Gracias a Guatemala!

To start off your day, here is a picture of me hanging out with the Santa Catalina  Arch.
I'm gonna miss this lovely landmark. 

Only 120 hours left in until we depart the Land of Eternal Spring. Wow, 4 months abroad will teach you invaluable life lessons. Like always bring toilet paper with you wherever you go. Or Crocs will save you from breaking an ankle on cobblestone streets.

But in all seriousness, the culture and people of Guatemala have taught me so much about humanity and my respective place in the contemporary world (the SAU concept would be proud). I have learned that people in poverty are some the most talented, resourceful, and joyful people I have ever met. I have learned that it gets easier and easier to engage with a culture the longer you are there. I have learned that every place in the world, while scared by tragedy or atrocity, is marked by natural beauty too.

While I am ready to embrace this next chapter of my life, I am having a tough time letting go of this one. This experience was so rich and beautiful, that I know that resulting reverse culture shock will be just a little difficult.

If I could encourage every college student to study abroad, I would. It is an invaluable experience that allows for personal growth and development, stretching, bending, and breaking comfort zones, and making you all that more knowledgeable, open minded, and marketable. You cannot really put a price tag on a cross cultural experience, but ignorance can become quite expensive and keep you stuck in a cycle of poverty.

Thank you Guatemala for literally changing my life!

Hasta Luego!

So…Where Are We Headed Captain?

This entry has a lot to do with Guatemala and a lot to do with graduating college. 12 days. We leave in a meager 12 days. After spending about 115 days abroad, 12 days seems like no time at all. 14 days. We graduate in 14 days. Yikes!

I decided I would blog about what has been plaguing my mind as of late: the future. Ah yes. I mentioned how daunting the future can be in a previous blog post in January. However, on the brink of the unknown future it can be a tad bit scary and intimidating. Be forewarned that I am indeed a tedious planner and I do have some plans like living with my parents, graduate school in fall 2013, and working on fixing my parents’ house and minimizing their vast collection of stuff. However, I don’t have a source of income and have had trouble getting a job being 2,098 miles away from home.

I go through bouts of bitterness where I think “I paid for and have earned a 4 year degree and Olive Garden won’t even call me back?! What was I thinking choosing social work? How will I ever pay off these student loans?” But then my husband keeps me grounded. He reminds me of the cost of ignorance vs. the cost of education. He reminds me that our time abroad in Colombia, Cambodia, and Guatemala has taught us that education is invaluable. And of course we have some social welfare services in place should we meet financial hardship. He reminds me of the true joys in family, love, and community.

In retrospect I am SO very blessed and privileged to have a safety net and support system in my family. If there is anything I learned from my internship at Nuestros Ahijados, it is that the future is a luxury. Many of the clients I encountered practicing social work here have little idea of where they will sleep, what they will eat, how they will cope with the hardships of today, and how they will survive today.

My prayer is that I can put aside worry, focus on the present, and not be too busy worrying about life to actually live it.

Just some thoughts from a semester abroad soon-to-be graduate to you.

Once again, as I near the end of my journey in Guatemala, I would like to thank the Gilman Scholarship for funding my studies abroad. :)

Check out their website at http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program.

Here is a fun photo to hold you over until next time! Volcan Agua.

Adios Amigos!

I’ll Have a Volcanic Crater with Water, Thanks!

Hanging out with the ladies.

My sincere apologies to the few faithful readers I have! After my last post, my computer battery conveniently stopped charging. Not to mention the massive amount of hours involved in finding a job, planning for graduate school, wrapping up your final semester of undergrad, and brainstorming how you can make your dreams of becoming a bestselling author come true. Ergo (I have always wanted to use that word) it has been a tad difficult to blog. 

• So let me tell you a little about my life as of late. 
• Aaron and I have been visiting other nonprofits and NGOs in the Antigua area. Including Namaste Guatemaya, Common Hope, and Open Windows.
• We have about 65 hours remaining in our internships (out of 400 hours). 
• I worked for a solid day straight to get an A- on my resume according to http://rezscore.com/.
• I’ve applied for about 10 jobs in the Metro Detroit Area (fingers crossed). 
• I could eat Subway Chipotle sauce on a daily basis. Which is no good for my health or budget. 
• I have learned to tolerate black coffee thanks to Aaron daring me to take a small sip every day. 
• Zip lining. Check. 
• We went to Lake Atitlan and the Highlands last weekend!

For those of you who are unaware, Lake Atitlan is located in Guatemala and brags to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Well… it is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen

:). Created hundreds of years ago, the lake is actually a volcanic crater, beautifully positioned between 3 enormous volcanoes. We were able to tour Santiago Atitlan, Panajachel, and San Marcos, 3 tourist hotspots but super interesting nonetheless. Aside from 3 or 4 spiders I would deem “too big for comfort” sleeping in our room, the trip was beautiful. Aaron and I kayaked in the morning and he went for a swim. We explored little villages and artisans markets. 

