A School for Guacachipol

The school with the decorations.

The bottle school in Guacachipol is officially done. Thank you to all of you that helped out. Thank you to those you donated money, your time and support during the process.  It was a really exciting day to be able to go to the community and not really have any work to do. I was there to have fun and celebrate they can here in Guatemala!

An inside view.  All used with recycled bottles.

Chatting with the NGO Hug It Forward and a community member

 As we pulled up in the car with my program manager and the country director of Peace Corps, we saw the new school, freshly painted with the whole community putting on finishing touches, chopping up some chicken, or just checking out the school. I think there may have even been people from other communities there as well, maybe to see the school, to see the construction, or maybe/probably to join in the celebration.

Bottle everywhere.

 

There was a small ceremony where each respective part involved in the project had an opportunity to talk about the school, their roles, and how fun it was, but everyone touched on the theme of relief of the project being done. I was asked to address the gathering of people and tried to keep it short.  I made a point of how important it was that everyone worked together, that collaboration and teamwork not only provides projects that benefit children and the future, but, ultimately a stronger sense of community. This sense of community provides so much more in the long run; more collaboration leads to more teamwork and hopefully projects and future successes, and let the school be a testament to their work and collaboration.  Also, it was a great opportunity to bring everyone together that was involved in the project. There was the municipality, Peace Corps, the NGO, ‘Hug It Forward’, the community and for the first time, we were all together, finally putting faces to the voices on the other end of the phone and seeing the benefit of all the hard work the we all did. 

I am grateful at the opportunity, the faith that the municipality, Peace Corps the NGO and especially the community instilled in me during the process. There was many times where I did not know the answer.  I was upfront with the community and other parties from the get go. I had an idea to collaborate with a community to build a school out of recycled bottles. Note that I said, ‘an idea.’ I did not know how to do any of it at the beginning stages. So how was it possible to build this school? This was the importance and the main point of the project.  Despite not knowing the exact details, by placing a good team around you of people that do know something about a possible way, anything is possible.  It’s all about team work, coming together and collaborating, celebrating the successes and failures, together.

Outside view.  Note:look at the previous blog post to see it before the cement covering.

In the end, the construction used over 6,500 eco-bricks.  Each of those bricks weigh around 1lb each.  So about 3.25 TONS of what used to be unusable garbage became a main part in the construction of the school for the community.  Cool. By using the technology incorporating the eco-bricks and community help, we reduced costs by about 55% of what a normal two room school would cost if it was privately contracted out to be built. 

Cutting the ribbon with the mayor, a representative from the NGO and the president of the parent association.

It was a great learning experience.  So much of one, we broke ground yesterday on another school due for completion in the upcoming months as well! More to come!

School children dancing.

Much love, and always, many thanks for all the support!

With the team!

Early morning in my site.

Hopefully this picture (below) will leave a smile on your face as we are in full swing with holiday activities here in Guatemala.  It is crazy to think that it has been now three Christmases since I have been here in Guatemala. Time is a funny concept to think of in the past, the present and the future. I think there are ghosts like that in the some famous carol? Not the one below though, I can assure you that. 

Merry Christmas!

I have been getting emails from people asking what I will be doing for the holidays, for the New Year, if I am ok to spend it here, will it be tough etc. To shed some light on the situation there was an article written by a fellow PCV in Botswana. One of my favorite quote from the article is as follows: ‘Those images tend to be different in the reality of Peace Corps service. I am close to South Africa and can find a turkey, but I don't have an oven that can cook it within a day! The sounds of wrapping paper are replaced by 2 donkeys mating, 3 roosters crowing, 4 dogs a barking and 5 sc-a-ry buuuuggggs. Deep sleeping becomes a little harder with the African summer heat, but the smiles are universal.

The main park in front of my house

Addressing the questions about how I feel spending the holidays in Guatemala. I feel great, I am happy, excited and ready to celebrate. I am going to be spending a night in Malacatancito with some friends, then going to spend Christmas Eve with my host family where I stayed during training, and then to Belize for a few days for some sun and fun. I can remember being in the states and always wishing I was somewhere tropical, somewhere different, and now I have that opportunity to do so. I am going to be with good friends, enjoying different traditions and enjoying my time and seeing what there is to do.  Sure it might be tough, but how many people can say they can eat all the tamales and paches the want?  I can.  I do miss family and friend in the states, the traditions, the food, the Ellisons the NYE traditions etc.  If I spend my time thinking about them, what I am missing, I will be missing the traditions and the good times I could have here.  While not too far off in thoughts and heart, I will be enjoying the time here in Guatemala wishing that everyone could be experiencing what I am, and how lucky I truly am!

Well I can tell you that in my current site, located at about 7,700 feet above sea level is DAMN IT GETS COLD HERE! It has fallen to 26F a few times. When I was in Malacatancito, my old site, I had grown accustomed to sleeping with a sheet and a little blanket.  Here in my current site, there is a sheet, a comforter, 2 blankets, socks, sweatpants, shirt, sweatshirt and a winter hat. There are even times I can see my breath at times. Just like the holiday’s right? Most mornings a nice frost freezes to the ground making me remember early mornings in the states growing up and walking through the crunchy grassy fields leaving little footprints.   

Cold, eh?

On the school front, we are almost done. We are planning for a January 15^th inauguration date which is 10000% flexible obviously but the end is near. We just have to finish with the pouring of the floors, a paint job and then any last minute fixes. 

