Peace Corps Training

Meals | Guatemala At Home

October 10, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

If you want to learn what a culture values, eat within that culture. Eat at a home. Eat. Eat. Eat eat eat. Ever since I moved in with my host family (8 days ago), I[…]

Bodies, 5 Observations from a Newb.

October 9, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

In no particular order. The Front Seat: My host mom sat with me in the back of her car and her two sons sat up front. Francisco & Javier are in their 30s, Rosa Maria[…]

Language Class, 7th day in Guatemala

October 5, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

My first week in Guatemala! Bailamos! I stood over the pila tonight, brushing my teeth and wondering about my 20s and how I got to 30. It’s the stuff you shouldn’t think about when you’re[…]

Sick. 6th Day in Guaté, 7th Day in Peace Corps

October 5, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

Well it wasn’t before long that I was in the infirmary, laying on a bed of Guatemalan textiles, crying. I had my first in-country cry, and that was about Nana. This was my first in-country-WTF-cry*.[…]

The Party: Day 6 of Peace Corps

October 3, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

On my 5th day in Guatemala, my 6th day in Peace Corps, I went to a party. I learned so much. I have so much more to learn. The night before, Rosa Maria said she had a[…]

The First Cry (It was gonna happen sometime)

October 2, 2016October 3, 2016 First Person ForeignChanges

It’s my first night with my host family. I am settling in to my first night here and I saw something that made me think of Nana. Well, a lot of things make me think[…]

My First Night with the Host Family: Day 5 of Peace Corps

October 2, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

The courtyard was vibrant with mid-morning sun. The hydrangeas/hortensias were calm, but every other living thing was excited, nervous, on edge. Maybe even scared. Our group entered the courtyard of Peace Corps Headquarters, anxiously scanning[…]

Rehydration Salts: Day Three in Country, Day Four in Peace Corps

October 2, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

We started the day with our first language lessons. All the language teachers lined up to call out our names at the front of Salon Quetzal. A friendly man named Eduardo called my name and we[…]

Health & Safety & Hip-Hop & Privilege: Day Two in Guatemala, Day Three in Peace Corps

October 2, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

At the end of a day as long this election season, we gathered in a circle. We were down two volunteers (one: sick, one: ready for bed). Today, there were several wake-up calls, one right[…]

Bienvenidos, Day Two: Training

October 1, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

We get to the lobby at 3:30am and get on the bus at 4. We arrive to the airport by 5. Apparently the driver got lost and Gladys had to tell him where to go.. It[…]