This weekend was by far the greatest and most adventurous of my time here in Guatemala! (and of my life possibly!)
It started on friday at 2:00 when we got on a van packed to the max to go to Lanquin. I sat on a tiny folding seat that was next to the normal seat for eight hours. We were with a group from Israel and all that they spoke was Hebrew. I am so glad I know Spanish, at least around here I can understand people, but eight hours of not being able to understand everyone around you can be frustrating. I think at 6 hours I was ready to jump out of the car. No offense to Israelis! I hadn't felt that feeling of frustration of not being able to understand people in a really really long time. The driver drove like a maniac. He would accelerate when we couldn't see a road in front of us! We thought we were gonna die, but at the same time felt like we were on the Jurassic Park ride at Disneyland. Terry started saying the Lord's prayer, ironic because she's not religious, but that just gives you an idea about how scared we were of this guys driving. It was crazy. Little dirt road, late at night, in the middle of no where. No cell service, and with a bunch of tourists. Perfect setup for a kidnapping. Well we lived, and finally, around 10 at night we got to the hotel we were going to be staying at. Allyson, Terry, Adam, Miguel, and I were in one hotel, while 10 other people in our group were in another. We didn't want to be split up like that but we didn't have a choice. I will say that the whole weekend was about not having choices, and just going for it!
The hotel was small, more like a hostel. It had no electricity so we used candles and had cold, dark showers. Our room had 3 beds in it and Adam and Miguel slept nextdoor. There was a huge balcony that looked over the mountains and rainforest. The rooms had absolutely no ventilation, and it was extremely humid so the rooms were hot. Don't even think about your shower towel ever drying. So that night we opened our window and made a make-shift mosquito net to line the window. The bugs there were out of hand. Nonetheless, we all slept like babies.The next morning at 8am we were taken by our guide to meet up with the rest of the group at a small restaurant that had made roadkill decorations. There was a baby deer on the top of the soda refrigerator. Authenticity at its finest. The breakfast was typical guatemalan breakfast - eggs, black beans, tortillas, and plantains. I am so glad I ate a lot that morning...I had no idea what was ahead of me.
We then get into the back of a pickup truck and ride 10km to the trail of Semuc Champey. Riding in the back of the truck was the initial "oh this is gonna be an adventure" indication. It was awesome! The scenery is gorgeous and the fresh air was perfectly cool with the warm sun. It was that feeling you get when you're thinking "this is what life is all about". We are dropped off at the trail head and then start the 2km hike to Semuc Champey pools. The hike was very difficult. There was a "trail" but the rocks were very slippery. A girl in our group fell down and hurt her leg. One person down. 10 left standing. We told ourselves that if 90% of the group ends the day ok, that will have been successful.
So we hike and hike and hike, never a spot of flat earth, always climbing or watching your step descending as to not slip and fall all the way down. The forest was beautiful..massive rocks, lush vegetation, wildlife. Adam almost stepped on a snake. There was a lookout point for a break, and you could see over mountains and directly down to the pools. We were all so extremely sweaty at this point! Finally, we made it to the pools. It was worth it. The water was the perfect temperature and the waterfalls were amazing. Jumping off the falls from one pool to the next was definitely exhilarating. We spent probably 3 hours at the pools exploring and swimming and sun bathing. It was paradise.
We finished up our time at the pools, a little more tan and bug bitten, and continued on the trail until we got to lanquin caves. This was - by far - the coolest thing I have ever done. They give us each a candle before we enter the cave. Upon entrance we are all thinking "oh my god....this is going to be crazy!" Some were really nervous because the cave is pitch black and has at least 2 feet of water in it at all times. Within the caves we waded holding our candles, having to swimming at some points and climb at others. It was a massive cave. We had to fit between tiny spaces - not great for the claustrophobic. Our group was of 13 people - all of La Union - and it got easy to get separated in the cave since some were faster than others. I was in the middle of the pack. In the cave there is a large waterfall with strong water rushing down it. There is a rope you can climb to go up the waterfall against the water. There is a ladder too, but, of course, I couldn't take the ladder! The first shot up the waterfall I went too far to the left where the strongest water was, and it pushed me back down the rope. I don't know how I didn't lose my contacts....anyway, got it the second time and kinda was freaking out that I had just climbed a waterfall in a cave. I kept getting these surreal feelings of "I can't believe I'm here right now doing this". After the waterfall there was a 30 foot jump off a cliff into the water of the cave. Adrenaline like crazy!
