August 2018- First full week of school
It is the weekend and the first full week of school is on the books. I probably have gotten 1/3 of my students’ names and 1/3 of my new colleagues’ names memorized. It is a daunting task; learning so much so quickly. I teach all of the 10th graders and many share names. As I am trying to say hello (think “hola” with a high inflection on the latter part of the word) I quickly ask myself, “Is this student Andres or Andre?” Is it “Juan Pablo or just Pablo.” I have five Andreas and five Nicolles. This is not new for most teachers but I usually associate kids with someone or something familiar to remember their name and it is just not working. I think I will have to do nameplates on desks for this week. With my colleagues, I am trying to do a few new names a day. In theory, this should work unless your memory key fails you. So one woman’s name (who I just adore), is Aida. Because of this, I think I will associate her with the opera. Big fail since I have never seen that opera; I keep calling her Evita. So now I think “I am gonna eat with ya”. I should have known a food association would work. Long story short, I am struggling with names. – “I ate a”. It worked!
I am going to try to make the market an every other week kind of trip. The only thing I am scared about is parking. The custom is to back in and the parking garage is like a sardine can. I might UBER this activity. (Yes- they have UBER!).
Safety: Like all first of the year warnings, the school administration went through the school safety procedures. Besides the safety of the children, the main thing we talked about was the earthquake drill. After they went through what to expect during the drill, the ending comment was, “This is not for every little earthquake; 5.2 is like a tremor, we sound the alarm for the really big ones- like 8.0”. “Really it depends on who has their finger on the alarm. Basically, if your coffee is spilling, take cover.” Lol- I almost lost my lunch.
I drove to the beach today with a few friends. I made it. You know how in the States (my only point of reference) the road crews do that obnoxious thing where they put cones up for two or three miles before they are really needed and merge the lanes into one for minor roadwork? Well, quit your griping about that because the alternative is scary. Driving 60 (I think- I do not know if my gage is in kilometers or MPH) and all of a sudden a line of CONES.Right.in.the .middle.of.the.road. My "mom arm" goes out to save the passenger and I stop just in time. Traffic was stopped for miles so a wrecker could get a car up on its bed. No warning. I will never complain again. I took Bentley on this trip and I guess he took to the ocean ok. We are having our walk down the beach in the sand moment when all of a sudden he starts to go poop right in the sand near the water. I rush up to the dunes (burning the soles of my feet to high hell in the process), to get a plastic bottle to scoop it up into (I did not bring his poop bags because he had just gone!), I got it all (almost all) but it was embarrassing and careless and a mistake I will never make again. I am learning daily about the dos and don’ts of the traveling dog. With that said, I cannot tell you how glad I am to have my little companion with me. All in all, the trip was lovely, the countryside was beautiful and the small towns we passed through, memorable. I needed some vitamin C, and to hear the roar of the ocean.
Once again, probably the best thing about this country is its people. They are patient and work hard. They are friendly and want you to feel comfortable in their country. The people with whom I work are smart and interesting and I cannot tell you how many different people have popped in my room to offer and helping hand or to check up on me. Their generous spirit and their kind hearts humble me.
A few observations:
This is just CRAZY!
One of my new friends taught for several years in Venezuela. To hear her speak of her time there is daunting. The devastating inflation, the food shortages and blackouts, the black market and the desperation just sound like it is the plot in a novel of fiction. We just had a young man come in from Nicaragua. The country is also in dire times with the country about to go bankrupt. He had to leave all his belongings and his money in a bank that will probably fold next week. As citizens of the world, it is our responsibility not to save everyone, but to at least be empathetic to the plight of those who are affected; to practice the Golden Rule and to pray without ceasing. It is so easy to turn a blind eye since we really feel helpless-- but let’s not. Let’s have the discussions and learn what’s going on in the world beyond that that we hear in a sound bite. Let’s not be so myopic. I know I am guilty, but I can try harder. “And so it goes”.
Life in Guatemala is interesting and exciting at the same time. I am venturing out to explore. I went to the HUGE farmers market (think tons of fruit, vegetable, and meat stands) with one of the teacher’s husbands last weekend. He navigated like a champ because he does it weekly. The money one saves doing this is unbelievable. Besides vegetables, I bought four live plants- a fairly big lime tree, a fanned out crocus, and a Dieffenbachia (or dumb cane), and an ivy for under $15.00. Dealio. Not everything is inexpensive, however. There is a Walmart, a warehouse store like a SAMS, and fancy grocery stores with imports. It will take a while to figure out how to save money because there are many conveniences it will be hard to resist.
I am going to try to make the market an every other week kind of trip. The only thing I am scared about is parking. The custom is to back in and the parking garage is like a sardine can. I might UBER this activity. (Yes- they have UBER!).
