75 Palabras in Guatemala

La Mera Nalga | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Nalga means butt in Spanish. The first time I heard the word was over the plancha/stove as my host mom recounted the story of a time she fell ill. “I didn’t get out of bed[…]

Aguacate | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

So many beautiful things happened yesterday. And then something hit my back as I walked home from the outskirts. And I saw red. The day started with a 6:40 alarm (early by my standard). I[…]

La Posada | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

March 5, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Posadas are another word for hotel or inn. ‘Round Christmas time (this borrowed from a google search) posada is: (in Mexico) a ritual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a lodging in Bethlehem, performed[…]

Aceite | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 26, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

I explained the situation over the fire. It’s where I explain most situations. The ‘situation’ being: I’m not decided on the next time I should go home, a normal question for PCVs worldwide I’m sure. Luckily[…]

Inscripción | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 26, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Before I begin, I am not a journalist. I think of this post as a journal entry, unwinding experience vis a vis my emotional reaction. There is a textural context I have yet to unwind[…]

Póngase de Pie | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 19, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

On February 12 when I got back to site, I could not apúrase. I was in the secuelas of Early In-Service Training and all that it encompasses (see: Overstimulation in the Oxford English); I needed[…]

El Varón | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

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

You’re pura nena. “I say that because you aren’t married” she says. “When a person is married, they are señora. But until they get married they are nena.” Oh lord be with me in my[…]

Doblar Rodillas | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

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

I’d never heard the phrase until I was in a conversation I stumbled into the first week of January. And like with so many phrases that fly past me like patterned barriletes I can’t remember,[…]

¿Preguntas Dudas Quejas? | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 9, 2017February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Questions/Doubts/Complaints At the end of each session, without fail, we are asked “Preguntas? Dudas? Quejas?” And without fail, there are preguntas. Sometimes dudas. Often quejas disguised as preguntas or simply statements in the form of[…]

Primeramente Dios | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 8, 2017February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

This is the stuff culture shock is made of. If you’re from a country where church and state have designated playgrounds, this continent’s roots may hit you like a brick wall. It’s not bad, it’s[…]