Got locked out of my room today, snapping the padlock moments after realizing the keys were actually on the other side of my door. Had to wait around for 4 hrs until Christina, my mum, could remove the entire sector off my door. Don´t think she was too happy about that.
In other news, Guatemala has been devistated by another hurricane, although slighty less intense than Agatha 4 weeks ago. Having said that, many of my kids don´t have a roof, due to the intensity of the winds. School was cancelled today, the 2nd day this week for the other school, as there are sheets of metal from people´s houses flying around, obviously making it too dangerous for both the volunteers and the kids to walk around.
Not too sure yet how they´re going to recover from this wet season if the weather continues to be like this.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Father's Day Football Match
Had a Father's Day futbol match last Wednesday, which was both very entertaining and fun. (Particularly seeing all the GVI volunteers get beaten up by local players)
Kat and Doreen cheering
The players
After the game, had a special lunch prepared by the mother's of the students, together with all the other dads's. At the end, we handed out bags of seeds for growing beans (seeing as all the crops were ruined from storm Agatha... if it's a good crop season they should last for a year!) Very special day.
Doreen
A dad recieving a bag of seeds
Dom and volunteers
A dad giving a thank-you speech
Principal Santiago and the other dad's.
Liza and Me
Eating lunch
Lake Atitlan
FINALLY i have been able to access a fast internet access, thanks to my new roommate, Izzy, who's been keeping me company while these damn pictures have loaded.
Went to Lake Atitlan last weekend for our GVI adventure trip. First day was bike riding through small villages... beautiful scenery until i fell and ripped my favourite top. Bummer. Relaxed that night with our guides David and Wilmur and played board games with a bottle of Rum. Following day kayaked around the lake, jumping off a very very tall cliff, which i decided to watch and take pictures of.
All in all, so relaxing and a lot of fun!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Chicken Bus
Still mastering the chicken bus... today got very lost trying to get to the Macadamia nut farm, feeling very out of place, wedged between 2 strangers. But it was worth it for the macadamia panqueques! Yum!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Father´s Day
Goodbye Beth!
Second week in Antigua; baked a cake, started school, said goodbye to another volunteer, survived (and slept through) an earthqake, saw a volcano spit out hot lava, stood in dog maneur, made friends with staff at the coffee shop and got very wet walking home yesterday in the rain.
Today, celebrated Father´s Day by making some cards. Still evidence of the paint and glitter in my hair and on my clothes. Here´s an idea of what my older class, grade 2, created...
Second week in Antigua; baked a cake, started school, said goodbye to another volunteer, survived (and slept through) an earthqake, saw a volcano spit out hot lava, stood in dog maneur, made friends with staff at the coffee shop and got very wet walking home yesterday in the rain.
Today, celebrated Father´s Day by making some cards. Still evidence of the paint and glitter in my hair and on my clothes. Here´s an idea of what my older class, grade 2, created...
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Back to School
As you may or may not be aware of, there was a massive thunderstorm, Agatha, that devestated Guatemala almost 2 weeks ago. The storm went for 2 days, and completely wiped out crop fields, destroyed homes and took many lives. On a personal note, there were many kids at the school i´m teaching at, just outside of Antigua, who were personally affecte. Coming in a week after it hit, i've found it pretty difficult to adjust, given the trauma that has shadowed many of the students. Amazingly in 4 days GVI raised $30 000, all of which is going directly towards food, seeds for planting crops and reconstruction.
Having said that, i absolutely love it here. Though every day i'm confronted by more unbelievable (and v. disturbing) stories, the atmosphere in the school is amazing. For the next 3 months i'll be taking a kinder class in the morning, and 9yr olds in the afternoon, all of whom are exceptional. All the kids are so incredibly affectionate, and appreciate every little thing you could possible imagine. I'm so excited to be teaching here, and have the privelage of getting to know the community.
Now all i have to do is learn the language and try not to destroy their education with my spanish... hmm.
Niños bonitos!
