Hey, everyone!

I'm currently sitting in a hotel room in Panahachel (Pana), Guatemala after a long weekend trip to some of the more out-of-the-way pueblos. As I was contemplating sleep, I realized that I should take this opportunity to write an update! I had not planned on posting this until tomorrow. However, we have a bit of free time tonight so I thought I would take advantage. As stated, we are on a long weekend trip, and most of this update will describe our different activities.

We departed from Antigua right after morning Spanish classes on Friday. Our first destination was our hotel in Panahachel. We arrived, dropped our bags and went into the marketplace. Pana is a relatively tourist-friendly destination and there are plenty of tiendas and street-side shops to visit. For dinner, we visited a small restaurant/music venue nearby that Paul had previously been in contact with. The restaurant's name is Solomon's Porch, and it is owned by a team of missionaries. They work out of the restaurant with the community. Bringing in teams from the states, they reach out to the homeless, drug/alcohol addicted, and orphans of Pana. We received a presentation of the work there and talked with the volunteers that make it happen. All the members of the team are one hundred percent volunteers and work to feed and care for those that need it. Most of the team is from the southern states and have given up comfortable lives to move to Guatemala. Two of the volunteers we spoke with are ninety years old! It was very encouraging to see the work of God being done in such a big way!

Saturday morning, we boarded a boat in Lake Atitlan and made for San Juan! The boat ride lasted around forty minutes and we were surrounded by volcanoes on all sides! The boat was just big enough to fit all twenty five-ish of us, but the ride was very enjoyable, as we had nothing but beautiful sights for 360 degrees!

Lake Atitlan

The lake has risen so high that many homes have gone under water!

Our first stop in San Juan was a coffee cooperative. There, they only grow natural, organic coffee. We were able to take a tour and see exactly how the coffee was grown, what the difference between regular and organic coffee is, and the process for cleaning and drying coffee. On top of producing some mighty fine coffee, they use every product of their process in another part of the same mission, or sell it to someone who can use it. We were able to be witness to the fact that not one waste product is truly waste, as it goes to good use. The hulls from the coffee, for example, are added to fertilizer to reuse in planting. Being a coffee lover, myself, I especially enjoyed sampling the coffee! Another part of the tour that I had the privilege of experiencing was translating for the group! Our posse split up into two smaller groups that would be more easily maneuvered. This meant that our go-to girl for translation, Crystal, would not be able to translate for one of the groups. Spanish majors were promptly asked and I was promptly volunteered to meet the need. This was both exciting and a little nerve wracking for me. I elicited the help of my good friend and excellent Spanish speaker, Kayla, which made for a bit of an easier time when the sentences of our guide got a little long. The tour and translation were a success! I enjoyed the test of my skill and the opportunity to help my group!

The coffee plant and beans. These may be around two weeks before they are ready to harvest.

Me translating for the tour.

(Click to enlarge.) This is the coffee bean at every stage. Berry, raw bean, shelled bean, roasted bean, and ground bean.

After the coffee coop, we visited a group of women that were working to preserve the craftsmanship of their ancestors. They work in artesian fabrics primarily and we were actually able to help them make scarves! We each had a teacher and learned the method they used for making their fabric. It was very fun to work with the ladies and very difficult to try and replicate their fluid motions! Their work is very hard and I'm sure we all gained a respect for the art that they do.

So I won't be wearing the scarf, but it will make a great gift! This is Alexandra, my teacher

After a restful night in our hotel in San Juan, we headed to another town named San Diego, which is notorious for having been heavily occupied by the Guatemalan army in the years of the civil war. This town has much rich history. After this, we returned to Pana to eat and sleep. I've eaten. I have yet to sleep! We did get a chance to take a refreshing dip in the lake!

As far as a general update goes, you can be sure I'm busy! Aside from the crazy weekend that is coming to a close, I have been working, going to class, and trying to fit in some R&R every once in a while. As stated, I go to class for four hours every day and now, I have started working a minimum of four and a half hours at work every day. I work at a jade shop named "The House of Jade" or "La Casa del Jade. I am working in marketing and doing a lot of miscellaneous work, as well. All in all, everything is buzzing along as usual here in Guatemala!

Don't forget! I've added a Google + "+1" button to the side of the page. Give it a click!

Hello and thanks for tuning in once again to read about my times in Guatemala! Another relatively slow week, but don’t you worry! Things are brewing!

