So here it is blog number 2!! I have only been living in Guatemala
Now fast forward to getting off the plane, I’m walking through the terminal kind of freaking out and overwhelmed with emotions. I felt as though there were a camera focusing on me and as if I were walking in slow motion with some badass music playing in the background. Truly a nostalgic and beautiful feeling. Soon after landing we were taken to the Peace Corps office located in Santa Lucía Milpas Altas and after a quick meeting we were then taken to our host families where we would be spending the next 3 days. I was placed near a few other volunteers and my host family was very nice and took good care of me.
On our third day we were split into groups and sent off to our training sites for the next 11 weeks. Graciela, Julianna, Adán, Anna y Yo (ahora Justiniano) were sent to live in Santa Catarina Barahona which is a warm and beautiful place. We are located between three volcanoes which are spectacular, especially since Volcán de Fuego puts ash into the air on a regular basis. The days are warm and the nights are chilly and the Evangelica chuch down the street blasts music into all hours of the day. While here, we will be working on improving our language/technical skills while also immersing ourselves into this rich culture.
On Saturday I moved in with a great family which consists of Doña Marina y Don Arturo my brothers Fernando y Otto, mi hermana Marí, dos perros Fifi y Dupee, una gata Dumaa, un gallo which we named Loki y finalmente una gallina. Luckily for us volunteers, the town was having an event and we were able to attend. The event was for the completion of a new building here in town and many people came out to celebrate. My host mother had a beer stand and my brothers showed me around town for a bit. We went up to the roof of the new municipal building and were able to see the town from above…needless to say it was a great way to arrive to a new place.
While on my way here I was worried about not liking my host family or them not liking me, but that is totally not the case. Besides trying to engordarme (make me fat) there is always a friendly face eager to speak with me. My brothers are very cool and enjoy talking about music and just hanging out, it’s cool to learn Guatemalan culture from a younger generation’s perspective. Mari y Doña Marina are intent on teaching me the common dances here in Guatemala
For the next 3 months my schedule will be something like this: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be dedicated to improving our Spanish. Tuesdays we make a trip back to the PC office for our technical training. There is always something going on and I basically feel like I’m in college again. There is always a tarea due or things to read and learn everyday. At this point, I am starting to really miss the people I care about back home, and when I think of how long I’m in this for I start to feel a little discouraged. Although I have these feeling of doubt they are always covered by a feeling of excitement especially when we have our technical training sessions. Sustainable Community Tourism is what I’ll be working on and literally everyone says that this is one of the coolest sectors that the PC has to offer.
Another cool thing PC Guatemala is doing is giving all volunteers phones (free volunteer to volunteer use) which we were supposed to get this past Tuesday but now nobody is really sure when we will be getting them. Hopefully by next Tuesday (Jan 18) I’ll have it and have my number out. I’m missing everyone back home and sending my love. Hasta la proxima vez!