The school in October.  Now we have the roof up, and the walls with their cement covering.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday season and New Year!  I wish I could be there and here and with everyone at the same time but that technology is still not here.  I hope that everyone is well and in good health, surrounded by their loved ones with good times to be had!

And please excuse my attmpt to be festive with the color scheme.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!   

We Have Broken Gound

I can officially say that we have started construction on the bottle school project in Guacachipol.  I have not posted since then due to the fact that there were still some hiccups along the way and only wanted to post about good news and not have to explain again why we were being delayed.  But we've started!

Ground Broken!

On Tuesday, I went to the community of Guacachipol with the Mayor, the engineer, foreman, and two workers from the municipal planning office.  It was a big thing for the Mayor to come because it was the first time a mayor from the municipality had ever been to the community, also it gave him the ability to tangibly see the who, what, why, where instead of numbers and designs on paper.  Also we took advantage and had a community meeting to discuss anything and everything about the project.

The engineer, myself, foreman, mayor and community leader.

I know that there is still a long list of things to do but it is satisfying for the time being to know after all this wait and time that finally we have broken ground.  There were numerous obstacles and there will be more to come.  With that being said, the community of Guacachipol and its members are truly resilient and I am proud of their hard work and patience.   

Everyone helping out!

I will be visiting the site about every two weeks to see how things are progressing.  I will update the blog with pictures and news!

Thanks for all the support!

Construction Time!

Yes it has been sometime since I have written.  I can report that I am alive and things are going well.   My new site is different, and I told myself I wasn’t going to compare them but there are new things that are nice here and others that are, well, different.    

Let’s start with some updates! Being in a new site I am learning a whole new system; a new counterpart, a new municipality and dynamic within, town, people, where certain things are in terms of best bread, tortillas and good prices for produce meanwhile still trying to tie things up with the school process in Huehuetenango.  Things are good, my new town is nice and safe but it is considerably bigger then my old site.  I can talk about this later but the big news…

I am happy to announce that we have gotten our first payment from the NGO Hug It Forward and on Monday I will be going up to my old site to help deliver the first transfer of materials to the site of Guacachipol.  This has been a long time waiting, and something we can finally get going.  I am so proud of the community where we have been working tirelessly together.  Through this whole process, their patience, hope and faith in a foreigner with terrible Spanish is heartwarming and motivating.  To have this first big step in place, not having to wonder any more about the when and how along with other logistics, we can now focus on building and doing it right!  Within the next 3-4 months, hopefully, a school will be built out of recycled materials giving the community of Guacachipol a school they can call their own.  I will be updating the progress of the build and more successes and frustrations along the road with pictures, stories and videos (hopefully).  I just want to thank everyone so far that has contributed in any way they have already.  Thank you!!!

Students in Guacachipol

Things in my new site are different.  I live in an adobe house so things are a little dustier and it takes a little more sweeping to maintain it well.  Another thing, it is considerable colder in my new site and it actually hailed, and accumulated considerable amounts the first day I got there.  My house has a big garden space and I have done some planting of flowers and some herbs to relax a little.  It’s been fun and now birds including two different types of hummingbirds are coming around to investigate the new smells and colors.  The bad news, the rainy season has started and the gutter system need to be rerigged so that all the water that falls on the roof does not go into the garden.  So little domestic chores here and there but its fun when I can make pesto with the basil I’ve planted.  In a few weeks, I hope that my spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots and cilantro will be edible and not to waterlogged. 

Snow and tropical fruit?

I am doing well.  I am feeling productive and as of now I only have 5 months left in Peace Corps.  It is amazing how time has gone by, how quickly and slowly at the same time.  I do need to start thinking about post Peace Corps and what is now out there.  Don’t be surprised if you get an email from me in the not too distant future asking for some advice. 

I hope all is well with everyone everywhere. 

Much love!

Next few months!

Sorry I left everyone hanging with the last post.  I have decided to stay here in Guatemala and continue my journey as a volunteer.  I might not be able to continue exactly what I was doing in terms of projects and being in the same community, but I will be able to continue gaining valuable experience and working alongside great people here in Guatemala.  It might not be the most ideal of situations but the idea of service and doing your best with what you have is what I came here to do. Even though I will be in a new community for a short amount of time, I need to look at that time frame and do what I can, trying my best.

I will be moving about an hour and a half south of where I am currently located.  I will be moving to another municipality where there are a few other volunteers currently located.  With the new changes there will be more towns with a greater concentration of volunteers.  I have about another month here in my current site trying to arrange everything, leaving projects in good hands, organizing everything with the bottle school and get everything organized to move to a new site.  I have been very fortunate to talk with Peace Corps administration and have had meetings and conversations about my situation. They have granted me the ability to supervise my project and take a few trips back and forth to get it done. That was a big factor in my decision making.  I couldn’t leave the community where we were going to do the school. I made it clear to the local municipality where I work, the community of Guacachipol and to Peace Corps that my goal was to finish the school whether I was a volunteer or not.  Thankfully, together, we have worked out a plan to allow me to finish this project while remaining a volunteer. 

As for life here, my two site mates have left last week as they completed their service.  A big congrats to them for doing a job well done, finishing with a bunch of projects, and leaving a great impact here in town and surrounding communities. I was honored and humbled to work and take part in daily life alongside them for 16 months.  Hopefully we will be able to meet up once we are all back stateside.

