I hope this was worth the wait

A chis(Which means Oh man) On my way over to write this blog I stopped to get a bag of water. Yes here they don’t serve water in bottles but rather in mini plastic bags. Anyway as I left the water bag stand I hit my head so hard on the roof that I nearly took down the entire structure with the screaming of ¨Tranquilo Gringo¨ Take it easy Gringo.

It has been way to long since I have written on here and for that I apologize. Granted I have to walk all the way over here to the internet café and then pay quetzales to use the computer so I what am I talking about I don’t have to apologize to anyone.

A few weeks ago I was staying in Antigua during HOLY WEEK for a reunion I had with my director and other volunteers. Throughout service we have to reunite in order to discuss any major success or failures in our site. The week gave me the opportunity to see my old host family and visit them throughout the week. Also, it was amazing to be in Antigua during this week. The people here in general are extremely religious (For example when I leave the office for a trip my counterpart and coworkers always tell me ¨Have a great trip and always put GOD first¨) so it was very interesting to experience a culture that comes together during HOLY WEEK. Families spend entire nights decorating the streets with flowers or painted designs so that the next day groups of men and women can carry Jesus and Mary statues over the decorations. Even though I was severely homesick during this time for my family (Because I always go to Minnesota for Easter) it was fascinating to experience.

The end of Holy week was the third birthday of my little host brother Jarol. I just can’t get over how cute he is. I have no idea what the piñata was but it scared me a little. It is tradition here to force the kids face into the cake, however, this cute little guy did it voluntarily to make everyone laugh. That is why I nicknamed him the Payasito (little clown)

I always feel it necessary to put things into perspective for you gringos back in the states so that you never forget how great your life is in the NORTE. Today on the way to work a funeral procession passed me. In Guatemala families carry the coffin through the entire town’s streets to pay the last respect as the rest of family and friends follow. It is a neat tradition as they also have a band play throughout the entire procession. Anyway I asked my friend Gabriel who died and how. He told me it was a young guy my age trying to get into the United States and died trying to cross the border. How sad is that, someone in my community died trying to live the life that all of you are given everyday. It really put things into PERSPECTIVE for me and I hope it does for you as well. Also, there is a tremendous controversy here lately. The teachers in several departments (Which are like states) have not been paid for nearly a month now. Because of them not receiving pay they recently went on strike and now today have taken as far as blocking off several highways across the nation. I can’t even go to my department capitol now in order to do my grocery shopping because of these road blocks, but they should have it resolved in the next few days. I have several friends and family who are teachers back in the states and hope that this can demonstrate to them how lucky they are along with students benefiting from free education.

Lately I have kind of hit the Peace Corps wall which is expected. During the first few months you live in the honeymoon and euphoria of being in another country and experiencing a new culture. Unfortunately that wears off and then the real challenge of being a volunteer sets in. The biggest challenge of being here is finding ways to occupy the free time. You can only read so many books and watch illegal pirated DVDs that you buy in the market before you break and feel very lonely. Fortunately I found something to fill a bit of my free time that has been extremely fun. You are reading the blog of the Municipal Soccer teams Goalie. For a kid that has never played soccer in his life I have gotten much better and people last week were cheering for me. It feels so good to be a part of a team when we play nearly every weekend. During the week we have practice and I have made a lot of good friends since joining the team. With respect to my job I think I am going to start volunteering with the forestry department. They are planting trees in the villages to help fight deforestation and I feel that is a worthwhile project. It is only natural to get homesick and luckily I have amazing friends and family who have sent me care packages, inspiring emails, and thankfully many phone calls to help me get through the difficult times. All I have to say is thank you for your support.


Take care,

Drewski or in Guatemala Drewskito