Our candles were getting smaller and smaller, and we all started to worry. Our group got split up somehow. I was now with 3 other girls and we didn't know where to go. We go back the way we came, but our candles are slowly going out. We thankfully see someone with a headlamp and he leads us to a part of the cave that is a small hole water is going down. He told us we have to go down it and thats the only way to go at this point. Now this was the part that we were all thinking "so you want us to go into this tiny hole in a pitch black cave, lose our candlelight, while not knowing what is at the bottom of it?" The first answer we gave him was HECK NO. But, we didn't have a choice. Going down wasnt so bad, the rocks were fairly smooth, but the slide dumped you into a small pool about the size of a hotel bathroom. So there we are, 4 girls in this little hole of the cave. The guy with the headlamp comes down last and tells us to swim to the exit. Well, we got to a spot were we could touch the ground, and his headlamp dies. We then all join hands and eventually see light ahead! We found the exit!! At the exit of the cave we all had a group hug, we are convinced we will forever be bonded through that experience.
The rest of the group was waiting for us, worried. But everyone made it out ok!! still had 100% of the group with only minor bumps and bruises. I had hit my knee on a sharp rock, so now have a battle scar. But thats nothing to what could have been! We then get some tubes and relax for a short float of the river. Max and Jessica smoked a cigar on the river. They were way too cool for the rest of the group haha
We get in the back of another truck and go to get some food! There were 28 people in the back of the truck...we counted. I had no idea you could fit that many people! We ate at a small restaurant...the food was terrible...but we aren't picky. Our hotel crew got home, showers were first priority. Then we opened a bottle of wine and sat on our porch talking all night. It was a perfect ending to the perfect day. We all slept so well that night.
We woke up at 7 and got on a van at 8 for another long drive in an overcrowded van. Thankfully we were picked up first so we got the first pick of the best seats in the van! Thank goodness. The ride was not so bad, it went by fast. But we were soooooo happy to get to Antigua. We couldn't believe we made it all in one piece! Definitely a successful trip, we are all still in disbelief of the weekend and the adventure that took place. If you think about it, we just got into random cars and backs of trucks that people told us to get into. I guess thats just part of the adventure!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A New Perspective
wow, ten days since the last post! They have gone by wwaaaayyy to quickly.
After my 2 weeks of fun in Guatemala, traveling, site-seeing, meeting new people, discovering the local hangouts, nightlife, and enjoying all Antigua has to offer for someone who has free time...I finally started classes and volunteering. Both things keep me very very very busy! I love it!
Class is great. The style is one-on-one and they cater to the way you like to learn and the full 4 or 5 hours of the morning is spent on some hardcore spanish speaking and learning. Each table has one student and one maestro, and a white board. It is interesting to look around the room and catch a glimpse at other table's white boards to see what everyone is working on. There is every level of spanish being taught, all in different ways. I know that people have looked at the whiteboard at my table because they comment with "what the heck were you guys talking about???" hahaha lets just say that my lessons are very....random and different. I am past the point of learning new tenses or grammatical lesssons, so my 4 hours of the morning is spent just talking to my teacher about anything and everything. I have learned so so so much more spanish just by having extensive conversations everyday. Mainly vocabulary and how to keep a conversation flowing without that awkward "uhhhh como se dice??.." pause. I've learned to improvise if I don't know the word, then later I look it up and will never forget it. Of course, being in a spanish speaking environment all the time is a huge help to learning quickly. Rosetta Stone has nothing on this. My teacher and I have become really good friends the past couple weeks, today he was sad that our last class is in two days. He always says "eres mi estudiante favorita!" and he has helped me out a lot with things in my life as well....of course, always in spanish haha. There was some drama last week within the school and someone I'm living with and things that had to do with me....but I am not sure how it all got started or what the deal was with that. I've tried to disregard it, but it was a bummer that I had to deal with that, it seemed very unprofessional of La Union. I started feeling like I was being watched all the time and I didn't know why, or that I was getting judgmental looks from teachers and I have no idea why....even the director told me "so you're haley...finally I get to meet you" It just makes me wonder what people know about me and what made them think what they do. It really makes me uncomfortable. At this point I'm past it and focused on just learning instead of what may be going on behind the scenes of La Union or what others assume about me.
