Ahora decimos adios a Guatemala

The time has come to say goodbye to our lovely little Posadita Antigua. I know I speak for everyone in saying how excited we are to return home but I am really going to miss this place--especially the amazing staff. In the past week a few of us had the pleasure of hanging out with a few of them, hearing their stories, laughing about the language barrier and making up nicknames (or "sobrenombres"). I am so excited to be able to call them my friends and I can't wait to come back to my new home away from home.

It was incredible to me that we were able to build such awesome friendships despite the language differences. I have become extremely attached to everyone here, mostly just by smiling at one another each time we come and go through the front door. I am astounded by the care we received while here; care that goes above and beyond a typical hotel staff. They made special soup for a few of us when we were sick, passed us sweets through our bedroom windows, and by the end, pretty much knew what each of us liked for breakfast and how much milk to put in our coffee. 

I am going to miss it here but I am so thankful for my new friends- I can't help but start planning my trip back. ¡Hasta pronto Guatemala!

From left to right: Marcela (aka Chela), Mario (Nano), Walter Uno (La Loca), Luis (Sammy), Jamie (La Girafa), Me (Peque), Alfredo

Goodbye to ANA

Monday was our ceremony to say goodbye to those who we met at Asociacion Nuestros Ahijados, and who were a large part of our time here in Guatemala. The night began with a delicious dinner with Jose, the director of ANA in Guatemala who has been so caring to our group all along, Jorge, who we became close to through house-building, and Vanessa, the doctor who helped many of us through our illnesses. All of whom have made an impact on us in only a few weeks time through their never ending willingness to help and care, and friendly personalities. After chatting and enjoying dinner, we hustled through the rain, over to the chapel on the ANA campus to close out our time volunteering. Jose began by explaining what a blessing our time here has been for not only ourselves, but ANA and the families we worked with as well. He had us close our eyes and imagine what each family whom we built the houses for are doing right at that moment, on a cold rainy night. Envisioning them not having to worry about their clothes and beds getting drenched, and trying to keep warm with soggy blanket; that they’re able to keep warm and dry in a house with a solid roof, cement floor, and sturdy walls- that we constructed. It was a beautiful thought to ponder on as we end our time here, knowing that even though we are leaving, the work we did will still be benefiting them for a long time come. The ANA team then celebrated our time here by giving us each a certificate, a necklace with a charm on it in hopes to come back and add new charms each year, and custom “God’s Child” caps, which came in handy on our trip to Tikal the following day.

After the ceremony, Teslin, Megan, and I headed over to our new friend, Micaela’s, house for dinner and conversation. We met her from several stops into her shop of handmade goods, we quickly learned she was a pretty amazing woman, and had a lot we could learn from her. She welcomed us into her house with abundant hospitality and made us feel at home. It was great to be able to talk with a Maya woman who has had many trying experiences, and has worked so hard to get where she is today. Definitely a memorable and valuable night for us on this trip.

An Ode to Volcan Pacaya

A van full of girls and a bumpy car ride later, we found ourselves standing below a steaming crater. Walking sticks and horse taxis galore, we definitely weren't in Antigua anymore, praying to God the volcano doesn't roar. The day insisted we hike Pacaya, all the while learning about the Maya and their history, about the devastating lava we hope to never see. Miguel took charge, leading the way, up a trail that resembled a used ashtray surrounded by beautiful greens that, to most eyes, are unseen, making it pleasantly serene. Persistent with the steady incline, we made it to the top with plenty of time to enjoy the view, one that was breathtakingly beautiful through and through. There were many a dog, all seemingly astray, and all charming in their own rugged kind of way. Even when begging hastily, we couldn't help but sympathize with those bright, wide, puppy dog eyes. And of course the steam hole, how could I forget -- perhaps the "summit's" most exciting feature yet. We all took a turn climbing in to what could have been a mini sauna, under which lies the boiling lava. As a storm appeared to be headed our direction, our Pacaya adventure seemed to wrap up with perfection. As we hustled down the mountainside, everyone seemed to be more than satisfied with what they had gained through this experience in which nothing was feigned. There and back again we are, an hour away isn't so far. It's funny though, how leaving Antigua feels like leaving home. But it's important to roam new terrain, it's important to grab each opporunity by the reins. I'm excited to see what this next week brings, with Tikal in our sights, it's time to further spread our wings!

(Pictures to come!)

Building Team Una Vez Mas!