On Tuesday, we made a trip into the city to visit the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala. This was a great experience. Although I was reluctant to put my studies and internship work off for a day, I was grateful for the opportunity to learn about what the United States Government is doing in other countries and in Guatemala, specifically. Primarily, the embassy is to support and be of aid to travelers in Guatemala from the States. For example, upon entering the country, a traveler would contact the embassy and register their location of residence and a telephone number. This way, if a family member would like to locate them from the States, the embassy could get a hold of them. Also, the embassy represents the U.S. government and helps communications between the countries. We were able to meet with a public relations official, a few marines that protect the base, some local workers, and an intern. Each gave a description of what they did and this opened my eyes to a lot of new information!

The rest of our trip included a visit to an orphanage that one of the girls in our group has worked at in the past and a school that another girl in our group will be working at in the future. Both were quite enjoyable. The orphanage, Casa Bernabe, runs in a very unique way where the orphans live in houses on the facility in a very home-like environment. The children are housed until they are eighteen years old and then programs are utilized to make sure they have places to live and work. The students will have received a high school education and life skills training or will go to college.

I would be remiss if I did not inform you all about the rainy season. A few weeks ago, you may remember, I posted that the rainy season lasted a bit longer than normal. This turned out to be a great understatement. It has been raining every day, save a few, for around five weeks. Aside from making doing laundry kind of difficult, the rainy season is not too bad. I’m not a huge fan of walking around in the rain or being damp because of it and, all in all, I’m glad it is finally over. We have enjoyed two whole days rain free and full of sun. I was disgustingly happy on Saturday when I just sat out in the hammock listening to music and taking a nap. The simple things, you know?

By way of general update I have finally started my internship! I am working for a jade factory that makes jewelry and replications of authentic Mayan artworks. I primarily work in marketing but I will be experiencing many different things during my time at La Casa Del Jade. I will be doing a more in-depth report of this in the future. I am ecstatic for the opportunity and excited to tell you more in the future.

In case you are worried and angry (I’m sure you are.), I want to reassure you that I have not forgotten to take pictures. I have a slew of them! Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures in the embassy and the rainy season does not necessarily make for good pictures. In short, I promise more pictures and videos in the future!

P.S. Another great blog about Guatemala! http://kaylaenguatemala.wordpress.com

Hey, everyone!

This week's post is going to be a brief update on me and my life followed by some information on the Gilman Scholarship Program. Gilman is the program that made it possible for me to come here to Guatemala and I would like to make a little more information of theirs available to you!

I have been doing very well and all is going swimmingly here! Classes are humming along as normal and I am enjoying my studies immensely! It is interesting: each weekend, as I have fewer opportunities to speak Spanish, I feel an urgency to make it back to class on Monday, as if I am forgetting so quickly I can't afford two days without class! Me cae muy bien mi maestro! This translates to, "My teacher fits me very well!" My teacher's name is Julio Gonzales and he is a great teacher! I will be going more in depth with my classes and studies in the future.
I am pleased to announce that I finally know what my internship is! I will be working in a Jade Museum and Shop named "La Casa del Jade." I will be doing a lot of different jobs including consulting, advertising and marketing, writing, and more. I will be keeping you up to date as I learn more!
I have been enjoying myself very much in my free time. Although we did not take a trip this weekend, I have enjoyed spending time with friends and watching a couple sporting events in a restaurant we frequent.
In general, not much to report. I believe this is a good opportunity to mention a little bit more about the scholarship program that helped me make it here!

The Gilman website states: "The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world." - Info Page

The BAG program is based in the thought that a study abroad program is an invaluable experience and that as many students as possible should have the opportunity to visit and study in another country. Undergraduate students that receive a Pell grant are eligible to apply. The scholarship can range in amount from three thousand to five thousand dollars. The application is relatively long and involved, including a proposal for a "follow-on project," to be completed upon or soon after return to the states. I am very grateful to this program for helping to make my trip possible! If there are questions regarding Gilman, you can email me or visit their website for more information here.

Thanks, everyone, and stay tuned for the next one!

 The Long Weekend!

This week's post will be a look at this weekend, and the trip we took to Guatemala City. Normally, I would try to add a bit more information, but we were fortunate to have many opportunities and activities this weekend, and there will be plenty of material!

