The Firsts of Guatemala (in 2018)

It's been a little over two months back in Guatemala and back to waking up to this view:

This view never gets old

Thanks to a generous donation, our living quarters got a lovely renovation. We now have concrete walls all over and tiling on the floor. We have a new sink big enough to wash dishes, but strangely, I'm missing washing with the pila. We also got a new roof crew! From last year, only Natalie and I stayed on. This year we have Heidi, another English teacher, and Stephanie a visiting Montessori teacher.

Community dinner with the new crew

I had my first weekend getaway on the second weekend of February. It was my boyfriend Chris' birthday so we took a quick trip to the lake with some of his friends. 

Weekend at Santa Cruz

School has been going, with its ups and downs. We aren't allowed to bring our phones in the classroom anymore, which means I have less pictures from class. The kids continue to be (mostly) enjoyable (haha). At the end of last year, the English team talked, and we decided on a new direction for the English program. We spent a lot of last year working on rewriting the curriculum, and (while still in a somewhat trial mode) we are implementing it this year. Last year they were receiving just English, and it was very grammar focused. We decided to change the English Program to let the students take different classes that are more interactive and fun (to increase interest and participation), and help the kids learn English in a more natural setting. So this year, the kids are receiving Language Arts, Music, Art, P.E., Life Skills, and Reinforcement in English. We still have a lot of work to do with the program, but we're very excited. I teach Language Arts to Kinder through Third, and I also do Montessori reinforcement work with Kinder, First, and Second. 

A few pictures I have from school are of our Valentine's celebration, and our fundraiser. For Valentine's Day, the kids came in for just half the day, and spent the morning with their respective classes playing games, doing a gift exchange, and snacking. It was a short and sweet morning, which I spent mostly with Third.

Valentine's with Third grader

But then popped down just before we were leaving to Second who were my beloved First graders last year.

Another event we had was a fundraiser to raise money for a school band. It was a whole Saturday morning of games all over the school that the kids had to pay Q1 to play. My station was "knock the cans down." I had mostly the younger kids playing (game after game after game), including a few ones who wouldn't stop playing until they won.

There were a whole lot of things going on including a marriage booth, a disco room, finding objects in flour, a haunted house, zumba, a beauty salon, and more.

I had fun manning my station, talking to the kids, and was happy to see one of my Fourth graders from last year who is no longer studying at the school, and also the First grade teacher who took a job at another school.

There was also some food for sale; I managed to leave my station for five minutes to get some yummy dobladas, before some kids who were determined to play my game found me and dragged me back. Students and their families came, and it was a joyous and successful event.

A few more things that have been going on -- halfway through February, our fourth English teacher, Amy, arrived. One Friday we headed to Pacific Center, a nearby commercial center, to bond and chill.

And on one Saturday, Natalie took us out to lunch for a belated birthday treat. We went to Cuatro Grados Norte, and ate at a cute restaurant called Kaffa. Every once in a while it's nice to get out of Villa Nueva and into a city. Though being in a place like Cuatro Grados Norte can sometimes feel like whole new world.

On another weekend, we were also invited to a Quince Años (15th birthday celebration) of one of the daughters of one of the pre-school teachers at school.

It was my first time to attend a quince años, and it was exciting being a part of the celebration. The quince años is a tradition celebrated in many South American countries, and varies from culture to culture, community to community, and even family to family. The one we attended started with a service and songs, and then the quinceañera (the celebrant) entered preceded by a court of girls carrying flowers, a bible, a ring, and shoes. Each symbolized something, though I'm not sure what. All I know is that the shoes were a pair of heeled shoes that the quinceañera changed into at the end. Once the quinceañera reached the altar there were some talks, then the partygoers lined up to greet her and give her a gift, and finally the celebration ended with food and drinks.

Below, the quinceañera being escorted by two guys, and then a picture with her mother. It was a nice Sunday afternoon with the members of the community.

Though I still enjoy work, weekends are a much needed break. I usually spend them in Antigua relaxing with Chris. The days have been getting warmer...

Beautiful sunny day in Antigua

...and Semana Santa (Holy Week) preparations are in swing. On the Sundays leading up to Holy Week there are always processions in Antigua (usually hosted by a neighboring town). On one Sunday I had to get the bus back from a different stop since the roads were closed off for a procession.

Along with the processions come to beautiful alfombras Guatemala is renowned for during Semana Santa. Every now and then we stumble upon them being made, and I can't help but pause for a moment to admire them.

It's alfombra season

Though I hear the crowds are maddening in Antigua during Semana Santa (I only spent Palm Sunday and the Monday after in Antigua last year), I'm looking forward to the break and all the festivities that will happen. :)