Happy Birthday DAD!!!!!

Ahorita toda esta bien!!!

Before I left I had the best meal of my life. Stuffed Salmon, beer, potatoes, and the biggest slice of choc. cake. At that point I thought ¨Let´s do this.¨

As we left from DC at 2 bells en la mañana I kind of thought what are you doing and what did you sign up for. At the airport there were a few problems with Drewski packing way way way way way to much, but it all made it here.

We went by bus to the training center and it was a little tough traveling through the mountains, however, the traing center is such a beautiful place. Mountains in the background with flowers and trees everywhere. !Que Bonita!

I then went on to meet my family. As they walked me down a dirt path to meet them I wasn´t sure what to expect. I met mi Mama Consuelo and standing behind her were five of the cutest kids with ballons and a sign that said ¨Bienvenido Andrew Anderson¨

I had to take a quick siesta and then the kids and I went to play futbol and basketball at the park. The kids warmed up to me very quick and before I knew it I had tons of little Guatemalan friends.

When we got home I met the father of the house Rocael. We talked for a while about sports and to my suprise he asked me ¨Te gusta beisbol?¨ Of course baseball is my favorite sport! Next thing I knew we were watching the Yankees and Tigers game on ESPN ESPAÑOL. He said he loves basketball and showed me his Lebron James jersey that cost him 80 US dollars. He runs a basketball league in town and invited me to play on the weekends we he doesn´t have work. I plan to school and dunk on every Guatemalan in town.

Today when I got home my little bro ROY (third grade) and I played futbol in the streets for a while when for fun I threw a kid up in the air and caught him. Next thing I knew 15 kids mobbed me for a ride. All the kids on the yell (ANDRES ANDRES) and I am really having fun with all of them.

The food has been really good. Fruits, tortillas, rice, small steak.

My room is also nice. It is like having my own apt. away from the family. I have a living area and a bedroom.

I am really happy and doing great. Thank you all for the comentarios, and I just have to repeat by saying please be careful what you write.

Hope to get my phone soon!!!!

Take care,

Drewski

First day of Staging

All I have to say is WOW!!!

What are wonderful group of people I have met today. Volunteers from all over the US and one that is even Puerto Rican. It is amazing to hear the backgrounds from my fellow volunteers, and I must say that I am very impressed by all of them. I went out to eat at an Irish Pub this evening with Liam and Abraham. I had to write that just to make Grandma Carole and Murph proud.

Anyway, all is well and I am getting ready for the full day of meetings tomorrow. Can you believe that on Wednesday I will already be in Guatemala?

Drewski

See You Later! Hasta Luego!

Well…

It is so hard to believe that this day has finally come. I can’t believe that I am about to embark on this journey to Guatemala. Over the last month I have had much time to think about how fortunate I am. I am so thankful for my family and friends. I will miss all of you so very much, but understand that my passion is to serve in the Peace Corps. I hope all of you can find that passion in your life that motivates you to get up in the morning.


Take care and keep in touch,

Drewski



No puedo creo que mi dia para viajar a Guatemala esta ocuriendo. Durante el mes pasado tenia mucho tiempo para pensar sobre los afortunados en mi vida. Tengo mucho suerte!!! Estoy muy feliz tener mis amigos y mi toda familia. Voy a extreñar ustedes mucho durante mi servicios en Guatemala.

Cuidate y escribame cuado tiene la oportunidad,
Drewsito

Frantic Preparation

I am currently preparing to leave for orientation on August 28th, 2006 to serve in the Peace Corps Guatemala. I will be working for the program of Municipal Development and the overall purpose is:

To facilitate and strengthen the relationship between the municipal government, particularly the planning office, and the citizenry so that the local government provides services that satisfy the demands of the population.