Unlike in the U.S. the Guatemalan school year ended last week with the end of October. This is simultaneously a relief and yet complete panic. What the hell am I going to do with my time? Luckily (or sadistically—I’ll get back to you on that) I tend to over plan and I have a ton of activities lined up. Before I get into that thought, the week before last involved meeting with parents about my all girls sleep away self-esteem camp, playing a ton of games with the kids there, attending several graduations, and oh yea…winning a dance contest in front of 150 teachers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Monday: The parents meeting went well and 5 out of 7 girls will be attending. The number is slowly climbing but still quite low. I still have a lot to plan and I think I might change the time frame. After the meeting silly old me said, ‘’Yea, I play soccer.’’ Using this term far too loosely the kids told me not to be afraid of the ball as I sweated and ran across the field. At least it was fun.
Tuesday: Kindergarten graduation (more or less). I was invited to a pre-kinder/kinder graduation in which the kids put on a play, accepted gifts, and looked unbelievably cute. After the graduation we stopped for some good old barbecue where the ladies argued over who would receive my meat. Apparently being a vegetarian is a good move for making friends. We joked around for a while and I laughed really loudly at an inappropriate joke to the delight/surprise of my fellow teachers. It was funny! When I mentioned the possibility of camping out in the local municipal park, they got really excited—something else to look forward to! Since it was the last week of school, the teachers had to send in their grades and other information via confusing forms on the computer and ridiculous requirements for printing that were in English mind you! What does that mean? ‘’Meri, are you really busy this afternoon?’’ I did not leave until 7:30 that night. We pretty much just hung out trying to figure out these forms to no avail until one of the seños called her husband who is also a teacher. He fixed it in under 5 min. OMG.
Thursday: I was invited to another graduation at the same school, but this time for the kids leaving sixth grade. It began with a mass, followed by a lovely ceremony, pictures on the rooftop of all the teachers, and a really delicious meal provided by the parents. There might have also been a few toasts in there. Unfortunately, I had to leave the party early and head to another graduation in the neighboring community. On the way to the other school I couldn´t stop grinning: life is so funny and so great! I showed up to the second graduation, poorly presented myself in K'iche (Mayan language), and butchered some poor kids names as I handed out their diplomas--all of this to much laughter. I have discovered that the key to being a good PCV is being able to repeatedly and willingly make a fool of yourself. I seem to be pretty good at that.
Monday: Cierre de Labores. This event is the official close to the school year. All of the teachers come and socialize and then select a board of representatives that will plan all of the incoming year´s activities. I enjoyed greeting all of the teachers and chatting in between activities. All was fine until I was chosen as a participant. I was purposely avoiding the gaze of the MC until he shouted something along the lines of ´´Hey, you! Blondie!´´ So I guess he was pointing to me afterall. I asked the participant what the activity was: a partner dance contest. WHAT. My partner was ´´Profe. Chino,´´ one of the only people around my height so I guess you could call me lucky. All of the teachers got in two large lines and the 4 pairs of us danced in between the 150 remaining coworkers. People cheered me on, clapped, and gave helpful hints such as ''move your hips more,'' as I laughed my way through the unfamiliar changing songs. Needless to say it was a landslide win. And for my troubles? I won three ballpoint pens and a notebook that says ''Nature World''--in English of course.
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