In the month of March, things will be hectic.  We will be starting the bottle school construction (FINALLY!), I will have to move and get to know people in a new town and work environment, try to pitch some new ideas there all while keeping tabs on the construction here in my original site.  When it rains it pours right?  This will be a busy time but definitely welcome as progress has been made and now we will be able to put everything to action.  I finally have a lot of support from the new mayor and things couldn’t be better in site.  I will do my best to really soak up everything in the last few weeks I have here with great friends and look forward to making new friends in a new town. 

Decisions to be made!

Detailed in my last blog, there are numerous changes affecting Guatemala right now.  Within PC Guatemala, the Regional Director Carlos Torres has advised that the administration take the following steps:

1.)Relocate volunteers that are deemed to be living in ‘Unsafe areas.’ These unsafe areas are the departments of Huehuetenango (where my site is), San Marcos, Alta and Baja Verapaz, the Oriente (everything east of Guatemala City) and the coast.  Basically half of all volunteers are being evacuated from their sites and have the choice to relocate within Guatemala or go back to the states.

2.) Offer early COS to any and all volunteers regardless of time spent in country.  This measure is to decrease numbers of overall volunteer size.

3.) Have a transportation system to help with security and volunteer well being.  This means no more camionetas or renovated old discarded school busses.  Now PC Guatemala will have to provide us with private transportation to and from our destination on major highways and roads.

So where does this leave me?  I have until February 10^th to let PC know if I decide to come home or try to move sites and start again.  Going home is a very easy option.  I can return to the states, start the application to graduate schools and begin to plan what the next move career wise will be and how best I can give myself the opportunity to do so.  Or, I can stay here and explore the unexpected all over again.  The benefit of this unexpected is knowing what I know now.  With my Spanish being understandable, I will avoid most of the normal growing/learning pains of the new language.  I know where most things are, how the culture operates and have a little more confidence in what I am doing.  The downsides will be moving, doing the whole readjustment thing all over again, and meeting new people.  Do not get me wrong on the meeting new people.  I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people.  The fact is, meeting someone versus getting to know someone in a professional development aspect takes time, patience and certain situations to give you that crucial insight on how people react and what their tendencies are.  I have all these comforts here currently in Malacatancito.  I know who to go to for certain things and who to talk to about certain subjects or help.  I will have to take about 2-3 months in a new site before bearings are really set and the ability to working comfortable and confidently will set in.  This is the dilemma. 

Thomas, Nic, Justin and myself on top of Volcano Santa Maria.
This photo was taken just before a 6.1 earthquake hit!

On going home, it seems daunting right now because I do not have anything planned.  I still have goals for myself here within Guatemala.  One of those priorities is becoming fluent in Spanish, and accomplishing a few projects, something that is tangible and visible.  With more time being here in Guatemala can only help build on these experiences.  Either way, be it staying here in Guatemala or coming back home to the states both represent the unknown and both represent endless possibilities to whatever can happen. 

I am just distraught over the simple fact that I have made these connections here in my current town of Malacatancito.  I am just getting everything set to finish up my time in site with the culmination of projects that will show for all the hard work we have done.  What scares me is knowing the first 6 months in site here were tough, the toughest time in site as everything was new and the foundation was being set.  Back then, I knew I had time on my side and knew everything would pan out because I had two years ahead of me.  Now, in a new site, with new people, starting all over, what will I be able to do, telling people I only have 6 months to work with them?  This is where my conscience and thought process are analyzing and challenging my continuing.  The simple question is - in the 6 or so months I have remaining here in Guatemala, will I be able to accomplish substantial things such as projects that are designed and managed by the Guatemalans in such a short time period?  Or in those six months, can I find a job in the states or wherever and get more accomplished in that time period as I still set my sights on the future?  Timing is everything right?  Argggg…..

Visiting with Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams

I hope to be able to visit potential sites in the upcoming days that will grant me a little view into the workings of new sites and the people in them.  With that information I can only hope to make a decision and the go into it with all my heart, 110%. 

A recent moon rise in my town of Malacatancito

Changes in Guatemala

As of late, Peace Corps Guatemala and Peace Corps programs in Honduras and El Salvador have undergone some serious changes.  These changes have led PC Guatemala to ‘implement specific initiatives to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that volunteers serving in Guatemala will do as safely as possible.’  But the question I have been asking myself lately is: At what point does the priority of safety and security for PCVs trump the overall effectiveness and purpose of our service?  As listed below are some of the new measures that will be implemented.

-- Decreasing the overall volunteer population by having certain programs close their service (COS) early.

--Clustering of volunteers which means to close certain regions of the country and relocated volunteers closer together in other sites deemed ‘safe’ by PC Washington and PC Guatemala.

      --Granted any volunteer regardless of time spent in Guatemala an early COS or chance to go back to the states with the benefits of completing the full two years.

Over the past week, I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions.   Measure two will take me out of my site here in Malacatancito Huehuetenango, where I have spent the last 16 months working and living.  Needless to say there have been struggles, successes, ups and downs, but all of these challenges and breakthroughs have shaped what I know to be Malacatancito.  I am just upset and extremely disappointed to know that I have to change sites and face the remaining 8 months working in a new community (that is if I choose to do so).  My immediate concerns were - I am expected to break ground in mid February for my bottle school - I have promised a community the hope of a better future -There are countless donors in the states that have donated their money and time and that I have other communities looking to develop and gain experience with project proposals and applications.  What now?  Am I supposed to abandon my friendships and my work that I have poured myself into these past 16 months?

