All in a week´s time.

Week numero uno in Xela...done and done! I´ve realized after being here for only a week just how much I can fit into a day...let me say - it is a lot. I would say that I have somewhat settled into a routine, and I am slowly feeling aquainted with the city, but there is still a lot to learn and experience.

Jennie (one of my fellow Finca volunteers) and I were placed in the Arroyo Family house. It turns out we got pretty lucky with this placement, as several clues throughout the week have revealed this family lives quite comfortably in probably the middle-middle to upper-middle class here in Xela. Thus, we are spoiled with the same comforts. We live in a multi-leveled house with many rooms. I have my own fairly spacious bedroom with a beautiful view of the city. I have not yet had to experince cold showers because they have an amazing water heater (which must be lit manualy). Veronica (the madre of the house) is a fantastic cook...we have eaten tipical Guatemalan foods all the way to Chinese food, Spaghetti, small steaks...needlesstosay, our food is delish. They are a very nice family that has been very welcoming. My one slight frustration with living with them is that I often can tell what they are talking about in general, but not specifically, so it is very hard for me to have conversations with them. I feel a bit like a mute, but I guess there is something to be experinced in that. And, I am praying and hoping that will improve with time.

My Spanish classes are long and hard, but very, very good. My teacher, Flor, and I literally sit in a cubical of sorts (but a very cozy one) and work on improving my Spanish for more or less 5 hours a day with about a 30 minute break. It is intense, but she is a great teacher who often takes conversation breaks to explain different things and traditions of Guatemala. I have learned a lot more than just Spanish from her in a week. I think we work very well together, and I am greatful for that. Juan Sisay, my school, also sponsors great actividies in the afternoons. I have spoken English with local high school students, visited the oldest Catholic Church for sure in Guate, but maybe in Central America (didn´t quite get that fact from the translation), visited a women´s co-op that is spectacular, and heard a lecture on the situation of women here in Guatemala. My brain is swirling with Guatemalan facts and history.

This past weekend I did probably one of the most difficult things of my life. I hiked/climbed up a 5,000 ft inactive volcano (mind you we are already about 7,000 ft above sea level...Volcano Santa Maria. I have been trying to decide if running a marathon is harder or easier! However, it was an amazing experience that really tried my will power. Three other students and myself began our hike at about 1 AM...yes, in the morning, and hiked for about 5 hours to make it to the top in time to see the sunrise. I did fine until about the last hour when the high altitude took its toll on my lungs, heart, and body. I was winded after about 10 steps. It was so, so hard. Several times, I had to fight back the urge to quit. Just when I thought for sure I wasn´t going to make it, our guide Carolos, took my hand and helped/dragged me up to the top. It was so worth it when I finally got up there. The view was amazing. We were so high that clouds passed below us or came right at us and passed. There is an active volcano not far away and you can see it perfectly from the summit. We got to see it erupt, and I felt like I was watching a National Geographic special or something. After about an hour of taking in the sights, we decended and it took only 2.5 hours! I would completely recommend everyone to do this if you are in the area, but I must admit I will not be doing it again!

We had another intersting experience last night in our house. Veronica told us that we were not going to be eating dinner in the dining room, but instead in the lower living room (they have more than one!) because the little Jesus was coming. We did not know what this meant, but went with it. So, at dinner time, we showed up in the lower living room and found the whole family (Veronica, her husband, their 4 kids, 6 grandchildren, 3 neighbors, and 4 seminarians) surrounded around a 1.5 foot Jesus, laying in rest on a red velvet bed. We had a prayer service, then had a small dinner of sandwiches and cookies. Jesus stays in your house for 24 hours, then goes to another house every night. He also brings with him a book that every family writes special intentions on and decorates. I do not know exactly how a family gets this honor, but it was obvious that it is very important to our family. I felt honored to be at our house for this speacial occasion.

Other than those experiences, I have just been trying to study as much as I can. Depending on who is talking and what they are talking about, I would say I understand a fair amount, but I am not comfortable at all with my speaking abilities. I am very happy to have 6 or 7 more weeks here.

I hope all is well with you all. Know that I said a speacial prayer for you all last night during the prayer service over the traveling Jesus. You are all in my heart. Peace to you all.

A Lesson in Kindness & Patience.

Well, after a more or less three day trip, and some frustrating delays...I have arrived in Xela, Guatemala!

I began my journey on Saturday morning at about 3am, as my family took me to the airport in Chicago. My first flight was delayed an hour due to ¨technical problems¨, but it went fine. I had a 4 hour layover, but I met Jennie, one of my fellow Finca volunteers. We were chatting, making sure to listen to every announcement...no problems. We realized about 10 minutes after our flight was supposed to leave that we had heard nothing about it. I walked around...couldn´t find it on the boards...nada.

Well, it turns out that our flight had changed gates, of course without an announcement, and apparently they made an announcement for final boarding, but we and 8 other people did not hear it! We literally missed the plane by 15 minutes!!! Frustrating to say the least. After a few choice words and some less than polite talks with representatives, we placed ourselves in the re-ticketing line. We remainded here for approximately 2.5 hours...and it must be noted that when we got in line we were only 3rd or 4th in line!

Good news is we were reticketed for Sunday free of charge, but without a place to spend the night. HOWEVER...we made friends in line with an adorable family who lives in Miami, had problems as well, and offered to take us in! I know it probably wasn´t the ¨safest¨idea, but my heart and Jennie´s heart...and our tired bodies said...YES! It was the best decision ever. This family was so kind...they took us, let us swim in their man-made, backyard pond (seriously), ordered great pizza for us, and gave us a great bed! It was just what we needed. We arrived to the airport way on time on Sunday...and made our flight...everything great. Oh and our luggage, which was on the plane the day before, was still there! Amazing.

Once we arrrived, Gilda, a great woman, picked us up from the airport and took us to her home/hostel. She is awesome. Her and her two daughters speak perfect English and were so accomidating! They made us dinner, drove us to the bus station (making sure tha we were all set) and were just beautiful people!

SO...after a 4.5 hour long, super bumpy bus ride on something that resembled a road, we are her in Xela safe and sound! We went briefly to our school, but I am anxious to get started tomorrow.

So, with all that being said...I am happy to be here and hopeful for the future months. Pray I can aquire this language! Much love!