Having said that, i absolutely love it here. Though every day i'm confronted by more unbelievable (and v. disturbing) stories, the atmosphere in the school is amazing. For the next 3 months i'll be taking a kinder class in the morning, and 9yr olds in the afternoon, all of whom are exceptional. All the kids are so incredibly affectionate, and appreciate every little thing you could possible imagine. I'm so excited to be teaching here, and have the privelage of getting to know the community.
Senior classrooms
3 classes, 1 room
Now all i have to do is learn the language and try not to destroy their education with my spanish... hmm.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Week in Antigua
Week 1 down, 11 more to go. Finally able to upload photos, so i figured i'd just give you a brief summary of my week....
SUNDAY, DAY 1.
Arrived at host family, my mum Christina being a very warm and friendly host. She also has a daughter, practicaly my age, who has a 9month baby! I figure it's pretty normal here to have families young. Had introduction program with GVI, then wandered around in the afternoon. Btw, Christina is an AMAZING cook... going to come out of here at least 3kgs heavier.
Soo beautiful
TUESDAY, DAY 3.
Another 6am start. Another 6hrs of Spanish. Another few coffees from the wonderful Bagel Barn next to Spanish school. Another lunch in the park. Then after class headed to Rainbow cafe to listen to a lecture from "Mujer", an organisation that supports women's rights, particularly female sex workers. Very interesting, especially the guest speakers who were former workers! After dinner, drinks with Danielle at her mum (Suan) and Becca's house. A lot of fun.
What's wrong with this picture?
WEDNESDAY, DAY 4.
Breakthrough in spanish! Learnt past tense, so now i can mas o menos have a conversation with someone and know what i'm saying. In the afternoon played Celebrity Heads with teachers, (they're all halerious). Discovered a mango fruit stall next to school, bought 2 packets of freshly cut fruit. Yum! Later that evening drinks at Danielle´s very architeculary-interesting house with the girls.
Marta, my teacher
THURSDAY, DAY 5.
I honestly would rather eat a red chilli in its entirety than study irregular verbs. So bloody hard! Another enjoyable 6hrs with my gorgeous teacher, Martha. After class discovered a gym! And a cheap one too, called Gymnasio La Fabrica. Yipee! Had a good long workout, something that has been very alien to me for about 6months now. Then had another tasty Guatemalan dinner with my housemates, Carrie and Lee, who are both from the US. Later the girls came to our house for a bottle of wine.
Yaba
?
Today there were lots of street parades and processions commemorating Saint Chrissy. No idea exactly who he was, but there was a pretty good vibe walking around this morning. Lots of street music and families walking around.
My street.
So now, Dad in particular, i hope you´re satisfied with this small insight into my new life here. Watching Australia losing miserably to Germany in the World Cup... Shame! Looking forward to starting school tomorrow!
SUNDAY, DAY 1.
Arrived at host family, my mum Christina being a very warm and friendly host. She also has a daughter, practicaly my age, who has a 9month baby! I figure it's pretty normal here to have families young. Had introduction program with GVI, then wandered around in the afternoon. Btw, Christina is an AMAZING cook... going to come out of here at least 3kgs heavier.
My room
Mayan ruins
Antigua street
Eliza
MONDAY, DAY 2.
First day of spanish. Bloody hard, let me tell you. 6hrs classes broken up into 3 sessions. Had lunch by the central park with other (awesome) volunteers... such beautiful weather! After class discovered very interesting cafe with another volunteer, Yaba.
First day of spanish. Bloody hard, let me tell you. 6hrs classes broken up into 3 sessions. Had lunch by the central park with other (awesome) volunteers... such beautiful weather! After class discovered very interesting cafe with another volunteer, Yaba.
The courtyard
Soo beautiful
Wearing my glasses..
Yaba
TUESDAY, DAY 3.
Another 6am start. Another 6hrs of Spanish. Another few coffees from the wonderful Bagel Barn next to Spanish school. Another lunch in the park. Then after class headed to Rainbow cafe to listen to a lecture from "Mujer", an organisation that supports women's rights, particularly female sex workers. Very interesting, especially the guest speakers who were former workers! After dinner, drinks with Danielle at her mum (Suan) and Becca's house. A lot of fun.
