Castle in the Clouds- A Teacher's Adventure in Myanmar and Guatemala: #3. Speed Up and Slow Down

Entry #3- August 2018

So I have hit the pavement running (yes, Amanda there is pavement!) and feel like perhaps I need to slow down a bit. This week consisted of finding my groove with the school schedule and feeling at home in my school and living space. We have quite a funky schedule that is based on six-five period days and I see my five sections of English II four times each. I will stop there with trying to explain it and just say, it took me two full weeks to figure out a system for keeping it straight. My big picture brain could not snap the shot which is bad when one is trying to establish credibility and a repertoire with the students. After several attempts to make schedule calendars, naming my sections on Google Classroom only to rename them, a tutorial session with the IT administrator in charge of the grade book program (which does not name the sections in a logical manner), I think I have it. I can now be comfortable planning and being myself. It is kind of like having to have the kitchen clean before you begin to make a recipe. If you are a cook, you will know what I mean. The good news is the students are patient and lovely and that the school is full of green spaces, flowers, and interesting flora when one needs a break from looking at the colored boxes I call a schedule. With those things factored in, one cannot lose.

So now the sign-ups begin. I signed up for salsa lessons and have so far been to two classes. I might learn a little Spanish in the process of learning some steps. I think I have the feet part down but now I need to learn to move my arms/elbows and my booty/hips like a Latina (a girl can only dream!) We did the Bachata, Punta, and the Salsa (5 different moves). By the end of the Punta (no it is not a dirty word), I am just moving for exercise because there is no way I will ever be able to do all the shake and baking--look it up on Utube! I am so glad I signed up for the classes. Next my agenda, are Spanish classes. The profesora had us take a placement test. I basically told her hands down I was a beginner and did not need to test because I would be guessing and could possibly guess correctly. I had to take the test anyway (but I could have saved her some time). This is a priority for me and I will probably hire a private tutor and perhaps go to language school for a week during a vacation. I had a horrible experience this weekend and had to rely on someone else (and thus inconvenience them) to help me iron out my dilemma because I could not speak the language (more on that next). I need to speak Spanish! In addition, I will also be teaching local children from an orphanage one a month. They come to our school for lessons and fun. I raised my hand high and was assigned the wee ones! I am so excited to teach 3-5-year-old children. It will be so different for me. Last but not least, we signed up to offer a CAG life class. I proposed three different ones (meal prep for singles- kind of like a cookie exchange but with healthy food), a game night once a month and a “What cha reading?” book club. I just want to do one but I think others are throwing out the same kind of things so I wanted to cover all my bases. We will see if any of those make.

My disaster! So instead of volunteering for a non-profit working to help natural disaster victims this weekend, I chose to travel to a town on Saturday to commission some hand-made leather ankle boots. In all fairness, I had made the plans and filled my car with others who wanted to go before the memo came out about volunteering. However, in retrospect, I think maybe Karma got the best of me. In my car, I followed a teacher who was headed to the boot town of Pastores; it is not too far from Antigua (the colonial town NOT the island). We walked, we looked and we found all kinds of stores that made custom shoes, purses, and boots. We ended back up where we started and I had the cobbler take my foot measurements (on a spiral piece of paper he traced my foot and then measured my instep). Next, I picked the leather and the Guatemalan material that would add an accent to the shoe. Then we all headed out (I left earlier than the teacher I was following because I needed gas). To make a long story short- I did not stop at an intersection (because there was no stop sign and because I was too concerned with the public bus in front of me) and got plowed into by another driver. Yes- my "new to me car" in less than three weeks in the country---wrecked! We pulled out of the intersection to inspect the damage; the driver of the other car was noticeably pissed. I was just in shock and since I could not speak Spanish, all I could do was shrug my shoulders and say I’m sorry (and while we waited, offer him a Coke and a smile). His car was damaged pretty badly (he had just got the car and had no insurance); my car had a little scrap and a blown out tire. My friend, Amanda has now dutifully named the car Tank-Tina. Two and a half hours later and with a grateful heart to my Spanish speaking friends who dealt with my insurance company as well as the tow truck driver who changed my tire- we puttered off towards home (not to exceed 40 MPH because of the doughnut tire). My pride is hurt and my ego; I think it was a little message from above that I need to slow down and think before I act. My carelessness inconvenienced eight people. I will have to say, I do not like being dependent on others and unable to communicate in matters of business. This was an extremely humbling experience for me and not one I want to repeat.

That’s all for now. I have a presentation in front of colleagues tomorrow that I need to practice. Fingers crossed I will do well.

A few observations:

1. That’s a lot of protection!

I have not been as scared (well except for when a car plowed into me) in this country as I thought I would be after seeing the American government warnings and the news. I am pretty well insulated in the area where I live and in the places that I have gone so far. However safe I feel, I cannot deny that there are some dangers. Today in my neighborhood (remember it is gated with a huge metal gate that has to be manually opened by the armed guards), there was a huge party that one of my neighbors was throwing (I must have missed the invite!). As I was walking Bentley things were winding down and the large Mercedes truck covered with a tarp over the back (think military grade) was pulling out. I thought it was going to be loaded with tables and chairs and party items; it, however, was loaded with men in uniforms and guns and a couple business suited bodyguards. Two weeks ago on my way to buy furniture in San Jose, armed guards were outside of a McDonalds. As I stood outside with Bentley while my friends made a pit stop, I thought it strange that a fast food place felt the necessity to be guarded. Then a man came out with his to-go bag of burgers and two bodyguards flanking his sides. Last week as I was at a local happy hour spot right up the hill from my house, I notice two black-suited men eying me as Tank-Tina and I pulled in. Someone important must have also had a hankering for happy hour cocktail. No matter how safe I feel, I must always be aware of my surroundings and not take things for granted. I am sure some are overly cautious, but I do not know enough of this country to make assumptions.

2. Community is Comforting

Much like I experienced in my two years in Yangon, the teaching community here in Guatemala is also so altruistic and caring. This is extremely important when a person finds themselves alone in a strange land. I guess I have been lucky because the teachers and people here are so welcoming and helpful I oftentimes have to pinch myself. I had EIGHT people stay two and a half hours to make sure I was ok and that the insurance guy would take care of me when he arrived. I tried to insist that the extra car full of people, go about their day; I tried to insist that those in my car call an Uber, but they would not budge. I had several text messages today to make sure I was ok and one neighbor followed me to the tire shop to drop off my car with his trusted mechanic. Around noon I had a knock on my door and there was Katie with a smile and a bunch of flowers to try to brighten my day. I was not hurt (well maybe my pride) but was embarrassed and yet everyone offered support rather than judgment. I feel blessed to be in such a nurturing community. I know my family and friends worry a bit, but no need to; all is well with my soul.

....and now some pictures!!