Aaron in the hot springs. 

View of the sky in the hot springs.

Then…the hot springs. Natural pools of hot water located a good half hour drive up a foggy mountain. Seriously one of the coolest experiences! We made hand woven scarves too. 

Weaving, like a boss.

Well we leave in 20 days and I must admit I am ready for the next phase of my life to begin. Don’t get me wrong, I love Guatemala and all of my experiences here. I am just ready.

View in Panajachel.

Test Your Might

Welp, I have some to terms with the fact that Guatemalan social work and American social work are worlds apart and each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Observe…

Guatemalan Social Work

• A degree takes only 3 years to complete.
• A master’s degree? What is that?
• Home visits conducted monthly.
• A universal code of ethics? Nah.
• Many males pursue social work as a career.
• More laidback attitude.
• Less regulation on how to communicate with clients. 
• Social workers and clients can be friends outside of the agency. 
• Organizations, agencies, nonprofits, and NGOs are pretty unorganized. 

American Social Work

• A degree takes 4 years.
• You pretty much have to get a master’s degree to get a solid job. 
• Then licensing takes 2 years.
• Then you have to complete a certain about of continuing education credits every year. 
• Home visits conducted monthly IF caseload isn’t too high. 
• A universal code of ethics and standards of practice (for this I am thankful)
• Pretty much a female dominated profession.
• Strict, albeit, uptight rules and regulations. 
• Organized and pretty fair on who and how services are provided to people.

Each type of social work has strengths and weaknesses, but I cannot help but admire the way in which access to social services is open in America, whereas there is basically only privately funded NGOs and nonprofits that provide services to Guatemalans. I have studied the American welfare system for four years and I have seen the flaws, loop holes, and cracks. But I am thankful that we are moving toward holistic, inclusive, widespread, and humane welfare system in America. Maybe this hemisphere can take a lesson from the Baltic region?

For those of you who are unaware, the Baltic region has some of the world’s most educated, healthiest, happiest, and stable people in the world.

I am not the biggest fan of how Ronald Reagan conducted affairs while in office, however, I do agree with the following sentiment.

"Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence."

-Ronald Reagan 

Cheers to human abilities for learning, growing, and changing!

Semana Santa aka "Every Day I’m Processioning"

Semana Santa (Holy Week) 2013 - Antigua, Guatemala

I do not own this video. All rights belong to the owner.

Antigua is world renowned for their Holy Week (Semana Santa) celebrations. And truly, this religious experience is one of a kind. Let’s begin with alfombras (carpets). It is an extremely important tradition in Antigua to create these outrageously beautiful alfombras on the cobblestone streets of this colonial village. The materials commonly used are pine needles, flowers, petals, colored sawdust, fruits, vegetables, candy, and then pretty much anything available to make these carpets bright, colorful, and intricate. See below for some of these beautiful arrangements. 

Huge alfombra in Iglesia San Francisco.

Aaron & a pretty alfombra.

Our host family's 1st alfombra, mariposas (butterflies).

Our host family's 2nd alfombra.

Next we move on to the processions. This is serious business. Each church/village leads a procession. Commonplace sights and sounds during these processions are men draped in purple robes, women draped in black and white with veils, incense, mournful sounding music, and grandiose floats depicting scenes of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Also see below for pictures.

Carrying the cross of Jesus along with Him.

Even children carry floats! This is my host family's grandson in front, Manuel.

Now to tie the alfombras and processions together. Only the individuals carrying these heavy floats can step on the alfombras. This sacred action reminds me of the story when the Lord appeared to Moses and asked him to take of his shoes for “the ground you are standing on is holy.” If you could see the faces of these men and women carrying the floats you would get the idea of suffering for Christ. Draped in long robes. 80+ degree weather. Cobblestone streets. Carrying floats that weights hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. Parading proudly through the streets the declare their faith and suffer as Christ did when he carried his own cross. It is a deeply moving and breathtaking sight. Check out some of the pictures and videos below, they truly do not do these celebrations justice.

Si Robertson spotted during Semana Santa. Hey! Duck Dynasty anyone?

Parasites Make the Heart Grow Fonder

To bring you all up to date, Aaron & I have been…

• Faithfully going to our internship every weekday (60 minutes of walking each day is rejuvenating!)
• Went to Guatemala City & visited FAFG (working with recovering bodies from the genocide) & the city dump
• Exploring numerous ruins in Antigua
• Enjoying fresh fruit smoothies & yummy piles of nachos
• Hanging out with our host family & attending numerous parades/processions

City Dump

Aaron at the San Francisco ruins.

