Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Otra Día, Otra Brigada
For the fourth straight school day and the fifth time in the past week I was not in the library! However, this time I was not substituting like other days, I got the day off of school to go supervise our secondary students in action at a medical brigade (una brigada). It’s a group from Pennsylvania who is here this week. We are sending about eight students each day to help interpret. I thought that I was going to be a little bored and walking around mindlessly like the case usually is the first couple days of a brigade but they threw me right into the mix to interpret! It was great! As far as medical brigades go this is the best one that has come through with respect to the students. All of the students have a person they are assigned to and know what they are to be doing at all times. Therefore we don’t have any students wandering around, talking on their cell phones, flirting non-stop (there’s still flirting between students…just not at much as a high school summer camp), etc. The hardest case of today was a lady who came in with a tumor behind her eye. It had cut off vision to an eye and was pushing the eye straight out. They had to send her to a hospital cause they couldn’t attend to her. I get to go back to the brigade on Thursday and Friday so I’m pretty excited. I would also be excited if I were to show up at school tomorrow and be working in the library…☺
Sunday, September 28, 2008
¡Que Día Más Maravilloso!
This has been one of my favorite days in Copán this year and probably since coming here last year. In the morning we had our annual teacher excursion to the Finca Santa Isabel. It’s the coffee farm that the Welchez own (who also own the school) and since last Wednesday was Teacher’s Day we celebrated it at the Finca this weekend. We took a tractor to the top of a nature trail there and then hiked down through the forest and coffee plants to arrive at a restaurant. We had the most amazing lunch including tamales, tortillas, pork, and some amazing dessert thing (of which I don’t think my mom was a fan of last year).
We arrived back in Copán just in time for a short rain shower as David, Cody, and I headed over to Suly’s house to visit the new baby. Her name is Yaira Annet Mendez (or something along those lines) and was a healthy 7 pounds 11 ounces as of Wednesday night. After 30+ hours of labor Suly finally had a c-section done so she is still recovering in bed. There are plenty of visitors to see the new baby and keep her busy though. Last night I refused to “chinearla” because I was afraid of breaking a two-day-old baby but now that she’s a day older I held the baby. I know there’s something cool and special about new-borns but I’m still a big fan of kids when they are at least 2 and you can play with them…not just carry them around.
To top off my amazing day we all went up to a party at another teacher’s place. I wasn’t too excited about it cause I wanted to speak more Spanish, not more English. We show up to the party and walk in the door to see three of the Spanish teachers sitting there with some of the other teachers. Perfect! I hung out with them almost the whole night just shooting the breeze, telling jokes, and “contando pajas.” We had dinner and then played bananagrams! But not just any bananagrams, we played it in Spanish!!! It was so much fun and we had a fun time as I inserted all sorts of “indiadas” (Honduran words) into my words. The Spanish teachers got a kick out of it, although I never won. Those that haven’t played the game, it’s like Scrabble (Speed Scrabble to be exact).
Well, now that all is said and done…the day is coming to a close….I should get to sleeping. That’s the one thing that would make this night any better!:)
We arrived back in Copán just in time for a short rain shower as David, Cody, and I headed over to Suly’s house to visit the new baby. Her name is Yaira Annet Mendez (or something along those lines) and was a healthy 7 pounds 11 ounces as of Wednesday night. After 30+ hours of labor Suly finally had a c-section done so she is still recovering in bed. There are plenty of visitors to see the new baby and keep her busy though. Last night I refused to “chinearla” because I was afraid of breaking a two-day-old baby but now that she’s a day older I held the baby. I know there’s something cool and special about new-borns but I’m still a big fan of kids when they are at least 2 and you can play with them…not just carry them around.
To top off my amazing day we all went up to a party at another teacher’s place. I wasn’t too excited about it cause I wanted to speak more Spanish, not more English. We show up to the party and walk in the door to see three of the Spanish teachers sitting there with some of the other teachers. Perfect! I hung out with them almost the whole night just shooting the breeze, telling jokes, and “contando pajas.” We had dinner and then played bananagrams! But not just any bananagrams, we played it in Spanish!!! It was so much fun and we had a fun time as I inserted all sorts of “indiadas” (Honduran words) into my words. The Spanish teachers got a kick out of it, although I never won. Those that haven’t played the game, it’s like Scrabble (Speed Scrabble to be exact).
