This past week, all the volunteers of my training class (#124) got together again at our main office for what is known to us as "Reconnect". Many of us are spread out across Guatemala, so we don't get too many chances to see each other. This was a chance for all of us to get together and discuss our feelings about the last 3 months in our sites (whether we are doing good or bad, challenges we are facing, and ideas to help others). In my site, I’m very happy. I live in a “Zona Urbana”, which means no crazy long walks just to get home. For the most part, I have paved roads in town, and I can buy groceries at a supermarket if I want. Most of the time, I go to the market because the prices are cheaper and the fruits and vegetables are super fresh. I pretty much buy watermelon at least 2 times a week. It’s so good. At work, I am happy to work with my guys out in the coffee fincas. I have learned so much from them in such a short amount of time. I feel so blessed to have a job where I learn from them as much as they learn from me, if not more.

It’s funny taking this time to reflect on the last three months. We’ve been here for 6 months now! I wonder how I will be at the year mark, or the 2 year mark. Time is flying by. I was just talking to my brother the other day about how I can’t wait for my sister to come and visit. I want to show her Guatemala! I am officially a resident of Guatemala. I know I am because I can show someone else around comfortably. I could not have done this 3 months ago or 5 months ago. I am very proud to know that I have acclimated to my surroundings. I take pride in the department and town I live in. I’m quite sure I will be even more hard core by the time I am set to leave this beautiful place.

The rest of the week, some of us who Spanish skills were not that high at the end of training had to come for Spanish classes. I was very excited about this because I love Spanish classes. I’m doing better now than at the end of training, but people in my site do not correct my bad Spanish like teachers do. Most of the time in my “aldeas”, they speak broken Spanish like I do. They mostly speak their Mayan language of Kaqchikel. Unfortunately, this week I have been really sick. I could not finish out my Spanish classes. I have the “gripe”. In English, I have a cold. I have the worst cough I have had in years. I think it’s so bad because I can’t really breathe on top of the coughing. Needless to say, I have been in bed resting as much as I can. Hope to be back at 100% by Monday.

Here's a copy of the poem that got me to this part of the adventure in my life.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.