Yesterday, the day started out beautifully — I found a yoga studio about 10 minutes from my homestay and the teacher was incredible. We practiced on straw mats (like those found at the beach) and in a small room, while listening to the local school band practice only blocks away. I stretched and soared unlike…
Again, a graduation party for the students of Juan Sissay — tonight was an unexpected surprise for everyone including myself; I made a spontaneous decision to leave this school and Xela, to go to San Pedro for the remaining 4 weeks before starting my volunteer work. I do know that I’ve made the right decision….
June already and 3.5 weeks have passed since my arrival in Guatemala. My Spanish I feel is still marginal and I’m a bit frustrated by the school. Perhaps my standards are high and I want too much from my teachers, but the quality of teaching from my past two maestros just hasn’t been what I…
Saw a movie called “If the mango trees could talk” or something along that lines. It was a 1 hr documentary (Canadian-made!) telling the story of the Guatemalan Armed Conflict from the eyes of 10 children, deeply affected by the Civil War, who are scattered throughout different Guatemalan regions. What continues to haunt me is…
It literally rained cats and dogs last night … After a powerful thunderous and brilliantly-lit storm subsided, I was rudely aroused by a focal chorus of about 100 excited growling and barking dogs who kept me awake into the waking hours of my normal day. I gave in to wakefulness, after miserably failing to drown…
For once, I am speechless and don’t know what to write or say (or how). I don’t really want to speak about my news on this public forum, in consideration for my family, at this point anyway. But I would so love if you would keep my family in your thoughts and prayers. That would…
I arose early, as usual, wanting to savour the possible sunrise over the volcanoes and lake. Although it was 6:45am ,the sun had crested already but the skies were clear and crisp, with a smattering of fog to add some character to the twelve identified towns (with the names of Christ’s apostles) surrounding Lake Atitlán….
San Pedro is a community 1560 meters above sea level located in the skirts of the volcanoes Toliman and San Pedro. What a weekend this turned out to be! An extravaganza of photo taking with breathtaking opportunities at every corner existing, capturing the sights, sounds, tastes and beauty that Guatemala beholds. It was fantastic ……
As is true of every Friday night at Juan Sissay, again this week we had a Graduation party, with a twist – at the school we cooked a typical Guatemalan meal prior to the official ‘ceremony’. I loved the sangria (a steaming ‘Guatemalan tea’ which acts more like a desert/meal) made up of a tasty…
Heidi had a bad experience last night seeing a homeless crippled woman lying (dead??) on the street, right at the foothold of her homestay. No one cared or helped her. Two hours of waiting … No one wanted to become involved and her Housemother got very angry when Heidi used a blanket to cover this…