I am upset and just worried about what will happen, what I will be allowed to do and what I can hopefully finish.  An All Volunteer Conference will be taking place tomorrow until Thursday.   Hopefully, we will receive more information about plans as a team from PC Washington and the regional director will be meeting with us over the course of the next three days to explain the current conundrum we are in. 

I have 8 months left according to my Peace Corps commitment and contract that we signed before we were sworn in as official Peace Corps Volunteers.  We are at the time of entering the country given a PC Handbook stating expectations and guidelines for all PCVs.  On the first page of the handbook is a famous quote about the Peace Corps by JFK immediately followed by the 10 core expectations for PCVs. Here are two that I seem to be thinking about as of late.

#4 Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and culture.

 #9 Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative of the people, cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of America. 

Since being in site, I have fully devoted myself to integration and doing my best to be respectful to all people by having conversations, offering a hand in whatever it may be, and most importantly, by being an active member of the community.  By abruptly leaving right now, with all the ground work for projects done, with the fruits of our labor and hard work almost attainable, I am leaving communities at their most hopeful and vulnerable times.  This then brings me back to expectations #4 and #9.  How by removing myself, will that trust and confidence be affected?  Forget the success, but that then leads right up to being how I will be perceived, or how Americans will be perceived for that matter in my town. 

The municipal development program has had a tough time so far.  We have had to face the end of an administration where works and plans are wrapping up, an election/campaign season and then lame duck municipalities that were not reelected and just waiting out their terms.  Now, finally, as we are working with newly elected administrations with no fear of looming elections, work gearing up, projects starting, support for us is strong, now, at this most ideal sought after chance, where we pinned our hopes during our most frustrating times, we have to leave and abandon that opportunity that we had waited so patiently for.  

So I am left with a lot of unanswered questions and what to do next.  Hopefully by the end of the week, after the meetings I will have a better understanding of the situation.  Until then...

Familiarity

I recently wrote in my journal the other day reflecting on how things have gone in Guatemala.  I usually reserve journal entries for more personal reflections and more unguarded thoughts, feelings and ideas. 

Oct 4^th 2011,

-There was a moment last night when I was walking down the street by myself.  I was heading to my sitemates house and while walking I was just aware of my surroundings.  Many times people walk and they are in a hurry, thinking about the next thing they have to do, worried about something they have yet to do or just simply being preoccupied with some external thing.  Maybe this experience was just at that moment being in that moment, being fully in the present.  I simply felt comfortable, I felt at ease.  Here I am in this completely different culture, surrounded by a different language, thoughts, logics and way of life and here I am comfortable.  Now it’s a familiar culture, a familiar language, a familiar place.

There was a cool breeze whipping up the fog that was gathering on the brick laid streets and the smell of the rain still fresh.  I smelt earth: dirt, plants, and simply life.  A smoky trace to the newly cooled humid air fused by the wood burning stoves enlightened my experience as it was a mix of worlds combining; one being on the east coast in cooler seasons and the other in the tropical island of Guam at the same time.  Interesting how the past comes back.  But with the new mix of places lived, places visited, I felt at home.  I was, well…I can’t explain. I was comfortable, but that’s not all.  I was at peace, calm, relaxed and just…..it was something I’ll remember a long time.  It was just walking down the street, having people great you, a familiar smile and hand wave, but people also knowing who you are and you knowing them.  I realized there it was something greater than being a volunteer.  It was the feeling of belonging to something greater, knowing that I am part of a community not because I am there doing work and ‘giving’ to a community but knowing that the community was giving back and there was the relationship between one and the community. 

Guatemala has had its ups and downs, even its stalling moments.  It is hard to explain to anyone outside the bubble of this life.  Guatemalans won’t understand it and neither will most people stateside.  So how do I go about describing it? It’s such a personal solitary experience.  Maybe I don’t even understand fully. I do still have a year, and many RPCV’s say they still learn and appreciate things well after their time at post is over.  One thing is true thus far, it has taught me what is important to me, what I want out of life.  It is an endless journey but a journey worth traveling because each day comes with the expected anticipation of the unexpected.  I am here living in Guatemala.  Sure work is tough, frustrating, and sometimes seem even futile, but this is part of the journey and I am glad to be on this journey right now at this time in my life.  I know I belong here. 

Elections and life after....

After first getting into country over a year ago and especially working within local government, Peace Corps made it clear that September 2011 was going to be a big month.  Why?  Elections.  On September 11^th, local and national elections took place.  In my municipality the current administration was defeated handily and the new administration will take over in January.  Leading up to the elections, not much work was being done as there were serious efforts and pushes to campaign.  Now, I have the problem of working in a lame duck administration that does not want to do anything except to just leave things the way they are.  So, in the next months I will work with people who know they will not have jobs come the new year.  Its pretty futile trying to convince people that we still need to work to do our job and continue to provide services for people.  Unfortunately our mayor will be putting a freeze on all spending which stops all projects and community development as it is.  Ill see how I can manage this and try to continue pushing forward with my programs and projects. 

Antigua's many doors and colors

This transition will be bittersweet in the sense that most of the people I work with will be gone and I have to start the process all over again of getting to know people, gaining 'confianza' and understanding the work dynamic.  On the other hand some people need to go and having the chance to make new friends and have new opportunities to work with people is more exciting than it is disappointing of going through the process again.  In the time I have been here working with the current administration, I have fostered some great professional relationships and have a team that acts as my go to people who I usually talk with, make plans with and eat lunch with from time to time.  It is just another change but seeing them go will be tough.  The only thing that you can do is forge on and keep doing the best that you can. 