During the third week of our time here in Guatemala we had the opportunity to build houses for families in need.  I had the privilege to change the lives of a family of a single mother with six children in a part of Guatemala called Santa Ana.  This aspect of our time building just might have been my favorite part of the trip.   

On the first day we mixed cement and created a foundation with bricks.  On the second day we secured the frame of the pressed cement walls and hammered and sawed until we thought we couldn't.  This is all easier said than done.  Let's just say our team name was Una Vez Mas, and we did just that until we were finished. All the while the children were more than eager to help.  The spirit and energy in these kids was something I can't describe.

On the third day we had a blast painting our soon to be smurf blue house. It turned out that the kids also loved to paint. :)

In a matter of days these people who not only don't speak the same language as us but were also strangers, became people that I could respect and connect with.  From this experience I  learned just how important and rewarding it is to help people living in need.  In those three days I not only learned how to build a house, but also learned a great deal about the people of Guatemala and how grateful I am that I had the opportunity to give this amazing family a house.  

Conversation Partners

For the last three weeks we have been taking Spanish classes along with meeting with a Guatemalan conversation partner who is trying to learn English.  Having taken absolutely no Spanish classes before I arrived in Guatemala, I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  Similar to anything in life, starting from scratch is difficult to do!  Fortunately, Sarah and I were assigned to a very patient conversation partner named Alma.

Sarah and I had so many questions about Antigua and Guatemala in general, especially the first week here.  Alma was so willing to answer questions and show us around to places we would have never seen without her.  Though Spanish class was very beneficial, talking with Alma allowed me to learn applicable words used in casual conversation.  Sarah and I were also very impressed by how much English Alma knew.  She told us she had taken English for three years now.  She became bashful when we told her she was a great speaker but Sarah and I agree that she would certainly find her way around in an English speaking country with her skill level!

As our time in Guatemala is coming to an end, Friday was our last day meeting with Alma.  We thanked her with ice cream and hugs and wish her the best!

 A beautiful fountain Alma led us to

Maximo Nivel- our Spanish/English school

Tanque de la Union- a historic public laundry washbasin Alma showed us

Highlights

As we come to our last week here, I wanted to share 

some of my favorite sights and moments

El Arco is located near the city center and was created to connect two monasteries, located on each side of the street. Apparently there used to be a problem with the nuns leaving the church and giving in to the temptations of men whispering "sweet nothings" as they cross the street. They created the arc as a bridge that the nuns could use to cross the street and avoid mingling with street folk.

Deanna and I took a field trip with our classes to some ruins in downtown Antigua.

The 6th grade class in front of the mural at the ANA. I requested this group picture after our field trip and some of the kids were not enthused after our long walk back to campus. 

Our early morning hike to Cerro de la Cruz to celebrated Teslin's 20th birthday. We watched the sun fall over the city as it rose above the trees behind us.

Safety first! Our boat ride back to Panajachel from Santa Domingo was cold and wet, but at least we were stylish in our orange life vests.

A view of the country side spotted with humble housing and checkered with various crops.  The lush green plants and trees span through all the valleys and over even the steepest of hills. 

BUILDING!

This week has been long and exhausting but very rewarding. Monday was my last day at Casa Jackson and I was sad to say goodbye to all of the babies. About half of them were finally getting  over their illness and we were able to spend the day playing with them.  A few other kids were hospitalized over the weekend due to respiratory infections, and as worried as I am for them, I am also thankful that these kids have that resource available to them since , any other kids do not.
Tuesday through Thursday we built houses. We split into groups of four or five and each group build one house.  Day one we built the foundation, day two the walls and roof went up, and the last day (today) we painted the entire house bright blue, put up the gutters, and put our finishing touches on the house.

The entire three days that we were building, the two oldest girls, Sylvia (13 years old, seen left) and Cecelia (11 years old, seen in window), worked side by side with our crew and were such an inspiration to me. Every time I got tired of mixing concrete or digging a ditch I would look over and find one of these girls next to me working just as hard (barefoot and without gloves mind you) to build their future house. They also enjoyed drawing pictures in the wet cement when we had a few minutes of down time between each reloading of the buckets. 

The third and final day was by far the most rewarding when the entire family came out to see their new home.  We all gathered inside the house and they expressed their gratitude for our hard work.  The children made each of us a card with stickers and a handwritten letter inside. This family is just so beautiful standing in front of their new blue home.