Gender Roles

Guatemala, Mi Amor (Day Two): Knocking on the Door

March 31, 2024April 5, 2024 First Person ForeignAbuelita

I hadn’t made it to my house when I saw a familiar face on the corner. She was holding a young hand, the eldest of Doña Cecilia and I couldn’t remember the father’s name. “Y mi[…]

‘Twas the Flight Before Christmas

February 10, 2024 First Person Foreigncoffee

Trigger Warning about thoughts related to self-harm mentioned at the end. Read with care! Did I mention how hilarious I find it? I am 37 and a thought will attack me as I rush to[…]

Airplane Mode (1): Back to Myself

July 1, 2021July 2, 2021 First Person ForeignBeauty

June 30, 2021, 7:26am: The voice of Natalia LaFourcade pulsed through my mind as the puddle-jumper soared into the desert sky. If you are able, please listen to this song while you read: It honors[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Theology, Tortilla Tears & Talent Show Tuesday

March 6, 2019March 7, 2019 First Person ForeignAbuelita

For those of you just tuning in, and for those of you who aren’t, thank you. This is my last month of Peace Corps. I am learning, as I continue to grow as a human,[…]

Hi-Lo 8: Coffee & Romance

January 11, 2019January 11, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

Cutting Coffee in Rural Guatemala in Santa Clara La Laguna, Sololá

My Weekend with Brócoli

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

On this quiet Sunday afternoon, I was sandwiched squarely between an older, sleeping man and a younger woman in bright coral and pink traje with plastic beading shouting across the neckline. I don’t love this[…]

Santiago

July 13, 2018July 13, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

Hello! I am writing this post because it is about a loss and I want to recognize that by sharing it. I also want to share the significance and importance of the funeral and burial in[…]

Riding on Buses with Married Men

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

I had to take 4 buses and 5 hours to get to Tanya for her birthday. To get there I walk out of my house on the corner (after saying bye to Abuelita, Host Mom[…]

P is for Pisto, Probando y Picante | Foreigner Alphabet

April 7, 2018 First Person ForeignForeigner Alphabet

Foreigner Alphabet is a series of posts inspired by The 75 Palabras in Guatemala Series. It is not a real alphabet, it’s a series of words organized by their first letter and inspired by the[…]

A Very Unusual February (in Peace Corps)

March 3, 2018March 3, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

It turns out that 31 is not too old to experience something new and unexpected for the first time. If you’re starting to feel moldy from routine, Peace Corps is for you. But I’m referring[…]