We headed into Guatemala City on Friday directly after Spanish classes, and went directly to our first stop: FAFG. This stands for Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala; translated, Foundation of Anthropological Forensics of Guatemala. The purpose of this foundation has its roots in the wars of Guatemala and bringing healing in the aftermath. This is a project that works primarily to bring rest to Guatemalans who have not been able to properly bury their dead. During the recent civil war, many Guatemalans were killed and put into mass graves or random areas. This is devastating for the families of the dead, who may have had no closure whatsoever. Now, when a grave is discovered, FAFG is contacted and they collect the remains. As the graves are massive and many bones are contained within, the FAFG has to work to identify the victims. They do so through dental identification, forensics, location, and family provided information. We were able to see how they determine age, dental records, and DNA sampling. When the bodies are identified, the families are able to take the remains and bury them properly. This is a necessary step in the healing process of the families and of Guatemala. This was all very fascinating. We, however, were not able to take pictures, and the included pictures are from the foundation's web site.

 

















Later on Friday, we visited a relief map of Guatemala that is (almost) to scale! This was quite a sight. It was very interesting to see where we were in relation to the rest of the country and have an areal view of our valley and the volcanoes that surround us.

Scale relief map of Guatemala. We live in between some of those huge mountains.

Pacific Ocean.

After a good night's sleep, we headed to Guatemala's national cemetery. The cemetery was a very different experience. All the tombs are above ground and what we know as a traditional burial is not in existence in Guatemala. The size and design of the tombs are very proportionate to the wealth of the people who are renting them. That is right: renting. Each space that is occupied in the cemetery is paid for monthly. If the family of the deceased is unable to pay for their space, the body is removed and put into a "potter's field." There are tombs of all shapes and sizes from giant buildings, larger than most houses, to small boxes. Some of the buildings that are rented out by the individual space are so tall that ladders are used to reach the individual boxes. The pictures below will give you a better idea.

A good example of the method of burial. Each cubicle contains a body.

The inside of an uninhabited cubicle.

"Apartment building" style! Ladders would be used to reach the top.

 

Directly behind the cemetery is the city's garbage dump. Unsavory, but appropriate in a way. As we walked through the cemetery, we could easily smell the rotting garbage. In the back of one of the groups of tombs, we could look off a cliff down onto the massive pile of garbage and the incoming trucks that were being swarmed by people waiting to rummage through the discarded waste. The poorest of the poor in Guatemala frequent the dump to rummage for that which they can use or sell, such as bundles of cardboard. In the past, the dump was a popular place for homeless to come and sleep. A few years ago, however, a fire broke out, burning many of the inhabitants. For this reason, no one is allowed to sleep there. In addition, we were not allowed to enter the dump for safety reasons and, presumably, because the government is not too fond of having its worst shown openly. The vultures circled over us and the garbage and the dogs rummaged below us. This was a clear and heavy contrast to the part of Guatemala that we have become accustomed to. As our host professor, Paul Nemecek, expressed to us, it is necessary to see the beauty and the poverty of Guatemala to even begin to experience and understand the country. Although the country is poverty-stricken, there has been recent economic growth. In our trip this weekend, we were able to visit a mall that would make many in the states seem shabby. But we were also exposed to much of the ugliest of the country.

Above view of the Guatemala City dump.

This morning, we attended a church in Guatemala City called "Casa de Dios" (House of God). This is a Guatemalan "mega church" that is currently outgrowing its current giant facility. The construction of "Ciudad de Dios" (City of God) is under way. As an example of the size and impact of the church, a candidate for the presidency has recently taken an angle in his campaign of association with this church. Using their logo and photos of the pastor without permission, he tried to gain an edge. Today, the pastor denied any connection with the candidate and expressed that the members of the church were not encouraged in any direction and that the leadership in the church did not support either candidate officially. The church, by my observation, is frequented by the more well-off of the inhabitants of the city. With a large production of the music and offering, hints of "prosperity gospel", throughout the message, and general grandeur, the entire service is televised and can be seen in the states. I have not much to say about this experience. I have never been to a church of this size in the states, and I don't assume that all are bad in any way or in nature. All of the staff was extremely welcoming and accommodating to our group, which needed many headsets for translation. This experience gave me good perspective.

All that is left is a general update! Everything is going grandly! Studies are humming along, trips are fun and informative, and my leisure time is very relaxing! I take many walks though town to find new things and study vocabulary. There are lots of awesome places to sit and study or just relax and pass time with friends. I am starting (Lord willing) my internship this coming week and will be updating you on that next Sunday. Please comment with any questions or comments.



