Thanksgiving

This was one of the best Thanksgivings ever. Despite my bad cold that left me bed ridden for a few days, I was well enough by Thanksgiving to shop and prepare dinner all day long. My friends and I decided to cook for our host families and share this U.S. tradition. Between the 4 of us and our families, we had to prepare for 20 people. The food was strange for our familes, but they ate all of it down to the bones of the Turkey. Before we ate, everyone went around the room and said one thing they were greatful for. I have never done that in the U.S. so I felt like we really captured the spirit of giving thanks, family, and friends.

Mi Vida en Xela

It will be three months this weekend that I have been in Guatemala. I have a return ticket back to the U.S. for Decebmer 16th. But as many of you know, i´m not coming back...just yet. I can´t come back, I´m not ready, nor have I accomplished my goal. As my return date approached, I kept thinking about how could I stay longer. I can´t leave just yet. And then, there it happened, an unexpected opportunity was presented to me that would help me stay longer. The school´s student coordinator was going on vacation for 5 weeks and needed someone to work in the office in her place. She takes registration, conducts orientation for new students, and translates conferences. The thought of translating scares the crap out of me, but i´m going to do it anyway. For me the best way to learn is by doing, so i´m just going for it. My biggest fear is having people see me fuck up. So i´m just going to suck it up and accept that fact that i will make mistakes. I graciously accepted the job and I begin this Wednesday. Now for almost 5 weeks of work, i will get paid about Q2,600 which is roughly $350. So i´m not doing it for the fame and glory, but for the experience. So sorry friends and family, no Christmas gifts this year. Though i will be brining back burnt CDs of Guatemala´s hottest club singles. Thats the best i can do with my budget, but hey they really get the party started! I have a life here. My Guatemalan sister, Maria Jose, turned nine last week and there was a birthday party. Her mom made a cake with a cute clown in the center. After she blew out the candles her mom told her to kiss the clown and when she did, her mom pushed her face into the center of the cake. it was pretty hilarious and Maria Jose is such a good sport she just laughed it off. A good friend of mine at school had a dinner to celebrate the first day of Hannukah. I am taking a few salsa lessons and once a week I sing with my favorite teacher. My salsa teacher is a trip and constantly reminds me that my hands and arms are flowers and i must use them to "shine." Each dance move has a cleaver name, usually an animal..."El delphin, cobra, or conejo (rabbit)" I am really enjoying being a student again with no real responsibilities, though that will change once i start my job. Lately i have found myself questioning why I am here. sometimes i wake up and realize that i am currently living in Guatemala... how crazy is that? I often think that I didn´t come here to just learn Spanish, there is something else that has called me here.

Election Day November 4

(Written by my friend Katy Lynch) November 4th is a very special day in Guatemala. It is the presidential elections. The first elections this year held on Sept 16th, but since no candidate had a clear majority, the two top candidates now participate in runoffs, which are today. They are Otto Perez Molina of the Partido Patriota, who was active in the oppressive military regime of the civil war. His motto is "Mano Dura", rule with a hard first. Alvaro Colom of the Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza Guatemala, who is associated with narco-trafficing and also a total sell-out from the leftist party. So, much like in the US, there is not much of a choice. But tonight we should know the results. (Colom) won. An interesting fact about the election policy here is that yesterday, Saturday, the day before the election and today, the day of the election, the sale of alcohol is prohibited. We only realized this when we tried to go dancing last night and found EVERY bar and club closed. The law is designed to ensure that people are making clear decisions and to prevent violence.

Alicia Keys

So my favorite artist is coming out with a new album this week. who is gonna get it for me and send it? Kinda bummed i won´t be able to get it down here the day it comes out. it would be a great christmas gift...hint, hint!

La Cantante

This past week, I requested to study with the teacher that is also the school guitar player and singer. He is known for teaching students songs and he often helps students prepare music for graduation. I wanted to learn songs of protest. Not only did I learn songs but we sang together. He is the first person I have ever formally sang an entire song in front of. He said he would help me prepare a song to sing for my graduation in January (if i want). Can you believe it? I MAY actually sing for the first time in front of people (in Spanish ofcourse) and none of my friends or family will be there. Maybe it is better that way. He is a wonderful teacher and person. He made me laugh everday and I definately love a guy that can make me laugh. So inevitably I formed a slight crush. Not the kind of crush were you want to "make out" and have like ten thousand of his babies, but the kind that you just enjoy their presence and look forward to saying hello to them everyday. I found it pretty cool that he has a daughter my age that is studying medicine in Cuba on a scholarship. This program in Cuba is designed to graduate doctors that will go and work in poor communities all over Central and South America. Speaking of crushes, I have come to have an unspoken relationship with a family of kids I walk by everyday. Its so simple, I´m not sure how to explain it. It began with the eldest daughter (maybe about 13 or 14 years old?) She is Maya (i can tell by the traditional dress she wears) and everyday we smile at eachother. She has (i think) 3 siblings, if i were to guess...the next eldest girl is 9, another girl 4 and a boy age 2 or 3. Walking by the restaurant, smiling at the children and having them smile back at me, has been a high light of my daily routine for weeks now, especially with the eldest one. This past week the eldest was standing on the side walk close enough for me to say "Good morning, how are you?" and she replyed "Good and you?" After weeks of no talking we finally exchanged words. It was a special moment for me.

El Dia De Los Muertos

November 1st was the "The Day of The Dead" (or Saints) It is a day to remember and celebrate loved ones who have died. It is a pretty big deal here in Guatemala. Families go to cemetary and literally hang out. Some families bring food, there are vendors all over selling flowers, it is tradition for kids to fly kites, and i purchased a bag of cotton candy in the cemetary. There was laughter and kids playing everywhere. Here is a picture. The cemetary was beautiful and completely covered in fresh flowers. So many flowers you could barley see the graves. Most of the tombs are above ground.

Para Don Pedro

Go to my friends blog to read the story of a man that survived 15 days of torture by the army. The school sponsered a conference so he could tell his story.
http://kagisolechibuku.livejournal.com/