Projects are coming along and my bottle school is looking more and more like it will actually happen.  We are still collecting bottles and once we have enough we will begin our next step.  Unfortunately the elections have placed a little halt in the process but I will have to be patient and do the things I can now and let the rest take care of itself when it is time.  

Filling bottles with students

Ive learnt a lot about control being here in Guatemala.  People who know me pre Peace Corps may have said I was a control freak and liked things the way I liked to have them (who doesn’t right?).  But, Peace Corps throwing all the stuff it has at you can make you easier going and some might even say a little less uptight.  There are things you can control in life and there are things that you can’t.  Most of the things you control are your effort, your personality, and most importantly how you react to things when they happen.  Im not going to lie, things can get tough here and weigh you down, but it’s more of how you react to the adversity that will make or break you.  If you let things get under your skin good luck, but if not, then you have to keep walking with one foot in front of the other.

I just had a great visit from a long time friend.  I have included some pictures that I took when she was here as we were able to get to Lake Atitlan and see some of Antigua as well.  It was good to get out of my site and area and see Guatemala and its stunning landscape and natural beauty.  I need to take more opportunities to get out and travel around the country and see some things before my next year is up.  It was also great to see a great friend and great to reconnect.

A flower

sunrise on the lake

Frustrations and projects

Peace Corps will challenge you, push you, break you down and will not let up.  Day in and day out there is no escaping the unfamiliarity, the difficulties and barriers of language and culture, the tough times soon become normal and expected and part of daily life.  There are other times where a simple smile can make your day or just small chat with someone can make you feel part of the community.  Most of the time the small things matter more because they keep you sane and make you feel human. Yet with the long stretches of feeling unproductive leaves you questioning why you are here, what you are doing wrong and how you can if possible fix it.

With the parents and students of the community

Lately I have been questioning the reasons for my host organization to have a volunteer.  I try to work with people, to help where needed and be part of a team.  I am looking to gather resources where previously none were thought to exist.  Everything I do, is met with somewhat of a resistance and more importantly a lack of support.  This bothers me.  I will not be successful here is there is a lack of support and coordination of efforts.  I have no problem doing things by myself and getting things done on a personal agenda, but this is not anywhere close to the goals of Peace Corps or ideas of sustainability, plus I am not here for what I want to do in communities, I am here to help them achieve their goals and the goals of my host agency.  How can I give assistance to people who claim they want assistance but then when it is time to work say that they cannot?

In the current school talking about the potential for a new bottle school

With this bottle school project thus far people seem to be on board, and have been supportive when I introduced the idea of a bottle school. The municipality wants to build a school but cannot as they are limited by resources and funding.  As I have introduced this way to gather resources with community buy in and by collaborating with other communities, people seem to be jumping ship.  Why I ask myself.  I have heard lately from my mayor, my counterpart and other staff in the office that it is 1.)Election season and we are focusing on that.  2.)Bottles can’t be put in walls and be safe (hence the trip to see an actual completed project) 3.)We don’t have the time right now 4.)We can do that tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow etc.  5.) There is no transportation. 6.) You do it you are the expert. And the worst, that it seems to be too much work.  

Visiting a completed bottle project in Todos Santos.

I know I cannot do this by myself, and I am going to have to talk to people and ask them for their input and support, but along comes the Guatemalan culture of saying yes to everything and then cancelling at the last minute.  So who knows what will be reality.  I will go in and ask if this is a project that they really want to do and if so, that I will need the support and effort of a team to accomplish this.  Will that be the case?  Only time will tell.    

States and One Year in Country

Ok ok I apologize for anyone who has been checking my blog lately and has not found anything until today.  I made a conscious decision not to buy internet for a long time to see what it was like to be disconnected and not have everything at my fingertips.  Im back though.... so here goes.

As of August 11^th I have been in Guatemala for a whole year.  Lots of good things have happened in the last year I will admit.  Through all the struggles ups downs and everything that Peace Corps can throw at you I am in a good place right now.

Last month I was lucky enough to head back home for a little break to see family and friends up in New Hampshire.  Seeing my family was great but I was a little nervous about coming home as many PCVs will tell you that your first trip home is a crazy emotional ride.  Some people go back and decide that once home, they are going to not come back.  For some it is especially tough because just as things are becoming second nature like taking bucket baths, eating typical Guatemalan cuisine, doing laundry by hand, drying it outside and the bugs and rain...the list goes on.  Going home, you go back to what life was once like, see what home life is and then realize how easy things are and have a moment where it is like ‘I can stay here.’  I can tell you from my experience the toughest part was saying bye to family and knowing the night before I did my laundry in 30 minutes. I just remember throwing clothes in the dryer and with a bounce sheet and knowing everything will take care of itself with the push of a button. I wouldn’t need to hang and dry clothes outside and keep an eye on the weather or switch the clothes so both sides dry.  But writing this today, I will admit I enjoy doing my laundry now, it gives me time to talk to my host family, do some reflective thinking and while I might grumble under my breath a few times that there are no buttons to push, it does allows me to appreciate everything around me. 

