Guatemala Entry #1: Off and Running
Backstory: After being in the states for a couple years after living abroad in Myanmar, I once again caught the bug to live overseas. It was great to reconnect with family and friends and enjoy the conveniences of home but I find it so expensive to travel from my home base and I am not done traveling. I am fortunate that I have found a job just 3.5 hours from home this time so none of the long distance/jet lag/crazy 22 hours flights as before. Author C. Joybell C. writes, “The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.” I have chosen “expose myself” and throw myself into the world by living and teaching abroad. This time it is in Guatemala City, Guatemala. And so the adventure continues…
The first obstacle- The DOG: dotting all my “I”s and crossing my “T”s for Bentley to fly. Not much of a story here but I can tell you if you are going to fly with a pet, make sure you read, reread and then have your type A friend read all the rules and regulations. We got on the plane fine and ended up sitting next to a teacher who was flying in to teach at the same school. After all that, I got to Guatemala and had forgotten to get the original copy of the health certificate my son so kindly got for me. I think when I asked the inspector guy, “What do I do; get back on the plane?” with tears starting to build up in my eyes, he took pity on me and accepted my electronic version of the form. We made it into the country!
New Digs: I am in a gated community right down a huge hill (that locals drive up at about 60MPH tires screeching as they take the curve) from the school (my calves are burning just thinking about the walk up) and my townhouse is huge. It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two dining rooms, a maid’s quarters and two open living areas and an atrium. I will close off a few areas and try to make the most of the space I want to decorate. Green space is abundant for Bentley and many of the residents are fellow teachers who also have dogs. It is funny how much one dog can lift his leg to mark things in the park. At least once a day, he is doing it and he is on empty.
New School: WOWSERS- More to come on this but so far so good. The leadership is amazing, the teachers are friendly and helpful, those in my cohort are all eager and I am confident I will make some life-long friends. I have worked outside every day on my lesson plans because the campus is just one big garden. I will write later on this subject once we really get started.
So far, so good: For this entry, I will let the rest of this story happen through pictures(I have not quite found my voice yet). For now a couple observations:
1. Fathomable Faith- I have never lived in an area where Catholicism is the primary religion. I think this will be one of the interesting things in this country. Although I have been shocked and sickened by the news surrounding some of the priests’ actions, I have always envied the traditions and ceremonies around this branch of Christianity. While in Antigua, the new teachers and I were touring with a guide through an active cathedral. While we were listening to our guide, a family came in and walked to the back of the church. They proceeded to kneel down on their knees and slowly moved down the aisle from the back of the church to the front holding a candle and praying or something. This Act of Contrition stopped me in my tracks. Here was this old woman (she had to be about 75) on her knees going down the aisle. Here were this teenage boy and his mother, on their knees following suit. All I could do was stand there with tears streaming down my checks. I think I will have many of these moments that bring me to tears and make me think about the blessings of this world and the next.
2. Dare to Drive- So because I brought my dog with me this time, I wanted to have a car so he could go with me places. That was the plan anyway and then I got here and saw the crazy busy and packed roads so my car sat for a few days, laughing at me, daring me as I walked past it. My first drive was following probably one of the most patient men on earth to the shopping centers. I had to merge when no one would let me in. I had to keep up when all I wanted to do was just stop. Then on my own, I had to I had to find the right path when Zone 1 is the same as Zone 14 because at this point I have no idea what that means. Thank goodness I have new friends that will brave the passenger side and be the navigator. Slowly but surely I am learning the ins and outs of this country’s traffic “rules”. No one uses turn signals, one should turn on their hazard lights when traffic is coming to a stop to avoid being rear-ended, stop signs are implied and if one is trying to merge into traffic this plight is ignored until the hand comes out asking for permission. Sometimes in life much like Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “We want it now…”. What I am finding is that the old adage slow and steady wins the race is so true. I have time to learn things and will savior the experiences because I do have the time.
