Finally At Site

Me and the Ambassador

I am an official PCV!  What a whirlwind of a week.  I can even describe the rollercoaster of emotions that I went through getting to this point.  I don’t even know where to start or how to tell what happened.  Well….there is this…..

So as you all know I love writing about my camioneta experiences.  This one definitely tops the charts so far.  This last week we were in our training center and had to go to the office every day.  So the last day I am heading back and after waking up around 5am for the entire week I am pretty out of it at the end of the day.  There was something different about the ride though, it just seemed a little dustier, dirtier.  I asked another PCV me if she thought the same.  She though so but we couldn’t do anything, and it is the beginning on summer where there is no rain and the dust can kick up really quickly.  Well then the next thing I know a truck with a load full of workers goes by yelling franticly at us…”tiene fuego, tiene fuego”.  Yeah fuego means fire, which took me a little bit to fully comprehend as I was sleepy but  yeah that means our bus was on fire.  Its Guatemala.  I thought I was used to everything but, then when I saw all the other Guatemalans pouring out both the front and back entrance of the bus somewhat franticly, I decided to follow suit and run like hell.  The ayudante (helper who collects the change) had an extinguisher and other store owners were running with water to help out.  So then I looked for the fire and it was under the engine and by the driver’s side wheel well.  Not a good thing.  After the fire was put out the ayudante insisted for all the passengers to get back on the bus.  When I saw the Guatemalan give the typical finger shake with their index finger, I knew to follow suit once again and not get on the bus.  Lesson learned here: when Guatemalans run, you run.  When they are scared, then it’s time to be scared too. 

As for swearing it, what an experience.  Earlier in the week, we had to sign our contracts which we agreed to defend the constitution and the same oath that all service men and women take before enlisting and for some politicians as well including VP Biden.  We had the pleasure of going to the Ambassador’s residence in Guatemala city to have our ceremony.  We got to walk around a little beforehand and see what his situation was like.  All that mattered to me was he had a tennis court.  I think this was the first tennis court I have stepped on in a few months.  Oh it was exhilarating. 

I got to talk to the Ambassador and ask him some questions about the Guatemalan political stability, and the problems he thinks that Guatemala faces.  The one thing that will stick with me for a while was after some introductions, he asked my group what our program was, with which we answered Municipal Development.  His next response “Yes…yes….that’s good for you all, yes…that is the hardest one we have here no doubt, I wish all the best of luck.’  I took that the best way that anyone could, and used it for motivation for journey ahead.

The night we as a big group got together and had a blast with one hurrah before we all were to deploy to our sites.  We came together reflected on our ups, downs, and everything from getting on the plane first in Washington D.C. to being sworn in a saying our oath with the Ambassador in front of us.  We also ended up compiling a list of superlatives and I happened to win the honor of ‘most likely to be elected mayor of my site.’  The next day we all left for our respective sites which was another journey unto itself.  It took me about 7 hours to finally get to my town as there was a national bike race ‘the Tour of Guatemala’ and we got stuck behind it.  So we meandered up along the high hills a slow pace for a good chunk of the trip.

One of the things that will stick with me for a while is the impact that my host family had on me and the amount of support I still feel from them and still continues to feel from them.  They are truly great people and it was hard to say good bye to them, but I am just so honored and blessed to have built such a great bond with people who were 3 months ago, complete strangers.  I know during my service that I will be going back to visit them and to just stay in touch.  They are an incredible family and did a lot to make me feel welcome here in Guatemala during my first few months here.  Kudos to them!

With other volunteers from my group, Justin and Carolyn

This week I will begin to walk around the town and do my best to get to know the people of my site.  I think I will just start by walking up and down every street saying hi to everyone I could possibly say hi to.  I have attached some pictures so please enjoy.  Thanks again everyone for all the support!!