After classes each day I volunteer at the hospital. The hospital specializes in brain damaged patients and it has really opened my eyes. People always say that they get that warm fuzzy feeling when volunteering, but that is not true here. This is more heartbreaking and shocking than anything. I work with women between 20 and 40 who have severe cases of mental disability. It is the most interesting and life-changing thing I have ever experienced. The most interesting aspect is that the patients are so happy. They are seriously the most happy people I have ever seen. They never stop smiling. I feel like it is the perfect example of ignorance is bliss. All they have ever known is that hospital, those nurses, and the world outside is seldom seen for them. There is one woman, Glenda, is the most coherent of the group and is extremely social. We go on walks through the hospital and all the nurses say "hola bonita! como estas!" and she has a decent conversation with them and they tell her about their lives etc. She lights up when I tell stories that I make up, or jokes. Today actually, I started a somewhat drum circle (or hospital bed circle) with the patients! I started a beat and then we added on by hitting on the sides of the bed, wheelchairs, or endtables. It was inspiring. They loved it. I had never seen a group so giddy and happy. Its as if they have the capacity of adults, but are playful like children. The littlest things in life make them smile. The first day I was there they all sit up with a smile and say their version of "HOLAAA!" The hospital nurses tell me that they never get volunteers with the women, because most want to work with kids, so they are happy to have me, and the patients are even happier to have me around. Ok....so maybe I do have that warm fuzzy feeling....I just am going to appreciate my life so much more after this experience.
After seeing the living conditions here and the hospital, I cant believe how spoiled I am in the states. I have it so good, and I am never going to take that for granted again. The first thing I'm going to do when I get back to the states: throw the toilet paper into the toilet! The plumbing can't handle it here...so there are trashcans of toilet paper in the bathrooms and for some reason it grosses me out. That is one convenience I will definitely appreciate more. However there is another side to that coin; I am inspired by the simplicity of life here. The people value family and friends and their jobs are...just jobs. I feel like they have their priorities right, family and enjoying life are what matter...while in the states I feel this constant pressure to "be successful". You meet these old gringo hippies in Antigua who have been here since the 70's and just decided to live a simple life and enjoy the little things. Children still play with the old-school toys like yo-yos and jacks, and play soccer outside. Children in the US are usually found in front of a television. Families are around the dinner table talking for hours on end every night. I just feel like my perspective on life has been changed.
Now, while I have been busy with classes and volunteering, I still managed to make a couple adventures! Last weekend we hiked up Cerro de la Cruz and went to Monterrico! Here are some pictures. Monterrico was amazing. This weekend is Cobán, which is going to be phenomenal!!
After my 2 weeks of fun in Guatemala, traveling, site-seeing, meeting new people, discovering the local hangouts, nightlife, and enjoying all Antigua has to offer for someone who has free time...I finally started classes and volunteering. Both things keep me very very very busy! I love it!
Class is great. The style is one-on-one and they cater to the way you like to learn and the full 4 or 5 hours of the morning is spent on some hardcore spanish speaking and learning. Each table has one student and one maestro, and a white board. It is interesting to look around the room and catch a glimpse at other table's white boards to see what everyone is working on. There is every level of spanish being taught, all in different ways. I know that people have looked at the whiteboard at my table because they comment with "what the heck were you guys talking about???" hahaha lets just say that my lessons are very....random and different. I am past the point of learning new tenses or grammatical lesssons, so my 4 hours of the morning is spent just talking to my teacher about anything and everything. I have learned so so so much more spanish just by having extensive conversations everyday. Mainly vocabulary and how to keep a conversation flowing without that awkward "uhhhh como se dice??.." pause. I've learned to improvise if I don't know the word, then later I look it up and will never forget it. Of course, being in a spanish speaking environment all the time is a huge help to learning quickly. Rosetta Stone has nothing on this. My teacher and I have become really good friends the past couple weeks, today he was sad that our last class is in two days. He always says "eres mi estudiante favorita!" and he has helped me out a lot with things in my life as well....of course, always in spanish haha. There was some drama last week within the school and someone I'm living with and things that had to do with me....but I am not sure how it all got started or what the deal was with that. I've tried to disregard it, but it was a bummer that I had to deal with that, it seemed very unprofessional of La Union. I started feeling like I was being watched all the time and I didn't know why, or that I was getting judgmental looks from teachers and I have no idea why....even the director told me "so you're haley...finally I get to meet you" It just makes me wonder what people know about me and what made them think what they do. It really makes me uncomfortable. At this point I'm past it and focused on just learning instead of what may be going on behind the scenes of La Union or what others assume about me.
