Foto Update

Hello, everyone! Happy fourth of July to all my American viewers. I hope you guys are enjoying your holidays!


This was a little bit of a surprise to me, but it is EXTREMELY cold here in Quetzaltenango... I'm talking 50's... So as you guys are enjoying your barbecues and warm weather, I am freezing my butt off, eating eggs and plantain chips, and sporting the only pair of pants I brought to this country.. Good times in Guatemala...


Today was my very first day of language school. My brain literally aches. There is no English spoken here. In fact, there are signs all over the school that politely ask that English not be spoken...of course the sign is in Spanish lol.


I had an absolutely amazing weekend. Like I mentioned in my former post, my host family is Christian. The family consists of a single mom and her daughter. For those of you who know me, you know that I am familiar with this particular familial dynamic. I went to church with them yesterday. They are Pentecostal, and it was an experience to say the least. The first thing I saw where horns. They wrapped around the men's arms in a way that I've never seen before. When I first walked in, I thought they were snake handling. It totally freaked me out until I realized there were, in fact, wind instruments as opposed to dangerous reptiles. There was dance music, bailando, horns, dancers, flags, etc. Like I said, an experience. Either way, I felt at home. I did not worship like them, and I only understood half the sermon, but I got so many hugs and kisses, I knew I was loved. We were all there for the same reason. Although they worship very differently than I do, we have the blood of Christ in common... and that is enough. 


After church, my family and I met up with a different family who lives in Zona 3. We ate a delicious meal, I met their son (Jorge, who may be in love with me... I'm not sure... and by not sure I mean I'm pretty sure), and I met their daughter who is 10. I get along with her phenomenally (we watched Hannah Montana together). We went to the mall and watched a very odd animal show/competition where pet owners dress their pets up in various costumes, played in an arcade, shopped a bit in the market, then went back to the house and ate dinner while watching a popular TV show here [Pequeños Gigantes]. It felt like just a normal day in the life of a Guatemalan. I was relieved to not be traversing the mountains or running around the city. I was in need of a restful, "normal" day. Well, as normal as it gets for a gringa living in the mountains of Guatemala.

I am extraordinarily grateful for these three weeks of respite before jumping into my mission trip. I am making friends and visiting places and simply enjoying myself. I don't remember the last time I was able to journal frequently, read a book for leisure's sake, and go out for the purpose of taking photos.

I am adjusting to the culture as best as I can. This is such a different world, I can hardly explain. Walking down the street, it is absolutely obvious that I am not from here. The natives are dressed beautifully in their traditional garb as I walk by with see-through skin, in skinny jeans, and socks with slip ons (fashion faux pas, I know, but it's cold). I can't help but wonder what they think about me.

Anyways, I have a lot of homework to do (yes, homework!) so I have to run. Today was my first day walking around the city and I took some pictures to give you an idea of my current environment. Tomorrow I have class until 1 then I'm going on a many-mile bike ride to a cultural site here in Quetzaltenango. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

I love you all!

This was written on the side of a building. Paz = Peace.

Can you see the white letters? They say "Cristo Viene." I love the mountain as well.

This is my front door. I really love doors.

I have never seen so many flavors of Tang in my life.
[Sidenote for Michael H: they have Tamarind flavor. If you'd like some, I can send some packets states-side.]

My juice!

I just liked this.

A very orange store.

My little side street :) 

I saw this wall and love, love, loved it.

Some sheep cruising the town.