Not From Here – Page 5

Hi-Lo 1: Of Witches and Güipiles

October 15, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

My sister founded an Inner-City Soccer League in 2010. Every week she would pick-up a group of young kids and bring them to a church program. My sister would ask for everyone’s Hi-Lo on the[…]

The Armpit of Service: July & August

September 29, 2018September 30, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

So I made it through July and August, the absolute armpit of this year, and maybe my service. Close to something important (like Close of Service), but not there yet. The desert of work. The[…]

Maestra de Inglés

September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

Maestra de Inglés, English teacher. I’ve always wondered if the word Maestra and Master are related. Either way, I’ve never had such a title. When I gave a diplomado in early 2018, I wanted to[…]

Boy Comes Home | The Pueblo Press Issue Three

July 15, 2018July 15, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

I’ve been in Peace Corps service for a year and a half of my two year commitment. I’m not sure you can call this the ‘home stretch,’ especially because I do not play sports, but[…]

A Day as a PCV

July 12, 2018July 13, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

At the end of this day, I lay in bed and looked up at my fairy lights and thought: “yep.” This is how one day as a PCV unfolds (a Peace Corps Volunteer). Join me?[…]

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[…]

La Noche Cultural | The Second Part

June 22, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

Check-out the first part first! It is past dark and the program begins. I must say, Seño Graciela looks beautiful. She is wearing the traje típico of Santa Clara, the classic pattern with a simple[…]

La Noche Cultural | The First Part

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

I got to Paquip at 4:45pm on a Thursday in April. Seño Juana, the school principal, was running past me out of the gym. When I saw her that morning at another school where I[…]

Three ‘As: Pilas, Aguas y Ganas | Foreigner Alphabet

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 First Person ForeignForeigner Alphabet

These are three terms that are purely Chapín/Guatemalan phrases. These are just my observations on a language that isn’t mine. That must be considered as I opine on these words! Learning a new language in[…]

De Tal Palo, De Tal Astilla 3 | My Parents’ Visit

June 10, 2018June 10, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

Be sure to read 1 and 2 first! DAY SEVEN: Panajachel is the biggest tourist hub on Lake Atitlán. Lake Atitlán is a popular Guatemalan destination, it’s stunningly beautiful, and it’s got “lake towns” scattered[…]