Well, the pace in my Guatemalan world has just sped up considerably. This weekend we are having a community interchange and volunteers from another community are visiting us and then we're loading up in a micro bus to go to their community. We are going to walk around the town, visit the futbol stadium, and have some snacks on the roof of one of the volunteer's house. We bought lots of different kind of fruit that is local to the area that doesn't grow in the States. I thought my this time in my life I have tried a lot of exotic food, but there is still some fruit here that is completely new to me. One is anona. It is a fruit that you peel with a really sweet white inside and big black seeds. The fruit reminds me of a pina colada. Another is zapote. It is a fruit, but kind of tastes like squash or sweet potato, but a little more sweet. It looks like an avocado on the outside, but it is light brown. When you all come visit me, we'll go try it all too. After our rooftop snack we're heading to another town.
Next week I have to give a presentation to the Municipalidad about how to promote their park. It is all in Spanish and is a fairly complicated subject, but I'm going to try to figure out how to simplify it. I'm going to start with an activity where everyone recognizes certain logos, like McDonalds, Nike, Coke, Pepsi, but without the name of the brand on the label. Then I'm going to ask how they recognized the brand and where they have seen it before. Then I am going to try to relate these ideas to ways they are market their park. For example, Coke just doesn't market once, they have a campaign going all of the time. The same with their park. They have to keep it up. So, I'm working on stuff like this. My charla is going to be very participatory where they come up with the answers. All of this has to be figured out by next Thursday.
Time is flying down here and next week we'll be in February already! We've got a week of field based training coming up and that will be action packed and then we swear in at the end of March.
Everything else is going well. I'm sleeping through the night admist roosters who don't know what time it is (they start in at 3 a.m.), bus horns, idling buses, and the church next door that starts up at 6:30 a.m. on the weekends and plays the same song complete with trumpets, drums, and guitars every day. They play every night too from 6-10 p.m. with drums, horns, and a sound system to rival that of any touring rock band. Yeah for ear plugs!!
Top 3 Things That I Love Here
1. Camioneta music (music that is played in the bus) - wide variety - from reggaeton, salsa, bachata, etc. The Peace Corps even made a CD called, "Now that's What I Call Camioneta, Vol. 1" for only 10Q if anyone is interested.
2. Everyone greeting each other on the street - buenos dias, buenos tarde, buenos noches
3. Watching the local town soccer game
Hope all is well with everyone in the States and write often!
Cheers!
Tara
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Time is Flying!
Good evening world! Another week has passed here and Guatemala and I am still learning a ton! I am at the point where I am starting to crave American food and everyone else is there too. We are going to have a pizza party tomorrow night at one of my friend´s house. Dominos is here so that is what we are going to order.
Other things exciting is my english is weird now since I´m speaking so much spanish my English is starting to come out backyards since everything in Spanish is spoken is a backward style of English. For example in english you would say red hat, but in spanish it is hat red. That type of thing.
We met with the mayor of our town today. We have a project that we are going to do to help the local park. We are going to be putting up way finding signs as it is very hidden. We are focusing on attracting more local Guatemalan business to the park. It is a beautiful park with views of the city and 4 volcanos. The hike up to the top is through a beautiful mixed tropical forest. We are also working on helping out with a 3 fold brochure as well and we are going to try to get the place up on Google Earth for them.
In regards to food again, everything is going well. My host mom is making all sorts of great veggie soups and I am loving that. Oh course lots of tortillas with every meal. Meat and everything is eaten with hands, a fork and knife are never really used. I realize that every time I eat the kids look at me weird since I am using a fork. It is a bit different to eat with hands however, I´ve realized a good gauge at when I am doing something weird is to look at the kids reactions. If they are giving me a weird look, it is probably something outside of social protocol. They are great judges since they are so honest.
Today another funny sight was the local pack of dogs wandering around a cart selling meat. Suddenly this stray dog jumped up and grabbed this huge steak off of the cart and took off. The guys ran after the dog and grabbed the steak out of it´s mouth and put it out for resale. Word to the wise, order all meat well done here. As the nurse said, it is ok to eat bacteria and worms, as long as they are dead! haha!
Well that is about it for now!
Cheers!
Tara
Other things exciting is my english is weird now since I´m speaking so much spanish my English is starting to come out backyards since everything in Spanish is spoken is a backward style of English. For example in english you would say red hat, but in spanish it is hat red. That type of thing.
