08:002011-09-15T20:51:04.660-07:00Washington To WashingtonSeattle, Washington<br />
Preparing to commit 27 months to the Peace Corps in Seattle was a very memorable experience. Quitting work, holidays, moving out, packing up, saying goodbyes, freaking out, etc. I especially loved the amazing surprise party from my friends the first day of the new year. Laurita and Susie Q escorted me downtown to "Seattle's hottest nightclub" as Stefon would say... the Last Supper Club, complete with smiling faces, pink/purple balloons, a disco ball, hard techno oontz beats, people not afraid to just dance, upstairs fem-physio activity, the most epic tooth-brushing party, and plenty of fun photos:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAA3OZIt7Y76bb4g7IirfXaYtAOaSWHFN0CZLknTZuMmF39jBbt6NBMhuMK-WmjTnjFG0tA6J9H055M_gEndRFxhxKFNEqqU0sMs2XSHM29TXn3Qi6SvPn_vsTYCD7H0AM01ALyTjj53A/s1600/P1010824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAA3OZIt7Y76bb4g7IirfXaYtAOaSWHFN0CZLknTZuMmF39jBbt6NBMhuMK-WmjTnjFG0tA6J9H055M_gEndRFxhxKFNEqqU0sMs2XSHM29TXn3Qi6SvPn_vsTYCD7H0AM01ALyTjj53A/s320/P1010824.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKknfJMn62KQPXGJqcbgRBn-NiajsRqflW-EPjnQx3T7U-XeFKrHzO-vJ90IIFrUWxh1fUNcuoBX1zukK5rs6bqFOIlYE9bNqfSs63v7DyvznxZ7i4RMjolEcQRSkDKk7kcciswk6wc4/s1600/P1010828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKknfJMn62KQPXGJqcbgRBn-NiajsRqflW-EPjnQx3T7U-XeFKrHzO-vJ90IIFrUWxh1fUNcuoBX1zukK5rs6bqFOIlYE9bNqfSs63v7DyvznxZ7i4RMjolEcQRSkDKk7kcciswk6wc4/s320/P1010828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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One of my dear worldhouse roommates, Alex, drove me to the airport. With Laura and Patrick on either side of me in the back and Toni in front. I kept thinking the whole time during the ride: this is not happening, I'm not leaving them, are they really not going to be around? It was very hard separating myself from them. I have been talking with many other volunteers, none of which have admitted to a painful breakaway from their friends. Then I realized it hurt so bad because of all that we've shared and all the good time we've had together and that's when I smiled. I'm so grateful to have friends that leave me crying.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Washington DC<br />
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It is nice that all the volunteers have so many struggles in common but we are still diverse. In age (Jerry, charismatic, hilarious, well over 70), in lifestyles, in origins (one other girl from Seattle, Hawaii, Texas, Wyoming, New York, Tennessee, everywhere!), and much more. But because obviously there is a certain type of person that would join the Peace Corps everyone seems to be making friends quickly. In training I had the most fun listening to the director Aaron Williams talk about when he volunteered in the Dominican Republic and answer questions. We also had a fun group discussion about our anxieties, that ended with more things for everyone to laugh over and be worried about...<br />
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On my last trip to Central America I randomly made friends with two awesome Americans. Lots of hilarious, weird, and memorable moments with them. One of them worked in DC doing legislative work so I contacted him telling my staging happened to be there. Yesterday night he managed to show me around on a quick tour of all the building he has gotten to work around for years. Seriously a thorough, informative, great tour. Which ended at a very nice restaurant close to the white house. We special ordered hamburgers off the menu because I just had to have one last one before I left. It was DELICIOUS. The memory of that hamburger will drive me insane for 2 years and 3 months.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPj9sUlEyB5CqpylzSUv5ttvEWi2SHurEJhDNEQhxYtZ66ZqetwNSRMGy8i6ESf14c1HQTWU3NIbf_QsXp3UZ6HillELdfke_FLsErfezsg9f2APHE_WqWt0lwscPPRCGMNqxKOdCfzI/s1600/joneatburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPj9sUlEyB5CqpylzSUv5ttvEWi2SHurEJhDNEQhxYtZ66ZqetwNSRMGy8i6ESf14c1HQTWU3NIbf_QsXp3UZ6HillELdfke_FLsErfezsg9f2APHE_WqWt0lwscPPRCGMNqxKOdCfzI/s320/joneatburger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Tonight I dragged another volunteer on a run to see the national monument, abe lincoln (sorry forgot my camera laura!), the white house, etc. It's now 3:15 here, so I have to leave in 15 for Miami. Then off to Guatemala. I won't have phone and internet for a few days so talk to you all then!Kimberlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05625104525089004000noreply@blogger.com2