Well, now that all is said and done…the day is coming to a close….I should get to sleeping. That’s the one thing that would make this night any better!:)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Fíjate Bien
Once a week I’ve gotten into the routine of helping a friend of mine with his English class that he takes on the weekend in high school. It started out with just him, then just a couple of friends, and now it’s usually about 7 or 8 of us as I help them work through translations and various English activities. Friday night was another night that I helped them through all of the activities. Unlike other nights I stayed after for a while since Nufo and I got to talking. He’s about 34, married, and has two kids. He works full time during the week and takes high school classes on the weekends to finish his degree. Just that alone earns a lot of respect in my book.
Anyways, I got back to my house and was feeling really good about life here in Copán. I’ve had a great sense of peace in the past month that I’ve been back here. I feel extremely content to be here and know that of all the places that I could have gone after college that this is the town God sent me to. Last year I went to church but wasn’t much into the habit of reading my Bible and really meditating on anything of remote importance in life. This year I’ve done much better about that so far and I think that from it stems my sense of knowing this is where God has sent me.
Like I always tend to do, I was listening to some music that same evening when the song “Alive,” by P.O.D. came on. I assume that you don’t know the song, thus I’ve put the lyrics at the end. I’m thankful for every day, every interaction, and every breath that I take while I’m here in Copán. I am trying not to take life for granted here. I am surrounded by constant reminders of God’s faithfulness which are so easily missed when not looking for them…así que fíjate bien (so pay attention)…
Alive – P.O.D.
Every day is a new day
I’m thankful for every breath I take
I won’t take it for granted
So I learn from my mistakes
It’s beyond my control so I’m about to let go
Whatever happens in this lifetime
So I trust in love
You have given me peace of mind
I feel so alive, for the very first time
…
Anyways, I got back to my house and was feeling really good about life here in Copán. I’ve had a great sense of peace in the past month that I’ve been back here. I feel extremely content to be here and know that of all the places that I could have gone after college that this is the town God sent me to. Last year I went to church but wasn’t much into the habit of reading my Bible and really meditating on anything of remote importance in life. This year I’ve done much better about that so far and I think that from it stems my sense of knowing this is where God has sent me.
Like I always tend to do, I was listening to some music that same evening when the song “Alive,” by P.O.D. came on. I assume that you don’t know the song, thus I’ve put the lyrics at the end. I’m thankful for every day, every interaction, and every breath that I take while I’m here in Copán. I am trying not to take life for granted here. I am surrounded by constant reminders of God’s faithfulness which are so easily missed when not looking for them…así que fíjate bien (so pay attention)…
Alive – P.O.D.
Every day is a new day
I’m thankful for every breath I take
I won’t take it for granted
So I learn from my mistakes
It’s beyond my control so I’m about to let go
Whatever happens in this lifetime
So I trust in love
You have given me peace of mind
I feel so alive, for the very first time
…
Friday, September 19, 2008
La Antigua Guatemala (Beginning)
Or I suppose that you could say Antigua, Guatemala. I think that more people are familiar with it in that manner. I do believe that the name comes from this: The capital for the Americas (yes, all of them) under Spain was Antigua for about 200 years until earthquakes destroyed the city. The capital was moved (although for a short while as revolt was on the horizon) to what is currently Guatemala City (I think). So for those of you out there not majoring in Spanish the word “antigua” means “old.” So the old Guatemala City is “Antigua Guatemala” or simply just Antigua.
Now that we are done with that history lesson, let’s move on to the point of this whole story. I went to Antigua this past weekend with a couple teacher friends. We left on Sunday afternoon after our parade on the 14th for the 15th (Independence day in just about all of Central America). We spent a couple days in Antigua before “apenas” (more on this later) returning to Copan. On Monday we toured a little around the city and set up what we were doing for the rest of our trip through some travel agencies but also just plans on our own. We took a bus up to the Pacaya Volcano and then hiked up to the top of it. When we arrived there was lava flowing from a couple different places. We walked out into the lava flow that was a couple days old to take a better look at it and you could feel the heat from the fresh lava! It was pretty cool, and no I did not burn myself.
On Tuesday we took a bus out to Panajachel (say that five times fast). It’s pronounced…well…let’s see how I can put this, pahn-ah-ha-che-el. Something like that, if pronunciation matters to you a lot I can say it for you at Christmas time.:) It’s a city right on Lago Atitlán, which is an amazingly beautiful lake with lots of annoying people. In Copan we have “tourist panhandlers” as I call them, but with a couple of negative answers or ignoring them I’m left alone. Oh no, not in Panajachel…we were followed and talked to in a mix of terrible English and accented Spanish. The people of Panajachel for the most part speak Spanish as their second language and I found it very difficult to communicate with some people. It was really cool to see a whole different world in Panajachel and another city on the lake named San Pedro. I’m glad to have gone so that I can say, “Been there. Done that.” But for enjoyment purposes I wouldn’t go back to the lake.
