Laura and Maggie with the kids!

A classroom in Panul

Volcano Hiking, Lightning Watching and a New School!

As I write this, I realize I have been in Santiago for over a month now. My oh my, what a month it’s been! Sometimes I have one those ‘whoa, I really am a teacher!’ moments and it seems so surreal. I always had plans to get my TEFL certification and teach English abroad after graduating and this is the perfect first experience. I have already learned so, so much and continue to learn each day, just as I hope my students do. I feel like I am really beginning to understand what works and what doesn’t, poco a poco. I began last week at another school in town, Panul. It has been really interesting teaching at a different escuela because they each have their own separate vibe. I am teaching three classes: second grade, third/fourth grade and fifth/sixth grade. The 3^rd and 4^th grade classes are combined and there are 26 students. What really surprised me is that the combined 5^th and 6^th grade class has only 8 students, three girls and 5 boys. Panul is a true statement to the reality of a lot of Guatemalan children; many students don’t make it to sixth grade. As well, a lot of the students are in the upper teens. I really applaud them for continuing to go to school, because I’m sure it can be frustrating. I have found that I’m going to have to try even harder because a lot of the fun games that I use are more appropriate for younger ages and as well, it’s sometimes easier to do them with a larger group. It will be a good challenge and even more experience and I am happy for that. Even though Chu’ul and Panul are different, as always, kids are kids and they are just as cute. Lots of the kids want to play games with me at recess or hold my hand and they are always smiling and laughing. Though I am quite attached to my Chu’ul students, I have lots of room in my heart for all the niños at Panul as well!

Last week, Laura and Maggie (two of my friends) and I took 10 kids to one of the parks across town as a little field trip. We wanted to make sure that their parents knew where they were so we went to all their houses and talked to their parents and then we were off! We piled them into tuk tuks and traversed the narrow, winding, up and down streets of the city, which lots of the girls thought was so much fun. I felt like tour guide Brianna because the whole time I yelled at them to keep their limbs in the vehicle! At the park, which is located right by the lake, we looked for fish, played in the grass and had a little juice box treat. Isabel, one of the little cuties, put a flower in my hair and kissed me on the cheek, smiling as she said “Brianna, te quiero mucho!” It’s moments like that when I feel as though I have captured the purest form of joy. <3

On Sunday, four of us from Milpas hiked the volcano San Pedro (which is in a lot of my pictures). Not really sure why I had the idea that it wouldn’t be that hard (come on Bri, it’s obvious that volcanoes have very steep sides), but I was maybe not as prepared as I would have liked! My legs definitely went numb on multiple occasions and I will admit to excessively grabbing on to tree limbs to pull me up. At times, it seemed like we were the only people on the whole volcano and we had the trail to ourselves. It was really green and mossy and so nice to be away from all the hustle and bustle of Santiago for a little bit. Finally at the top (a very self-fulfilling moment indeed), it was really cloudy and we couldn’t really see much but I did google some images afterwards, so hey that’s alright! In utter exhaustion while waiting on the boat, we witnessed a man carrying two giant carts of chickens on his head fall into the lake.  I was so tired, it was one of the moments where I didn’t even know if I was really seeing it happen. PS, for all of you that have been wondering if a chicken can swim, it kind of can! All in all, it was an entertaining day. I wanted to climb a volcano while here so I’m happy I did it, but I don’t know if I’ll be the first person in line to sign up next time :)

Last night we had our first intense rain storm here in Santiago. Since I have been here, there have been probably 15 minutes of rain in total. No joking around over here, when they mean dry season, they mean it! We were all so shocked at the storm, but mesmerized by the lightning that lit up the whole sky and made it look like daylight for a few seconds. The thunder was the loudest I have ever heard it my life. We sat up on the terrace and watched it all around us. I pulled my new rain jacket on and tested it out. I was tempted to pull out my knee-high yellow rain boots as well but I resisted, seeing as how my walk is probably not even 15 seconds :) The power went out and Laura and I had a romantic, candle-lit lesson planning date. This morning, I plunged into an ice-cold shower only to be further shocked when the water stopped completely and has yet to come on again. If this is any sign of what the rainy season is like, I’m in for a wild ride! I love the sun and blue skies so I’m hoping it has no intention of starting up early.

