Hello Folks!
My group made it back from Chiapas on Friday safely. The past two days we spent at CASAS and are getting ready to go to Antigua for Holy Week, also trying to pack up to come home! Our time in Chiapas was a whirl wind of experiences, from the good to the bad. It was about 20 degrees gotter in Chiapas and really humid. Good thing it was the rainy season, at least it felt cooler during the evening. The people there were so kind and open, it was a small town and everyone knew each other. The food there was quite different at times, and so was the culture. Our group may have had a hard time adjusting because everyone seemed to be getting sick, even me. (And my mom knows how often I get sick...very rarely.)
We stayed in host families again and we stayed in pairs. Our house was a little bit outside, with no shower, and no toilet seat. But my host mom always made everything good! The coffee plantations were incredible! The focus on getting as many plants per hectacre and know every tree by name and what it does. I am so amazed at the work they put in.
Okay, Breakfast time,
Will continue with detail later,
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Traveling Once More
Hello Again Folks!
I am back in Guatemala after a long two day journey home from Belize. We got back around 5:30 Guate time, and we all really enjoyed the cool spring weather that the city has! It was a great rest of the week in Placencia, the beach, and we now are getting prepared to travel again to the southern-most state of Mexico tomorrow morning. We will be there for a week and a half and be living with host families. During this week we will be interacting with the community there and learning more about the coffee finca/cooperative they have created. This is something that I am really passionate about and really want to learn more about. This community has sworn to keep this community from immigrated to the US and keeping jobs/economy there in Mexico. I am looking forward to having this opportunity to experience what it really takes to have my cup of coffee every morning. I will not have internet this whole week, so I will have a lot to say next week.
This community is also quite more rural then the city that we are used to, so pray that my group can handle the more rustic feel. We are all quite excited but nervous at the same time. All is worth it in the end, as long as I do not get malaria or anything else while I am there (everyone knock on wood please!).
Here is to a week of bucket showers and sweaty clothes!
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
I am back in Guatemala after a long two day journey home from Belize. We got back around 5:30 Guate time, and we all really enjoyed the cool spring weather that the city has! It was a great rest of the week in Placencia, the beach, and we now are getting prepared to travel again to the southern-most state of Mexico tomorrow morning. We will be there for a week and a half and be living with host families. During this week we will be interacting with the community there and learning more about the coffee finca/cooperative they have created. This is something that I am really passionate about and really want to learn more about. This community has sworn to keep this community from immigrated to the US and keeping jobs/economy there in Mexico. I am looking forward to having this opportunity to experience what it really takes to have my cup of coffee every morning. I will not have internet this whole week, so I will have a lot to say next week.
This community is also quite more rural then the city that we are used to, so pray that my group can handle the more rustic feel. We are all quite excited but nervous at the same time. All is worth it in the end, as long as I do not get malaria or anything else while I am there (everyone knock on wood please!).
Here is to a week of bucket showers and sweaty clothes!
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
Thursday, March 31, 2011
New Year, New Age, New Country...and New Climate
Hello Everyone!!
We finally wrapped up our last week in Guatemala City with classes and host families and last but not least...the cool weather. My group left and headed north to the Caribbean sea up the north of Guatemala (Rio Dulce, more of a market town with sweet water, and Livingston, which is made up of indigenous Mayan communities, Black Gurifuna communites, and retired white people communities) and into Belize, which is where I currently am. The Caribbean climate is quite different than the spring climate in the city. Our group trudged through and sweat buckets everyday for the first couple days, but the scenery and people were wonderful. Yesterday, my birthday, we traveled from Livingston GA to Placencia...aka THE BEACH!! It was fantastic to finish my birthday out with my awesome group mates, but I do miss everyone from home!
It has been soo interesting as we have met interesting people, and wandered into interesting places. We travel back Saturday and Sunday, then make our way, my whole group, to Chiapas Mexico next Tuesday, and I am looking forward to that experience!
Please continue to pray fro my group and our experience here, and that God opens our eyes to more than what we are used to, and that he may challenge our hearts and minds to really think through our everyday lives and what our choices effect in the world picture.
Thank you guys for everything!!!
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
We finally wrapped up our last week in Guatemala City with classes and host families and last but not least...the cool weather. My group left and headed north to the Caribbean sea up the north of Guatemala (Rio Dulce, more of a market town with sweet water, and Livingston, which is made up of indigenous Mayan communities, Black Gurifuna communites, and retired white people communities) and into Belize, which is where I currently am. The Caribbean climate is quite different than the spring climate in the city. Our group trudged through and sweat buckets everyday for the first couple days, but the scenery and people were wonderful. Yesterday, my birthday, we traveled from Livingston GA to Placencia...aka THE BEACH!! It was fantastic to finish my birthday out with my awesome group mates, but I do miss everyone from home!