Safety: Like all first of the year warnings, the school administration went through the school safety procedures. Besides the safety of the children, the main thing we talked about was the earthquake drill. After they went through what to expect during the drill, the ending comment was, “This is not for every little earthquake; 5.2 is like a tremor, we sound the alarm for the really big ones- like 8.0”. “Really it depends on who has their finger on the alarm. Basically, if your coffee is spilling, take cover.” Lol- I almost lost my lunch.
I drove to the beach today with a few friends. I made it. You know how in the States (my only point of reference) the road crews do that obnoxious thing where they put cones up for two or three miles before they are really needed and merge the lanes into one for minor roadwork? Well, quit your griping about that because the alternative is scary. Driving 60 (I think- I do not know if my gage is in kilometers or MPH) and all of a sudden a line of CONES.Right.in.the .middle.of.the.road. My "mom arm" goes out to save the passenger and I stop just in time. Traffic was stopped for miles so a wrecker could get a car up on its bed. No warning. I will never complain again. I took Bentley on this trip and I guess he took to the ocean ok. We are having our walk down the beach in the sand moment when all of a sudden he starts to go poop right in the sand near the water. I rush up to the dunes (burning the soles of my feet to high hell in the process), to get a plastic bottle to scoop it up into (I did not bring his poop bags because he had just gone!), I got it all (almost all) but it was embarrassing and careless and a mistake I will never make again. I am learning daily about the dos and don’ts of the traveling dog. With that said, I cannot tell you how glad I am to have my little companion with me. All in all, the trip was lovely, the countryside was beautiful and the small towns we passed through, memorable. I needed some vitamin C, and to hear the roar of the ocean.
Once again, probably the best thing about this country is its people. They are patient and work hard. They are friendly and want you to feel comfortable in their country. The people with whom I work are smart and interesting and I cannot tell you how many different people have popped in my room to offer and helping hand or to check up on me. Their generous spirit and their kind hearts humble me.
A few observations:
This is just CRAZY!
One of my new friends taught for several years in Venezuela. To hear her speak of her time there is daunting. The devastating inflation, the food shortages and blackouts, the black market and the desperation just sound like it is the plot in a novel of fiction. We just had a young man come in from Nicaragua. The country is also in dire times with the country about to go bankrupt. He had to leave all his belongings and his money in a bank that will probably fold next week. As citizens of the world, it is our responsibility not to save everyone, but to at least be empathetic to the plight of those who are affected; to practice the Golden Rule and to pray without ceasing. It is so easy to turn a blind eye since we really feel helpless-- but let’s not. Let’s have the discussions and learn what’s going on in the world beyond that that we hear in a sound bite. Let’s not be so myopic. I know I am guilty, but I can try harder. “And so it goes”.
So many places to go!
As I listen to people talk and do research on my own, I find that there are so many places to go in this country. I cannot wait to explore the history of the Mayan culture and the art of Lake Atitlan. I cannot wait to go Livingston and see the Caribbean culture and the different traditions that region offers. I can’t wait to climb a volcano (ok- it is a little one, but I am going to attempt it), and see Semuc Champey. I have never heard of any of these places but they are now my backyard and I am excited. I guess every country has its beauty and “must see”. I am glad I have made this choice Otherwise, I do not know if I ever would have ventured to this area. As I think about all the other places I have never considered going, I get a bit overwhelmed. I have a great deal to see. I must get busy.
Now life in pictures: This is Bentley's new routine. He sits by his box of toys and does a little heavy sigh until I grab his leash and take him outside to play. Damn, he is good!
Pineapples at the market are like three for $1.00.
Scenes from the market.
Kat using her bargaining skills. Her Spanish is great.
WOW! That's one big balancing act.
Market scene.
We shall call this the rock and roll bus; it is trying to get through the busy street. It is scary to be beside them because basically, they do what they want to do.
My haul from the market. I made chicken vegetable soup, salsa and smoothies.
My new plants
Lime tree
My reading room. I still need to buy things for the walls.
My name badge. I generally do not like my pictures but I was having a good (straight) hair day.
Have I told you that I love my car? This is a FULL size couch that I hauled for a friend.
My condominium. Yes- the whole thing.
I will call this section "A little of this and that... This is the traditional Guatemalan liquor. It is called Quezalteca. They have four flavors. This little bottle goes for the bargain price of $1.00. Not delicious but not too bad.
These ARE delicious! They are 100calorie snack bags that have fruit that is in the form of a chip. No additives or other ingredients used.
ok- I am a little obsessed with these ice trays. I have no idea if we have them in the States since I have an ice maker but they are wonderful. No twisting (and then cracking the plastic) to get cubes out--you simply push up on the silicone bottom. Now the coolest thing is that the small skinny ones are perfect for those bottleneck water bottles. Video compliments of Beth who thought she was making fun of me but little did she know I would use it in my blog.
The crew who braved the road to the black sand beach of Monterico.
Now life in pictures: This is Bentley's new routine. He sits by his box of toys and does a little heavy sigh until I grab his leash and take him outside to play. Damn, he is good!
Pineapples at the market are like three for $1.00.
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