Dia del Maestro (Teacher´s Day)

If there's one thing I've learned about Guatemala, it's that Guatemalans love festivals, parties, and any reason to take a day off from work to celebrate--who wouldn't?  It definitely makes the work week go by quicker.  This past Friday was Dia del Maestro(a)--Teacher's Day.  I was thankfully invited to this event, and my Kaqchikel (Mayan language I'm learning) teacher wanted me to perform a song in Kaqchikel for the event.  Never one to back down from an opportunity to embarrass myself, I agreed and started practicing the song.  The event is not just a celebration for teachers, but also a pageant of sorts for the female teachers.  The participating schools each perform a folk dance in the traditional traje (dress), while the candidates for Seno Magisterio are highlighted and give an speech about values and bilingual education.

The day before the event, I arranged to go to the event with Seno Angelica, my lively neighbor and a teacher at Panimatzalam.  We left an hour after it was supposed to start and ended up hanging out in the park until the rest of Panimatzalam's teachers showed up.  The event hadn't yet started so in pure Guatemalteca fashion, no one entered the Salon.  Instead, we went shoeshopping.  We eventually made it back to the event around 10:15--starting only a little over two hours later.  Prof. Geremias, my Kaqchikel teacher, told me that I would be going on fifth so I had a good amount of time.  I sat down with the rest of the teachers from Panimatzalam as the MCs told us the order of events.  I wasn't worried when I hadn't heard my name listed.  There was no time to worry since they called up "La Cuerpa de Paz" (the peace corps volunteer) to start off the event.  I rushed to get my guitar and my teacher to present me, as I fumbled to compose myself.  As uneloquently as possible, I greeted everyone, congratulated them, and said it was a pleasure to share this special day with them.  With nervous laughter, I started singing a song about going to school, "Yoj apon pa tijob'al oj ru yob'en ri tijonel."  I was kindly (perhaps out of pity?) met with loud applause throughout the song and was relieved when I could exit the stage.  Returning to my seat, I relaxed a bit knowing that nothing more was expected of me. 

That relief was momentary.  When the ladies of Panimatzalam got up to go change, Seno Dominga invited me to accompany them.  Sure, why not!  The teachers unlocked a classroom for us and lent us a boombox.  All of a suddent, Seno Dominga is referring to me while speaking Kaqchikel to the other women.  Hm.  All of a sudden she asks, "Meri, do you want to dance with us?"  "Uhh...I don't know the dance at all.  I don't have a traje either." To which everyone objects, "Oh come on!  We only practiced it twice so don't worry!  Seno Susi brought an extra corte (traditional wrap around skirt) and guipil (typical sometimes elaborately embroidered blouse) for you.  We'll help you get dressed!"   So there I was in a classroom learning how to do a baile folklorico (folk dance) from Chichicastenango.  After that, the ladies stuck to their word and helped me get dressed into a beautiful corte and guipil, wrapping the faja (cloth or beaded belt that holds up the corte) unbelievably tightly around me.  After only rehearsing maybe two or three times within 40 minutes before our performance, I was ready.  The dance went surprisingly well, and we all giggled when we surrounded Seno Yoly, our Seno Magisterio candidate, realizing that we didn't know what to do next.  After we finished the dance, we took a ton of photographs of us all dressed up, changed our outfits, and listened to the speeches.  A few of the teachers behind me cheered, "Bravo, Meri!"  When I explained that I had only just learned the dance 30 minutes before performing it.  They were shocked and remarked, "iQué pilas!" A frase that means very motivated and "a go-getter."  It was amusing and encouraging to see all the looks and comments I got from people for wearing the outfit and participating in the dance.  Though I almost always feel like I'm putting forth an effort to integrate, it was a visible reminder for those around me to see that effort.

To our delight, Seno Yoly received second place--that means that our dance had to have been pretty good!  We ate our lunch and laughed as we watched the video of the dance Andrea had taken since she didn't participate (at a very pregnant 8 months, the faja of the traje can be extremely uncomfortable).  While everyone finished up their food at the end of the event, Seno Silvia, the director of Panimatzalam, handed me a candle and said she'd be expecting me tomorrow at the church for her daughter's Quincenera, which would be followed by a party at her house.  Another great suprise after a rewarding day full of them.  I was surrounded by a chaotic whirlwind of goodbyes, congratulations, and "Feliz dia del maestro!"

Antigua Ladies Weekend!

I'm back!  I purchased a computer online, shipped it to my friend's house (she returned to the U.S.) , and just picked it up in Panajachel today.  I must admit though that my necessity for it decreased during my waiting period since I had several project applications due the past few weeks.  These projects were for water infrastructure since several of the schools don't have enough faucets or "chorros" for the students to practice healthy habits (the objective of my program).

