The First Week of Peace Corps

Novia | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

October 19, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

My host mom and I stood at the entrance to her house, waiting. She had a beautifully wrapped present in hand. I had enough Spanish to get me through the drive thru at Taco Bell.[…]

The Beginning: Week One In Guatemala

October 16, 2016February 19, 2017 First Person ForeignChanges

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In the beginning (anew), I moved to Guatemala. I remember when I started my big Euroventure and I also had no idea what[…]

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[…]

The Bet I Made, The Best I Lost

October 2, 2016October 3, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

On Friday, I am astonished to report, I lost a bet. As I was packing to leave Alaska (two weeks ago), I struck a deal. You see, I worked on the docks, wearing bright green[…]

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[…]