View from the dock at Squam Lake

Work has been going a lot better lately.  Coming back from the states and talking to family and enjoying my time away from everything, I was able to put things into perspective. I was trying to make everyone my friend and not infringe on peoples toes, ways of life and culture.  I do not know if it is possible but I felt like I was too respectful and which did not allow me to push for what I wanted to do or demand things that I wanted to achieve.  Peace Corps is tricky in this aspect as they tell you to be change agents.  So the question posed is how can you be a change agent and do things in a respectful way?  There is a major push and pull and for everyone they find that out at different times of their service.  Some people have very supportive organizations and counterparts; others have harder times and feel like they do nothing.  Personally I am in between that where there are days were I am led to believe I am doing something to only feel that there is no one behind me or helping me do the things my program and what I personally set out to do.  So when I came back, I sat down and told everyone in my office that I was here to be productive, that I am here as a resource and that I will, if I have to, look for other support and people to work for if I do not feel things are getting done.  Telling them that I was not there to be a figure, but more of a worker people started to understand.  But saying and doing are totally different as we all know.  So the next two weeks, I began planning things, writing proposals and requesting to have meetings and training and people now understand what I want to do.  This is going well but has met some resistance from people as it is election season and efforts are focused in other areas.  Sometimes I just need to argue my case and do so in a more directed manner but things are getting done. 

We will see where the next few weeks go and Ill report back on what is happening!  Hope everything is well with everyone and summer is treating you well! More pictures to come!

Trip from my parents and updates

At Tikal

It has been a while since I have written to you all but a lot has been happening since I last wrote.  My parents came to visit me for a few days and it was GREAT to see them both.  It had been a little over 7 months since I had seen anyone from back home.  It was a pleasure for me to be in their company while they were here.  They took care of me and gave me a little break from my day to day life here in Guatemala. 

I took them up to my site which was an adventure of itself because both my parents said to me ‘we want to see how you live and what your daily life is like.”  So on the trek of camionetas we came up to my site and 5 hours later we arrived.  I have to say that I am very impressed with how both my parents faired on the twist and turns, vendor packed smelly speeding ride.  Kudos to them.  We spent a few nights here my site where I showed them my town, talked about work that I do and gave them a feel of daily things that I go through.  Cooking, getting food, bucket baths, no water at times, what to do with free time things like that.  The only thing that they didn’t get a full dose of was the solidarity and long time on your hands after work and when you are just in your home alone.  Since the time I have been here now, I look forward to the time I have by myself to where I can read, study, or just look outside and just enjoy the clouds going by. 

The highlight of our trip was Tikal.  This was an extremely fun part of my parent’s trip and something that one must not pass up on a trip to Guatemala.  Tikal is an ancient Mayan city that was once rumored to be as big as 200,000 people.  I cannot even begin to try to describe what I saw except that it was an incredible site and something that is breathtaking to be walking around.  There are still many many temples and areas that have still yet to be excavated discovered.  We would pass flat areas with enormous mounds dozens of meters high that must be something that were still covered by the thick jungle vegetation.  I enjoyed walking around and exploring and trying to imagine what it must have been like during its pinnacle.  Simply incredible.

Dad in Antigua

We spent a little time in Antigua and one of my favorite moments was when we invited my host family from training to come to dinner with us.  That was a moment that I really enjoyed where I introduced both Ingrid and Armando to my parents so that they could see how special they are to me and the amount of fun we have together.  We ate dinner and had a drink and Camilla was great as well.  It was great to stay in some nice establishments around Antigua and eat some really good food too. 

Mom and a temple at Tikal

All in all it was just good to be around my parents and glad for me to show them my place, what I am doing and what I deal with on a daily basis.  For most volunteers, I think that it is very easy to form quick strong long lasting friendships because we all know what we are going through.  To give me parents this glimpse of the ups and downs, twists and turns give me an ability to relate to the experiences that I am having.  As a volunteer we can whine and complain with what we are going through but now that I have people that have seen a glimpse of what I go through it just allows me to relate to them.  No I wont have to explain everything when I am having a bad day, I will just be able to say it stinks.

Me and President Colom on a visit to a project

On another note (sorry this blog is all over the place (just trying to recap everything is tough)) we had the 50^th anniversary of the Peace Corps.  This was held at the ambassador’s house and was attended by over 350 volunteers, staff, host families, administration, and guests.  It was cool to see majority of Peace Corps Guatemala in one gathering. 

Other than that my next blog entry will be all about work and some of the things I have done here.  I have just created a plan for the next few months as I will give you an insight into some of the professional struggles and benefits of working as a PCV here in Guatemala.

I hope all is well with everyone!!

Take Care!

Updates and Reconnect

Greetings everyone.  Time for updates.  My cast is off and I didn’t have to spend the night for them to take it off.  Granted they moved the appointment back a few times, I am glad to report it is off.  It is still pretty weak and was a little purple but I can walk and day by day it is getting better. 

Last week was pretty busy as after my cast removal on Friday the 11th, the following day I made the trip to Antigua where I got to meet up with my training group for Reconnect.  Reconnect is a 2-day get together with our group to well….reconnect.  Most people got in a few days early and got to spend some extra time together and catch up.  With our travel restrictions and personal days vs. vacation days it is hard to see people when you are on one side of the country and they are on the other.  We are only allowed to travel 3 hours out of our site and have it count as a personal day.  Anything technically more than that we need to take vacation.  Antigua is anywhere between 4-5.5 depending on traffic and connections.  So this was my first extended stay in Antigua really since I have been here in country. 