In the mean time, I have visited all of the uncertified schools at least two times--the first to introduce myself to the kids and the second to complete a baseline survey, checking how many kids come to school clean (hands, hair, clothes, face, etc.).  Some kids are really funny and cute so the time goes by quickly, even if it can be uncomfortable with the teachers, which it is at times.

Ok now the good stuff.  After I gave my first little talk or "charla" to a group of all female teachers at one of my schools, Panimatzalam, my friend and one of the teachers there, Andrea, asked me what I was doing that weekend.  A lot of people ask me that, and I usually answer that I have nothing planned except for my four hour English class Saturday mornings--hoping that they'll take pity on me and invite me to something.  That afternoon, luck was on my side and Andrea invited me to the ladies weekend in Antigua to celebrate Dia del Maestro (Teacher's Day).  Sweet!  This was  a great opportunity to get to know the teachers, gain confianza (trust), build relationships, and hopefully enjoy myself.  I was definitely nervous though since I really didn't know the teachers at the school, i had no idea what to expect, and I assumed I'd feel like an outsider for some of it.

I wasn't quite sure what we'd be doing or where we'd be going.  I showed up early, nervously awaiting the microbus that Andrea had arranged to pick us up.  Of course, no one was there on time, and I was worried/partly relieved to think that they had left without me.  I end up having the front seat to myself until we stopped to pick up the rest of the teachers, and then I was squished between the driver and Seno Yoly.  We talked most of the three-hour drive to Antigua about music, school, etc.  The hotel was pretty swank and full of Americans.  I wonder what they thought when they say this American girl with a bunch of Guatemalan women, the majority wearing the traditional dress.  Everyone was starving so we went out for dinner.  Where to?  Pollo Campero, Guatemalan's favorite fast-food chain, which specializes in fried chicken.  We went back to the hotel to change and eventually set out for the discotecas. 

Unfortunately, not everyone brought their identification with them so we couldn't get in.  I personally think that they discriminated against us because three of the women were older (40-45) and wearing the traditional dress.  I saw plenty of young Americans enter without a problem, but that's for another blog.  It seemed that everything we tried to do backfired.   The eight of us ladies returned to the hotel (the two male gym teachers ended up going to the discoteca) and ended up talking, laughing, joking, and playing cards late into the night. 

The next day we ran around Antigua's market and ended up going to some pools to swim.  As hard as I've tried to cover my tattoo, I faltered poolside and had to explain my pencil.  The teachers all pressured me to get in and swim since none of them knew how.  I felt silly demonstrating my "skill" since I myself am a terrible swimmer.  I also now know that I need to buy a more modest bathing suit. 

All in all, I had an amazing weekend joking, sharing, and just spending time with the teachers from Panimatzalam.  When the micro dropped us off, one of the teachers and my neighbor, Angelica, and I walked back together.  She told me that she was glad I had come since she thought I was serious before and didn't want to offend me.  "But now we have confianza!" she told me.  It was really comforting to hear my own feelings confirmed by one of the teachers and to realize that this is really only the beginning. 

Friends

A few of the bullet points from the last entry reminded me of a topic I wanted to discuss:  mainly, friends.  When we`re young, our friends are mostly around the same age as us and as we grow older the demographics change more.  Here my friends are an extremely diverse group from my friend/mother/co-worker Rosa who`s 42 to her 7 year old daughter to my 17 year old evangelical friend.  It definitely makes for a wide array of conversation topics.  It also makes me rethink friendship and my view of it.  My relationship with Rosa is multifaceted.  At times she acts as my mother, my supervisor, my best friend, and my colleague.  I`m also close with her daughters and like to make dinner with them or just play games and joke around.  Do I call a seven year old my friend though?  As I explained in an earlier entry, Rosa invited me to be part of their family so I look at them as my Guatemalan family, but what about all of the other kids who I`ve befriended?  In this sense, language seems to fail me since calling a child my friend seems odd and inappropriate yet it`s also the best description available.

Another issue is that while my poor American friends have had to listen to me bitch for years, a lot of the things that frustrate me here are cultural.  When I try to explain why something bothers me, I can`t quite explain why I`m frustrated to my friends.  I also definitely worry too much.  Very unbecoming of a young lady if you ask me!  It`s not really culturally relevant here either.  My problem is that I don`t want to let people down or disappoint them, especially if I`ve committed to something, but that conscientiousness is not reciprocated.  Example:  I`ve changed my schedule to accompany coworkers/friends to events and rushed to get there (not eating, forgetting things) and then end up waiting 30 minutes without explanation and then they ditch me at the event or don`t invite me into conversation.  Hm.  I`ve also developed a problem of over committing myself since I have trouble saying no—relating back to the previous statement.  I`m currently working on finding a balance of being busy but not rundown and having time to relax but not being bored or feeling lonely.  It`s all a delicate balance since hanging out with friends here can be relaxing but taxing at the same time since I`m still (frustratingly) learning social scripts. 