After classes each day I volunteer at the hospital. The hospital specializes in brain damaged patients and it has really opened my eyes. People always say that they get that warm fuzzy feeling when volunteering, but that is not true here. This is more heartbreaking and shocking than anything. I work with women between 20 and 40 who have severe cases of mental disability. It is the most interesting and life-changing thing I have ever experienced. The most interesting aspect is that the patients are so happy. They are seriously the most happy people I have ever seen. They never stop smiling. I feel like it is the perfect example of ignorance is bliss. All they have ever known is that hospital, those nurses, and the world outside is seldom seen for them. There is one woman, Glenda, is the most coherent of the group and is extremely social. We go on walks through the hospital and all the nurses say "hola bonita! como estas!" and she has a decent conversation with them and they tell her about their lives etc. She lights up when I tell stories that I make up, or jokes. Today actually, I started a somewhat drum circle (or hospital bed circle) with the patients! I started a beat and then we added on by hitting on the sides of the bed, wheelchairs, or endtables. It was inspiring. They loved it. I had never seen a group so giddy and happy. Its as if they have the capacity of adults, but are playful like children. The littlest things in life make them smile. The first day I was there they all sit up with a smile and say their version of "HOLAAA!" The hospital nurses tell me that they never get volunteers with the women, because most want to work with kids, so they are happy to have me, and the patients are even happier to have me around. Ok....so maybe I do have that warm fuzzy feeling....I just am going to appreciate my life so much more after this experience.
After seeing the living conditions here and the hospital, I cant believe how spoiled I am in the states. I have it so good, and I am never going to take that for granted again. The first thing I'm going to do when I get back to the states: throw the toilet paper into the toilet! The plumbing can't handle it here...so there are trashcans of toilet paper in the bathrooms and for some reason it grosses me out. That is one convenience I will definitely appreciate more. However there is another side to that coin; I am inspired by the simplicity of life here. The people value family and friends and their jobs are...just jobs. I feel like they have their priorities right, family and enjoying life are what matter...while in the states I feel this constant pressure to "be successful". You meet these old gringo hippies in Antigua who have been here since the 70's and just decided to live a simple life and enjoy the little things. Children still play with the old-school toys like yo-yos and jacks, and play soccer outside. Children in the US are usually found in front of a television. Families are around the dinner table talking for hours on end every night. I just feel like my perspective on life has been changed.
Now, while I have been busy with classes and volunteering, I still managed to make a couple adventures! Last weekend we hiked up Cerro de la Cruz and went to Monterrico! Here are some pictures. Monterrico was amazing. This weekend is Cobán, which is going to be phenomenal!!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
"You Want to Buy Machete??" The Market and Other Guatemalan Experiences, With Pictures!!
So today me and my neighbor were walking through the market and that we are convinced Guatemalans are raised to sell! Children have great marketing skills and are pretty sly about it. One really cute little boy asked if I wanted to buy some handmade fabric and I said no but kept talking to him just because I was waiting for my bus and he was pretty adorable. I had my nice camera around my shoulder and after I told him no, he said "pues...por un beso?" hahaha and then after I laughed he said he could use my camera to take a picture of me for me....sneaky little kid...I know he would have run off with it. So I told him oooh nooo haha and he had this little smirk and walked away.
Children here don't go to school, they are shining shoes at 7 years old and selling on the streets all day. Few do go to school, but the schools here are privately owned so it is rather expensive for families to send kids to school.
In the market they really do try to sell everything and anything. I was looking at some things and this guy comes up to me in two seconds and asks if I want to buy a machete! I do not look like the kind of person who would buy a machete...I thought it was hillarious.
An other distinct Guatemalan thing I've found is their fascination with fireworks! 4 am and all day and all night fireworks, or bombas, are set off. They are either firecrackers or a huge mortar that sounds like a war is going on. The tradition is to wake up someone at 4 am with firecrackers outside their door if it is their birthday....but I'm having a hard time believing that it is someones birthday nextdoor EVERY morning. So with the fireworks, rooster, barking dog, and loud children around the house, sleeping is a challenge. If you ever come, bring earplugs to sleep with.
