So, I know it's been quite a while since I've written on the ole blog. . . busy busy. I'm now in site. I live with another family that is a little different from the fam in Pastores.. . I cook for myself and all that. . . which I like but I don't really feel like part of the fam like I did before. I love my little town, although there is not much to do. We go for LOTS of walks and stuff. . . And read a lot. . . But it's really beautiful. . .I would compare the landscape to the mountains of California. . .lots of trees, really green. Lots of small farms.. . every day when we walk to the schools that are FAR we see people working in the fields. . .a lot of carrots around our schools. . .
How do we get to our schools and back you ask? We take camionetas (chicken buses), walk, or a pickup, or all of the above. The camionetas are hilarious to see because we are 2 gringas in a bus full of people in typical indigenous outfits.. . we stick out a little. I LOVE the pickups because we ride in the back and it's absolutely beautiful countryside.. especially on warm days. . . which are getting to be more and more limited now that winter is coming.
Some interesting notes:
We have this routine to introduce ourselves to each school. Well, last week a principal said that they shouldn't be scared when they see us, if anyone is going to rob them it's going to be a Guatemalan. . .it was hilarious. Every time we introduce ourselves at our schools our counterpart Seño Cony (Who is AMAZING) says that next time they see us they shouldn't be scared or run away, which actually happens quite frequently.
Also, I've had about a week of interesting happenings as well as bad luck. . .
1) A drunk harassed me and a friend on a bus. He tried to fight the helper and then the bus stopped, everyone was staring at us (which happens daily but I'm still not used to. . . the staring that is), and the guys got up to kick this guy off the bus. It was really scary because we thought these guys were gonna pummel the drunk, they take everything really seriously here. Eventually everything calmed down and the bus started moving again. .. I'm really not doing the story justice I realize.
2) I got amoebas and a bacterial infection. I felt like death. I had a fever and lets just say nothing was staying in my body... at all. I had to take a bus for 1 1/2 hours to get to the training center, give a sample, and wait for the results. Well, they didn't find anything so I had to stay in Antigua overnight. I had the equivalent of 12$, no clothes, toothbrush, phone charger. . .nothing. . .had to stay in a hotel for 6$, get around which costs about 5, so i had like no money to eat. . .which was fine because I couldn't. The next day after a night of misery I had to walk to the clinic to give another sample. .. walking in that condition was not easy. Then I went to the training center and I found out I had a bacteria and some amoebas. . . lovely. But, now I'm better. . . after the bus ride from hell to get home. Imagine a fever, dehydration, no food, and the d word for 2 1/2 hours on a crowded hot bus. Yay. But I am grateful to live so close to the training center, that's for sure.
3) A turkey escaped on the chicken bus! It was hilarious, climbing around our feet and such. Eew.
4) We went to the election of the queen of the school district. SO FUN. These women (teachers) dressed up in indigenous clothing, sportswear (like cheerleaders, boxers, etc), fantasy clothing (costumes like corn and mermaids), and gala clothing. It was quality, let me tell you.
5) To continue my string of luck I took a chunk off of my toe on a rock. . . yay.
So that was my week last week. I'm hoping I have a change of luck this week. Maybe I'll find 100q on the ground or something. I'm looking forward to a little r and r to recooperate.. .
In the internet cafe today I have heard Gangsters Paradise, various songs by Ace of Base, etc. Amazing.
I miss everybody! Feel free to email me! jesslmomberg@yahoo.com
also here's the link to my pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2223400&l=a3fc4&id=3300351
xoxo
Jess
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2 comments:
Hey Jess! This is aunt Mari in Iowa. We got snow flurries today, can you believe it? It is crazy to see that even here this early. I think I will move to Guatemala. Ha Ha How are things going? Your mom just sent me your blog info. so I thought I would give you note. We sure miss you. You almost have one year down. We couldn't be prouder of you and can't wait to see you. Please take care and I will talk to you soon.
Hey Jess! This is aunt Mari in Iowa. We got snow flurries today, can you believe it? It is crazy to see that even here this early. I think I will move to Guatemala. Ha Ha How are things going? Your mom just sent me your blog info. so I thought I would give you note. We sure miss you. You almost have one year down. We couldn't be prouder of you and can't wait to see you. Please take care and I will talk to you soon.
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