The following blog includes many links. As a warm-up, here is a link to photos from the Lake, Lake Atitlan, where I spent several weekends. This particular set of photos includes a side trip to the lake city of Santiago and a peace park dedicated after the army massacred 15 people leading the people to push the army out of the city by petition, brave in the days of civil war.
When you have mastered this link, go to the next section and see more!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Digital Friends
While I do not possess a digital camera, I have made friends with a steady travel partner who does.
In solely photo form, check out some recent destinations..
-a festival in a local pueblito (small village). Each village celebrates a different saint, and the saint day for the city is listed on a calendar. I visited a pueblo nearby named Cantel.
-Last weekend, my ultimate weekend.. my last weekend in Guatemala, I made a small pueblo tour in the north where native indiginous culture is stronger than in the city.
1. First we stopped in San Francisco. This city boasts one of the most authentic markets, we arrived just as it was closing to see some of the veggies, clothes, cloth, and animals offered for sale. Next we continued on, reaching the bus station by hopping on ride on the back of a pickup truck of a local old man. Kindest man. By bus we reached Huehuetenango and the next day Mayan ruins in Zacual.
2. Second we traveled an hour and a half up a paved road and an hour and a half down an unpaved road to reach Todos Santos, famous for the authentic clothing everyone wears. In particular we saw a political rally featuring the man running for President in the party currently in office. We also sauna-ed in a Mayan sauna, powered by a fire in a small clay hut. Finally we ate beans, eggs, fried chicken and rice + sweet bread (not so sweet), for every meal. Not a pueblo know for it's restaurants. But it does boast it's name in stones on the nearby mountain, much like the large Hollywood word in Cali.
3. The third night was my last in the mountains of Guatemala and perhaps the most fascinating. We asked the bus driver to drop us at the home of Telma and Luis, no kidding, and the bus driver did. This couple sells arts in the school and hosted us at their home for the night in Momostenango. They are artisians, making rugs, blankets, purses, scarves, many things, out of sheep's wool yard died with natural berries, bark, rocks and insects. The home had a pit toilet with the door being a political ad for the presidential candidate I saw in Todos Santos the day before. I am supportive. The family cooks over the fire for every meal, making tortillas fresh every day from corn. Outstanding experience.
4. I am now in Chicago.. a little under the weather from the weekend but back and excited to see you again!
Will post more about the past two weeks soon, b/c they were amazing.
In solely photo form, check out some recent destinations..
-a festival in a local pueblito (small village). Each village celebrates a different saint, and the saint day for the city is listed on a calendar. I visited a pueblo nearby named Cantel.
-Last weekend, my ultimate weekend.. my last weekend in Guatemala, I made a small pueblo tour in the north where native indiginous culture is stronger than in the city.
1. First we stopped in San Francisco. This city boasts one of the most authentic markets, we arrived just as it was closing to see some of the veggies, clothes, cloth, and animals offered for sale. Next we continued on, reaching the bus station by hopping on ride on the back of a pickup truck of a local old man. Kindest man. By bus we reached Huehuetenango and the next day Mayan ruins in Zacual.
2. Second we traveled an hour and a half up a paved road and an hour and a half down an unpaved road to reach Todos Santos, famous for the authentic clothing everyone wears. In particular we saw a political rally featuring the man running for President in the party currently in office. We also sauna-ed in a Mayan sauna, powered by a fire in a small clay hut. Finally we ate beans, eggs, fried chicken and rice + sweet bread (not so sweet), for every meal. Not a pueblo know for it's restaurants. But it does boast it's name in stones on the nearby mountain, much like the large Hollywood word in Cali.
3. The third night was my last in the mountains of Guatemala and perhaps the most fascinating. We asked the bus driver to drop us at the home of Telma and Luis, no kidding, and the bus driver did. This couple sells arts in the school and hosted us at their home for the night in Momostenango. They are artisians, making rugs, blankets, purses, scarves, many things, out of sheep's wool yard died with natural berries, bark, rocks and insects. The home had a pit toilet with the door being a political ad for the presidential candidate I saw in Todos Santos the day before. I am supportive. The family cooks over the fire for every meal, making tortillas fresh every day from corn. Outstanding experience.
4. I am now in Chicago.. a little under the weather from the weekend but back and excited to see you again!
Will post more about the past two weeks soon, b/c they were amazing.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Incarceration Continues
Last week began with some disappointments but ended with a moving ceremony.
Wednesday two first communions were planned for women in the women´s prison. The other student volunteer and I purchased veggies at the market to contribute to the lunch to follow the ceremony. While purchasing carrots, I felt a small veggie hit me in the head. When I looked for the culprit, two Mayan saleswomen were giggling. As always, I smiled and said Buenas Dias.. but really I was a little miffed that I was the target of harssment while purchasing food for a religious ceremony in a prison. In the end it was a worthy experience to be the target of discrimination and understandt he feeling. Later in this day, one women in the prison said to her friends with me in company, that I did not understand spanish. To which I replied, I understand spanish. She was embarassed and I felt uncomfortable b-c I want to lift spirits, not bring a divide. But all was fine, just a bit of strangeness.