Ruins!

Yum!

Now, back to the title of this blog. Parasites. Yep. On Monday, Aaron & I both work up early in the morning vomiting. Sorry for the bluntness. In basic terms, it was terrible. After about 4 hours of incessant vomiting and diarrhea Aaron finally felt better (no parasites for him!). But I could not even keep water down. I was so sick I was taken to the emergency room. The verdict: a parasite, an unfriendly bacterium, & severe dehydration. I spent the night in the hospital getting lots of fluids and medicines in the vein.

Now no worries, I am almost all better & it’s Wednesday. But during those hours I was really sick, I experienced an array of emotions. First anger, then sadness, then fear. I knew in the depths of my soul I would be alright, but I felt so bad. Finally after a few hours of sitting in a hospital I felt peace & understanding. Aaron stayed with me, curled up in a little chair all night waking at my every movement. He helped me more than words could ever express. Many Guatemalans face these very same problems on a daily basis and don’t have another person to take of them or can’t afford the excellent help I received. Malnutrition. $2 a day. These two epidemic issues alone cause thousands of Guatemalans to fall into serious illness.

All in all, this experience has taught me the true value of my family, friends, and humanity by reminding me of the fragility of the human body, mind, spirit, and soul. Who would have thought that parasites make the heart grow fonder? Little intestinal blessings in disguise, if you will.

Books & Beaches

Last Saturday our group headed to Monterrico, a black sand beach on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. The pictures speak for the beauty of that beach. We basically lounged around (me with a book of course) and drank delicious licuados (smoothies).

On an unrelated note, my internship is really beginning to develop. I will be observing a women’s empowerment group and going on home visits in the upcoming weeks. My field instructor also gave me the project of going to as many NGOs and nonprofits in the area and learning about their services. This is an awesome opportunity to learn more about the social and human rights issues occurring in Guatemala today.

I have also made friends with travelers from Guatemala, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Canada, and Burundi. I love Antigua and all of the diverse people the city draws in!

Last but not least, I ordered a sub from Subway today like a champ (completely in Spanish).

Oh wait...today my Mom & Dad called me and played me the greatest message! I have been accepted at the University of Michigan for the Masters of Social Work program. Go Blue!

Until next time!

This is Not the Ancient Civilization You Are Looking For...

Did you know that 50% of the Guatemalan population is indigenous Maya? Considering that about only 1% of the American population is American Indian, the number is quite astounding. First, a brief history lesson.

• Spanish conquistadors discovered Guatemalan Maya in the early 1500s.
• Mayas are estimated to have inhabited Guatemala since before Christ. 
• The Maya had ear gauges (true story). See below.

• The Maya had a system of hieroglyphic writing.
• Mayan religion featured numerous deities (polytheism).
• There are 21 Mayan languages in Guatemala.
• The Maya used a highly advanced system of mathematics, astronomy, and astrology. 
• Their culture used hundreds of different calendars for all purposes (the 2013 calendar had something to do with very advanced astrology). See below.

• Quichés and Cakchiquels are the dominate Maya groups near Antigua.
• A majority of victims during the 1960 – 1996 genocide were indigenous Maya. 
• The Maya are HIGHLY discriminated against in modern society. See below.

Due to discrimination today many Maya lack opportunities. These opportunities include quality education, understanding of nutrition, health, and wellness, jobs, and socioeconomic advancement. For example, many Maya will feed their children a harsh diet of beans, rice, tortillas, and coffee. This poor diet negatively affects physical and mental development in children. But how can this people group know? They are in poverty, lacking education, and trying to survive on what little means they have. These starchy foods are cheap and sustain life. Lack of opportunities continues to perpetuate the poverty cycle that exists amongst a majority of Mayan families.

The tiniest plane ever. I am sitting in the back.

Last Sunday we flew to Tikal in the tiniest flying bus, er, I mean plane. It was brilliant to witness the ruins of Tikal and understand the level of advancement and development the Maya had achieved prior to colonization. Only 20% of the entire complex of Mayan ruins have been excavated and restored in Tikal. The jungle surrounding Tikal literally is covering the remaining ruins.

The more I learn about Guatemala, the more I love the Land of Eternal Spring. I am (once again), very thankful to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program for funding my semester abroad. Please click on the scholarship link on the left of the page to learn more about how Gilman can help you experience studying abroad.

Muchas Gracias!

A Mayan Temple. Abandoned around 900 A.D.

The Jaguar Temple up close and personal.

Me searching for droids, battleships, and Luke Skywalker.
A scene from Star Wars was filmed in this very spot!  