It has been soo interesting as we have met interesting people, and wandered into interesting places. We travel back Saturday and Sunday, then make our way, my whole group, to Chiapas Mexico next Tuesday, and I am looking forward to that experience!
Please continue to pray fro my group and our experience here, and that God opens our eyes to more than what we are used to, and that he may challenge our hearts and minds to really think through our everyday lives and what our choices effect in the world picture.
Thank you guys for everything!!!
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Fairwells and New Places
Hello Folks!
It has been an incredible journey so far, and this week we finish our two month stay in Guatemala City to move on to free travel week and Mexico. I am astounding at the time and how fast it has gone, but this time has been so powerful to say the least. Spanish classes are wrapping up and I will be glad to not do anymore daily homework! My teachers have been wonderful and honestly have helped me a lot with speaking. It is amazing to think of where I was two months ago and where I am now.
There past two months have stretched me beyond where I could ever see myself stretching. God has given me opportunities to really challenge myself and grow through every experience that I am presented here with. We have seen many sides to this city, and all sides have shown what an influence America has on this place. Everywhere you go there is the lastest from allthe main rappers, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, ect. Everyone sports Hollister and Abercrombie aand Fitch, even the indigenous woman I have seem where hollister jackets over their traditional dress. But although the influence is high, Guatemala is still its own. I have fallen in love with the culture, and fresh fruits and panederias everywhere...but most importantly with the people. There is so much hope here in a country that has been struggling for years in regards to war and discrimination. I continually am amazed at how simply wonderful it is to have a community that is working to spread peace and love instead of violence and separation. There are sometimes gun shots outside in the distance, and I am also constantly reminded of the violence that surrounds the city. But out of all the people that I have interacted with, I can´t say that I have met one that has been rude to me. People are respectful and kind, and hnestly want to have a better Guatemala. I am so sad that I have to leave this place, but I know that there are more amazing experiences to come!
Next week we will all be traveling around the country for free travel. My group and I will be traveling up north and cross into Belize! It will be a relaxing weekend and I can only hope that it will be safe and loads of fun, especially because I will be spending my birthday on a magnificent BEACH!! Then we will travel as a whole groupt oChiapas Mexico, but for now, I will leave you with love and blessings.
Again, thank you all for being willing to keep updated on my ware abouts and continously sending prayers my way, I appreciate everyone!
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
Ps- I have the website below of the emu website that we send updates as a group with pictures and what not, enjoy!
http://emu.edu/now/crosscultural/category/guatemala-usmexico-border-2011/
It has been an incredible journey so far, and this week we finish our two month stay in Guatemala City to move on to free travel week and Mexico. I am astounding at the time and how fast it has gone, but this time has been so powerful to say the least. Spanish classes are wrapping up and I will be glad to not do anymore daily homework! My teachers have been wonderful and honestly have helped me a lot with speaking. It is amazing to think of where I was two months ago and where I am now.
There past two months have stretched me beyond where I could ever see myself stretching. God has given me opportunities to really challenge myself and grow through every experience that I am presented here with. We have seen many sides to this city, and all sides have shown what an influence America has on this place. Everywhere you go there is the lastest from allthe main rappers, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, ect. Everyone sports Hollister and Abercrombie aand Fitch, even the indigenous woman I have seem where hollister jackets over their traditional dress. But although the influence is high, Guatemala is still its own. I have fallen in love with the culture, and fresh fruits and panederias everywhere...but most importantly with the people. There is so much hope here in a country that has been struggling for years in regards to war and discrimination. I continually am amazed at how simply wonderful it is to have a community that is working to spread peace and love instead of violence and separation. There are sometimes gun shots outside in the distance, and I am also constantly reminded of the violence that surrounds the city. But out of all the people that I have interacted with, I can´t say that I have met one that has been rude to me. People are respectful and kind, and hnestly want to have a better Guatemala. I am so sad that I have to leave this place, but I know that there are more amazing experiences to come!
Next week we will all be traveling around the country for free travel. My group and I will be traveling up north and cross into Belize! It will be a relaxing weekend and I can only hope that it will be safe and loads of fun, especially because I will be spending my birthday on a magnificent BEACH!! Then we will travel as a whole groupt oChiapas Mexico, but for now, I will leave you with love and blessings.
Again, thank you all for being willing to keep updated on my ware abouts and continously sending prayers my way, I appreciate everyone!