(From left) Carrie, myself, Becca, Maria and Drew
Drew and me
What's wrong with this picture?
WEDNESDAY, DAY 4.
Breakthrough in spanish! Learnt past tense, so now i can mas o menos have a conversation with someone and know what i'm saying. In the afternoon played Celebrity Heads with teachers, (they're all halerious). Discovered a mango fruit stall next to school, bought 2 packets of freshly cut fruit. Yum! Later that evening drinks at Danielle´s very architeculary-interesting house with the girls.
Celebrity heads
Marta, my teacher
THURSDAY, DAY 5.
I honestly would rather eat a red chilli in its entirety than study irregular verbs. So bloody hard! Another enjoyable 6hrs with my gorgeous teacher, Martha. After class discovered a gym! And a cheap one too, called Gymnasio La Fabrica. Yipee! Had a good long workout, something that has been very alien to me for about 6months now. Then had another tasty Guatemalan dinner with my housemates, Carrie and Lee, who are both from the US. Later the girls came to our house for a bottle of wine.
FRIDAY, DAY 6.
LAST DAY OF SPANISH. Aggh. 4hrs of more irregular verbs, followed by a session where we had to teach all the students and teachers a topic of somesort, one at a time. Halerious, none of us could stop laughing. All the teacher´s were behaving like children, trying to imitate a hypothetical classroom situation. I spoke about Australia and all its characteristics. It was really just an excuse to make lamingtons, to be honest. For dinner all the volunteers and GVI staff got together for dinner at Sky Cafe, before going out for a few drinks. Not a big night, just really nice to get to know everyone.
LAST DAY OF SPANISH. Aggh. 4hrs of more irregular verbs, followed by a session where we had to teach all the students and teachers a topic of somesort, one at a time. Halerious, none of us could stop laughing. All the teacher´s were behaving like children, trying to imitate a hypothetical classroom situation. I spoke about Australia and all its characteristics. It was really just an excuse to make lamingtons, to be honest. For dinner all the volunteers and GVI staff got together for dinner at Sky Cafe, before going out for a few drinks. Not a big night, just really nice to get to know everyone.
Carrie - my roomate
Our unique spanish teachers
Becca
Aaah, Leo
Teacher Courtney
Yaba
SATURDAY, DAY 7.
Sleep in? Not a chance. 7am wake up for bus to the beach in Monterrico, with 7 other volunteers. Such nice weather there, mind you definitely doesn´t compare to Aussie beaches. Spent day first by the beach, then when we got soaked from a sudden high tide, by the hotel pool. Made new friends with a few people, recruited by Suan, (what a character). Then headed back that night for dinner at home, then drinks at ¨El Muro,¨ which is a small bar that had a live percussion/guitar band who were pretty good. Volunteer night there, so cheap drinks i.e. big night. SOOOO much fun.
Sleep in? Not a chance. 7am wake up for bus to the beach in Monterrico, with 7 other volunteers. Such nice weather there, mind you definitely doesn´t compare to Aussie beaches. Spent day first by the beach, then when we got soaked from a sudden high tide, by the hotel pool. Made new friends with a few people, recruited by Suan, (what a character). Then headed back that night for dinner at home, then drinks at ¨El Muro,¨ which is a small bar that had a live percussion/guitar band who were pretty good. Volunteer night there, so cheap drinks i.e. big night. SOOOO much fun.
The beach
Greg and Maria
Budgy smugglers
?
Today there were lots of street parades and processions commemorating Saint Chrissy. No idea exactly who he was, but there was a pretty good vibe walking around this morning. Lots of street music and families walking around.
My street.
So now, Dad in particular, i hope you´re satisfied with this small insight into my new life here. Watching Australia losing miserably to Germany in the World Cup... Shame! Looking forward to starting school tomorrow!
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