While this may sound like a rather negative or frustrated entry, it`s more so an accurate progression of what it`s like adapting to another culture and lifestyle.  My relationships are developing and I`m meeting more people weekly.  Everyday has some new experience or surprise to it, and with that comes the realization that understanding the culture here is a dynamic, never-ending process. 

Recap!!!

Wow, what a crazy past…month?  It`s really a shame that I´ve lost the other entries I wrote since I’m sure they were riveting.  I have spent the past few weeks finishing up my primary visits to schools to introduce myself and then moved onto doing a evaluation of the conditions of each of the schools I´m working with.  That means lots of introductions, forgetting names, and throwing a personal hygiene dice around.  Though in the beginning I really stressed about each visit, I´m beginning to take it easier and just try to be friendly and open with all of the teachers and kids. 

One thing I`ve found is that it`s difficult picking up an ambiguous job after someone just left it with two years of experience.  The best thing seems to be not comparing myself to Crystal, the previous volunteer or other volunteers since everyone´s situation is different.  It`s encouraging to know that she accomplished so much and clearly made a positive impact here in her two years in San Andrès.  It`s also motivating to see the progress (little but substantial!) I´ve made with getting to know teachers and parents in the communities.  I hear my name (sometimes incorrectly) being shouted from all directions—up on a hill, behind the fruit stand, up in a tree, or just passing in the street—making me feel like I`m a part of the community. 

This is a really boring entry despite all of the events that have happened.  Let`s try to catch up with some bullets.  There are definitely some exciting events:

·         Did I mention I participated in a choreographed dance as a cowgirl with one of my schools at Dia de la Madre Maestra (Mother`s-Teacher`s Day—why can´t I seem to translate that?)?  Yup.

·         Recently walked a horse through town up to the urban school`s anniversary parade.

·         Got two schools to apply for water-infrastructure projects so that they´ll have enough faucets for the kids to wash their hands and brush their teeth—no small feat!

·         Ate some street pizza.  Bad idea.

·         Broke my computer and bought another one thanks to my tax returns. Woohoo!

·         Had fleas/bedbugs, sore throat, stomach problems from the aforementioned pizza all in a week.

·         Dressed to the nine`s in 80`s gear for the Sololà department welcome party.

·         Went on a boat trip on the lake with a bunch of other volunteers.  Really magnificent!

·         Improved my Kaqchikel (mayan language) skills ever so slightly—at least enough that people laugh and realize I`m trying to talk to them.

·         Played in a teacher vs. students fùtbol game.  Went in for the header and missed. 

·         Exchanged some phone numbers with young, single teachers—I qualify this because it`s pretty rare to be 25 and not married with kids.  That means they have time for friends!

·         Rosa and her family finally came over to my house and couldn`t believe my assortment of teas.  She offered to make a curtain for my bookshelf, which acts as a dresser, bookshelf, medicine cabinet, etc.  I wonder if she´s trying to tell me something…

·         I continue to wear monochromatic pajamas to bed with my leggings/long johns tucked into my socks and my sweatshirt tucked into my leggings/long johns.  Let`s just say I am quite a sight with my retainers in and glasses on.  Tall, lanky, and monochromatic (brown or grayish-blue) trying to sneak into the bathroom without being seen.  You can spot me any morning from 6-7 am.

·         The six year old who lives next door likes to sneak into my house and scare me.  He hides and then comes out with a spiderman mask, a pillowcase over his head, or clothespins attached to his face.  Half of the time he gets me, but I`m becoming wise to his tricks.

·         I just got a mountain bike fixed up that I inherited from Crystal.  I`m pretty stoked about it though the guy completed ripped me off and overcharged me.  Now I`ll be that crazy gringa on a mountain bike.

·         My neighbor`s (the family who I rent from) dog follows me everywhere—into stores, to my friend`s house—and even waits for me so we can walk back together.  It`s pretty cute except for the fact that most people here hate dogs and try to hit it.  Her name is Kila though my friend accidentally calls her Tequila. 

So that`s just a bit of a brief recap.  More entries to come…

Broken Computer!

So for those of you wondering why I haven´t written in so long, unfortunately it is due to a broken computer. I had actually saved some pre-written blog entries, but the files are corrupted--so much for that. Things are going well though! I feel like I'm getting the hang of my job. I already have a diverse group of friends and acquaintances and every day is met with new and unusual experiences. This week I played soccer with a team of teachers against kids. It was really quite pitful and embarrassing to see me--especially when I missed that header I was going in for. Fun to play and laugh! I also walked a horse across town today. I can only imagine what people must have been thinking, ¨What is that weird white girl doing now?¨ I will definitely be writing as soon as my new computer comes in--thank you tax returns! Hope all is well. Feel free to email me since I would love to hear from the States.