Yesterday I went to Lake Atitlán and explored by boat the villages of San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago. San Pedro was definitely the best and was really very beautiful. The lake is also gorgeous, there are 3 volcanoes and about 12 villages total. Besides hiking Volcan de Pacaya, Lake Atitán was definitely one of my favorite things I've done since I've been here.
Local life is easy going. Everyday we wake up, go to class or volunteer, drink a lot of coffee (BEST COFFEE EVER), run some errands, hang out at the cafe or bar, always meeting new people, and then watch a movie or go out that night. I love this lifestyle. Life moves slow and simple. I could definitely get used to it. I got offered a job at the local bar! haha we have gotten to know the bartenders of Cafe No Sé really well! More people have moved into the house. So right now we have one Canadian, one guy from the UK, one from Korea, and another from Australia. Talk about a cultural experience!!!
So far, I LOVE it in Antigua, it really is different from the rest of Guatemala I've seen. It feels the safest, and the people are really friendly to tourists, and the vibe is very welcoming.
PICTURES FINALLY!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Week 1: Hanging, Chillin, and Adventures
So I have officially been here for a full week and wow I feel like everyday is a new adventure!
Something funny happened a few days ago. Up until 2 days ago I had been living alone in the guest house of 7 bedrooms and was used to it since it had been 5 days of living alone. I had heard that a guy from Cambridge was moving in but didn't know exactly when he would arrive. Well at 1 am I start to hear steps on the roof, chairs being moved, stomping up the stairs, cabinets being shut, and some yelling. It scared me so badly, it sounded EXACTLY like a robbery. I didn't know what to do, I sat in my locked room just hoping that whatever it was would leave and I could calm down. The loud noises kept going, so I called the emergency numbers I was given. I try to tell a man in spanish that someone I did not know was in my house, and he said he would call someone and possibly get the police here. It ended up being the new guy from cambridge. The next day I met him and kind of yelled at him for scaring the hell out of me!! He apologized, but I don't think he understands the kind of thoughts that went through my head when I had woken up to that in the middle of the night haha.
Last night we were at our favorite bar/hangout Cafe No Sé and just hung out and had some beers, the bartenders know us now so it gets more fun each time we go. This time they asked if I loved Antigua, and I of course said yes! Then, they offered me a job. haha its tempting, but I think I should finish my degree at UT? hahaha I can't imagine living over a couple years here though, its so small and such a slow way of life that I may go crazy because I love always having something to do or work on.
Today we did a zipline trip in the forest of Antigua, above the coffee plantations, and it was SO much fun. Next is hiking Volcan de Pacaya, and going to Tikal. I will post some pictures soon!!
Something funny happened a few days ago. Up until 2 days ago I had been living alone in the guest house of 7 bedrooms and was used to it since it had been 5 days of living alone. I had heard that a guy from Cambridge was moving in but didn't know exactly when he would arrive. Well at 1 am I start to hear steps on the roof, chairs being moved, stomping up the stairs, cabinets being shut, and some yelling. It scared me so badly, it sounded EXACTLY like a robbery. I didn't know what to do, I sat in my locked room just hoping that whatever it was would leave and I could calm down. The loud noises kept going, so I called the emergency numbers I was given. I try to tell a man in spanish that someone I did not know was in my house, and he said he would call someone and possibly get the police here. It ended up being the new guy from cambridge. The next day I met him and kind of yelled at him for scaring the hell out of me!! He apologized, but I don't think he understands the kind of thoughts that went through my head when I had woken up to that in the middle of the night haha.
Last night we were at our favorite bar/hangout Cafe No Sé and just hung out and had some beers, the bartenders know us now so it gets more fun each time we go. This time they asked if I loved Antigua, and I of course said yes! Then, they offered me a job. haha its tempting, but I think I should finish my degree at UT? hahaha I can't imagine living over a couple years here though, its so small and such a slow way of life that I may go crazy because I love always having something to do or work on.
Today we did a zipline trip in the forest of Antigua, above the coffee plantations, and it was SO much fun. Next is hiking Volcan de Pacaya, and going to Tikal. I will post some pictures soon!!
