Today is Guatemala's Independence Day so this weekend has been crazy with people out doing all their celebration.
Yesterday after breakfast we went to the gym then some of our group ran back to the base to celebrate Independence day because that is what a lot of people do here as part of the celebration and we followed them in the van (incase anyone needed to be picked up). Then after lunch Susy took Olga, Alicia, and I to Finca Fhiladelphia which is a coffee farm that is really beautiful and it's kind of a fancy place.
Last night I went out on Soul Patrol. There were a ton of people out because of Independence Day. We had a good time but by the time I got back I was pretty tired.
This morning I went with Susy, Kalisa, Mykala, to breakfast in Antigua. It was good then Kalisa left and we picked up Alicia and Olga and drove to San Lucas to go to church and then went shopping.
When we got back I was just exhausted. My stomach started bothering me a little and it has continued today, I am just wore out. Tomorrow begins week number 8, Hallelujah! Things are good here but I do look forward to it being over.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
THIS WEEK
Thought I should write something for this week since here it is Thursday already and I haven't written anything. The week has been good but busy as usual. The topic for class this week is "The Renewed Mind" and the teacher is Darrell Doberman from Minnesota. He is a good teacher.
Other things have been pretty uneventful, just the usual school, work, ministry, and homework. Tomorrow is Friday and then the weekend which is always good.
Other things have been pretty uneventful, just the usual school, work, ministry, and homework. Tomorrow is Friday and then the weekend which is always good.
Monday, September 9, 2013
EARTHQUAKES and ADVENTURE
That is what I have been experiencing earthquakes and adventure. Friday evening aboit 6 there was an earthquake which was most definitely noticeable. We were about ready to lesve for our "girls night out" when everthing started to shake and it really shook for quite a long time, about 30 seconds. Since it happened while everyone was up it pretty much freaked everyone out including me. Later I was told it was a 5.6 and that in another town called Xela it was stronger and some people were killed.
Saturday morning I went with Alicia to her home near Lake Atitlan which was quite an adventure. Susy took us to Antigua to take a shuttle to Panahachel but first we had bagels and coffee which were good. When we got to Panahachel we had to take a boat across the Lake to Santiago Atitlan. Then we took a tok-tok up the mountain a ways then in the back of a pickup truck a ways and finally in a van the rest of the way which wasn't much futher.
It was a lot of firsts, first time taking a shuttle in Guatemala, first boat ride on Lake Atitlan, first time in a tok-tok, and first time in the back of a pickup in the mountains of Guatemala like a true native.
When we got to Alicia's it was quite interesting. Her family has an orphanage that currently has about 30 kids. The house is very large and old with rock walls about 1 1/2 feet thick that sits right at the base of a very tall, very steep mountain. What an experience.
Saturday morning I went with Alicia to her home near Lake Atitlan which was quite an adventure. Susy took us to Antigua to take a shuttle to Panahachel but first we had bagels and coffee which were good. When we got to Panahachel we had to take a boat across the Lake to Santiago Atitlan. Then we took a tok-tok up the mountain a ways then in the back of a pickup truck a ways and finally in a van the rest of the way which wasn't much futher.
It was a lot of firsts, first time taking a shuttle in Guatemala, first boat ride on Lake Atitlan, first time in a tok-tok, and first time in the back of a pickup in the mountains of Guatemala like a true native.
When we got to Alicia's it was quite interesting. Her family has an orphanage that currently has about 30 kids. The house is very large and old with rock walls about 1 1/2 feet thick that sits right at the base of a very tall, very steep mountain. What an experience.
Friday, September 6, 2013
OUTREACH
It was finally announced last night where we are going for outreach!
We are flying to Panama and will go to a couple of different places there and then go to Costa Rica and a couple of places there and fly back to Guatemala from there. They said we would be doing ministry in the city and the jungle both.
We are flying to Panama and will go to a couple of different places there and then go to Costa Rica and a couple of places there and fly back to Guatemala from there. They said we would be doing ministry in the city and the jungle both.
FINALLY
Finally I got this blogger.com to work on my tablet again. I have tried and tried and messed with it and now it is workingup right.
Today I got training in the art of machete-ing (now that was training I wasn't expecting and did not enjoy, it killed my arm). As Americanos or gringos as we are at times called here and not always affectionately either I don't believe, we could really be able to save money and energy.
