As COS is quickly approaching I’ve had some fun doing some reflecting in the past few days of my service and all of the incredible experiences I’ve been through here. I thought it would be fun to make a “best of list” of some of the crazy and incredible things that I never thought I would have done if not for Peace Corps Guatemala, in addition to some notable newly acquired skills. Here goes nothing…
*Can successfully cook the traditional dish of pepian and tamalitos for a crowd of 50 over a wood fired stove. (Also can cook a number of other traditional dishes)
*Can make tortillas that have the approval of the Guatemalan women and get put in the basket to serve to everyone (the true test) – when I was first making tortillas, they kept mine back and they didn’t get put in the serving basket – a nice way to say “not quite up to par.”
*Can successfully bathe with about 2 gallons of water
*Have bathed outside under a roof eves trough in the rain when there was no water
*Have killed a chicken
*Have survived countless cold water showers, including cold water showers where the outside/inside (since there is no insulation) air temp is about the same temp as the cold water
*Can successfully survive a packed bus ride, standing for more than 2 hours if necessary, in heels, getting off the bus with 25lb backpack in one hand overhead, managing to not hit anyone in the head on the way out. (You should check out the size of my right bicep after 2 years of this)
*Can identify most tropical fruits, trees, and plants and know how to get said fruit of the trees
*Can survive on a diet of eggs, beans, and tortillas (however the emergency once a month run to the Indian food restaurant in Xela is necessary)
*Can fluently speak Spanish and hold phone conversations in Spanish (this was my biggest obstacle to start – the phone thing)
*Have figured out the “Hora Chapina” (Guatemalan time) and no longer get there 2 hours earlier than everyone else. I now know that when someone says 3 p.m. – they really mean 5 or 6 p.m. And everyone has a slightly different “Hora Chapina” that one has to figure out.
*I can successfully get anywhere I want to go without a vehicle.
* I have the patience to wait for a bus for over 3 hours and it is no longer a big deal
*I eat ceviche (seafood concoction of raw shrimp (“cooked” in lime and salt) with tomato, onion, and a variety of spices – super yummy!)
*I eat chicharron (fried pork skin)
*I can survive without water, without cable, without internet, and without electricity (Survive that is – liking it is a different story)
*I can bake a cake in a tin foil oven (that I made), over a pot of boiling water, over a wood fired stove (with wood that I carried up and chopped)
*Managed to stay in shape with a homemade set of “weights” fashioned out of various sizes and cuttings of cement block.
*I can machete chop a huge ream of bananas off a tree
*I can mix cement and build a stove from scratch (and coordinate the arrival of said materials to places far off the beaten trail)
*I can fix plumbing, tubing, showers, and just about any toilet problem (again can do it – but not an enjoyable experience)
Okay that’s about all I can think of for now but all I can say is that it’s been quite the ride. Peace Corps is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’ve done some challenging things in life, however, it has been a very empowering experience that I am grateful to have had and now that I’m getting close to closing it out, I feel like I can do more than I’ve ever dreamed. So – as they say here - Siga adelante! (Keep moving forward!)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Packing Ideas for new arrivals
I think the blog de moda (popular) right now is writing recommendations to the new trainees who will be coming to Guatemala in less than a month now. So, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and give my two cents worth to the whole “what should I bring” dilemma.
The best thing about Guatemala is that you can get most of everything you need here, so don’t really worry about not being able to buy notebooks or pens or clothes – they have just about everything you will need here, including McDonalds. A note on that too – you might not believe me – but pretty much everyone sooner or later is craving McDonalds. I’ve eaten more McDonald’s here in Guate than I ever did in the US.
So back to the essential stuff to pack – stuff that is either hard to find or expensive to get here and vale la pena (is worth it) to bring…
1. Computer AND a big external hard drive – The computer has been my life saver here. There are some sites with access to internet cafes, however, if you are like me, my nearest internet café is 1.5 hours away and my life improved dramatically when I finally got my computer down here. You’ll have access to internet and there is signal even deep into the jungle. You’ll be able to buy a modem and have regular internet service in just about every site. It might not be as fast as the US or quite as reliable but it will be pretty good. Even though we don’t have public electricity where I live – we have internet and cell phones.
2. Makeup and contacts – Contacts are allowed here in Guatemala so bring em. You can buy the cleaning solution here at the pharmacy. It just has to get paid for out of your own pocket and isn’t offered by the medical office. Also, any good makeup that you like – bring it. You can get it at Wal Mart in Xela or another store in Antigua – however – it is about double the price that you would pay in the US. Also, you’ll be expected to dress up more often than you might think and you’ll be glad you brought it.
3. Dressy clothes for training and workshops and swearing in – Ladies – bring heels and men – nice shoes. Almost all Guatemalan women wear heels all the time and you’ll definitely fit in more with heels. If heels are absolutely not your thing – than closed toe flats will work too. Flip flops and Chacos and tennis shoes are not allowed in the Peace Corps office – so be sure you have some nice shoes to wear to the office. I brought 2 nice pair of dress slacks and I am glad that I had them – as well as some nice blouses and cute tops. Think business casual.
4. Rechargeable batteries and battery charger – These are available here, but more expensive. Bring a few to get you started for stuff that you’ll need batteries. Esp. since there aren’t safe places to deposit batteries here – better to recharge than to buy and just throw away.
