Outside of work in the Peace Corps

It's been a while since I've written about things other than work related activities. So, this post will be entirely devoted to sharing about what I do when I'm not working. I'll post pictures from the past few months and write a little about what the picture is from.

Paula, one of the health center educators,
at the Internacionales Conejos concert
in our town

There's this group in Guatemala known as the Internacionales Conejos, Conejos Internacionales, or the "International Rabbits" that the Guatemalans absolutely love. Honestly, when I first got here I really did not understand the hype but now I catch myself singing along their to their songs (PCV's - uno, dos, tres, cuatro...now yall are going to have that tune stuck in your head for the rest of the day..your welcome). The group visits different towns during their "Feria's" or whatever other special occasion. They were in our town for our mini-Feria. I love this picture because it sums up our excitement for these darn International Rabbits. Paula is also a great friend and really has helped me out during my service with accompanying me to the aldeas and translating from Spanish to K'iche. She is awesome.

Paty in the cemetery
after the celebration

This is Paty who is a great friend to many volunteers in the area. Her mother died one year ago so on this day we celebrated the one year anniversary. They held a catholic service in the morning which I accidently missed. I showed up right when everyone was leaving the church (woops). We then walked to the cemetery where we placed flowers on her mother's grave and listened to a priest read from the Bible. After the cemetery we headed to Paty's house where she prepared a huge lunch for her friends and family. It was a great experience seeing what they like to do to celebrate the life of someone.

"You won a pizza!"

On Valentine's day Venoni and I were
listening to the radio when they
mentioned they were having a Valentine's Day photo contest. After about two hours, no one had yet sent a picture in to the radio station's Facebook page. So finally Veno and I decided to send a picture. Literally by the end of the song the DJ announced "Congratulations to Venoni for winning the Photo contest. Please call us now to receive your coupon for your Free Domino's Pizza!" We were dying laughing. I thought, what are the chances that a Guatemalan couple has 1) internet 2) a camera, and 3) a computer to send in a picture. Anyway, we picked up our Domino's Pizza the following day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Only in Guatemala would I ever win a Radio contest for being the ONLY one to send in a picture...Too funny

So, I live in the most awkward living area I possibly could have found. Anyone that has visited my house will agree with that. Basically, once you walk in the main door there's this big dirt area with a lamina roof where many of the market people put their things. My room is adjacent to this dirt space. So, every night before a market (twice a week), people constantly are coming in and out. Also, my bathroom is located in this dirt space so I have to have a lock on my own bathroom door so the market people don't use it. I've left it unlocked in the past and have come home to a DISGUSTING scene. The toilet un-flushed and their dirty toilet paper on the ground or on top of my trash can. Although this took three times for me to finally learn my lesson, I now always make sure the lock is on the door during market days. Also, people have recently been sleeping in this dirt area as well. During the night I've left my room to use the bathroom and have heard people snoring about five feet from the door. One time it was a family and the other two times it was a man. If I wasn't leaving in 29 days I'd probably attempt to find somewhere else to live. Oh well. Anyway though, so one night I came across this beautiful innovation in the picture. They put candles in their watermelon so they could have light. My living situation has definitely been an experience to remember.

The beautiful view of the lake

In January, Venoni and I visited his cousin's husband's lake house where he works. He guards the house while the owners aren't there which is all but probably three days of the entire year. The house was absolutely beautiful. It had an outdoor fireplace, hammocks, pool tables, and an amazing view. My favorite place to visit in Guatemala is Lake Atitlan. It's almost the only place I ever visit other than Venoni's family's house in Chimal. 

Selfie. Veno and I at the lake :-)

Another beautiful view of the lake

Veno and I in front of the Arch.

After going to the Peace Corps office to meet with some staff about my early departure for grad school, Veno and I visited Antigua which is about 15 minutes from the office. It's such a beautiful, preserved, cobblestone covered little city. Although I've wiped out numerous times on these cobblestones, I still love their beauty. Antigua is known to be a very touristy town with people visiting from all over the world. It has great first world restaurants and also numerous Artisan markets.

