As of July 18, Patzún is my new home where I will be living for the next two years!! Patzún is the name of a town in the state of Chimaltenango, which is about 32K away. I will be 85K from Guatemala City, close to Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Xela, and other major cities. I am very fortunate to be in such a central location with accessible transportation. The population in Patzún is 42,326- 42% urban and 58% in rural. 96% of the population speaks their indigenous language, Kaqchiquel, as well as Spanish. So I will have the opportunity to learn Kaqchiquel! This is crazy to think about because I still have a long ways to go with my Spanish. Patzún is 7,300 feet above sea level with cold weather. AH! Patzún has a big market, electricity, water, private hospital, a giant Catholic church, restaurants, internet cafes, a nice park and a grocery store!
My visit last week was fabulous. I have three site mates- Lydia and Laura are Healthy Schools volunteers, they´ve been in Patzún for three months, and Colin is an Agriculture volunteer, leaving in three months. My counterpart, Anacleto, is fabulous! He is hard working, motivated, patient, spent more than two years in the US on a scholarship, has connections all around the world, very well known in Patzún, has a lovely family, organized, and has a good sense of humor. I am very fortunate to have a counterpart with these qualities!
My favorite aspect of the Latin American culture is their greetings. Patzúneras really go above and beyond when it comes to this- very sincere and patient. Everyone is extremely friendly, greeting you on the streets, ¨Good morning! Have a nice day¨. I was walking to one of my schools and a farmer just stopped to ask if I knew where I was going. You can spark up a conversation with anyone- it is almost expected. When you buy bananas at the market you end up learning about someone´s life history or simply talking about the weather (for a good ten minutes). In a professional setting you can easily spend five minutes introducing yourself. Let´s say there are five professionals; you spend about 30 minutes introducing yourself before the meeting even begins. I felt extremely welcomed. Many families invited me into their homes, offered me food and drink, and said that their doors are always open. It is wonderful! A perfect fit for me.
What will I be doing? My primary job involves two schools and two agencies. I will be teaching life skills- decision making, self-esteem, HIV/AIDS, leadership, etc. to students aged 14-18. One of my schools is private; the other is ¨telesecundaria¨- 170 students and three teachers. I will be working with ¨Los Amigos de Patzún¨. ADP is an organization founded by three PC volunteers that offers scholarships to students. Anacleto and I will be working on legalizing this program in Guatemala, developing a committee and making the program more sustainable. The other organization that I will be working with is the ¨Centro de Recursos¨. This is a resource center for teachers. I will have the opportunity to do teacher trainings on topics such as sexual education, self-esteem, and communication.
As for secondary projects the options are endless. I plan on volunteering at ¨Escuelas Abiertas¨, which is a government funded program for children to participate on the weekends. They have a range of programs from language classes, break dance lessons, painting, computers, etc. I had the opportunity to work with this program in Sumpango, as well. Through ¨Escuelas Abiertas¨ I met a wonderful Guatemalan woman, Maggie, who I am going to keep in touch with when I leave Sumpango. Patzún has a 15K race after their independence day on September 19. Right now, Patzún only has a running club for men. I am either going to try and join their running club and/or start one for women. Patzún also has an orphanage that I might look into volunteering at. I have already met a few women who play on basketball teams. I have learned that basketball is actually more popular than soccer here. Patzún also has an Alcoholics Anonymous organization. Nearly everyone wants to learn English; however, I do not want my role as a PCV to be confused with that of an English teacher.
The possibilities are endless! I am so excited about my placement in Patzún. It seems like such a perfect fit for me, especially the friendly community and social work related options. I feel very fortunate and blessed to be placed in Patzún!
My NEW ADDRESS IS:
Maggie Kelly
Apartado 33
Chimaltenango, Chimaltenango
Guatemala, Centroamerica
Please don't send packages larger than a shoebox OR claim any thing of great value. Thanks! Much love!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Transportation
The most popular form of transportation is walking. Sumpango is mainly cobblestone roads with some dirt roads and few paved roads that lead to small villages. It is wonderful how so many necessities are within walking distance. Sumpango also has microbuses (minivans with a more open seating arrangment), which operate a lot like taxis- they can travel outside of Sumpango and you are charged per distance. Another form of transportation is "tuc-tucs". "Tuc-tucs" are small vechiles, sent from Japan, with three wheels. These most ususally have a flat rate and stay within the city limits.
For those who need to travel outside of their towns the most popular form of transportation is "camionetas" or chicken buses. I am going to do my very best to describe the "camioneta" experience because it is quite intense. I would love to take a photo to show you, but that would be like putting a target on my back for someone to come steal my camera. They are school buses from the US usually decked out with colorful paint, peoples names, Jesus Cristo, radios, and/or flashing lights. I really think that the seats are expanded too. This makes the isles extra narrow. There is not really a consistant schedule. My first week at the school in the village near Sumpango, Pedro and I "missed" the bus and walked an hour and half to our school. We got about four different responses for when and where to get the bus in the future. Bascially, you look at the front of the bus and it says where it came from and where it is going; however, I usually ask to confirm if I am going somewhere I have never been. You also have an auydante, or helper. This job is facinating. The auydante is hanging out of the bus yelling where they are headed next. My favorite is, "Guate! Guate! GUATEEE!!" The auydante is responsible for collecting the money, which may sound easy, but sometimes the buses are so crowded- I do not know how he keeps track of it. When I say crowded I mean really, really crowded- like three people per seat, so the two people are usually touching in the isle AND people squeezed in the isle, standing. Try to imagine the auydante walking through the isles to get everyones money. Not to mention people getting on and off the bus. Sometimes when we stop, I am like, "no way more people are fitting on this bus", but they do. You can enter and/or exit from the back, as well. Often times people will need to put their larger items on top of the camioneta. If we happen to take a turn too fast and the belongings on the roof fall off, the auydante is repsonsible for running to get them while the camioneta reverses on the highway. They also love their horns. I wish I could translate what each "toot" meant.
