Antigua

Antigua is beautiful. It's definitely a town. I never would have known it existed if it wasn't for this program. I've fallen in love with cobblestone streets, the architecture, and the secret garden courtyards that seem to magically appear behind every open door as we walk to our various destinations.

The town at night is breathtaking, and I could literally eat at a new restaurant every night and never repeat one. The food is sooo good and so cheap. Our favorite restaurant so far is called 'Epicure'. Everything we try is fantastic and it had one of those secret courtyards I was talking about. We stumbled upon it taking pictures of an old convent and at first it looked like a deli, but when I looked further in, I saw plants, so we decided to eat there. Am I glad I did! The atmosphere is delightful, the service is attentive but not overly so, and we've fallen in love with the French orange truffles they give us with our check.

I had visions of rice and beans and tortillas for our whole trip (which I was honestly looking forward to..), but because of the tourist town that it is, there's been very little of that. I'm a little sad about that, but it's been fun to live the high life for so cheap. It's definitely given me cause to want to retire abroad! Living like a queen on a teachers retirement? Yes please.

That also brings up the fact that there's a sad side to Antigua. Poverty lurks around every corner. It doesn't take very long to see third world elements. I feel like we're shielded from a lot of it, but it becomes more and more apparent as I drive to different areas. The Guatemalan people are proud and clean.. As clean as they can be. But their circumstances are very humble in many situations, and I understand more and more about the people I served with in Boston.

I was walking in the square late on Friday night and noticed many homeless people in the doorways sleeping. This was nothing compared to the city I'm sure, but it was a reality I wasn't expecting at the time. It reminds me over and over how grateful I am for the blessings I've been given.

I love the mists across the mountains. I love the smiles of the people and the more than occasional gold tooth. I love riding on the chicken bus and seeing an actual chicken. I love that sometimes I'm afraid for my life driving on the chicken bus down the mountain from San Mateo. I love talking with the people at the bus stop. Francisco being my favorite. I love flirting with the waiters at 'Luna de Miel' the crepe place. I love that it starts out sunny and rains by 1 pm which works out great because we go to placement. I love the creativity and resourcefulness of the people. I love the little family that run 'bicicleta de juancho,' their metal box cash register, and that they have amazing chocolate cake and pizza for 10Q. I love that my Spanish reminds me I have a long way to go, but I know enough to sometimes connect with the people. This trip hasn't been what I thought, but then again, I didn't know what to expect. I've just appreciated things for what they were and it's been in my favor. I'm literally just happy to be here. I think 2 weeks will be enough time to see everything, although part of me wants to stay forever and never go back to real life again.

It's been interesting that the service element hasn't been what I was expecting. The kids are adorable.. But kids are always adorable. Judith, the woman who runs PRODESENH, and her husband Juan, are amazing. They are doing incredible things with their program. She is really focused on empowering women in her community, and I am constantly inspired by her. We also have some other volunteers from Spain that have been a lot of fun too at our placement, and their accents are adorable. They love the kids too. They think I'm full of genius ideas.. We'll see how long that lasts! They will soon know the truth I think!
I'm trying to get Elmer and a couple of other kids to memorize their multiplication tables. If they do, I promised them a cake. I need to go buy some notecards for flash cards tomorrow. Kids are kids in every part of the world. I love them all.. Even when there are turdy fifth grade boys. What is it about that age? Something happens at 11..What to do with them? I have no idea.

Vive Guatemala!

Well..I'm in guatemala. We got here yesterday. I'm excited we didn't die. We got a little scared because we went to the wrong baggage claim and thought our luggage was really lost. Luckily, it wasn't! We've had a few lost in translation moments, but my Spanish is holding up ok. Sometimes I forget words I know I used uto know, but I usually end up being able to figure it out. Here's a little run down of some of the things I did yesterday!

Had a little moment with the native woman at the airport. (mental picture)I smiled and she smiled. It was special. The fabrics and colors of their clothes are incredible!

Left Myra at the airport. She went to go get cash from an ATM and Elmer our driver has to drive around because the police get mad if you sit for too long. We came back for her though!

Went to the artesian market and I bought a hand carved flute and made friends with a woman selling bracelets..
Although I didn't buy one, so I'm probably not her friend. But I liked her and gave her some of my m&m mix. We also met maria Jose. She was awesome and friendly and super helpful. ( more mental pictures) We walked a lot.

We took some pictures of murals kids had done talking about what they wanted Guatemala to be. It was cute.

We went central parque-the historic district- and took pictures of the cathedral and the palace. We got some amazing pictures of the sky and the cathedral had a dome, with made me think of "tuppence a bag" and was in my head..which then made me think of England. I want to go there too:)

We went to hotel pan-americano and had Guatemalan food and Hecho a mano tortillas "de Palma a Palma". As our waiter said. I loved his pants! Jorge our taxi driver told us about it. He loves his country and came back after living in Chicago for 5 years.

We tried to get money exchanged, after we FINALLY found a bank, but we waited forever and then some lady cut in front of us, so we left. We tried to find me some bodywash, but it was too smelly.

On the way home, I talked with our cab driver and helped him with some phrases for his American customers. I even write them down for him in his little book. His name was Carlos, and he was young and fun and liked history.

Part of me used to think that we are so lucky as Americans to live where we live and have the things we do, but the people I've met seem pretty resilient and over all pretty happy. I know it's not easy..I served my mission with people who would agree, but it's a definite reminder to me that I have a choice about how I choose to see my world, and how I choose to live in it.

Today I went to the temple and went through a session. It was fun to go and check off another temple on my list. The worker at the front told me to hurry because they were going to put me in on the session starting, but I didn't understand that;) the lady at the clothing rental helped me out. The temple is a lot smaller than most I've been too. It was amazing to me that even in such a small space, the ordinances fit. They could literally be performed in a closet. ( the room was pretty small.. And we sat on benches.. Another first) I talked with a girl and asked her if they had come very far..there was a chicken bus in the parking lot.( mental picture) I'm assuming it was theirs... She said not that far- about 2 hours. Yet, dir me, it dis seem far-especially since the farthest temple away from me was 30. Plus the cost and stuff I knew was a sacrifice. Everything was the same but different, and it took longer than I thought for several reasons. Luckily my friends were distracted by some missionaries and taking pictures so they had something to do while they were waiting for me.

We met Myra's friend at the mall..I'll figure out how to spell it..and went to the museum there. It wasn't a big exhibit, but I learned a little more about the Mayans and really appreciated that the artists were so revered. There body of work definitely shows that. They also used to bury people under their houses. Interesting. I don't know if I could live somewhere with people underneath!

We then went to the mall-miraflores- and ate at one of the two food courts there. I had dobladas- their version of tacos- and they were good. We also found me some body wash and rode the carousel! They had this thing kind of like the teacups at Disneyland on it, so I was all over that! I also rolled down a hill and two little kids laughed at me. It sounded fun, so I did it. I hope I didn't flash anyone in my dress!

We came back, took a bunch of pictures and watched a movie ( the switch) and ordered expensive mediocre desserts and a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. I was hungry, what can I say? I will try and post some pics and see what happens.