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
Ps- I have the website below of the emu website that we send updates as a group with pictures and what not, enjoy!
http://emu.edu/now/crosscultural/category/guatemala-usmexico-border-2011/
Monday, March 14, 2011
Halfway and Bittersweet
Hello Folks!
It has been a month, so sorry!! Things have been very eventful and busy as we dove into intense spanish courses with tons of work, and not to mention all of the time living with our host families. It has been such a wonderful experience! We have spent about 6 weeks here in Guatemala City with only two more until we leave for free travel and Chiapas, Mexico. These past six weeks have been so fulfilling in the city. I never thought that I would enjoy a city so much, but I lvoe the culture that ignites this city day by day.
All is well, but there are always challenges that are hard to grasp and process along the way. It has conitued to be overwhelming to be the one white American on the bus every single day and get comments that people automatically think that I do not understand. It has been so frustrating to still not comprehend everything that my family says to me and to over and over again ask them to repeat things. My host family has been an outstanding addition to this trip. Their patience with me is by far one of the most humbling parts of my experience here. I can not explain the gratitude that I have for them as they drive me to school everyday, get me to where I need to be, embraced me into their family, give me shelter and way too much food, reached out with guidance, love and acceptance when they barely know anything about me. I still find it tough to live in such a fortunate home. The city proves to be on of the parts where I have been shown a lot of upscale complexes and ´colonias´ and people sporting hollister and nicer clothes than I wear. But this past weekend we were fortunate to visit an area that, although is still beaming with tourism, struggles more than most people in the city. Our hotel had an unfinished roof and a lot of us would like to go up and sit. From this roof we had a spectacular view of a volcano, and the sunset. We could also see the majority of the town around us, and all of the lighted towns across Lake Atitlan. Amidst this magnificent scenery, shackles and unfinished and rusted buildings took up the rest of our view. It was hard to realize that many of these people may not even have what I brought in my backpack.
But no matter where I went in this village, there were smiling venders, playing children, families working, and even a coffeeshop (which of course I had to go into!). I walked into this woman´s coffeeshop and she had many various drinks and snacks available. As I bought a small cup of hot chocolate, I sat and observed all of the people walking by. It was amazing to see the amount of people carrying large amounts of wood and tortilla dough on their backs. We also got to see a cooperative that has been set up in the next town. This was a wonderful sight. About 20 women and their families have worked to set up new found freedom for their surroundings; as this village area was struck by a devastating mudslide 6 years ago and struggle to stay afloat. It is beyond remarkable that these women and their families have been able to succeed to provide a sense of security for their people in this hardship.
In the past month we have also visited Tikal, Peten in the north of Guatemala, MCC offices in the city, a forensic lab where thousands of indigenous bodies are finally being identified from the war, coffee fincas (yes Dad this does mean MORE FAIR TRADE coffee:)), and many conversations with human rights activists and political professors on what makes Guatemala Guatemalteca, the word for the Guatemalan culture.
As we wind down the last two weeks here, it is bittersweet. I have fallen in love with this culture, and with the people who make it brillant. I admire the dedication of the many inspiring people I have encountered that devote their lives to making a better tomorrow for thier country. Not only Guatemalas, but my group as well. My group has been such an excellent part of my journey here and getting to know them and their stories has been incredibly fulfulling. I look forward to what is to come, and to the challenges that are still to arise.
I thank each and everyone of you for fallowing me and taking the time to read my thoughts. I ask for prayer while I continue to journey along in these forgein lands, and I do tremendously feel the support that you all are giving me from miles away.
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
PS- If any of you heard about the potential tsunami that was scheduled to hit Guatemala, and the Central American Pacific coast, in result of the earthquake in Japan...it did not occur and we were never in danger. The whole country is in celebration that God kept this away from their people.
It has been a month, so sorry!! Things have been very eventful and busy as we dove into intense spanish courses with tons of work, and not to mention all of the time living with our host families. It has been such a wonderful experience! We have spent about 6 weeks here in Guatemala City with only two more until we leave for free travel and Chiapas, Mexico. These past six weeks have been so fulfilling in the city. I never thought that I would enjoy a city so much, but I lvoe the culture that ignites this city day by day.