We met with the mayor of our town today. We have a project that we are going to do to help the local park. We are going to be putting up way finding signs as it is very hidden. We are focusing on attracting more local Guatemalan business to the park. It is a beautiful park with views of the city and 4 volcanos. The hike up to the top is through a beautiful mixed tropical forest. We are also working on helping out with a 3 fold brochure as well and we are going to try to get the place up on Google Earth for them.
In regards to food again, everything is going well. My host mom is making all sorts of great veggie soups and I am loving that. Oh course lots of tortillas with every meal. Meat and everything is eaten with hands, a fork and knife are never really used. I realize that every time I eat the kids look at me weird since I am using a fork. It is a bit different to eat with hands however, I´ve realized a good gauge at when I am doing something weird is to look at the kids reactions. If they are giving me a weird look, it is probably something outside of social protocol. They are great judges since they are so honest.
Today another funny sight was the local pack of dogs wandering around a cart selling meat. Suddenly this stray dog jumped up and grabbed this huge steak off of the cart and took off. The guys ran after the dog and grabbed the steak out of it´s mouth and put it out for resale. Word to the wise, order all meat well done here. As the nurse said, it is ok to eat bacteria and worms, as long as they are dead! haha!
Well that is about it for now!
Cheers!
Tara
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Earthquake!
Hey Everyone!
I'm here in Guatemala and things are going great! I was in Comalapa yesterday and yes I felt the earthquake. I am happy to report that there was no damage and everyone here is fine and buildings are in good shape. Comalapa is a town in the highlands, known for its artists and painters. We met a world famous artist yesterday - Oscar Perez - known for his Guatemalan life paintings.
I really have been learning alot here. I am living with a host family here for 11 weeks and then I will be assigned my site and will have another new family for 3 months. It is really true - I have learned so much from living with my Guatemalan family in one day than I could have learned in a whole year just travelling around. My family has been incorpating me into their daily routine - I go to baby showers with them, church, family dinners, birthday parties, and trips to Pollo Compero. I've really learned families are huge here in Guatemala and everyone lives near each other. Just last Sunday we all had dinner together and there were like 30 people in one room. This isn't just a one day affair once a year - but it is like this 2-3 times a week.
I also have learned to wash clothes here in the pila. It is like an open water tank in the house or backyard. There is a cement grate to scrub your clothes on and then you hang them out to dry on the roof or backyard. It is kind of different to have the whole word able to see your underwear - but then their underwear is out there too - so I guess it all evens out. Also, word to the wise in regards to salad eaters. Usually the veggies are washed from this same tank of water - so no salads for 2 years or so. We have learned the process for de-contaminating raw veggies - so I will put that in place once I am out on my own.
I've been feeling really good too. I've been able to try lots of different kinds of vegetables and meat. There are definitely some interesting choices - they really like ham, ketchup, mayo, and toast sandwiches for breakfast. I only have been sick once so far and that was on the trip to Pollo Compero. I was in a big van with the entire family - like 12 people - and we were stuck in a traffic jam and I was in the back, unable to see and inhaling a lot of exhaust - no pollution laws here - anyway - that did me in and I was seeking the nearest restroom fast. Dramamine has definitely been a key ingredient in my happiness on these van rides from now on.
All is well here - loving the sights, sounds, and new experiences.
Cheers,
Tara
I'm here in Guatemala and things are going great! I was in Comalapa yesterday and yes I felt the earthquake. I am happy to report that there was no damage and everyone here is fine and buildings are in good shape. Comalapa is a town in the highlands, known for its artists and painters. We met a world famous artist yesterday - Oscar Perez - known for his Guatemalan life paintings.
I really have been learning alot here. I am living with a host family here for 11 weeks and then I will be assigned my site and will have another new family for 3 months. It is really true - I have learned so much from living with my Guatemalan family in one day than I could have learned in a whole year just travelling around. My family has been incorpating me into their daily routine - I go to baby showers with them, church, family dinners, birthday parties, and trips to Pollo Compero. I've really learned families are huge here in Guatemala and everyone lives near each other. Just last Sunday we all had dinner together and there were like 30 people in one room. This isn't just a one day affair once a year - but it is like this 2-3 times a week.
