(6/4-6) ¡Vamos a la Guatemala!


Arrived in Guatemala City on Sunday! After a 4 hour bus ride yesterday, we got to meet our homestay families in Xela. Everyone is so unbelievably sweet and patient, despite my very broken Spanish. There are also two babies in the family, and they are ADORABLE. Even after just a day spending time at the homestay, I realized that yes, language does limit communication but a willingness to connect with people and having an open mind trumps that barrier.


I haven't been abroad in a couple years, and never in my life a country like Guatemala that is so different from America. It's been really eye-opening and refreshing to be around a culture and city completely different from the one I'm used to. It's easy to forget that an entire world of different people and cultures exists outside of the bubble I live in, so this month in Guatemala will definitely be a life-changing experience. So excited to explore the country and learn learn learn!

Last night was a blast! We all went to a bar and had drinks (including the Blowjob and Trashcan). We got the waiters to join us for some of Scott's magic tricks, which was super fun. Everyone here is so fun and kind, it's amazing.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

(6/13-14) 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake But It's Fine

Image
After the morning Spanish classes, we got to listen to Dr. Fredy Salanic speak about the Guatemalan health system and diabetes. As we listened to him speak about health and some of the prevalent problems Guatemala faces, it seemed like the country has adequate resources, maybe even an abundance. It's so unfortunate and bizarre that all these problems arise because they aren't being allocated fairly and because many Guatemalans just aren't aware that these problems even exist. My Spanish teacher also talked about how the health system is very good in theory, because treatment is free most of the time or at very low cost. However, it isn't working in reality because of corruption and lack of resources. It's frustrating because it seems like many of the problems can be alleviated if the wealth and resources were properly allocated. It's crazy to realize how crucial education and being aware of what's happening around you is to society. Even though Guatemala ...
Read more

(6/20-21) Vaccines, Por Favor

Image
Our afternoon activity for today was listening to lectures from Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez, a specialist in infectious diseases. We learned about rabies and diseases caused by parasites in Guatemala. Many families, especially in more rural areas, prefer witches or traditional medicine over hospitals, which often doesn’t solve illnesses caused by parasites. It’s so crazy how many of these diseases could be easily fixed with a vaccine or medicine from a doctor, but fear or doubt gets in the way. We also talked about how this problem really is a problem without passports, because many communities in the United States have doubts against vaccines or don’t think they’re necessary. Human stubbornness is one of the most difficult things to surpass. Oh, forgot to mention. Before heading to the lectures, Sofia, Elaine, and I got ice cream from Pops in Parque Central. HIGHLY recommend. Cheap but amazing ice cream. You have to try the cappuccino chocolate shell with nuts, it was heavenly wit...
Read more

(6/23) So I Almost Died

Image
After everyone took a couple hours to recover from that delightful 18 hour trip, we started on our first activity in Semuc. River tubing!  Okay, the title of this post is kind of an exaggeration, but I literally thought I was going to die. So it all started off super fun, the river was super cooling against the scorching heat. I was well ahead the rest of the group because I couldn't slow myself down, but it was fine until a fork came up in the river. Before I knew it, I was floating down the right side, when the guide and everyone else was yelling LEFT LEFT. While they were all yelling SWIM BACK I helplessly flailed my arms and failed miserably to fight the current. I hopped off my tube and tried to swim, but that was an epic failure too. The current was getting stronger and stronger, and the group was soon out of sight and I was surrounded by nothing but trees floating in a river. Thoughts of surviving alone in the jungle like those wild survivor shows filled my head, wh...
Read more