Well my new trend seems to be one blog a month - I didn't mean for it to end up this way but year 2 has really picked up speed and I have been very busy - not all of it is work though - as I just got back from a 2 week vacation with my sister! We had such a blast! It was so nice to get 2 full weeks off to really enjoy all that Guatemala has to offer. Sometimes I get so focused on work and all the stuff going on in site that I forget Guatemala is such a diverse country with a ton of fun stuff to do and see.
We went up to Semuc Champey, which is a beautiful area in Alta Verapaz with cascading turquoise pools to swim in, caves to explore and a run rope swing. Then we stayed in Antigua to take in the activity during Semana Santa. We got to see a night procession where they carry a big float that displays the crucifiction through the streets of Antigua - followed by a large marching band - it is a very dramatic experience and was something very cool to see in real life. After Antigua we spent some time on the coast surfing and enjoying some time just relaxing in the hammocks. Then Kate came up to the finca where I live and got to meet all my friends and see what life is like up here. After that we headed to Xela for a couple of days of shopping for hand woven goods and back to Antigua. It was so awesome to have her here for 2 weeks and to have some good quality sister time! The time just flew by and soon I will be heading home for her wedding! I am counting the days - soooo excited for her and Ben!!!
Work has ramped up to full speed again after I got notification that my first grant went through and I got the first check to start on the big stove project here. Part 2 of the grant, which many in the US are so kindly helping out with by donating to the cause is in the works and I am so excited to see this stove dream become a reality here. We are having a big general assembly meeting tonight to go over the final plans and are getting ready to make the first big materials purchase. Then comes coordinating the transportation to get everything up here and then finally we get to start building. I've got a group of 20 Canadian students coming in the next couple of weeks and I think they'll be very interested in helping with the construction - should be a great project for all! I'll be posting pictures so that everyone can see the progress that we make. Now the real work begins!
This weekend is an organic fair in Xela and some members from the farm will be up there selling our macadamia nuts and coffee with me. It should be a great time - just hoping the rains hold out as we are now in the beginning of the rainy season...vamos a ver (we'll see). If anything else, it is fun to be in the city for a few days and enjoy hot showers and a variety of food options.
I've also posted some pictures from the trip for you all to enjoy!
Thanks for reading!
Tara
