Halfway through training

Kan 14 (my cohort) is halfway through training! We have four and a half more weeks to go. In three weeks we find out our permanent two year sites and then we are thrust into the unknown. Every day is full of Spanish language and Guatemalan culture learning, as well as spending time with my host family. There is very little time for rest, relaxation, or “me time.” I am learning that Guatemala is a very collective culture and everything is done together! So, my current mood: contemplative, quiet underlying anxiety, hopeful. Current American food craving: cheez its, twix bars, and milkshakes.

My group and I traveled to Antigua to learn about Guatemalan history by an anthropologist, which was both interesting and heart-wrenching. Learning about Guatemalan’s history of violence, slavery, and corruption was hard to listen to. Learning about the United States’ involvement within it all was hard to listen to. I encourage you to do your own research. Look up the United Fruit Company, for starters. The lesson also taught me about the ethnic communities in Guatemala, some of which are K’iche, Kakqchikel, Maya, Garífuna, Xinca, Mam, and much more! There is a large population of Ladinos (mixed European and indigenous descent) as well. I’ve been learning about the different departments in Guatemala, similar to what we know as states in the U.S. Currently I am in the city of Santa Lucía, which is in the department of Sacatepéquez. Peace Corps Guatemala currently works in six out of the twenty-two departments in the country. This is due to safety, security, housing options, and need. Peace Corps only goes to countries and regions that ask for Peace Corps volunteers. And Guatemala specifically is very strict on where we can go due to the high risk of danger in the country. The departments that Peace Corps Guatemala serves in are Sacatepéquez, Totonicapán, Sololá, Quiché, Quetzaltenango, and Chimaltenango. All of these departments differ in climate and population. I could be sent to a very rural site or a pretty urban site! I could be sent to somewhere that averages 90 degrees or somewhere that averages 60 degrees. I could have access to many resources, or no electricity and running water. Something that I have learned is that Peace Corps is an adventure and you should have no expectations. Jump in and be willing to go wherever they want you to go. Right now I am trusting their process and trusting God.

Last week I spent four days in Canillá, El Quiché living with a current Peace Corps volunteer who is one year into her service! I was able to see her living situation, her town, and meet her work partners. It was a great chance to see the life of a volunteer and get a taste of what ones service may look like. Canillá is extremely hot. There was lots of mosquitoes (it was a malaria endemic zone and I had to take malaria medication), cockroaches, and spiders. The town is also more rural and is in the desert pretty much. There was a lot of livestock and a lot of people riding their horses with cowboy hats and boots. My volunteer, Ariel, has running water and electricity and lives with three women we are simply amazing. I had an amazing time walking around the town, going to the market, and cooking my own food!

My relationship with my host family is growing stronger. My host mom is still hilarious as ever and loves to joke around with me. My host dad loves to tell me about history, correct my Spanish, and watch baseball with me. My host moms granddaughter (one of my host brothers daughters) comes over a lot and I love talking with her. She is five and her Spanish is extremely better than mine.

I have found some good paca finds. A paca is a Guatemalan thrift store. They get lots of secondhand clothes shipped in from the United States and sometimes I find scores…such as this blazer where I am truly feeling myself.

Other than food, I also miss my friends from the U.S. greatly. I’ve been lucky enough to have wifi during training to facetime and whatsapp them. But ugh, I freaking miss fall in Oregon. The leaves. The chai. The pumpkins. The colors. The friendship. Just look at my bff’s going to the pumpkin patch without me and making me jealous! Thank God for the internet.

Life is good. There are ups and there are downs, but the adventure has yet to begin for me here in Guatemala. I am working on calming my nerves, on being present, and preparing for whatever this service will throw at me. I’m blessed to be here with some of the best people life could have given me and together we will make it through. Here’s to four and a half more weeks of training and living in Santa Lucía!