Next week, I head off to Costa Rica for a long weekend to visit my friend Claire who I met while studying abroad in Argentina. We haven’t seen each other since then so I’m really excited!! I can’t wait to sample another taste of Central American culture. Xok aaq'a (Tz’utujil for good night!)*

*Side note: You know a language is difficult when you have a hard time even pronouncing the name of the language, but it sounds really cool and I’m trying to learn some phrases to surprise the kids 

Las Chicas

La Vida Guatemalteca

I have been here in Santiago for three weeks now! I feel like I am fully adjusted and I love my life here. Last week I started teaching 2-6 grade English and also 3-6 grade computers! I have three classes on Mondays and four classes every day throughout the rest of the week. Classes start at 7:30 and end around 12:30 and I spend some time after school working on computers or playing basketball with the kids, which I have found to be quite the work out! My only advantage is that I’ve got the height ;) Sometimes the girls and I draw pictures or play games. Last week they drew pictures of me and it was so sweet! They give me bracelets and tattoos and we giggle and have so much fun together.  I leave feeling showered with love! I really look forward to our time spent together at the end of the day. Last week, we had an intense basketball-to-the-face-accident and I walked little injured Veronica to her house with the rest of the girls. I met some of their parents and they were so kind and welcoming to me. It broke my heart seeing how little they have, but I reminded myself that the girls are happy and positive and their parents value education and keep them in school. They are all so bright, kind and talented and I am so proud of them!

I have found that one of the most difficult parts of teaching is creating lesson plans! I spend a lot of time each day preparing for class and thinking of ways to make class exciting. I have used the trial and error method a lot. For example, I did hang man with each class to practice using the English alphabet. I started with 6^th grade and they were not too enthused. I tried playing it with the other grades, however, and it was a huge hit! Even one of the teachers, Candalaria, was whooping for joy when the kids got a letter correct and squealing when a part of the body was added! I swear you could hear the kids shouting letters all the way down stairs. It just goes to show, every class is different. It is really fun teaching such a wide variety of ages though. It makes everything very interesting!

As well as enjoying my time at school, I have been having a really good time with all the people here at Casa Milpas. There are 9 of us living here and it’s so much fun because there is always something going on. Every Sunday night we have girl’s night and watch Sex and the City and every Wednesday one of the girls who lives here holds a girls-only work out class in town. It’s really cool because half the class is composed of gringas and half are Guatemalans. Liz, the instructor, makes it really fun for all of us and who knew I’d be working out in Santiago, but I love it! One night, a few of us even created a band (understandably named Band Milpas). I tried to look cool while strumming a guitar and the others played the piano, sang and banged on the turtle shell (Casa Milpas is random at times). We also make dinners together. Last week we had pizza night and we made pizzas using homemade crust, fresh vegetables and spinach and rosemary from our garden here. It was delicious! We had a huge Chinese dinner for Chinese New Year and for Ebba’s (one of the girls who lives here) birthday we had tapas. Later that night, we went to the tiki bar at the Posada and hired a pickup truck (one of the most common forms of transportation here) to take us all back to Milpas like true Guatemalans! We also have a dog, named Conchita, and a cat, named Misch. I finally get to have the pets I never had! They are both sweet and I love having them here. I have to restrain myself every day from not adopting another one of the numerous street dogs. Two girls are leaving Santiago tomorrow and I’m sad! We love our little Milpas family and hate to see anyone go.

About every other day I go to the market in town and buy my groceries. There are some small shops with food, but for the most part there isn’t a grocery store so we go to the market with all the Guatemalans and it’s a really cool experience. In the states, convenience is a priority and we enjoy having everything we would ever need at one store. Here, it is not quite like that and you have to work for your food, including bargaining and also bleaching the fruits and veggies. In the market and around town, many of the women balance huge loads on their heads. It is absolutely amazing! I also love going to the market because I have the opportunity to go down the gringo street and look at all the beautiful textiles. I swear, everything here just looks like it’s made for me and I have really had to restrain myself, though I have given in sometimes:)

This week, I am going to start teaching two days a week at another school in town called Panul. I am excited to meet even more sweet kids! Hasta luego! 

Pequeños, pueblos y el primer día de clase

I have officially completed my first day as an English teacher! I will admit that this morning I felt butterflies in my stomach but now I am just filled with excitement for my future classes. Tomorrow there is no school so I will take that to my advantage and plan out some lessons. Today I began teaching the fifth and sixth grade classes. We created name tags and did introductions through the classic game two truths, one lie and I think it was a good ice breaker. We continued on to talk about common introductory phrases and questions like “My name is…” and “How are you?”. It is really interesting seeing the English language through the eyes of someone who is learning it as a second (or in this case, third) language. The students found some of the words funny or hard to pronounce that I have never thought twice about, but when I stepped back and thought about it, it dawned on me. What an odd little language we speak! I left the classes feeling accomplished, though I know there is still so much I can improve on. I am getting to know more and more of the kids and they are all so sweet. I have also started seeing a lot while I am in town, which is always fun!

Last week Chris, Connor and TJ (three boys that I tutored in Arizona) were in Santiago with their pequeños, boys who live in an orphanage outside of Guatemala City that they sponsor. I went and met them at the boat dock where they came in on a two story boat pumping techno! You could see (and hear) them from a mile away and it was so much fun seeing some familiar faces. Their pequeños were adorable boys with such great personalities. They made me smile and laugh and I said “awww” a lot, they were just too sweet! They left an immediate impression on me. While saying goodbye, I wished them good luck for the future. Although I had only just met the boys and been with them for a few hours, I was left feeling so sad to see them go! That’s just what these Guatemalan children do, they steal your heart in minutes.