Friday, July 1, 2011
First Day of Guatemala - A Korean Experience
My first day was a culture dynamic like I had never seen. I live with one other guy right now, who is from Korea and hardly speaks any spanish or english. His friends are here too, and my first night they and two of the teachers of the language school came over and they cooked food and had drinks. The food - phenomenal. I have no idea what it was...some kind of meat with cabbage rolled into a leaf with this amazing saracha sauce. Anyway, the craziest thing was that the teachers speak spanish and they speak korean, so there was a lot of misunderstanding each other and communicating with gestures and pictures. It was the quietest "party" I had ever seen, but as the night went on we all got more comfortable and spoke mainly spanish. My favorite moments were the ones where Spanish and Korean languages were mixed together, and we still understood what was being said. I guess since I'm a communication student it was fascinating to me at least..haha
So far, Antigua has been an amazing experience, and it's only been 3 days! I don't want to leave, it is so much fun and I am learning so much. I went to the macadamia plantation and the jade factory which were both surprisingly more interesting than I expected. What I love about Antigua the most are the PEOPLE. They are so friendly, the bartenders and most people around the city are more than happy to educate you on their culture and history, and tell you all the things you need to know about Antigua. I was afraid that they may not enjoy tourists, but all the Antiguans I have talked to are so happy to share their city. I talked to a woman behind the bar of a coffee shop for over an hour and she explained all the traditions of mayan culture. It was fascinating! They also love to help you with your spanish :)
I have some free time before I start volunteering and taking classes. However I am at the school almost everyday for the free wi-fi and the free tea/coffee. And Guatemalan coffee - WOW. so so so good. I think I drink it twice a day at least. The school also offers activities every day and I've met a lot of people through the school. Last night I met a group of students who all traveled here alone, and it was a great time. We went salsa dancing and to a local bar. I think I'm going to be a salsa expert by the time I leave here :)
Tonight we are going to go try ilegal mezcal, a tequila native of Oaxaca, and is only in one bar in Antigua. Supposedly it is the purest agave you can get...But I've heard it tastes like gasoline..I guess we'll see! haha and tomorrow I'm having lunch with a local then picking my mom up from the airport! I plan on getting her some bird of paradise flowers from the market to greet her with..i know...soooo cuuuute. She is really excited and I am planning some excursions and adventures we can take while she is here. The first thing we want to do is visit Tikal, which is the largest ancient Mayan civilization.
In short, I love it here, and am so incredibly excited for the rest of my time in Central America!
Hasta Luego,
Haley
So far, Antigua has been an amazing experience, and it's only been 3 days! I don't want to leave, it is so much fun and I am learning so much. I went to the macadamia plantation and the jade factory which were both surprisingly more interesting than I expected. What I love about Antigua the most are the PEOPLE. They are so friendly, the bartenders and most people around the city are more than happy to educate you on their culture and history, and tell you all the things you need to know about Antigua. I was afraid that they may not enjoy tourists, but all the Antiguans I have talked to are so happy to share their city. I talked to a woman behind the bar of a coffee shop for over an hour and she explained all the traditions of mayan culture. It was fascinating! They also love to help you with your spanish :)
I have some free time before I start volunteering and taking classes. However I am at the school almost everyday for the free wi-fi and the free tea/coffee. And Guatemalan coffee - WOW. so so so good. I think I drink it twice a day at least. The school also offers activities every day and I've met a lot of people through the school. Last night I met a group of students who all traveled here alone, and it was a great time. We went salsa dancing and to a local bar. I think I'm going to be a salsa expert by the time I leave here :)
Tonight we are going to go try ilegal mezcal, a tequila native of Oaxaca, and is only in one bar in Antigua. Supposedly it is the purest agave you can get...But I've heard it tastes like gasoline..I guess we'll see! haha and tomorrow I'm having lunch with a local then picking my mom up from the airport! I plan on getting her some bird of paradise flowers from the market to greet her with..i know...soooo cuuuute. She is really excited and I am planning some excursions and adventures we can take while she is here. The first thing we want to do is visit Tikal, which is the largest ancient Mayan civilization.
In short, I love it here, and am so incredibly excited for the rest of my time in Central America!
Hasta Luego,
Haley
Monday, June 27, 2011
Off to Antigua Tomorrow!