I also have learned to wash clothes here in the pila. It is like an open water tank in the house or backyard. There is a cement grate to scrub your clothes on and then you hang them out to dry on the roof or backyard. It is kind of different to have the whole word able to see your underwear - but then their underwear is out there too - so I guess it all evens out. Also, word to the wise in regards to salad eaters. Usually the veggies are washed from this same tank of water - so no salads for 2 years or so. We have learned the process for de-contaminating raw veggies - so I will put that in place once I am out on my own.
I've been feeling really good too. I've been able to try lots of different kinds of vegetables and meat. There are definitely some interesting choices - they really like ham, ketchup, mayo, and toast sandwiches for breakfast. I only have been sick once so far and that was on the trip to Pollo Compero. I was in a big van with the entire family - like 12 people - and we were stuck in a traffic jam and I was in the back, unable to see and inhaling a lot of exhaust - no pollution laws here - anyway - that did me in and I was seeking the nearest restroom fast. Dramamine has definitely been a key ingredient in my happiness on these van rides from now on.
All is well here - loving the sights, sounds, and new experiences.
Cheers,
Tara
Saturday, January 9, 2010
I'm here!
Hello everyone!
Well, this is going to be a quick post as Pre Service Training is very intense and I have to be in class in a few minutes but thought I would update everyone on Guatemala. I am so happy to be here! I have spent 3 nights with my host family and now today we leave for our community based training post while I will be for the next 11 weeks.
The weather is nice down here now - in the 60s during the day and in the 40s at night. My host family has been very kind and generous so far. I have had the luxury of having a shower every day via a shower with a metal electricty coil where the water passes through to warm it up a bit. It sounds more dangerous than it is - no shock yet - you're safe as long as you don't touch the coil. One guy accidently did and got a pretty good shock though.
The food has been excellent as well - fruit for breakfast this morning - papaya and bananas and even fried plantain on the first day. I've been drinking hibiscus tea as well. Every night I've been playing game with my host family - a game like chutes and ladders and then some classic card games - Old Maid, Go Fish, and Slapjack!
Our teachers are so good here - they are so helpful with the culture and learning the language norms of Guatemala. I am finding some phrases are very different from the Mexican influenced Spanish that I have learned. Poco a poco (little by little) I will get it all.
We had a pinata to welcome us yesterday - very fun! My spirits are high and I am thinking about all of you in the US. Thank you all for your support! Plus, I have a volcano in my backyard here - one last very cool fact I had to mention to you. It is smoking too!
Hasta luego!
Tara
Well, this is going to be a quick post as Pre Service Training is very intense and I have to be in class in a few minutes but thought I would update everyone on Guatemala. I am so happy to be here! I have spent 3 nights with my host family and now today we leave for our community based training post while I will be for the next 11 weeks.
The weather is nice down here now - in the 60s during the day and in the 40s at night. My host family has been very kind and generous so far. I have had the luxury of having a shower every day via a shower with a metal electricty coil where the water passes through to warm it up a bit. It sounds more dangerous than it is - no shock yet - you're safe as long as you don't touch the coil. One guy accidently did and got a pretty good shock though.
The food has been excellent as well - fruit for breakfast this morning - papaya and bananas and even fried plantain on the first day. I've been drinking hibiscus tea as well. Every night I've been playing game with my host family - a game like chutes and ladders and then some classic card games - Old Maid, Go Fish, and Slapjack!
Our teachers are so good here - they are so helpful with the culture and learning the language norms of Guatemala. I am finding some phrases are very different from the Mexican influenced Spanish that I have learned. Poco a poco (little by little) I will get it all.
We had a pinata to welcome us yesterday - very fun! My spirits are high and I am thinking about all of you in the US. Thank you all for your support! Plus, I have a volcano in my backyard here - one last very cool fact I had to mention to you. It is smoking too!
Hasta luego!
Tara
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Finally - pictures!
Well, I have finally decided to take the time to upload pictures. I spent the day making caramel rolls with my grandma and man did they turn out awesome! She is a pro and it is always nice to bake with her to get some helpful hints. I'm proud to say the rolls turned out nice and fluffy - no over-kneading in my family :) I've got some fun pictures of the process - still using all of my grandma's bowls and utensils from when I first made these rolls with her back in the early 80's! She told me her rolling pin is almost 60 years old - bought from her dad's store. How cool is that!?
Also, I have a picture in here of my bags. I am allowed 80lbs of stuff and I just think I have everything that I might need to get started. I have quite a few shoes, some soccer falls as gifts for the host families, sheets, surge protector, and a variety of other stuff.
