Peace Corps

Guatemala, Mi Amor: Day One, Phoenix to Mexico to Guate to Mayan Punishment

March 24, 2024March 30, 2024 First Person ForeignArizona

After much separation anxiety, I decided to leave my computer in my small apartment in Phoenix. For lack of a better term, I call Phoenix home. As a woman living alone, and just becoming more[…]

Las montañas: Returning to Guatemala, 1

February 26, 2024 First Person ForeignBeauty

So, I booked a trip. I’ve been lucky to book so many before, but this one took some plotting. All of the layovers on the US dollar looked egregious: red eyes on opposite coasts, or[…]

Day Two in Sonora: Running

March 14, 2022March 15, 2022 First Person ForeignBeauty

I arrived to my destination, Hermosillo, and I cast myself into the unmentionable details: the personality of the sidewalk, the road signs, the things Hermosillenos don’t consciously notice because who thinks about sidewalks? Like myself[…]

Estoy en tu tierra: Spring Break in Sonora (One)

March 12, 2022March 14, 2022 First Person ForeignBeauty

I saw a pavilion with booths below it. I had already crossed the border and did not understand. I looked at the medium cup of Dunkin’ Donuts, jostling with yellow liquid. _______________________ After I piled[…]

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[…]

Ready or not, USA (1)

April 26, 2019April 28, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

Now, I imagined this day a million ways (my departure) and none of them could have prepared me for what it actually was. Dropped off by friends, then up ’til the last second in the[…]

TOURING GUATEMALA (3): Unplugged in Semuc Champey

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

We woke up on our third day of travel in Flores, and made it onto the bus without a problem. This time we would not wait for the bus to come to us, like the[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Ringing That Bell

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

I’ve imagined the bell-ringing since the third week of service. An RPCV (return Peace Corps Volunteer) finished her service as we were starting ours, and she had a ceremony and she was kind enough to[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Despedida Lunch and Hiking a Volcano Through The Night (Never Again)

April 8, 2019April 8, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

I moved out of site on Wednesday. The last hour was the most horrible, a weeping host family, heavy bags and an honorable Lic. Enrique (the educational superintendent) who picked me up in his red[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Leaving Santa Clara La Laguna, My Home

April 7, 2019April 10, 2019 First Person ForeignAbuelita

The Wednesday before my departure was a dress rehearsal. I’ll explain what I mean by that. I had to go into the office for medical stuff, and for a meeting. I don’t recommend leaving site[…]