Hello all.

Further updates on our travels!

So, we last left off in Xela learning Spanish. It continued to go well, and as we adjusted more to all the new things, we started to make some friends. On Thursday the school organizes a big 'futbol' game for all the teachers and students. It was really fun, although the Guatemalans showed us up A LOT. I played goalie for a lot of it, and even stopped a few goals!

Then, there was a big international dinner at the school on Friday where all the students made something from home. As the only place to cook was in our family's house, and it was a bit awkward. We opted for something very simple. Ouevos Diablo. Or, as we like to say Deviled Eggs. A big hit, and a lot of fun. Steve sang a song in Spanish, and afterwords we all went out.

THEN on Sat, we had a big treat. We went for a trek up a mountain, and our guide was an ex-geurilla, and was REALLY interesting. He kept pointing out paths, that they used to walk on carrying 100 pound bags for days on end, and explaining the communal atmosphere and belief system they shared. It was really interesting, and seriously remarkable. At the top was a beautiful view. Then, in the evening we went out and ate some SERIOUSLY good Indian food with about 20 other students. AND THEN!!! the biggest treat of all, we went to see the local soccer team play. It was amazing. So, they don't let you bring any plastic bottles, or beverages in. You have to poor any water into a little plastic baggie. BUT, they let people bring in as many fireworks )and I mean fireworks, not puny sparklers, giant fireworks, in the sky kind). And big drums and trumpets and flags. So, soon as they announce that the Xela team is entering the field everyone goes NUTS. They throw millions of cut up pieces of newspaper in the air )sorry environment) and then set of an INSANE amount of fireworks. I mean in the totally packed stands. Not safe, but really hilarious. The air was literally black with firework smoke, and you couldn't see the field for 5 minutes. THen throughout the game they were playing different songs, and shouting different chants. It really was a unique experience!

A change of pace.... we arrived at the mountain school. It was just heavenly, and if we hadn't already had plane tickets, I would have gladly stayed another week. It is, essentially, in the middle of nowhere. A small little house, where all the students sleep, and then in the garden out back are individual little study huts. So, wonderful. I absolutely LOVED my teacher. She was young, and smart, and interesting, and we just chatted away the whole time. Yes in Spanish. She was very patient as I furiously flipped through the dictionary. She was really interested in talking about the problems and oppression women face here, and what can be done to change it. It is still a really chauvinistic society, and the women are expected to do all the work in the home, even if they are the only one working. It is also really unsafe for women who are alone, and there is no sympathy if a women gets attacked, as they just say- well she should have had a man with her. My teacher was really interested in theater, and we talked a lot about the different shows I have done.

We had class in the morning, and then in the afternoon we either lounged around in hammocks studying and doing homework, or went to the closest town about 20 min by 'picop'. )basically just the back of a pick up truck, with metal bars around it so you don't fall out on the windy turns!)

We ate every meal with a family. The families are all from two communities. Both of which used to work on a coffee finca, and were seriously oppressed when coffee prices fell and the owners refused to pay them. One community didn't get paid for 5 years. Eventually they filed a law suit, the owner, to punish them, stopped letting their kids go to school, or the women use the water well, or letting them collect wood for their cooking fires. Anyway, this is greatly simplifying things, but ultimately they won their lawsuit, and a charity helped them get the land they are on now.

My family was really generous and kind and although they have so little, were always happy to share. the kitchen was just dirt floor and a big cement 'stove' with a hole in the middle that you stuffed full of wood to keep the fire going. the woman who cooked for me was about 75 years old, and wonderfully smiley and kind. her two granddaughters lived with her, as did her daughter. I had a lot of fun with the youngest daughter...I taught her a bunch of ballet, and tap and yoga. I think she really enjoyed it, and I didn't need much Spanish! the food was amazing. Much better than in Xela. the best breakfast of all was pancakes with grilled plantains and honey! And she cooked a lot of vegetable soups and pasta. No fruit, and almost no meat -which was obviously fine with me- as it is too expensive.

We 'graduated' yesterday, and I had to make a speech in Spanish, and Stephen sang a song. And then we left for this town called San Pedro which is on a totally spectacular lake. Surrounded by volcanoes and small towns it is just idyllic. the town we are in is basically a backpacker's heaven with cafes and restaurants and beautiful hand made clothes for sale. It is really a wonderful and fun spot to be, although, after two weeks of being so involved with Guatemalans it is strange to be eating in places where the only Guatemalans are in the kitchen. And, a lot of the places have dogs which are cool with all the hippie white kids, but bark like crazy if an old Guatemalan walks in. A little upsetting.

We are leaving early tomorrow for Guatemala City and then Monday morning we fly to Lima...and hop right on a 30 hour bus ride to cuzco! oh boy!!!!


Missing everyone, and would love to hear how you are, and what you are up to.

Much love, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!

Alaina and Stephen