Pretty in Pink and Gorgeous in Guatemala!: 1st Thanksgiving from home....

So I apologize that this blog is looking like a monthly post... I just had a very busy November traveling. Let me tell you about it!

October marked 3 months that we have been in our sites so in the beginning of November my training group got together for Reconnect. We spent a week back in the Peace Corps Guatemala office talking about our 1^st three months and also learning more Spanish. I was asked by another volunteer how it felt to be back in the office… I smiled and said “Like being back at home!” It’s interesting how much of an impact the office had on me. But also, I was coming in the office as a Volunteer, and not as a Trainee, so I felt a sense of ownership, like I belong! It was a great feeling!

I heard a lot about what Reconnect is “about” from older volunteers and how they compared themselves to each other and it wasn’t a pleasant experience for them. However, my Reconnect experience was fabulous. Other than a sense of pride for where I was, it was sooo great to see everyone from my training group (I’m not big on reunions, so I was pleasantly surprised on how good it was to see everyone). But for me, the most fabulous part was the time we spent discussing our first three months, what we’ve experienced and overcome. I was happy to hear all the wonderful things people were doing in their sites and took notes on some things I could do as well. I guess for me, I went in to Reconnect knowing that I am doing everything I possibly can in my site and that comparing myself to what other volunteers was doing, wasn’t where my head was. I wanted ideas on things I could do in the future or ways to improve my Promoter groups. And I got exactly just what I wanted.

After 2 days of getting additional training, we spent 3 days learning more Spanish. I’m not sure why this Spanish session was different for me, well maybe because I’ve been spending so much time speaking and I had questions and things I wanted to learn. So I was really excited about my session and the things I learned. I realized that there is soooo much I need to learn and how far I am from being fluent, which is my ultimate goal. I’ve made a goal to really spend time studying and perfecting my speech. I feel confident that I can achieve my goal because I have an awesome host-family that helps me and some other people I can practice my Spanish with. God has definitely blessed me in so many ways. I am very Thankful!

So, after Reconnect, I spent another week traveling and having a mini-vacation (I say “mini” because it seems that when volunteers take vacations it’s for weeks at a time, lol). But first, I went to a place called Monterrico, where I had my first Guatemalan beach experience. It was very interesting. The beaches there are black sand beaches because the sand is made from volcanic ash over the years. You could definitely feel it too, its hard under your feet, almost like walking on glass. But it was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous. We went because they had a Sea Turtle exhibition, in which they released baby sea turtles into the ocean. That was really fun and different. I’m glad I have different types of friends because I probably wouldn’t have done that had someone else not had the idea first. And of course, my motto here is to say yes much much more than I say no… I’m here, I might as well do all that I can, especially the things I wouldn’t normally do in the States. And I am glad I did.

Monterrico was just one night. The next few days we went to one of my close volunteer friends’ house, who is also a Soror, and had a roof top barbecue! We had so much fun, ate really good and just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. It was really good to be out of site and enjoying the company of my friends. We also did a little volunteer talk, so I got some pointers as to what I need to do as I fulfill my service (having been one of the newest volunteers). So that was great.

However, the absolute best part of my vacation was I trip to Livingston. After the rooftop barbecue, we got up super early and started our half-day travel to Rio Dulce/Livingston. We spent one night in Rio Dulce, which is gorgeous as well and then traveled to Livingston. Livingston is not like any other place in Guatemala. It spoke to me because Livingston is where the Afro-Caribbean Guatemalans live. They look exactly like me and other African Americans, except their Guatemalans that speak Garifuna (their own language, in which they are named) and Spanish. It was awesome getting to know them, walking around their town, and seeing the struggles they have, much like those African Americans suffer in the states. I was amazed, puzzled, and overjoyed all at the same time. I met some wonderful people and had the time of my life. I can honestly say that since I’ve been in Guatemala, I have not had as good of a time as I did there. And it wasn’t just the partying, it was the conversing, the hanging out, the relaxing … all of it was awesome and just what I needed. I actually was sad to go… but had to get back to my site and get some work done. I’m glad I had such a great time because I felt ready to work, especially since I had been away from site for 2 weeks, it was time to get back to work.

Speaking of being away from site for 2 weeks, I must comment that my awesome host-family missed me a lot! I loved the fact that my host- mom would call me every now and then and check on me to make sure I was doing ok. Also talked to one of my host sisters and my host-mom’s dad. One time they called me and everyone said hello to me, I guess I was on speaker phone. And I missed them as well. It’s great that I can say I have a great relationship with them. I can imagine how it will be when my service is up… but I’ll deal with that when that time comes!

I guess that is all for now… Thanks for reading!!!

A few pictures from my vacation!