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.
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