5. Some warm clothes for training – Training will be in Jan-March at the office, which is located at a higher elevation – so the training rooms can be cold. I recommend a fleece, gloves, hat, and a wrap or a scarf. I tend to run on the cold side, so it might be a bit much for some – but better to be a little warm than cold! Also, it warms up during the day but the mornings and evenings can be chilly. Once you get your site – you can make additional purchases based on your climate. However, in Guatemala there seem to be more cold sites than warm sites. And by cold I am talking about freezing temperatures – like frost and ice!
6. Ipod with portable speakers
The following is stuff that you can all buy here…
*Sheets (unless you like a high thread count – then bring them for your own bit of luxury. I did this and I am personally glad I did – however – if you don’t have a preference – you can buy them here)
*Radios/CD players
*Clothes/jewelry (note here on jewelry: don’t bring anything you would hate to lose – even small rings or a small necklace. This is the first stuff that gets stolen here from volunteers. Thieves will even go as far as removing jewelry from your neck as you sleep on a bus. Don’t bring anything that even resembles real gold or silver.
*Sunglasses – you can buy the cheap ones here – and you’ll go through a lot – I’ve been through probably 6 pair – not worth it to bring the expensive nice ones.
*Cell phones – buy a cheap one here – for as often as they are lost and stolen – don’t bring a nice one from home. Peace Corps will also provide you with a cell phone.
*Sunscreen/shampoo/lotion/razors/soap – it’s all available here so just bring enough to get you through your first few weeks.
So, basically don’t stress about packing. Anything you really need in Guatemala can be found here. You may end up paying more for something but ultimately it can be found here. Just BRING YOUR COMPUTER (but not your new Mac - like a $200 laptop or an older computer will do) and have some warm clothes on hand. You have those two things and you’ll be a happy camper.
Enjoy your last few weeks in the US and eat all your favorite foods!
The best thing about Guatemala is that you can get most of everything you need here, so don’t really worry about not being able to buy notebooks or pens or clothes – they have just about everything you will need here, including McDonalds. A note on that too – you might not believe me – but pretty much everyone sooner or later is craving McDonalds. I’ve eaten more McDonald’s here in Guate than I ever did in the US.
So back to the essential stuff to pack – stuff that is either hard to find or expensive to get here and vale la pena (is worth it) to bring…
1. Computer AND a big external hard drive – The computer has been my life saver here. There are some sites with access to internet cafes, however, if you are like me, my nearest internet café is 1.5 hours away and my life improved dramatically when I finally got my computer down here. You’ll have access to internet and there is signal even deep into the jungle. You’ll be able to buy a modem and have regular internet service in just about every site. It might not be as fast as the US or quite as reliable but it will be pretty good. Even though we don’t have public electricity where I live – we have internet and cell phones.
2. Makeup and contacts – Contacts are allowed here in Guatemala so bring em. You can buy the cleaning solution here at the pharmacy. It just has to get paid for out of your own pocket and isn’t offered by the medical office. Also, any good makeup that you like – bring it. You can get it at Wal Mart in Xela or another store in Antigua – however – it is about double the price that you would pay in the US. Also, you’ll be expected to dress up more often than you might think and you’ll be glad you brought it.
3. Dressy clothes for training and workshops and swearing in – Ladies – bring heels and men – nice shoes. Almost all Guatemalan women wear heels all the time and you’ll definitely fit in more with heels. If heels are absolutely not your thing – than closed toe flats will work too. Flip flops and Chacos and tennis shoes are not allowed in the Peace Corps office – so be sure you have some nice shoes to wear to the office. I brought 2 nice pair of dress slacks and I am glad that I had them – as well as some nice blouses and cute tops. Think business casual.
4. Rechargeable batteries and battery charger – These are available here, but more expensive. Bring a few to get you started for stuff that you’ll need batteries. Esp. since there aren’t safe places to deposit batteries here – better to recharge than to buy and just throw away.
5. Some warm clothes for training – Training will be in Jan-March at the office, which is located at a higher elevation – so the training rooms can be cold. I recommend a fleece, gloves, hat, and a wrap or a scarf. I tend to run on the cold side, so it might be a bit much for some – but better to be a little warm than cold! Also, it warms up during the day but the mornings and evenings can be chilly. Once you get your site – you can make additional purchases based on your climate. However, in Guatemala there seem to be more cold sites than warm sites. And by cold I am talking about freezing temperatures – like frost and ice!
6. Ipod with portable speakers
The following is stuff that you can all buy here…
*Sheets (unless you like a high thread count – then bring them for your own bit of luxury. I did this and I am personally glad I did – however – if you don’t have a preference – you can buy them here)
*Radios/CD players
*Clothes/jewelry (note here on jewelry: don’t bring anything you would hate to lose – even small rings or a small necklace. This is the first stuff that gets stolen here from volunteers. Thieves will even go as far as removing jewelry from your neck as you sleep on a bus. Don’t bring anything that even resembles real gold or silver.
*Sunglasses – you can buy the cheap ones here – and you’ll go through a lot – I’ve been through probably 6 pair – not worth it to bring the expensive nice ones.
*Cell phones – buy a cheap one here – for as often as they are lost and stolen – don’t bring a nice one from home. Peace Corps will also provide you with a cell phone.
*Sunscreen/shampoo/lotion/razors/soap – it’s all available here so just bring enough to get you through your first few weeks.
So, basically don’t stress about packing. Anything you really need in Guatemala can be found here. You may end up paying more for something but ultimately it can be found here. Just BRING YOUR COMPUTER (but not your new Mac - like a $200 laptop or an older computer will do) and have some warm clothes on hand. You have those two things and you’ll be a happy camper.
Enjoy your last few weeks in the US and eat all your favorite foods!
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