Hello all!
Today marks 7 days in this foreign land. I have already experienced so much. For this first month, I am taking one-on-one Spanish classes, which have been buenisimo. My teacher, Fabiola, is hilarious and fun to chat with…since that is mostly what we do in “class.” Pop-wuj is full of passionate teachers, students, coordinators, and volunteers. I have shared a few meals with truly inspirational people already. Unfortunately, most people only stay for a month so the friendships that I build with foreigners will always be brief.
This week, I took a series of classes that they call “competencia cultural.” The class is taught by a college anthropology professor and its aim is to equip long-term volunteers with a better understanding of Guate’s history dating back to colonization, Mayan philosophy, and current issues. It’s been very thought provoking and essential for me since I will be working closely with Guatemalans in the months to come. The Guate way of life is so different from life in the US. In order for me to be an effective volunteer I must enter into their world, not try to impose mine onto them. One of my favorite quotes of all time sums up this class quite well:
“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine then let us work together” –Lilla Watson
Next week I move away from theory and dive into practical application with Carmen, the social work director. I will essentially be her shadow for the next few weeks. For her, there is no such thing as a normal day. She works with families from all over the rural areas outside of Xela and is one of those people that literally knows everyone and does just about everything. She oversees the safe stoves project, the mobile clinic, la guarderia (daycare center), and the scholarship program. Since she is so overextended, she almost teared up with joy when I told her I would be here until July. It looks like after my month of assisting her, I will settle into a leadership role for one of their projects, most likely coordinating the safe stoves project.
Life in Xela has been great so far. My host fam is friendly and cooks deliciously different foods every day, definitely not just rice and beans. I have walked around the city for many hours trying to learn my way around. About a third or so of the Guatemalans in Xela are indigenous Mayans so the city is rich in Mayan culture. The intricately embroidered blouses and long colorful skirts and aprons that the women wear are truly exquisite. Hopefully before my time is up, I can take weaving lessons offered by a group of Mayan women in town. While the people are beautiful, Xela is not. All of the buildings are crumbling away and the streets are filled with trash and stray dogs. But on the plus side, it doesn’t draw many tourists, like Antigua, so the culture is authentically Guatemalan.
Sorry this blog is so darn long again. There is just so much to say! Thanks for reading if you made it this far. I haven’t whipped my camera out yet, so I still do not have any photos to share.
Adios,
Carrie
P.S If you have ever wondered where old school buses go, come to Guatemala; they are used for public transportation here. I saw one bus that said “Sarasota County Schools”…it could have been my old bus.