Last but not least is my ride home and this is where the “apenas” part gets explained. Apenas is a way of saying something that you did but “with pain.” Sort of explaining that you did it but with trouble or difficulty…
Now that we are done with that history lesson, let’s move on to the point of this whole story. I went to Antigua this past weekend with a couple teacher friends. We left on Sunday afternoon after our parade on the 14th for the 15th (Independence day in just about all of Central America). We spent a couple days in Antigua before “apenas” (more on this later) returning to Copan. On Monday we toured a little around the city and set up what we were doing for the rest of our trip through some travel agencies but also just plans on our own. We took a bus up to the Pacaya Volcano and then hiked up to the top of it. When we arrived there was lava flowing from a couple different places. We walked out into the lava flow that was a couple days old to take a better look at it and you could feel the heat from the fresh lava! It was pretty cool, and no I did not burn myself.
On Tuesday we took a bus out to Panajachel (say that five times fast). It’s pronounced…well…let’s see how I can put this, pahn-ah-ha-che-el. Something like that, if pronunciation matters to you a lot I can say it for you at Christmas time.:) It’s a city right on Lago Atitlán, which is an amazingly beautiful lake with lots of annoying people. In Copan we have “tourist panhandlers” as I call them, but with a couple of negative answers or ignoring them I’m left alone. Oh no, not in Panajachel…we were followed and talked to in a mix of terrible English and accented Spanish. The people of Panajachel for the most part speak Spanish as their second language and I found it very difficult to communicate with some people. It was really cool to see a whole different world in Panajachel and another city on the lake named San Pedro. I’m glad to have gone so that I can say, “Been there. Done that.” But for enjoyment purposes I wouldn’t go back to the lake.
Last but not least is my ride home and this is where the “apenas” part gets explained. Apenas is a way of saying something that you did but “with pain.” Sort of explaining that you did it but with trouble or difficulty…
La Antigua Guatemala (Ending)
We made reservations and paid for a bus on Monday afternoon that was set to leave at 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. We show up to the travel agency at quarter to one to check in for the bus and they tell us, “Fíjese que no hay bus hoy porque los caminos están cerrados por manifestaciones.” Now, the look on your face trying to understand that is about what mine was like at this point in time. “There must be a mistake,” I responded, “how are the roads closed for demonstrations?” Turns out (in my opinion) that we were the only 3 people on the bus and they thought we had “buen billete” to pay for a private shuttle bus that they wanted to put us on at 4pm for only another $96! We’d already paid $36 and I wasn’t about to give them another penny. We got a refund and made a break for a couple other travel agencies but there was never a bus at 1pm. We took a public bus from Antigua to Guatemala City, then a taxi from that bus station to another one in order to catch a bus closer to Honduras, took a bus from there to Chiquimula (about an hour from the border). Of course nothing comes simple in Honduras (or Guatemala in this case) as we were delayed by a landslide and a car accident for about an hour or so total. We arrived to Chiquimula at 8pm to find out, “No hay buses a la frontera hasta mañana a las 5.” Since I didn’t want to stay a night there and take a bus at 5 in the morning hoping to make it to school by 7am we decided to head to the park and find a taxi. I tried making some phone calls to friends along the way but things were complicated by me not having credit on my phone, and then when I did get it I had poor reception in Guatemala.
We decide that the best idea (cause we’ve heard it’s a dangerous town and dangerous to cross the border at night) is to stop in at a pharmacy and have them call us a secure taxi. A lady calls us her “friend” to pick us up. He charges us about $35, but agrees to take the three of us all the way to Copán! That’s about an hour and a half drive…and we’re leaving at 8:30pm! On the road we talk to him a little and “apenas” he talks to us. I ask him how he knows the lady that calls him and he tells us, “I met her at a party and she got my number to take her home that night.” “Perfect! So you are a person of real confidence?” That’s what I wanted to ask him, but resisted.
We finally arrived to the park in Copán a little before 10pm at night in the rain and without electricity…we were home.:)
We decide that the best idea (cause we’ve heard it’s a dangerous town and dangerous to cross the border at night) is to stop in at a pharmacy and have them call us a secure taxi. A lady calls us her “friend” to pick us up. He charges us about $35, but agrees to take the three of us all the way to Copán! That’s about an hour and a half drive…and we’re leaving at 8:30pm! On the road we talk to him a little and “apenas” he talks to us. I ask him how he knows the lady that calls him and he tells us, “I met her at a party and she got my number to take her home that night.” “Perfect! So you are a person of real confidence?” That’s what I wanted to ask him, but resisted.