All is well, but there are always challenges that are hard to grasp and process along the way. It has conitued to be overwhelming to be the one white American on the bus every single day and get comments that people automatically think that I do not understand. It has been so frustrating to still not comprehend everything that my family says to me and to over and over again ask them to repeat things. My host family has been an outstanding addition to this trip. Their patience with me is by far one of the most humbling parts of my experience here. I can not explain the gratitude that I have for them as they drive me to school everyday, get me to where I need to be, embraced me into their family, give me shelter and way too much food, reached out with guidance, love and acceptance when they barely know anything about me. I still find it tough to live in such a fortunate home. The city proves to be on of the parts where I have been shown a lot of upscale complexes and ´colonias´ and people sporting hollister and nicer clothes than I wear. But this past weekend we were fortunate to visit an area that, although is still beaming with tourism, struggles more than most people in the city. Our hotel had an unfinished roof and a lot of us would like to go up and sit. From this roof we had a spectacular view of a volcano, and the sunset. We could also see the majority of the town around us, and all of the lighted towns across Lake Atitlan. Amidst this magnificent scenery, shackles and unfinished and rusted buildings took up the rest of our view. It was hard to realize that many of these people may not even have what I brought in my backpack.
But no matter where I went in this village, there were smiling venders, playing children, families working, and even a coffeeshop (which of course I had to go into!). I walked into this woman´s coffeeshop and she had many various drinks and snacks available. As I bought a small cup of hot chocolate, I sat and observed all of the people walking by. It was amazing to see the amount of people carrying large amounts of wood and tortilla dough on their backs. We also got to see a cooperative that has been set up in the next town. This was a wonderful sight. About 20 women and their families have worked to set up new found freedom for their surroundings; as this village area was struck by a devastating mudslide 6 years ago and struggle to stay afloat. It is beyond remarkable that these women and their families have been able to succeed to provide a sense of security for their people in this hardship.
In the past month we have also visited Tikal, Peten in the north of Guatemala, MCC offices in the city, a forensic lab where thousands of indigenous bodies are finally being identified from the war, coffee fincas (yes Dad this does mean MORE FAIR TRADE coffee:)), and many conversations with human rights activists and political professors on what makes Guatemala Guatemalteca, the word for the Guatemalan culture.
As we wind down the last two weeks here, it is bittersweet. I have fallen in love with this culture, and with the people who make it brillant. I admire the dedication of the many inspiring people I have encountered that devote their lives to making a better tomorrow for thier country. Not only Guatemalas, but my group as well. My group has been such an excellent part of my journey here and getting to know them and their stories has been incredibly fulfulling. I look forward to what is to come, and to the challenges that are still to arise.
I thank each and everyone of you for fallowing me and taking the time to read my thoughts. I ask for prayer while I continue to journey along in these forgein lands, and I do tremendously feel the support that you all are giving me from miles away.
Take Care and God Bless,
Kiersten
PS- If any of you heard about the potential tsunami that was scheduled to hit Guatemala, and the Central American Pacific coast, in result of the earthquake in Japan...it did not occur and we were never in danger. The whole country is in celebration that God kept this away from their people.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Challenges and Celebrations
Hello Everyone!
It has been about two weeks since my last post and they have been two busy weeks at that. Getting settled into my host family and spanish class has been challenging but such a great experience. I am really starting to adapt to the life down here, which I find to be not so different than city life in the US. My host family is wonderful. They are patient with me when I have no idea what I am saying and are willing to help me when I am completely stuck, which is most of the time. My brothers and sister speak english and they like to practice their english as well. Most evenings consist of reading my assignments, asking my brothers for help with spanish, playing games, laughing (a lot), and talking with my family about everything.
Scheduling has been a bit of an adjustment. Every morning I wake up around 5 am and get ready for the day. My brothers´schools start around 7:30, so we leave at 6:50 to go to school. I go with them because my Mom offers me a ride, which means I do not have to take the bus to school. (Although I take the bus home and it is not that bad. It usually only takes me about 15-20 minutes everyday.) My classes do not start until 8:30, so I get to CASAS extra early and finish homework, check my email, read ect.
Spanish class is also challenging at points because it is a class of 3 students, so me and 2 others. My teacher is very patient and willing to assist us, ut certainly pushes us hard. All in all I am able to practice speaking quite frequently and keep butchering everything, but I guess its part of the experience! haha
Adjusting to the lifestyle has been so neat. Yes, challenges are always lerking, but I seem to have a good grip on being able to be flexible. I have been having slight problems with my joints for some reason. It started in my knees and back and has switched back and forth throughout my body such as my fingers and toes and elbow. Deanna, on of my professors say that it might be my body adjusting to the high altitude here. It comes and goes and has not been too much of a problem, but has continued to be a small challenge.
I have also been challenged with too much technology. We have access to the internet everyday and my host family has a lot of access to TV and other technological devices. It is hard not to want to use them all the time. But I do feel like it is important to distance myself enough to be fully in the experience. I have been thinking a lot about truly being present in the times that I am given. Being fully present means taking time to fully be in conversation with the people around me and struggle with how to be a forgeiner in a land where I stick out quite a bit. But, so far so good.