The Pact, Jane Eyre, Snow, Secret Life of Bees,
Magical Thinking, The Art of Racing
in the Rain, Mistaken Identity

Earlier in the year I had much more time to read which was a very pleasant gift. One of my favorite past times was relaxing in the sun on my roof with a book and a cup of coffee.  These are some of the books I read earlier this year. I've been working on the Fifty Shades series but I can't seem to finish the last one. I also just started One Thousand Suns by Khaled Hosseini after giving up on the last Fifty Shades book.

The troopers who did the hike with our little
 wine cups from Jacob and Brady

About two months ago a bunch of volunteers went to Nebaj for the Despedida (Goodbye/See you later party) for two of the Healthy School volunteers - Caitlin and Kurt (top two in this picture). A few of us decided to hike from Nebaj to the cheese farm. Our friends Jacob and Brady met us at the farm and greeted us after our hike with these little cups of red wine. It was great to see so many volunteers from different training groups and programs.

Relaxing at the cheese farm in
Nebaj for the Despedida

One of the COCODE invited me to his house for a lunch. 

When he told me we would be having "Caldo de 

Gallina" (hen soup?) I knew it was a special occasion. When I arrived they told me their father was splitting his land between his seven children (the COCODE being one of them). Everyone was so happy the entire time. It was a great experience being part of this day with them. I attempted to help make lunch which just made all the women laugh at my lack of skills in the kitchen (sorry to my future husband). I also tried speaking K'iche which just made them laugh even more at the enigma that I am to them. After lunch, all the women washed their hair and put on their good traje then asked for this photo. We then climbed into the bag of a pick up which they rented to bring everyone to Quiche (the bigger city) where the father would sign formal paperwork handing over the land to them. 

When they dropped me off in San Pedro, we waved goodbye as they continued down the road to Quiche. I remember walking back to my house unable to hide my smile. It was a beautiful afternoon with this family. 

Some of the family before heading to Quiche

Don Virgilio with his sheep

Since I arrived to the aldea of Primavera, this man has been telling me I'm going to live in Primavera for the rest of my life and marry someone from the town. He has always been so entertaining and he never ceases to put a smile on my face. A few weeks ago he invited me to his house to show me his plants and animals. I swear he had every plant/tree needed to survive - beans, coffee, oranges, limes, peppers (chili), apples, etc. He also had numerous chickens and sheep. It was great to see how proud he was of his home and the life he has created for his family. It doesn't go unnoticed that all his hard work in the community has allowed for his family to live well. They also have two wells and running water which is not common at all in this community.

Paty's family and friends
at her birthday party

 For Paty's birthday, she invited her friends and family to her house for a little fiesta. We had a delicious lunch, followed by taking turns at the pinata, then had cake. It was a great afternoon

Paty accidently hitting the tree
instead of the pinata..woops!

Jen's Despedida! For Jen's going away party we went to our favorite place in Quiche called Caldo de Pata. (hoof soup). The owner is incredible and always enjoys sitting with us when we come in. For Jen's going away gift, he handed her this cow (?) leg. She's such a trooper that she actually took it and smiled for the camera. Jen is always such great company. I'm going to miss you so much Yenni Fur!!

Jen with her cow hoof

Last but definitely not least, my best friend Katie came to visit from the States. She was only here for six days so we had to cram everything in quite fast. It was a lot of traveling and not a lot of sleep. First we went to the lake, then we went to my site, and lastly Antigua. I really enjoyed showing her this beautiful country despite her not expecting the dirty water or trash situation (probably should have warned her a little more about that...sorry Katie!) Also, thank you Katie for being such a trooper throughout your trip!

Katie on the dock at the lake

Kiernan, me, and Katie before she headed
off to the airport on her last day

So, see, I actually do have a little bit of a life outside of work! I have really enjoyed my last year and 11 months in Guatemala and I can not believe I only have one month left. Let's see how many more memories I can make in 30 days!