I am feeling very optimistic as of now. I am a little nervous about the restroom situation as I will inevitably fall ill at some point - so that is always nerve wracking not knowing quite what I'll be dealing with - however - aside from that I am feeling good. I am ready to go at this point as the process took almost a year from application date to the staging event. I know that there will be a lot of challenges - however - will just try to keep my sense of humor, relax, and take it all in.
Enjoy the pictures!
Cheers!
Tara
Friday, January 1, 2010
So much good food!
Well, it is weird - only the weekend remains and then I fly off on Monday. I have really been enjoying my time here in the Midwest - despite the Arctic Blast that has descended upon the region. As I type, it registers -20 with wind chill outside. Yes, it is brutal and I'm definitely lacking on the natural form of vitamin D. Yet, it has been so fun to catch up with everyone, sleep in, do some last minute shopping, and enjoy some really good meals. I guess if I have to be inside a lot - I've got a good group of people to hang out with.
My mom just made snow crab legs for dinner - what a treat! It might be another 2 years or so before I will be able to enjoy a dinner like that again. They were so sweet and wonderful - the shells just cracked perfectly tonight and I ate like royalty.
My grandma and I are going to make her special caramel rolls tomorrow. I can't wait. My grandma is 85 and just has so much zest for life. I love to hang out with her - always laughing, smiling, and full of stories. We make the caramel rolls from scratch - making the house smell of rising dough, kneading it out by hand, and carefully hand rolling the rolls. It is so fun to learn from the best!
I feel like all I have been talking about is food - but it really is a joy in my life and I might not be able to enjoy all of my favorites for a few years. I've been treated to reubens, pizzas, bagels, tapenades, pheasant, fresh perch, roast beef, rheubarb dessert, and about every cookie and sweet imaginable. Oh yeah - can't forget my favorite red wine and pomegranite martinis to boot...and I've loved it all! I've been trying to counter all of this food love with some morning workout sessions courtesy of FitTv - Bollywood dancing, yoga, bellydancing, and some old school hip hop - however - think I am barely coming up even. Oh well, I'm sure once this American digestive system hits Central America I may be glad that I took advantage of a few extra calories when I did :)
I'm off to continue working on the packing situation. I'm going to try to add 2 soccer balls to the mix as gifts for my host families and I've got a few other small items that I've got to make fit somehow. Happy 2010 everyone and when I next write I may be officially in Guatemala.
Thank you to all of my family and friends for all of your support thus far. You all have really helped me to feel well prepared and very loved. I've really enjoyed all of the talks, the laughs, the games, the shopping, and of course the food. I am truly blessed. Cheers y Feliz Ano Nuevo!
My mom just made snow crab legs for dinner - what a treat! It might be another 2 years or so before I will be able to enjoy a dinner like that again. They were so sweet and wonderful - the shells just cracked perfectly tonight and I ate like royalty.
My grandma and I are going to make her special caramel rolls tomorrow. I can't wait. My grandma is 85 and just has so much zest for life. I love to hang out with her - always laughing, smiling, and full of stories. We make the caramel rolls from scratch - making the house smell of rising dough, kneading it out by hand, and carefully hand rolling the rolls. It is so fun to learn from the best!
I feel like all I have been talking about is food - but it really is a joy in my life and I might not be able to enjoy all of my favorites for a few years. I've been treated to reubens, pizzas, bagels, tapenades, pheasant, fresh perch, roast beef, rheubarb dessert, and about every cookie and sweet imaginable. Oh yeah - can't forget my favorite red wine and pomegranite martinis to boot...and I've loved it all! I've been trying to counter all of this food love with some morning workout sessions courtesy of FitTv - Bollywood dancing, yoga, bellydancing, and some old school hip hop - however - think I am barely coming up even. Oh well, I'm sure once this American digestive system hits Central America I may be glad that I took advantage of a few extra calories when I did :)
I'm off to continue working on the packing situation. I'm going to try to add 2 soccer balls to the mix as gifts for my host families and I've got a few other small items that I've got to make fit somehow. Happy 2010 everyone and when I next write I may be officially in Guatemala.
Thank you to all of my family and friends for all of your support thus far. You all have really helped me to feel well prepared and very loved. I've really enjoyed all of the talks, the laughs, the games, the shopping, and of course the food. I am truly blessed. Cheers y Feliz Ano Nuevo!
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