Although I have been challenged and pushed to my limits at points, there have been numerous things to celebrate along the way. After being immersed in a culture where spanish thrives, I have gained a new appreciation for the english language. One speaker that we listened to said that your native language will always be yours. It is the way you express yourselve in the most passionate and difficult times. English is my language, and forever will be, but I pray that this willnot hinder my desire to learn more Spanish in the future. I celebrate the fact that I am able to have running water and a warm shower every other day, an a room all to myself. I also appreciate my fellow travelers and the things that they are teaching me about themselves and even about me.
To conclude I have really had a great time so far. I continue to be pushed and strive to keep going although am too frustrated or tired. May God conitue to show me his vision for my life and that I will be ever blessed with his grace and mercy.
Take Care and God Belss to all,
Kiersten
It has been about two weeks since my last post and they have been two busy weeks at that. Getting settled into my host family and spanish class has been challenging but such a great experience. I am really starting to adapt to the life down here, which I find to be not so different than city life in the US. My host family is wonderful. They are patient with me when I have no idea what I am saying and are willing to help me when I am completely stuck, which is most of the time. My brothers and sister speak english and they like to practice their english as well. Most evenings consist of reading my assignments, asking my brothers for help with spanish, playing games, laughing (a lot), and talking with my family about everything.
Scheduling has been a bit of an adjustment. Every morning I wake up around 5 am and get ready for the day. My brothers´schools start around 7:30, so we leave at 6:50 to go to school. I go with them because my Mom offers me a ride, which means I do not have to take the bus to school. (Although I take the bus home and it is not that bad. It usually only takes me about 15-20 minutes everyday.) My classes do not start until 8:30, so I get to CASAS extra early and finish homework, check my email, read ect.
Spanish class is also challenging at points because it is a class of 3 students, so me and 2 others. My teacher is very patient and willing to assist us, ut certainly pushes us hard. All in all I am able to practice speaking quite frequently and keep butchering everything, but I guess its part of the experience! haha
Adjusting to the lifestyle has been so neat. Yes, challenges are always lerking, but I seem to have a good grip on being able to be flexible. I have been having slight problems with my joints for some reason. It started in my knees and back and has switched back and forth throughout my body such as my fingers and toes and elbow. Deanna, on of my professors say that it might be my body adjusting to the high altitude here. It comes and goes and has not been too much of a problem, but has continued to be a small challenge.
I have also been challenged with too much technology. We have access to the internet everyday and my host family has a lot of access to TV and other technological devices. It is hard not to want to use them all the time. But I do feel like it is important to distance myself enough to be fully in the experience. I have been thinking a lot about truly being present in the times that I am given. Being fully present means taking time to fully be in conversation with the people around me and struggle with how to be a forgeiner in a land where I stick out quite a bit. But, so far so good.
Although I have been challenged and pushed to my limits at points, there have been numerous things to celebrate along the way. After being immersed in a culture where spanish thrives, I have gained a new appreciation for the english language. One speaker that we listened to said that your native language will always be yours. It is the way you express yourselve in the most passionate and difficult times. English is my language, and forever will be, but I pray that this willnot hinder my desire to learn more Spanish in the future. I celebrate the fact that I am able to have running water and a warm shower every other day, an a room all to myself. I also appreciate my fellow travelers and the things that they are teaching me about themselves and even about me.
To conclude I have really had a great time so far. I continue to be pushed and strive to keep going although am too frustrated or tired. May God conitue to show me his vision for my life and that I will be ever blessed with his grace and mercy.
Take Care and God Belss to all,
Kiersten
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
New Home, New Classes, New Lessons
I am finally in the Land of Eternal Spring, Guatemala. It is one of the most amazing places ever. Last week my group finally arrived in Guatemala a week ago today and we have spent some time at CASAS, Central America Study and Service, and getting settled into spanish classes and our host families. My host family is awesome! I have thre younger siblings, Maria who is 18, Jorge who is 16 and Juancho who is 15. It is so awesome to finally have brothers. It is such an interesting experience being in a country that does not speak my language and being disoriented when I can't figure out what my host mother is trying to tell me. Every night so far we have not gone more than 10 minutes without some form of laughter. I am quickly realizing that learning a new language is not easy. Yes, I have been in spanish classes for 5 and a half years but really have not had much practice with speaking actual spanish. It gets better and worse everyday in multiple ways. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me here in this wonderful place!
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