When I return home I won't need hoses and certainly not a pressure washer, simply an inexpensive plastic watering container for cleaning off the cement. Then no more lawnmower or weed trimmer, just get out the machete to mow, cut down weeds, and trim.
These are some really valuable skills to acquire and I am sure there are more to be learned.
Oh, here is something else, instead of buying an expensive car one can buy a motor scooter and fit the whole family on it to get around, dad, mom, and a couple of kids. Imagine the savings there.
Today I got training in the art of machete-ing (now that was training I wasn't expecting and did not enjoy, it killed my arm). As Americanos or gringos as we are at times called here and not always affectionately either I don't believe, we could really be able to save money and energy.
When I return home I won't need hoses and certainly not a pressure washer, simply an inexpensive plastic watering container for cleaning off the cement. Then no more lawnmower or weed trimmer, just get out the machete to mow, cut down weeds, and trim.
These are some really valuable skills to acquire and I am sure there are more to be learned.
Oh, here is something else, instead of buying an expensive car one can buy a motor scooter and fit the whole family on it to get around, dad, mom, and a couple of kids. Imagine the savings there.
BLOGGER PROBLEMS
Wow, it has been since last week I have written anything but at first it was because I didn't have free time when the Internet was available but then I couldn't get my blog to call up on my tablet and I thought the problem would clear up but it hasn't. So,
I am using my phone to
Write this and is seems to be working.
Well I was going to write about my work experience on Thursday at the school we went to work at. It is interesting the cultural differences. We were working in the courtyard cleaning. The ground was cement and we were sweeping and then they brought out a sprinkling can like you use to water flowers and asked us to sprinkle water on the pavement to keep the dust down. Now it's not like the water is not going to dry and there would continue to be dust but when in Rome (or Guatemala) do as the Romans. There was a hose and an outside water spicket but why use those when you can use a watering can. We swept as we watered so I think it did wash some of the dirt off and maybe it was a good idea although I don't plan on using that method when I get home.
I will post this and go back to trying to get my tablet to work.
I am using my phone to
Write this and is seems to be working.
Well I was going to write about my work experience on Thursday at the school we went to work at. It is interesting the cultural differences. We were working in the courtyard cleaning. The ground was cement and we were sweeping and then they brought out a sprinkling can like you use to water flowers and asked us to sprinkle water on the pavement to keep the dust down. Now it's not like the water is not going to dry and there would continue to be dust but when in Rome (or Guatemala) do as the Romans. There was a hose and an outside water spicket but why use those when you can use a watering can. We swept as we watered so I think it did wash some of the dirt off and maybe it was a good idea although I don't plan on using that method when I get home.
I will post this and go back to trying to get my tablet to work.
LAST WEEKEND
I wanted to comment on last weekend. After gym Alicia and I stayed in town and did a little shopping which was good. I got a t-shirt and a purse which I like at the artisan market. Sunday Alicia, Olga, y yo went to San Lucas to church. Alicia had lived in that town for a while with her sister and liked the church she went to there. After breakfast Sunday morning we had to walk down and catch the bus to Antigua where we needed to get a bus to Guatemala City because San Lucas is on the way. I need to comment that it is a beautiful drive through mountains and we made that drive a couple of weeks ago when we went to a park together on Saturday and on the drive home I was sitting by Bruce who pointed out 2 or 3 places where the chicken buses had gone off the road and killed people because the drivers dirve too fast. Now that is exactly what we were doing was taking a "chicken bus" and I was very mindful of the stories Bruce had related to me so we prayed for safety and protection as we waited for the bus.
We were blessed with safe travels. After church we went to Domino's pizza for lunch and it was pretty good. Then we went to the Megapaca which is a kind of nice second hand store and that was kind of fun. Then we braved the chicken bus for our return travel.
Oh, on the way to San Lucas the guy that collects money on the bus tried to rip me off because he thought I was a dumb gringa. But I knew the price was 5Q and the change he tried giving me wasn't right. I like hanging out with Alicia and Olga, they are both Guatemalans.
We were blessed with safe travels. After church we went to Domino's pizza for lunch and it was pretty good. Then we went to the Megapaca which is a kind of nice second hand store and that was kind of fun. Then we braved the chicken bus for our return travel.
Oh, on the way to San Lucas the guy that collects money on the bus tried to rip me off because he thought I was a dumb gringa. But I knew the price was 5Q and the change he tried giving me wasn't right. I like hanging out with Alicia and Olga, they are both Guatemalans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)