antigua...a new (old) town.

wow, so here I am realizing that I haven’t written in weeks. It feels like I am in a completely different world.

Before you question that, yes I know I am in Guatemala. But as of two weeks ago, I am living in a different town that is a whole new experience from my life in Magdalena. The Sunday before we started school, my compes (our term for roomie) and I moved into a large home in Antigua. What a beautiful place, but I will give more details a little later. The housing situation is a little different here, because having students is more like a business in this touristy town. In fact, there were a total of 9 students living in my house. Not only am I living in a completely different culture, but I am being exposed to cultures all around the world. OK, so here’s the dirt on my fellow housemates:

1.      Genevieve- 30s, Canada

2.      Johannes- 60/70s, Holland

3.      Jimmy- 30s, South Korea

4.      Sonya- 26, South Korea

5.      Emilio- 30s, Turkey

6.      David- 30s, England

7.      me

8.      Sydney (roomie from Bethel)

9.      Becky (program coordinator)

However, since moving in we have lost numbers 1 &5, who were replaced by two Denmarkians (julia & benjamin). Needless to say it is always an eclectic group at the dinner table and gets quite entertaining with the varying languages and lack of Spanish abilities.

I miss my family in Magdalena very much. Since Mario and Ingrid work with SI, I luckily got to see them once in passing while they were in town for a meeting. It was wonderful to see them again, even though it reminded me of the family I was missing. It just makes me excited for when I am done with school and move back to Magdalena for the last 3 weeks of my time here.

Now for school. Not as bad as I thought it would be. I was blessed with this super cute little Guatemalan teacher named Guillermo. If you want an accurate mental image, picture Robin Williams, except short and extremely tan. Guillermo is hilarious and knows everything about everything. No joke. We talk politics, history, current issues, life….and I am learning! It is probably the best way to learn by far. I have school four hours a day 8-12. The time flies, and while I don’t enjoy the homework associated with the class, I do enjoy the actual learning/school aspect. Our teachers basically have free reign to take us on “field trips” to the market or places they think would be educational. Also, Guillermo really enjoys coffee, so we get two coffee breaks throughout the day. I may have a problem come summer, I used to only enjoy the smell of coffee, or coffee with ½ creamer and ½ sugar…..i am now a 3 cup/day girl. Haha oh well, at least the coffee here is better for you than in the states.

On Monday, Dr. Zalanga (a professor from Bethel) is starting an intense week of classes for us because he is in the country to give us our lectures. I am not as excited for this…but I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Antigua is a beautiful place. Basically it is a 10x10 square block of streets…which unfortunately makes every street look the same. (quite unfortunate for those less directionally inclined…but I am managing.) It is situated in a valley, surrounded by 3 volcanoes which makes for an absolute beautiful view no matter which direction you are walking. Yes, one of the volcanoes is active. I only know this because I was walking home for supper and saw one erupting. I guess you can only get that kind of view while abroad. The city is so vibrant with color, the buildings come in every variety, and the market is quite a splendor for your eyes to take in.

I am trying to build some friendships at the market, which has been quite fun when bartering with the merchants, however….it is hard to know that most are trying to scam you. While I want to believe the best in people, I am beginning to develop a discerning eye. It is fun to get to know the people and talk to them….i hope to develop some lasting friendships while here.

Since being in Antigua, we have gone on one excursion….but I will have to write about that at a later time since I have written so much already, and I have some economics to read (I guess if we’re being honest, I am going to skim it.)

Alrighty….ta ta for now. Besos for everyone.

I do miss you.

Laura.

Chicken Buses: the ride of your life

aye aye aye......i don't know where to begin with the chicken bus experience. well, i guess i'll give it a go.

so, the public buses here in guatemala are an extremely interesting experience to have. lucky for me, i get to ride in one every day when living in Magdalena because my work site is in antigua...approximately a 40 minute bus ride away. however, the drivers will drive as slow or fast as they would like.

the buses makeup is extremely similar to school buses in the states, and actually...most have school names written on the side covered poorly with other paint. however, they are decorated to the max. there is every random cartoon character possible plastered on the inside, tacky flowers hanging from the mirrors and wild paint designs on the outside. photos do not do them justice.

Not only are they colorfully loud, they are also loud on the inside. Most are blaring music and are stacked full of people talking. The drivers are constantly honking the horn to alert the city to its presence and the emergency buzzer is going off as people exit and enter in the back door....while the bus is moving mind you. The bus rarely stops....if only one person has to board the bus at a stop...they just get their foot in the door and the bus is already driving away.They also are occasionally full of vendors who walk up and down the aisle trying to sell their products, while yelling over the noise. I almost always see someone sleeping during the trip, and I have absolutely no idea how this is possible.The coolest bus i was in was blaring techno music....super super fun.