Sunday and Monday night I stayed with my host family Ingrid and Armando and got to see Camilla.  It is always to see them as they make me feel like I am at home when I am there.  They are such a nice family and I hope to see them again soon.  Camilla is getting so big and is starting to walk and say a few words.  She’s so cute!

Reconnect was good, we got to meet up with other volunteers and have specific meetings on things that went well, what didn’t, and scenarios to help fix them.  Many people have similar problems and frustrations but just with different named people.  The most common thing here is ‘hora chapina’ aka Guatemala time.  You can ask someone to show up and you can expect them to show up usually that day.  I will say they average an hour to two behind that scheduled time.  Very frustrating. 

On Tuesday, we had another packed day with meetings but got to have Pizza and have a lunch/discussion with the Ambassador again.  He’s a really straight forward guy who made us feel welcome and appreciated our work here in Guatemala.  He asked a lot of questions of ourselves and what we saw in the field working and living along side Guatemalans.  He gave us insight on development and some of his thoughts about the upcoming elections and where Guatemala might go.  It was definitely a better session as we had more pertinent questions to ask him than we did during our swear in at his house. 

I am back at site now, and staring to get a few projects underway along with the day to day office work I do alongside my team.  A few people are taking vacation right now so the ‘office’ has a little more space and I can get a little bit more work done.  I am working on a few bottle school projects that uses empty bottles filled with non-organic trash in place of cement blocks to cut costs.  I have proposed a plan to build three schools with an initial investment from the mayor, and with this help and showing to NGO’s that we have the capability to do projects like this in hopes to attract more funds for other programs as well.  We are just in the very early stages of this project(s) so we will see where it all goes. 

I get to look forward to a little visit from my parents in a few weeks which will be a welcomed treat for sure.  Its amazing to already know that I have been here for 6 months. As the saying goes here in PC.  The days are slow and long but the months go by fast….. until next time!

Rice Krispies!

Well anything that goes snap crackle and pop is never a good thing especially if you land with all your weight on a pivoted ankle avoiding your sitemate looking to take a charge.  The last few days have been anything but trying, frustrating, hilarious and just a Guatemalan Peace Corps experience. 

It all started Saturday night.  I was playing in a hyped up basketball game where my team highlighting their foreigner (me) took on another team highlighting their foreign player (Javier my sitemate).  There was talk the days leading up who was going to win and what type of a game it was going to be.  Needless to say we won the game but after some heated plays, an ejection, and some technical fouls.  With about 5 minutes left to play, I crossed over a player for the defending team and opened up the baseline which I drove to only find my sitemate post up looking to take a charge.  I jumped, shifted my weight, not wanting to pummel him over or jump over him to make him the laughing stock of the town but instead, I breezed past him to only land on the metal tubing below the basketball hoop that acts as support.  AS I landed I pivoted my ankle with all my weight on my toes with a twisting motion putting me heel on the ground over my toes, that only let me fall in a manner that lead to 3 loud sounds that resembled the motto from the famous rice krispies.   SNAP CRACKLE AND POP!  Game over.  Ive done enough sports in my day to know that any rapid sequence of sounds followed by immediate pain and warm gushing swelling sensation only equals bad news. 

Rigged up a boot shoe...thank you chucks

This is when the debauchery started.  Someone gave me ice which I immediately put on the affected area and held it on for the rest of the game.  Then after the game people came up to me and told me it wasn’t that bad that it was nothing that it was funny to see a big grino land and yell in pain.  Just no respect from the Guatemalans but its part of their culture here to see someone in pain, to just look and stare, and if it is someone they know laugh.  Anyways, after having ice on the injury for a few minutes, a friend said he needed to see the ice.  I said yeah just bring it back in a few minutes which he obliged to do.   I then ask him for the ice about 5 minutes later and he says he doesn’t have it anymore, that he broke it up and put it in his drinks he was having with his friends.  HA!  With that being said there are a lot of alcoholics here in Malacatancito.  Sad, but its true.  Cold drinks take priority to a bum ankle….I cant say im totally opposed to it. 

Some bruising on the toes...cant imagine what the ankle area would look like.

The next day I just rested and walked minimally but was astonished at the amount of swelling and the color changing.  I showed my sitemate the next day and he suggested it getting looked at.  I called the Peace Corps office the next morning and went to the Xela Hospital again, the place where I had such a hellish time when I had dengue.  On the way down I told my Javi about how much I detested this place and that I wanted to spend limited time there.  We got there the secretary/receptionist told me to go right in and have a seat on the bench.  As we waited close to two hours I finally asked the doctors what was taking long, and they told us “We thought you were family members just waiting to see your friend, we didn’t know what you were here for.”  Really annoying.  After that I was seen, had xrays with in 30 minutes.  After that the doctor looked at the affected colorful area and she told me 'yes, there is a fracture in there'.  Javi came in the room after, looked at me asked ‘’whats the prognosis’ and all I could tell him was, ‘she used the f word,’ Javi looked at me and said ‘a doctor that knows Spanish, cool!’ ‘No man, fractura I was told’. SOL.  The next thing I know, a nurse comes in at 1pm with a wheel chair and tells me that it is time to go to my room.  ‘A ROOM FOR WHAT!’ ‘Well your spending the night.’ That was absolutely the worst news to me at that time.  Seriously for a bum ankle I was going to have to spend the night.

