Okay so first off, I'm going to try to be less detailed and only update once a week. I have been trying to catch up on updating the blog through my journal, but it is just too much and I don't have time. So I'm going to try to give highlights from the week!
This week we went to Guate City on Monday with our spanish teachers to learn how to use the transportation there (we are only allowed to use taxis in the city because of crime), learn where the embassy is, and see where the hospital is located. I ate lot's of American food at the mall there....mcdonalds, quiznos, etc. I also have started trying to work in our store some. I always have to ask how much stuff costs, but I think this will help pass the time in the house and also learn some more spanish. Also, Monday night I got out of bed to a pounding on the door. Since my host father is working nights this week, I decided I was the man of the house and needed to see what that was about. My host sister and I ended up looking out the window and it was just some woman wanting to buy something at the store.
Tuesday we went back to Headquarters again. There were a lot of current volunteers there and they spoke with us about the Volunteer Advisory Committee. It's always good to see the real deal, current volunteers. In tech training, we learned more about the "charlas" or lessons we will be giving in spanish in our respective communities next week. It is kind of frightening because we will have to do it by ourselves in spanish for thirty minutes. We also found out our security guy at PC is taking a new job as a regional coordinator. We also filled out paperwork for our bank accounts. Afterwards, we had nachos and drinks at Mono Loco in Antigua for Hilary's birthday. Fun Fun....home before dark!
Wednesday we met with our counterpart to learn more about his wants for our charlas. Class was at my house. My host mom had a ballin snack for us: nachos, guacamole, and salsa. And I jogged, well mostly walked, in the main street today. It was a little intense and I felt bad the rest of the week from breathing in so much of the bad air. Not sure how that will work in the future...
Thursday we had tech training in San Antonio, which has a very nice central park and muni. This was the last of our formal meetings with the whole eco crew. We review all the tools we've learned so far and also learned about budgets and marketing plans. It was exciting to learn more about the business side. I hope my site assignment has a lot to do with business because I find it so interesting. This afternoon for class, my host mom had choco bananos (frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and peanuts)--my new favorite. We also had our first review with Mirsa, our teacher.
Friday, we had class in the morning, watched a movie called El Norte about conflict in Guatemala, and went at 2pm with Don Hilo to the park to get a better idea of his dreams for the park. On the way back, we couldn't catch a chicken bus so we had to walk across the street and catch a muni truck that was carrying wood back to the muni. We had to stand up in the back and hold on for dear life. It was a real life experience. Then our group put finishing touches on our plan for the community interchange for tomorrow. (see pictures of our park below)
This week we went to Guate City on Monday with our spanish teachers to learn how to use the transportation there (we are only allowed to use taxis in the city because of crime), learn where the embassy is, and see where the hospital is located. I ate lot's of American food at the mall there....mcdonalds, quiznos, etc. I also have started trying to work in our store some. I always have to ask how much stuff costs, but I think this will help pass the time in the house and also learn some more spanish. Also, Monday night I got out of bed to a pounding on the door. Since my host father is working nights this week, I decided I was the man of the house and needed to see what that was about. My host sister and I ended up looking out the window and it was just some woman wanting to buy something at the store.
Tuesday we went back to Headquarters again. There were a lot of current volunteers there and they spoke with us about the Volunteer Advisory Committee. It's always good to see the real deal, current volunteers. In tech training, we learned more about the "charlas" or lessons we will be giving in spanish in our respective communities next week. It is kind of frightening because we will have to do it by ourselves in spanish for thirty minutes. We also found out our security guy at PC is taking a new job as a regional coordinator. We also filled out paperwork for our bank accounts. Afterwards, we had nachos and drinks at Mono Loco in Antigua for Hilary's birthday. Fun Fun....home before dark!
Wednesday we met with our counterpart to learn more about his wants for our charlas. Class was at my house. My host mom had a ballin snack for us: nachos, guacamole, and salsa. And I jogged, well mostly walked, in the main street today. It was a little intense and I felt bad the rest of the week from breathing in so much of the bad air. Not sure how that will work in the future...
Thursday we had tech training in San Antonio, which has a very nice central park and muni. This was the last of our formal meetings with the whole eco crew. We review all the tools we've learned so far and also learned about budgets and marketing plans. It was exciting to learn more about the business side. I hope my site assignment has a lot to do with business because I find it so interesting. This afternoon for class, my host mom had choco bananos (frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and peanuts)--my new favorite. We also had our first review with Mirsa, our teacher.
Friday, we had class in the morning, watched a movie called El Norte about conflict in Guatemala, and went at 2pm with Don Hilo to the park to get a better idea of his dreams for the park. On the way back, we couldn't catch a chicken bus so we had to walk across the street and catch a muni truck that was carrying wood back to the muni. We had to stand up in the back and hold on for dear life. It was a real life experience. Then our group put finishing touches on our plan for the community interchange for tomorrow. (see pictures of our park below)
Saturday, we met Craig, our training director, at the gas station at 7:40 to go to San Luis Las Carretas? to learn about a healthy schools training community. We visited all their houses (Mary, Grace, Betty, and Eric) and then headed here. We walked through town and then had a photo scavenger hunt for them to do. Then we showed them our park, and ended with a cake made by a local artesan and coffee from Patty's family finca. I just rested in the afternoon and hungout at the house.
Today....WOO HOO I'm finally caught up (well I'll add pictures later), I got up late...It's Sunday afterall. After my favorite breakfast of liquid black beans and french bread with coffee (no seriously, it's my favorite so far), I straightened my room, bucket bathed, and started my never ending homework. We had a good family lunch of some sort of typical food which of course I can't remember the name because I'm a visual learner. I have finished most of my homework except for prepare my charla. However, now that I'm through with catching up in my journal and blog, I have no other way to procrastinate. Wish me luck because this is one of our biggest reviews of how we are doing and if we would make it as a volunteer!
Adios
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