Mercado

Today our school took a field trip to a large market about an hour away in San Francisco de Alto and I rode the chicken bus for the first time! For short trips it isn't too bad, but it has been a while since I have been in a school bus and the seats are small! I would not want to spend more than a hour crammed in one. People sell fruit and food on the bus and there is energetic Spanish music playing. The market was very big and sold everything imaginable- food, fruit, vegetables, clothes, pirated music and movies, and my favorite - the live animals. Cows, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, roosters, sheep, etc. Yes, that pic is of me by the heads of some dead animal. Scary!!! I bought a coconut and the women sliced the top off, stuck a straw in it and it good to go - muy delicioso! There are many delicious fruits sold on all the streets - mango, watermelon, melon, etc.- and it is frusterating not to eat them. But not many tourists due for fear of getting ill. Other Guatemala tidbits: although Guatemala grows and exports great coffee, almost everyone drinks instant coffee because the good stuff is expensive and exported. Corn Flakes is pretty popular for breakfast, although it is usually served with warm milk, which I have decided I like better than cold milk.

Tomorrow Zuhil, the other student, leaves the house and I am moving into a hostel. I am also headed to the natural hot springs close to Xela for some R&R in much desired hot water.

Dos mas

2 more pics for now.... this is the view of the Parque Centro, which is basically the center of the city for everything except transportation. Muy importante! and two Mayan women during the processions.

The sickness

As with most travelers, I got the sickness on Sunday. I spent the entire night running to the bathroom, my stomach in great pain and not sleeping. I decided that throwing up in an outhouse-type bano in a strange country at 2 am is very lonely! Not sure what I have, but it may very well be ameabos. My friend from school went to the pharmacy for me and I am feeling much better today. Hopefully, the worse has past! I didn't go to school yesterday, just layed in bed with no TV or books, but thankfully had my Ipod to distract me. It was hard communicating with the family, but Zuhil, the other student at the house, was very helpful and great to have by my side!

More pics to follow, it took me about 1/2 hour to add these 2!

More Samana Santa....

Semena Santa reaches a high point today, with a holiday off from school and work, a procession in the morning, a re enactment in the afternoon, and the large procession in the evening, with 4 or 5 processions meeting in the Parque Centro. Rugs of colored sand with intricate designs were created on the streets last night, and the processions walk through them this morning. Much of the city meets in the Parque Centro for the evening processions, with people selling toys, food stands, and small rides for the children. It is a very solumn but festive atmosphere. I have pictures but don't know how to attach them on the computers here! Maybe next week.....
I took a salsa lesson on Mon. and really enjoyed it, but was pretty bad. I watch a lot of soccer with the family and am even able to comprehend the TV a bit. Tomorrow I hope to climb one of the volcanoes near the city.

Semana santa

This week is Semana Santa in Guatemala, which is the important holy week before Easter. There are processions almost every day in the streets by the different churches and it's a very big deal here. I went to church on Sunday with my host family and of course understood close to nothing. On a school field trip on Fri, we went to McDonalds for breakfast. It's pretty much the same here as in the US, but it's been a while since i have had Mc.D. breakfast anyway. Micky D's is popular with the teenagers here, but is spendy by Guatemalan standards. I have been spending a good amount of time in the markets here, which are basically outdoor venues where people from the different Mayan villages in the highlands sell their goods. Lots of fruit, vegetables, meat, clothes, CD's, etc. They are pretty overwhelming but a great experience if you just go with it. I have bought some fruit in my broken Spanglish, but am still not ready to tackle taking the chicken buses or minibuses that go through the city. Guatemalans love their fireworks and set them off daily, often around 6 am. Fireworks, dogs and a rooster are my morning wake up call. Tonight I am off to Salsa class and tomorrow is a school field trip to the cemeteray. Pictures to come this week, I promise!

Almost done with my first week!

Hard to believe I have been here almost a week. So far I have learned enough Spanish to conversate in the present tense about basic things to speak with my host family and understand a good amount in return. I go to school until 1in the PM, then spend the afternoons/evenings doing my homework (yes, i get homework from my teacher!), studying, attempting to speak to people, and exploring the city. No real surprise, but Guatemala is in many ways similar to the non-touristy parts of Mexico. The sewage system here is not able to handle toilet paper, the shower in my house is heated by fire, and most homes don't have heat (and it gets freezing up here in the winter I have been told). The city has a mix of traditional Mayan people and the more westernized "Ladino" Guatemalans. There is a lot of American clothing - for example, on my walk to the internet cafe a girl was wearing a traditional Mayan skirt and an Abercromie sweatshirt. The city is set high in the hills, so it is surrounded by hills and a volcano, which I intend to climb in the upcoming weeks. So far, I have not received anything too bizarre to eat, although I did have a rice/milk drink at lunch. Lots of corn things (tortillas, tomales, etc.) but no beans yet. I haven't been sick, yet... Knock on wood.....

Mi Primera Dia

Hola!

Actually, I have no idea if my Spanish writing is correct, but that's why I am in Guat! I arrived in Xela yesterday (after an overnight from LA and 5 hour bus ride) and met my host family. In the house are the 2 parents, 2 sons (ages 16 & 22), 2 daughters (not sure how old, but in university (I think)), 3 perros (dogs) and 1 gato (cat). A busy house! I am adjusting to the ways of life here, especially the shower which is heated by fire, but does get muy caliente! The parents don't speak English, but the 16 yr old speaks fairly well, which is very helpful. The family is very nice and patient, and often host language students, but the langage barrier is tough. I have felt akward much of the time so far, but hope that feeling will pass as time goes on. I have an electronic dictionary, which they seem to find interesting (and maybe a bit strange because I am always typing words into it and bring it everywhere). The 16 yr old really likes it, especially the game section.
Today was my first day of school and went better than I expected. The 5 hours went by very fast and my brain didn't hurt much! My teacher is about my age and is learning English, so she is able to teach to my comprehension level (which is minimal).
I am exploring the city this afternoon and so far, so good. I am not sure about taking pictures here, but will try soon.