Thinking quickly, and remembering quickly about my luxurious stay a few months before and how incredibly heartwarming the food and comfort was, I looked to Javi and told him ‘We going to McDonald’s or some decent establishment before I admit myself for the damn night.’ Obviously there were other words in there but I was nonetheless beyond aggravated.  I did not bring anything with me to the hospital, no books, no nothing. 

I looked at the nursing staff told them I would return in a few hours after I got a decent meal in my only to be looked at strangely by a nurse who told me assertively “You need to stay here, you will have a special diet here for you to eat.”  Of course I clamored ‘A special diet for what?!” “Oh its going to help get rid of your X-rays.” I looked her and told her that I knew most certainly that a McDonald’s diet would really get rid of them and looked for the door.  I almost lost it right there and started just knowing that this was going to snowball into a horrible experience yet again.  One of the doctors there acknowledged that I wanted something respectable to eat before going to jail and told me I could go.  As I was walking out the door, the same doctor told me that I needed to be seen by the doctor that the Peace Corps has on call in Xela.  She had just left for lunch. So we waited and waited.  Soon I received a phone call from Peace Head Quarters asking “Franklin what is going on?  We just got a call from the hospital that you are trying to escape or something.”  Granted I may have looked a little less than enthusiastic about staying, and I did beg the Peace Corps Office to stay home for the night, I did not try to escape.  Seriously, if I wanted to escape what was I going to do?  Sprint out of the room full speed ahead with a fractures in the ankle, there is some disconnect in this logic….

We ended up waiting for about 2 hours and the Doctor never came, so I left my number with the nurses and limped down the street determined to get me some good food before I imprisoned myself.  I came across a Wendy’s and indulged myself with a delicious spicy chicken sandwich.  Thank you Dave Thomas! 

Back at the hospital I went and wheeled myself into my cell.  There a simple ice pack was put on my leg to ‘reduce the swelling’ for about 30 minutes.  Seriously without a medical degree (Matt feel free to correct me on this) but for the amount of swelling I saw and had, it was going to take a good 24 hours, a ice boot and serious ibuprofen to get that thing looking somewhat normal again.  Then by 6:30pm my main course was served which I just let sit and to the astonishment of the nurses I wasn’t hungry.   The specialist came in took off the wrapped sheet with the icepack swelling reducer 3000 machine and exclaimed ‘Puchica!”  which in Guatemala means ‘Wow’ or just an exclamation of surprise.  That’s the last I wanted to hear was a specialist come in and me surprised with what he was dealing.  Not the most comforting thing. Good grief!  Well after a few minutes talking to him he tried talking in English which was as futile as reducing the swelling in my leg.  He put me in a cast from my toes to my knee and here I am.  I asked him if I could leave the next morning which he said would be no problem.  At this point I was pretty certain that this hospital was just keeping me there to run up the bill and knew that Peace Corps would have to pay anything that they were charged for. 

Next morning, I wake up at 6:30 in hopes of getting out by 8ish-9ish the latest.  I ask the first nurse that comes in, when the Doctor is coming.  They told me within the hour.  This happened every hour and frustration grew and grew as each hour passed and passed.  Thankfully Javi came in and helped  pass time as he was waiting for medicine in Xela too.  He can attest to the ridiculousness.  We waited and waited and then finally a nurse came in and wanted to know how I would be getting back to my site.  I told them that I ride the camionetas which just dumbfounded them.  Ill leave it at that.

Then the best part of this story and the best way of Guatemalan logic I can ever explain.  The attending doctor comes in and asks.  “How are you going to get around when get a taxi back to your site?” “Ill need crutches” I said “Oh ok, where are crutches you brought down?” “I don’t have any” I replied. “Well you need crutches because you can’t walk like that without crutches,” the doctor told me.  “Well I need crutches then” “Well we don’t have any so what are you going to do” “Well I obviously need crutches because I can’t walk per doctors orders” I said, to it was just this circular logic or not being able to get this doctor to understand that A.) I am not allowed to walk without crutches, therefore I need crutches to be able to walk.  B)Without crutches I am unable to leave the hospital, if the hospital does not have crutches how would I ever be able to leave? It was just one damned thing after another.  Finally after waiting 6 hours the specialist came in and told me I was good to leave once I had crutches but he did not know what to do about not having crutches as well. Repeat to top for sequence of events again with another doctor.  So he told me I needed to go across the city to buy a pair at his office.  Go figure. 

The Crutches after the crutch conundrum

The doctor told me I would need the cast for 3-4 weeks.  I told him I can do something for it.  I kindly gave him the option of having me cut the cast off in 2 weeks by myself or allowing him to do so.  I know my body well and I have messed up ankles before.  So I bargained the doctor down to two weeks for having the cast on. 

We waited to get the cab outside so I could just get some fresh air and feel the hopes of freedom.  The cab came 30 minutes later and we went to the clinic where the doctor worked at.  Javi said he would run up tot eh second floor and save me the trouble of going up but only to come down a solid 45 minutes later, just one thing after another.  Then on the cab home we hit speed bumps in the taxi catching air from time to time as the taxi driver’s Dad sat in the back drinking a cold one.

Its good to get back to my house finally but the itching that occurs at night is annoying when it disrupts the sleep just as you have gotten used to roosters crowing, fireworks at all hours, and the dogs barking insistently.  So in two weeks I hope to have the cast off and in a few more weeks walking and running around with the kids and friends I have made here.  Argggh!