I have been gone for a little over a week now and feel pretty adjusted to life here. I flew into Guatemala City, traveled to Antigua and am now staying in Quetzaltenango. My first week mostly consisted of being a tourist, listening to different lectures about the history/situation in Guatemala and basic orientation of the program.
My stay in Guatemala City & Antigua both were very short. Guatemala City was very hectic and had lots to see but only saw the central plaza, a center for youth and the local mall. In Antigua, I enjoyed the cobble stone streets, easy walking distance to everything, the colorful buildings and the beauty of the surrounding mountains/volcanoes. Most of our time will be spent in Quetzaltenango, or Xela (Shela). We had about five days to be tourists and explore the surrounding sites of Xela & I love this city already. Check out the photo tab to see more!
I moved in with my host family on Sunday and started classes on Monday. I am a bit overwhelmed still from all the transition but I am becoming very comfortable with being here. I live with a very sweet lady (my “host mom”) and her older mother. My “host mom” has three children, two of which live here with their families. She is a great cook & very patient during our conversations since I am still learning Spanish. We eat all of our meals together & sometimes her older grandchild joins us. Usually after lunch I rest or play board/card games with her grandchild & then attend a session with my group.
My Spanish class is nothing like classes I take in the United States. It's just me and the professor having conversation for five hours in the morning. So far we have gone on many short field trips and I have already learned so much. I enjoy my time with her. We have attended the protests for a bit everyday (don't worry- I am safe, they are safe, it's all good), walked to a bakery & toured the local cemetery. I can't wait to continue my class the next two weeks.
My Spanish class is nothing like classes I take in the United States. It's just me and the professor having conversation for five hours in the morning. So far we have gone on many short field trips and I have already learned so much. I enjoy my time with her. We have attended the protests for a bit everyday (don't worry- I am safe, they are safe, it's all good), walked to a bakery & toured the local cemetery. I can't wait to continue my class the next two weeks.
UPDATE ON GUATEMALA: So, I am not sure if you all know about events that are happening in Guatemala so I will give a VERY brief explanation. In April, a corruption scandal with the government was announced to the public saying that the Vice President has taken, stolen or been given a lot of money from the government. Obviously, the public was very upset. They wanted the Vice President to be punished for stealing. Before she could get to trial she renounced her role. This last Friday (August 21) she was arrested and brought to prison. People celebrated in the streets and were very excited that she is being brought to justice. Now, these last few days students from the university and other citizens have been gathering in the streets near the government buildings (here in Xela & other cities in Guatemala) chanting things like, “Otto, renounce already!” or “I have no president!” Otto Molina Perez is the current president who they believe also has connections with the corruptions. Most university classes, public schools, businesses, etc. are closed to participate in the protests.
Being an outsider from another country this has been very interesting for me. The protests have been very happy, loud and full of many citizens who want Guatemala to change. I still do not fully understand the operations and workings of their government but I do know that many people are upset that the Government does not provide enough & steal from their people.
Obviously, it is much more complex than that & when I understand more to fully explain I will write more. Until then :)
Being an outsider from another country this has been very interesting for me. The protests have been very happy, loud and full of many citizens who want Guatemala to change. I still do not fully understand the operations and workings of their government but I do know that many people are upset that the Government does not provide enough & steal from their people.
Obviously, it is much more complex than that & when I understand more to fully explain I will write more. Until then :)