Bright and early, I will FINALLY be on my way to Antigua, Guatemala. I am extremely excited and nervous at the same time. The 5 weeks since my last post has gone by so fast! I can't believe June 28 is finally here and in less than 12 hours I'll be on my way to DFW airport! Air travel has always made me nervous, which is crazy, but I'm still new to the whole traveling completely alone thing. I have been brushing up on my spanish all week, although I hear that in Antigua a lot of people speak English. I have been keeping in touch with people from and living in Antigua right now and have arranged coffee dates with locals. I'm excited to see who is living in the volunteer housing when I'm there, I'm hoping at least a few people! This is going to be such an adventure, I don't think I've ever done something that is so independent! I am packing light, and layers because it's rainy season right now, and storms are expected all week... hopefully it will only rain a few hours in the afternoon or at night. Things have been going really smoothly with Cultural Embrace and the planning, I made a lot of specific requests and organizing things for certain times etc, and they made it all happen :) call me high maintenance I guess haha
The things I'm most looking forward to:
1. THE FOOD (I pick my destinations for the food, gotta be honest...haha)
2. Perfecting my Spanish
3. Volunteering
4. Adventures
5. Meeting new people
6. Returning with great memories and lots of pictures :)
So definitely stay posted! I'm sure I'll have some great stories!
Hasta Luego,
Haley
The things I'm most looking forward to:
1. THE FOOD (I pick my destinations for the food, gotta be honest...haha)
2. Perfecting my Spanish
3. Volunteering
4. Adventures
5. Meeting new people
6. Returning with great memories and lots of pictures :)
So definitely stay posted! I'm sure I'll have some great stories!
Hasta Luego,
Haley
Saturday, May 21, 2011
5 weeks, 2 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes
Until I'm in Antigua!!
Getting pretty excited YA'LL. haha ok I'll lay off the texas-ness a little.
and yes, I have a countdown going.
Hmmm sooo plan plan plan! Turns out my very own mother wants to come visit. This is super exciting and cool, just the organization is kind of tough. Hopefully it'll work out, gotta figure out how to get her from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua (Safely) ...no idea how to do that....not a taxi...chicken bus???
I don't even know who's picking me up at the airport, where exactly I'll be living... I feel a little clueless I must say. But there's still time to get the details down. Half of my nerves about this trip are from not knowing the details and not knowing what exactly is the plan. The plane ticket is bought so that's half the battle I feel. Thats the commitment step. This is gonna happen.
I still have a few things to take care of. I owe CE some $ still but money is kind of tight so trying to get that to them ASAP. Also wanting to plan some excursions and things to do. I made some friends through couchsurfing and will meet some locals that way when I get there for coffee. I know that sounds crazy, but couchsurfing is a very awesome (and reliable!) way to meet locals and get a crash course of the culture of wherever you go.
However safety has been on my mind a lot lately. Everyone tells me I'll be fine and all that, I just can't be too careful. I researched crime reports in Antigua...bad idea...freaked myself out and got me thinking all this crazy stuff! I've talked to 3 people so far who have lived there and they said it's all just fine and not to worry. I really hope the volunteer housing has a lot of people there when I go.
Nos Vemos!
Getting pretty excited YA'LL. haha ok I'll lay off the texas-ness a little.
and yes, I have a countdown going.
Hmmm sooo plan plan plan! Turns out my very own mother wants to come visit. This is super exciting and cool, just the organization is kind of tough. Hopefully it'll work out, gotta figure out how to get her from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua (Safely) ...no idea how to do that....not a taxi...chicken bus???
I don't even know who's picking me up at the airport, where exactly I'll be living... I feel a little clueless I must say. But there's still time to get the details down. Half of my nerves about this trip are from not knowing the details and not knowing what exactly is the plan. The plane ticket is bought so that's half the battle I feel. Thats the commitment step. This is gonna happen.
I still have a few things to take care of. I owe CE some $ still but money is kind of tight so trying to get that to them ASAP. Also wanting to plan some excursions and things to do. I made some friends through couchsurfing and will meet some locals that way when I get there for coffee. I know that sounds crazy, but couchsurfing is a very awesome (and reliable!) way to meet locals and get a crash course of the culture of wherever you go.
However safety has been on my mind a lot lately. Everyone tells me I'll be fine and all that, I just can't be too careful. I researched crime reports in Antigua...bad idea...freaked myself out and got me thinking all this crazy stuff! I've talked to 3 people so far who have lived there and they said it's all just fine and not to worry. I really hope the volunteer housing has a lot of people there when I go.
Nos Vemos!
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