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)

So Many Injustices, So Little Me

This weekend we spent a few days in the capital, Guatemala City. My head is spinning with the statistics of the various human rights abuses and injustices occurring in this nation. I began reading Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatemala this week. We also watched When the Mountains Tremble; a documentary about the war here. Each time I learn of a new genocide backed, funded, and prolonged by the U.S. I cringe and despise Capitalism that much more. For those of you who may be unaware (which I was prior to coming here) from 1960 to 1996 there was a “civil war” in which 200,000 Guatemalans were murdered, 50,000 disappeared, 1 million displaced, and countless women raped. A vast majority of victims were Mayan indigenous.

After taking a tour through the presidential palace, which in no longer occupied, we exited into a small group of women peacefully protesting with flowers. They informed us that over the past month 31 women, including 4 children, were murdered in Guatemala. Their only crime: their gender. These women were rallying for justice against domestic violence, abuse, and exploitation of women. See photos below.

While exiting the city we also drove by slums awkwardly positioned on the side of a steep valley.

Where do I even begin?

On a lighter note, Aaron and I were able to participate in a few Mayan traditions and ride a tuk tuk to our internship. Check out the photos below.

Catedral Metropolitana built in 1815.

The biggest Guatemalan flag flying outside of the National Palace.

Peaceful protest for justice for women outside of the National Palace.

The National Palace.

Tuk Tuks!
I do not own this photo. All rights belong to the owner.

Basket carrying like a boss!

Mayan Bride!

Making tortillas.

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)

Volunteer Coordinating

On Monday, I experienced my first taste of my social work internship. Aaron and I walked the 30 minutes to San Felipe where Nuestros Ahijados is located. We arrived on site and had no clue what came next. Nuestros Ahijados is currently being “restructured” and the volunteer/internship coordinator recently left. So we were paired with 2 20 year old male social workers who were going to a nearby town Jocotenango to conduct home visits/checkups with the families of the students at the school. Nuestros Ahijados has a school onsite with 215 students. The family pays $2 a month for their child(rens) education and purchases their uniform and school supplies.

We walked another 30 minutes to the town and met with 5 families. 4 out of 5 of the families we met with were single parent households. The mothers worked all day to provide for her children and afford a fairly small casita. 1 woman made tortillas all day. 1 family had cement basin for a stove; ashes from the firewood constantly floated in the air. All of the students were little girls.

“You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.”

― Brigham Young

Upon returning from these visits we spoke with the director of Nuestros Ahijados. He offered Aaron and I internships doing volunteer coordination work M, W, F. I knew that Volunteer Management class would be beneficial! On Tuesday and Thursday we will work wherever needed.

One thing I’ve been reminded of while trying to successfully establish an internship abroad, is that organization and planning are not as important in developing countries. Esta Bien!

The remainder of the semester abroad group arrived on the 25th and I am super excited to be a part of a wonderful group!

The city where we are interning!

Mi maestra de espanol, Marcela!

The view from Crystal's roof in Santa Ana. 

View of Fuego & Acatenango from Santo Domingo Hotel & Restaurant. 

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)

Change

“When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.”

– Viktor E. Frankl

Culture shock and adjustment takes many different forms, similar to the infamous boggarts in the Harry Potter series (you’ll recall Harry’s took the shape of a dementor). See below for an illustration. Ehem…back onto the subject of change. My culture shock has taken the form of wanting to stay inside to read/watch movies. Having had 2 previous cross cultural experiences, I am no stranger to the major components needed to enjoy learning and living abroad: purposefully engaging with the culture, open mindedness, flexibility (time is not always linear & events are not always planned), and positivity. With these in mind, the transition has been smooth with the exception of future worries.

Why does the future always have to be so daunting? 

Graduate school. Student loans. Jobs. Blah, blah, blah. I have struggled growing up in a culture with so much reliance, albeit obsession, with money. This week, Guatemala has been teaching me about changing myself since I cannot change the situation. I do not know what the future looks like for me and my family, but I can change my attitude: from fear to excitement, from negativity to positivity, and from worry to relaxed. This needed attitude adjustment should draw me out of culture shock and help me become fully immersed in the culture.

Well, tomorrow Haley, Aaron, and I are visiting Asociacion Nuestros Ahijados (http://www.ana.org.gt/) to nail down the specifics of our internships. I am thinking I’ll intern a majority of the time at the infant malnutrition home (Casa Jackson). I am contemplating volunteering a few hours a week at the local microfiancing organization here called Namaste Direct (http://namastedirect.org/). Aaron and I did learn this week that no other SAU students will be in the same homestay as us, but we do get to live with people from ALL over the world. So far we have had roommates from Holland, Quebec, and Australia!

Until next time, meet Antigua!

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)