There are so many things that I would love to share. I don't know what you want to hear about. I feel like I could write a novel for every day that I have been here.
I am getting settled in Patzún..."poca a poca" or little by little. I am not going to lie- when I arrived here it was extremely overwhelming. I had two completely empty rooms. I just sat on the floor for about thirty minutes listening to my thoughts echo off the walls. My host family let me borrow a bed, sheets and blanket for the first few nights. Then my host mother helped me purchase a bed. It was pretty exciting. Everything is pretty exciting. Minus the bathroom...the pipe is broken, so it usually smells. I've tried a number of things to help, but haven yet to be successful. And I have a serious problem with mold. We have water from 6 am to 2 pm every other day. I have a collection of buckets (of water) to flush the toliet, bathe, wash my face, soak my laundry, etc. I've made friends with the carpenter who is cutting my wood for me to construct my furniture. I want to explain everything because it has so much meaning behind it, but you probably just want to see photos. So I will share photos as soon as everything is "complete".
I am currently living with a host family- single mother, who is a teacher, 76 year-old grandmother, who is extremely caring, 4 year-old boy, 1 1/2 year-old girl, 21 year-old "helper", who is super sweet. And I can't forget the chicken coop about two feet away from my door. Fortunately Molly and I have shared some laughs over the "cock-a-doodle-doo's" to help mask my frustrations. I am eating with my host family for the first month in hopes to improve my Spanish, learn Kaciquel, integrate into my family, and get my own "kitchen" set up. My family is very traditional- cook everything over the wood stove or "plancha", make their own tortillas daily (I think after two years, I am going to be really good at tortillaring), do not use eating utensils, or napkins, or a table. Multiple times throughout the meal (in Kaciquel) they say, "Eat!" while waving their fingers, palm facing up, in front of their mouth. My response (in Kaciquel) is, "Thanks!". We most usually have visitors, or family members, passing by for dinner. I have met so many people! I think I am related to at least fifty people in Patzún.
"Work"...(it's weird calling it that, but I don't know what else to call it) has been great!! Very busy. My first week here I had the opportunity to go to this amazing two-day training with International Youth Foundation, Central American Institute of Studies for Democratic Social, and U.S. Agency for International Development analyzing at-youth risk dynamics throughout Latin America. Not only did I learn a lot, but I also got to make a lot of contacts that I hope to work with in the future. It was a very formal/professional event that I was honored to be a part of. I met with the former Peace Corps Volunteer who started Los Amigos de Patzún (ADP) ten years ago. This was also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about ADP, how it started, what is expected of me, her experience in Patzún, etc. Last weekend I interviewed each one of the students who has a scholarship with ADP, so I can update their biographies. The schools have been good. It has been nice getting into the schools and getting to know the students and teachers. My director, Dr. Ball, came to visit. He actually lives five doors away from me; however, he is only here on the weekends. When he came we went to the schools to further expalin my role. We also talked about secondary projects! He has some wonderful ideas! One: sing, dance, band three week camp in November/Decemeber in English, Spanish and Kaquicel. Two: an academic competetion between schools. Right now they seem like huge projects, so we will see what happens. Anacleto showed me around the villages. I am hoping to be able to work in one more school in a village; however there are obstacles concerning transportation. The views from the villages are incredible! I hope I can get some photos to share with everyone.
Molly is due very soon!! I am pretty close to becoming an Auntie! This is extremely exciting. And sad that I will not be there for the birth. I have been able to talk to Molly a lot lately- she is absolutely happy, healthy, and ready to have a perfect babe!
Auntie Mags