We finally arrived to the park in Copán a little before 10pm at night in the rain and without electricity…we were home.:)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Uncharted Territory
Half way through week number two and Independence Day is quickly approaching us. Since almost all Central America gained it’s independence from Spain at the same time (more or less) they all get the same holiday. Thus September 15 is not just a national holiday for Honduras but rather more of a Central American holiday. This proves to be an eventful weekend as we will be marching on Sunday for school. There are parades all week long up until Monday for Independence Day. Since Monday’s the actual holiday we get that off school….then Tuesday is Día de la Mochila or something like that so we get that off school…then Wednesday is Día del Maestro (Teacher’s Day) so of course we get that off…then Thursday we go back to school for two days.
Now, my uncharted territory for this break is that I’m going to be traveling. I’m not too sure where I am going, or what I’m going to be doing; but every good thing begins with an idea, right?
As for school itself nothing has happened that is too uncharted, as I’ve been staying in the library for the most part. Outside of school once again, nothing too uncharted as it keeps raining most every day, stays humid all the time, with thunder and lightening to scare the *insert word here* out of you.:) I’m putting up some photos on Facebook of a rainstorm we had recently. I think that the storms are my favorite part of the weather around here….coming from Seattle it’s so novel to see rain that cools (doesn’t freeze)and actually pours instead of misting!
This has been one of my more scattered blogs so I think that on this note I should end it…if you ever see the book, “The Penguin who Hated the Cold” you should read it because it makes for great kids (and teacher/parent) entertainment.:)
Now, my uncharted territory for this break is that I’m going to be traveling. I’m not too sure where I am going, or what I’m going to be doing; but every good thing begins with an idea, right?
As for school itself nothing has happened that is too uncharted, as I’ve been staying in the library for the most part. Outside of school once again, nothing too uncharted as it keeps raining most every day, stays humid all the time, with thunder and lightening to scare the *insert word here* out of you.:) I’m putting up some photos on Facebook of a rainstorm we had recently. I think that the storms are my favorite part of the weather around here….coming from Seattle it’s so novel to see rain that cools (doesn’t freeze)and actually pours instead of misting!
This has been one of my more scattered blogs so I think that on this note I should end it…if you ever see the book, “The Penguin who Hated the Cold” you should read it because it makes for great kids (and teacher/parent) entertainment.:)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Una Semana Pasada (Not Pesada)
The first day of school this past Monday was eventful and interesting. I show up and relax with a cup of coffee in my new domain known as the library. I walk over to the office getting ready for the assembly when Megan hands me a schedule and says, "A teacher's not here today...can you cover her classes?" Well sure, why not? Marisol jokes that they just don't want me to forget that I'm also the substitute.:) Since it was a Spanish teacher I got to teach half the classes in Spanish and half the classes in English, it was awesome!
After an overwhelming day of substituting I spent the last four days in the library with Diana and things were great. We were reading with kids, helping with check-out, and organizing books. Mainly the little kids section right now with all the Clifford, Bearenstain Bear, Magic School Bus, etc. books. Last night we had the "entrega de libros" where all the parents came to get all the textbooks for their kids. There was mass chaos, a little cursing from parents, lots of stress, and when it was all said and done about 1/3 of the parents got books instead of all of them like we had planned. As I left school with Diana, her family, David, and Cody at 8pm last night I was thankful that while my job may be just as stressful as teaching at times....I enjoy it so much! I enjoyed everything about the book stuff last night, including helping a gentleman fill out his paper who couldn't read and write. His nephew is on scholarship at school and is a great student. Stories like that make me really enjoy my job at Mayatan and make me hopeful for things to come at school this year and possibly in the future.:)
After an overwhelming day of substituting I spent the last four days in the library with Diana and things were great. We were reading with kids, helping with check-out, and organizing books. Mainly the little kids section right now with all the Clifford, Bearenstain Bear, Magic School Bus, etc. books. Last night we had the "entrega de libros" where all the parents came to get all the textbooks for their kids. There was mass chaos, a little cursing from parents, lots of stress, and when it was all said and done about 1/3 of the parents got books instead of all of them like we had planned. As I left school with Diana, her family, David, and Cody at 8pm last night I was thankful that while my job may be just as stressful as teaching at times....I enjoy it so much! I enjoyed everything about the book stuff last night, including helping a gentleman fill out his paper who couldn't read and write. His nephew is on scholarship at school and is a great student. Stories like that make me really enjoy my job at Mayatan and make me hopeful for things to come at school this year and possibly in the future.:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