Check out a friends blog if you didn't get enough awesome info! http://dshinabarger.wordpress.com/

Also, check out iie.org/gilman. I will be providing some more information on this later on.

Hey, guys! Another week down! This week's post is going to be slightly different. In the past, I have been "theming" the posts to fit a topic. This week will be a random assortment of goodies that I have not been able to fit into the recent topics! I may repeat this in the future. So, without delay:

Random Topic #1: Trip to San Antonio


While on this trip, we have the privilege of taking bi-weekly trips to see the various sights around Guatemala. We have seen, and I have shown you, various museums, ruins, and religious sights. Since the rips are every other week, we have one weekend to ourselves to relax, catch up on homework, do laundry, and hang out. This has been such a weekend. However, we did have the opportunity to make a small trip the the pueblo (town) of San Antonio, a small village outside Antigua. The purpose of our trip was to visit a small group of women who make many of the products sold in the markets here in Guatemala. The unique thing about this group is that they make all their products by hand. They specialize in blankets, trinkets, and various types of clothing. I realize that sounds like a vague description. This is because I found from pipes, to baby carriers, to masks in this small factory! While we were there, the women who make the items gave us a presentation. they informed is that they were trying to preserve the customs of the Mayan people who originated there. These customs (and presentation) include how to make the clothing, the procedure and customs of a traditional Mayan wedding, how to make tortillas, and how to make coffee! This was a very cool experience. In each aspect of the presentation, we were encouraged to participate. Four students engaged in a mock wedding, everyone made tortillas, and a few students were able to try grinding coffee by hand! In addition, we all got to try some special stew that the Mayans eat on special occasions.

Method of making blankets.

Depiction of traditional Mayan wedding.

Us learning how to make tortillas.

Hand-grinding coffee!

Random Topic #2: Laundry

Upon our arrival, we were given coupons to the internet cafe and the laundromat that are associated with the school. When it came time to do laundry, we took our clothes to the laundromat. In addition to the realization that the walk was a little bit farther than I would like to carry the amount of laundry that I produce, I found that I produce much more laundry than I want to pay for each week! Considering these things, we (Corey and I) decided to buy our own laundry soap (About three American dollars for what we will be able to use for many weeks. In the laundromat, we would pay almost a dollar per pound.) and give hand washing a go! Our host family graciously gave us access to their laundry equipment, consisting of a stationary stone washboard, a water source, several tubs for soaking, and drying lines. Following the example of one of the students living here before us, we put soap in a basin, soaked our clothes in it for about a half hour, scrubbed the clothes on the stationary stone, wrung them out, and hung them up! Needless to say, it rained within an hour of when I hung them up and continued through the night! Consequently, they are still hanging up. I have to say there was something very gratifying about washing my clothes in this manner. It was very enjoyable to stand out in the warm air, listen to some music, and scrub my clothes. I plan to continue in this manner all semester.

Soaking my clothes in detergent.

The washboard.

Random Topic #3: Kenneth's Birthday Party!

So today was Kenneth's birthday! Kenneth is a little boy that lives with us (Elder and Marina are his grandparents.) and he turned seven today. Elder and Marina are awesome hosts, and put on quite the party. We were invited and encouraged to participate in every aspect, and also were encouraged to invite some friends. My good friend Kayla ended up coming and took some good swings at the pinata.

The entertainment and the birthday boy!

We do pinatas right, here in Antigua!

Random Topic #4: General Update

As a general update, I thought I might let everyone know that all is well here in Antigua. No more earthquakes since my last update and all students are well and healthy. My classes are chugging along and I can tell I have been improving greatly. I am becoming more confident daily. During the weekends I get anxious because I do not have the opportunity to speak as much Spanish as I do on a normal basis during the week. So right about now I am itching to get back to the grindstone. The majority of the students in our group are finished with Spanish classes for the semester, as the goal of their lessons was some culture and the ability to get around in Antigua sufficiently. There will be around seven of us still going to class every day, making the 10:00 "pausa," or break, a little less of a social experience. Everything has become comfortable and many things are becoming more and more natural. This being said, I still have a general feeling of adventure here and I love the fact that I can go out at any time and experience something new. It definitely does not seem like we have been here for four weeks, but we are coming up on that mark! I am torn between the need for progress and forward motion and the desire for this trip to never end!