In the end the ceremony was incredibly touching. I understood what people said and met two interesting people. One an American Deacon who works with juveniles in Cali prisons, the other a Guat newscaster who works with the church and jail here. We all exchanged emails.
Wednesday two first communions were planned for women in the women´s prison. The other student volunteer and I purchased veggies at the market to contribute to the lunch to follow the ceremony. While purchasing carrots, I felt a small veggie hit me in the head. When I looked for the culprit, two Mayan saleswomen were giggling. As always, I smiled and said Buenas Dias.. but really I was a little miffed that I was the target of harssment while purchasing food for a religious ceremony in a prison. In the end it was a worthy experience to be the target of discrimination and understandt he feeling. Later in this day, one women in the prison said to her friends with me in company, that I did not understand spanish. To which I replied, I understand spanish. She was embarassed and I felt uncomfortable b-c I want to lift spirits, not bring a divide. But all was fine, just a bit of strangeness.
In the end the ceremony was incredibly touching. I understood what people said and met two interesting people. One an American Deacon who works with juveniles in Cali prisons, the other a Guat newscaster who works with the church and jail here. We all exchanged emails.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Cambio?
Some mutterings about money. Today I sent a card to the states. For change of $5 I visited a bakery, paper shop and finally purchased coffee at a tourist hangout. This country is really hurting for change, as in coins and small bills. Please send some. One extremely popular bakery here is a huge chain called Xelapan (the name of the city, Xela, and pan is bread). The various breads and cookies cost between 3 cents and 40 cents, up to more for cakes. This is a popular snack for many students, but again, the change thing will get you. Here 7 Quetzal (there money, the name of a parrot like bird), here 7 quetzal is around $1. Change goes down to 1-10th of a Quetzal. You can get a workout carrying these coins around.
This week in the prison
1. making bunny purses
2. visiting with the doctor and bringing medicines for diabetics and vitamins
3. participating in the baptism of two women, followed by a luncheon.
And some spanish puns--
1. The name of my old school was Guatebuena. The name of the country is Guatemala. Mala means bad, Buena means good, the country name was switched for the better...(grone?)
2. People watch those fantastic spanish soap operas here, they are called telenovelas (television novels) but my teacher calls them televiejas (television for the old)...(snicker here)
3. One Guatemalan boy told me I was old when he found out my age, then he quickly added, but pretty.. so now I introduce my age with Vieja pero Bonita (old but pretty)...
For those of you in Minneapolis and the area, I send a big hug and hopes that all is ok with your loved ones.
This week in the prison
1. making bunny purses
2. visiting with the doctor and bringing medicines for diabetics and vitamins
3. participating in the baptism of two women, followed by a luncheon.
And some spanish puns--
1. The name of my old school was Guatebuena. The name of the country is Guatemala. Mala means bad, Buena means good, the country name was switched for the better...(grone?)
2. People watch those fantastic spanish soap operas here, they are called telenovelas (television novels) but my teacher calls them televiejas (television for the old)...(snicker here)
3. One Guatemalan boy told me I was old when he found out my age, then he quickly added, but pretty.. so now I introduce my age with Vieja pero Bonita (old but pretty)...
For those of you in Minneapolis and the area, I send a big hug and hopes that all is ok with your loved ones.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Maximon
Another memorable weekend at Lake Atitlan. By far the quietest most serene excursion yet. Details to follow. Including: Second visit to Saint Simon (Maximon), bartering for goods, feeding the hungry, and tranquil swimming.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
I am going to Cuba
That is I am going to experience Cuban culture, music, history, and all that is the Buena Vista Social Club. In Antigua I heard one member of the band- following this I viewed the documentary. Tonight a band of Buena Vista is in Xela and I will attend with classmates and teachers from school. This band is a musical goldmine in Cuba´s history. I nearly cried during the documentary seeing the old band members smiling on stage in New York with their eyes glistening in the spotlights. It raises issues of art, politics, geography, history... and touches me the way music should.
To boot, I have found a pretty fantastic dance partner in town and taken up a few salsa and merengue moves. This has become a regular outing at night with friends from school, teachers, and my dance partner. I am taking my two step to the concert, too.
Yesterday I danced for two hours with the women in prison. First with a dance video, then only with music. They either thought I was really good (i hope?) or really bad, because the women called me back from a break to dance so the director could see. Que Extraño. I have come to really enjoy my days in the prison with activities from drawing to sewing, dancing, cooking, talking, reading.. and hoping soon to incorporate win lose or draw, español style.
Big hug to you today!
To boot, I have found a pretty fantastic dance partner in town and taken up a few salsa and merengue moves. This has become a regular outing at night with friends from school, teachers, and my dance partner. I am taking my two step to the concert, too.
Yesterday I danced for two hours with the women in prison. First with a dance video, then only with music. They either thought I was really good (i hope?) or really bad, because the women called me back from a break to dance so the director could see. Que Extraño. I have come to really enjoy my days in the prison with activities from drawing to sewing, dancing, cooking, talking, reading.. and hoping soon to incorporate win lose or draw, español style.
Big hug to you today!
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