Peace Corps Safety and Secruity has provided us with training, tips and safety. They recommend starting every day saying, "I am going to get robbed today". This may sound crazy, but it helps keep you safe. For instance, most women secure their money in their bra, not loose in their purse. Peace Corps also suggests having exact change for each travel because the auydantes like to charge Americans more or not provide change. Unfortunately, my second week here, I was robbed on the "camioneta" from San Lucas to Santa Lucia. I was the very last one on the bus, so it was three other Peace Corps Volunteers, myself, and the door. I was super nervous to be so close to the door, so I was holding for my dear life, which, unfortuantely, left my purse dangling in front of me. As a huge group of us were getting off of the bus, in less than ten seconds, someone slit my large purse (probably with a knife), reached into my purse, and grabbed my small purse. My small purse had gum, lip gloss, tissue, wet wipes, etc. The item with the greatest value in my small purse was my flash drive. It turns out that one other PC Volunteer was also robbed on this same bus and antoher PC Volunteer prevented a potiental robbery by grabbing someone's hand as they were trying to reach into her backpack. Fortunately, my money and phone were secured in my bra, and they just got away with small items. What did I learn from this experience?! Use my purse with a shorter strap, so I can keep it closer to me. Always keep one hand on my purse. People who steal are very talented- they can do it within seconds.
For those who need to travel outside of their towns the most popular form of transportation is "camionetas" or chicken buses. I am going to do my very best to describe the "camioneta" experience because it is quite intense. I would love to take a photo to show you, but that would be like putting a target on my back for someone to come steal my camera. They are school buses from the US usually decked out with colorful paint, peoples names, Jesus Cristo, radios, and/or flashing lights. I really think that the seats are expanded too. This makes the isles extra narrow. There is not really a consistant schedule. My first week at the school in the village near Sumpango, Pedro and I "missed" the bus and walked an hour and half to our school. We got about four different responses for when and where to get the bus in the future. Bascially, you look at the front of the bus and it says where it came from and where it is going; however, I usually ask to confirm if I am going somewhere I have never been. You also have an auydante, or helper. This job is facinating. The auydante is hanging out of the bus yelling where they are headed next. My favorite is, "Guate! Guate! GUATEEE!!" The auydante is responsible for collecting the money, which may sound easy, but sometimes the buses are so crowded- I do not know how he keeps track of it. When I say crowded I mean really, really crowded- like three people per seat, so the two people are usually touching in the isle AND people squeezed in the isle, standing. Try to imagine the auydante walking through the isles to get everyones money. Not to mention people getting on and off the bus. Sometimes when we stop, I am like, "no way more people are fitting on this bus", but they do. You can enter and/or exit from the back, as well. Often times people will need to put their larger items on top of the camioneta. If we happen to take a turn too fast and the belongings on the roof fall off, the auydante is repsonsible for running to get them while the camioneta reverses on the highway. They also love their horns. I wish I could translate what each "toot" meant.
Peace Corps Safety and Secruity has provided us with training, tips and safety. They recommend starting every day saying, "I am going to get robbed today". This may sound crazy, but it helps keep you safe. For instance, most women secure their money in their bra, not loose in their purse. Peace Corps also suggests having exact change for each travel because the auydantes like to charge Americans more or not provide change. Unfortunately, my second week here, I was robbed on the "camioneta" from San Lucas to Santa Lucia. I was the very last one on the bus, so it was three other Peace Corps Volunteers, myself, and the door. I was super nervous to be so close to the door, so I was holding for my dear life, which, unfortuantely, left my purse dangling in front of me. As a huge group of us were getting off of the bus, in less than ten seconds, someone slit my large purse (probably with a knife), reached into my purse, and grabbed my small purse. My small purse had gum, lip gloss, tissue, wet wipes, etc. The item with the greatest value in my small purse was my flash drive. It turns out that one other PC Volunteer was also robbed on this same bus and antoher PC Volunteer prevented a potiental robbery by grabbing someone's hand as they were trying to reach into her backpack. Fortunately, my money and phone were secured in my bra, and they just got away with small items. What did I learn from this experience?! Use my purse with a shorter strap, so I can keep it closer to me. Always keep one hand on my purse. People who steal are very talented- they can do it within seconds.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th!
Hi! I hope everyone is having a very happy and safe Fourth of July! I just have a quick minute...I got my official site assignment! I will be moving to Patzún, Chimaltenango on July 16. I am super excited! It is going to be the best site ever. I have so much to look forward to. I am going to meet my counterparts at the Peace Corps office tomorrow. On Tuesday, I am going with my counterparts to stay in Patzún for the week. I will have a lot more information to share after this visit. Here is a website for the non-governmental organization I will be working with: www.amigosdepatzun.org. And, yes, Molly, it is in English! I will also be working in two other schools. Lots more information to come in the near future. Ah! I am super excited. Happy Independence Day (to all of my non-New Zealand blog followers)!
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