Ok, now you may be wondering why they call them "chicken buses." Well, it is because they are packed full of people, like chickens get packed, literally. Bear with me on this analogy. Each seat is supposed to hold 6 "cheeks." While this is all good and dandy for you to get to know your seat buddies, it is not very plausible. Only 5 "cheeks" can fit on the seat so one is in the aisle. This goes for every seat. So, there are technically two "cheeks" hanging in the aisle. Now, the aisle is about the width of two "cheeks" so it works out quite marvelously. however, somehow the guatemalans manage to squeeze 30-40 more people within the aisles. I believe its impossible. Even when people try to squeez through the aisles to find an open spot where they can place their "cheek" you are basically tossed into the laps of your neighbors as they pass. There is also the helper guy who helps the bus driver back up when he needs to and also pushes his way through the aisle to collect everyones money. This is the best way I could find to explain this phenomena....so i am sorry if it doesn't make any sense.

they are pretty cheap to ride, most costing only 4 quetzales a ride...which is equivalent to about 50 cents in the US. However, the price does depend on the length of the trip.

When we go down the mountain it is a little sickening because the driver literally has to slam on the brakes every few seconds to make sure the bus doesn't pick up too much speed and go careening over the edge. while it makes me sick, i am grateful that he is taking precautions so i don't die. When you are going up the mountain however, it is the exact opposite. The drivers take the turns so fast that literally there are times when both "cheeks" (to use my analogy from earlier) are off the bus seat and the only thing keeping you from flying across the bus is holding onto the handles they installed on top of each seat. let me tell you, you get to know your neighbors. it reminds me of merry-go-rounds at parks where you spin around so fast that your feet fly off the edge....except this time its your "cheeks."

all in all, it is a great experience....one that i am grateful to have. i do believe that school buses in the states will never be quite the same............................

Guatemala: Un pais de amor

i have never seen so much love exist in the hearts of a people. it is absolutely awesome. i know of the typical "minnesota nice" but here in guatemala its "we all love and respect each other guatemala." ok, after rereading that, it doesn't make sense....but whatever. I absolutely love walking down the street and greeting "good morning, afternoon or evening" to every person i meet. When you enter a room you always ask "con permiso?" and when leaving you are always left with at least 3 of the following: "may God bless you, thank you, have a good rest, and what a great meal." There is so much respect and love in this country, in the hearts of its people.

Take Mama Ingrid for example. She is my host mom and a wonderful woman. She can talk for hours (literally) entertaining us with stories of her adventures. It is absolutely hilarious to listen too...she has the memory of an elephant. But the most touching is how she has opened up her home, heart and familiy to us. She has not failed to mention multiple times what a blessing it is having us in her house, how she prays for each and every one of her Bethel students and how they will always have a place in her heart. There is a peace about her that makes you feel at home, which she says is open to us whenever we shall please. "Aqui las puertas estan abiertas." This woman also helped found Students International, she is a wonderful wonderful servant of God.

Also, Nineth is my site leader. This woman has one of the largest hearts I know. Everyday she works as a volunteer at the hospital, Hermano Pedro. This woman knows every single patient, doctor and nurse by name....and spreads God's love to every single one of them. It is amazing to see. She has such a good reputation at the hospital that when me and the other Bethel students went to the office to complete our volunteer paperwork and get our IDs, the head hauncho of the office told the lady doing our paperwork that we have full access to ANY area of the hospital....all other volunteers are limited to one section. It is so good to see how great God's love is when it comes to working miracles.

Which brings me to the hospital....what an emotional experience, but i guess i was warned. Many of the patients there have mental or physical disabilities, most both. Some have family that come and visit but the majority were abandoned when they were little. This hospital has separate sections for grandpas, grandmas, ladies, men, girls, boys and babies. Some have been in the hospital for 20 years. The hospital is actually inside a church that is so large it stretches for one block x one block. There are monks that live on the second floor....that's an experience I don't see very often.

So far, I have not worked very much in the hospital. The first day, we had a tour and then got to help the nurses with lunch. I fed Carlitos.....I don't know wear more food ended up, in his mouth or around it. It is messy business feeding kids, but I hope I'll get better. What I have been doing lately is making decorations and nametags to go on the walls of the room for the ladies. Otherwise the walls are bare and it is very gloomy. Now it will be more like a home for them. I am excited to see their faces when they see their new disney princess decorations and all the brillantina (glitter) we have been using for them. However, it makes me want to watch the disney movies really bad.

Wow, I have written a lot. I am sorry for all of those who actually read all the way through this....I can only imagine you are sick of all the details. Well, I will just have to write more often....because like I tell Greta "We are going to want to remember this in 5 years!!" so we are taking pictures of everything. Next time I shall write of the chicken buses....now that's an interesting experience........ :)


Besos para todos,
Laura