On Saturday Liz, Paula, David and I rented a boat and took it around the lake to see the other towns. Let me warn you, Lago Atitlan is not a place for those who are susceptible to sea sickness. I can honestly say I don’t get sick on boats, but man! Those waves (not an appropriate term, more like white caps) are not for the faint of heart! We were flying all over the place and I was laughing until my stomach was throbbing (not as bad as my tailbone the next day, however). The cities that we visited (San Juan, San Pedro and Panajachel) were absolutely stunning and it was really cool seeing other views of the volcanoes. Some of the cities were slightly Santorini-esque because the buildings were just barely clinging to the steep mountainside and it was probably the first time I have ever dedicated so much time to thinking about house foundations. Very perplexing. Some of the towns also reminded me of places I have been to in Brazil. We visited a women’s weaving cooperative and saw how they created yarn out of on-location cotton plants and natural dyes. As well, we had lunch at Hotel Atitlan which was one of the most beautiful places, complete with an infinity hot tub, toucans and breath-taking views.

Liz, David and Paula left on Sunday and I was off on my own! It was a really weird feeling because I had spent so much time with them. I appreciated all that they did for me so much and I was really going to miss their company. I was sad to see them go but excited to move into Casa Milpas where I would be staying. I have a small cabin and there is a large house with a kitchen, washer (hallelujah!) and bathroom. There is also…drum roll please… an outdoor shower! I have always dreamed of living somewhere with one and obviously, it says a lot of nice things about the weather. The gardens here are so beautiful and the property goes right up to the lake. It is a place where a lot of volunteers at the hospitalito (the volunteer hospital here) stay and I have met some really nice people. I am beginning to get all settled in to my routine here. Every day I am thankful for this wonderful adventure ahead of me!

The eagle has landed!

My first post in Guatemala! Gorgeous Santiago Atitlán and I have finally met after relentless flirting through google image searches and lonely planet entries. I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship :) My journey started in Guatemala City where Liz, her friend Paula and I stayed at a great hotel and I had a luxurious (and much needed) shower and sleep. We left the next day to drive to Santiago. To get there, we drove from Guatemala City and eventually encountered a twisting mountain pass. Increasing in altitude with each turn, I finally saw my first glimpse of the lake and Santiago and it was far from the image I had created in my head. The volcanoes were larger and lusher, the colors of the textiles brighter and the stunning tropical flora even more exotic. Women dressed in traditional huipiles step to the side as tuk tuks whiz by and dodge speed bumps while men sporting cowboy hats watch the commotion on weathered pastel steps. And the kids! With their big brown eyes, you can’t stop staring and smiling. Pictures can never quite capture what a place really looks like and Santiago was no exception. I have been here for a few days now and so much has happened, which is why it has been so hard to keep up with my writing! La Posada de Santiago, where we have been staying, is a cute, rustic little place made up of several stone cottages. Hammocks beckon at each turn and the restaurant serves homemade ice cream that is so sweet and creamy you feel like you can’t quite possibly eat another bite, until (obviously) you give in and do because it’s just that good. You can see the volcanoes best in the morning so I have climbed up the stairs above our cottage to take in the beautiful view each day, where the clouds hover right over the top and the rest of the sky is left a blazing blue. But now I must lead in to the best part of my experience here, the school! Upon arrival at the school each morning, there are always niños waiting at the door radiating eagerness for the few hours of camp. We start camp around 9 each morning and let the kids (we have guessed about 75 each day!) pile in to the classroom where they have free time to read books and play with toys. Then, we continue on to an activity. Liz and Paula have found the cutest things to do with them about kids around the world. They are so excited to show you their work and it’s equally as exciting to see their faces when you tell them what good work they have done. Although I have babysat and been a nanny, I have never been around so many kids! They have the most infectious enthusiasm for anything we do, no matter how simple it may be. In the classroom, it appears to be pure craziness but if you look closely, you can see each one working so hard on what they are doing. You can tell they care so much about what they have and especially, who their family is. The older girls watch over the younger ones so closely and are always looking out for them. They have to be so mature sometimes, but deep down they are young girls and it makes me happy knowing they can absolutely feel like that for a few hours at camp. Like the little kids from around the world we have talked about at camp, kids are kids no matter where they are from. They have their ups and downs, they love unconditionally and they learn from every experience they have. The real difference is where they happen to grow up. They don’t have the same opportunities as everyone else in the world. Although the niños really aren’t that different they have different fates in life. But I think it’s wonderful that the Sparks Foundation and all the other people who help in this community may have the ability to change that or at least make it better. I’m so happy to be here and I hope I will be able to help as much as I can because I already love these little niños!