Hola de Guatemala!
After my red eye flight I was greeted by the smells and sounds of Guatemala City. I was met by Sandy, a GVI volunteer, and was whisked to Antigua, a beautiful heritage listed city with cobble stoned streets at the foot of volcan de agua.
For those of you that don't know. I was here in Antigua with Guatemala at the beginning of 2008. I used the photos I took during my time building stoves in the town of Santa Maria, just outside of Antigua, for the video that won me the GVI competition. For this reason I chose to start my GVI journey in Guatemala, a sort of pilgrimage. To pay homage to the beautiful children who's smiles won my heart, and to build another stove.
If you haven't seen the video (or just want to see it again for kicks): http://www.you
Anyway, because I'd been here before I was able to get my bearings quickly and spent the day wandering, weaving through droves of tourists, taking in the changes- there is now a Subway, and admiring the beautiful architecture.
The next day consisted of an induction, meeting other volunteers and moving in with my host family. I am living with a lady called Iresema, with four other volunteers and a little sausage dog and crazy little kitten. Home sweet home! (or casa dulce casa?) To my excitement one of the other volunteers is going onto Madagascar to volunteer with Azafady in a month- for those of you who don't know I went to Madagascar last year for 6 weeks and had the time of my life. I nearly wet my pants I was so excited about telling her about how amazing Madagascar is.
Today was my first of two days of spanish school. To my delight and amazement the lady who runs the school recognised me and noticed I'd cut my hair, and I even for the same teacher, Irma. She is lovely- it was like visiting with an old friend. Which is good because my spanish has declined dramatically. To make the lesson more dramatic there was a little earthquake, that was so small I was told about it an hour later, but its a reminder of the part of the world I'm in.
Anyway, I have another day with her tomorrow- I promised to study tonight (yo prometo estudiar- see not too bad?) and then on Wednesday I go to Santa Maria to be reunited with Alberto- the lovely masonry man who I built stoves with 3 years ago. I am SO excited. He is a DUDE.
Anyway, I better get to my tarea (homework).
But before I go:
Things I miss: speaking without fear of being totally misunderstood
Th
ings I don't miss: having mobile phone
Hugs from rainy Guatemala.
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