Wow, time is really flying around this place. Just as the cars do without stopping, and the guatemalan voices do without breathing. It is great how the teachers of Pop Wuj know how to speak to you slowly in Spanish so you understand at least a bit of it, but in the streets of Xela it is whole new world. In a way it doesn´t even sound like Spanish anymore...and sometimes its not. For Example, when we visit the small communities of Guatemala, the people often speak the language of the Mayans with is called Quiche (Kee-Chay). To me Quiche sounds mostly like a series of clicks with various vowel sounds in between. I visited a clinic that is run by a midwife about an hour outside of Xela, and began to understand the Quiche speakers only by their expressions and movements. Interestingly enough, I felt as though I could understand them better then when someone speaks to me in Spanish, a language I know at least a bit of. Maybe it is the lack of preconcieved knowledge that allows me to understand without thinking, and causes me to be intuitive rather than rational. I do feel a connection with the mayan culture for the very reason that it is less "rational" and more "alogical". I only use quotes because to those of the western culture, these words can sound negative, but within many indigenous cultures there seems to be a trend of this idea. There is also a different perception of time, and different ideas about community (vs. individualism). etc. etc.

I wish I could write more right now, but it is time for dinner...

Buenos noches.

Hola gentes,

I am going to have to say that the internet in Guatemala is one of the slowest things known to man. I am in the process of trying to download some pictures for you all to see, but 30 minutes has gone by and I´ve got nothing for you. Blogger does the one photo at a time downloading type of deal, SO I AM TRYING TO DOWNLOAD SOME INTO PHOTOBUCKET....GREAT. CAPITAL LETTERS. I AM NOT YELLING AT YOU, JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TURN THIS CAP LOCK THING OFF. Ok, here we go. Well, I´m done being frustrated with this. I´m going to go spend some time on the sunny streets of Xela.

Adios

Buenos noches!!!

Im not quite sure how to explain the experience that I have had here in Xela over the past 5 days. After all of the Spanish I have been trying to cram into my cabeza pequena (little head), I dont even know if I can express myself in English anymore. It is amazing how 4+ years of Spanish classes can do almost nothing for you in terms of communicating with Spanish speaking people. It does make it a bit easier to know the basics, but now it is a matter of finding the confidence to speak it, and the courage to make mistakes.

I suppose I can just make a few key points about these last 120 hours.

I found myself in a bit of a culture shock the first couple of days I was here. I didnt know whether i was excited or nervous about the whole thing. I have traveled to a few different countries, but there always seems to be that initial feeling of "what the heck am i doing here", especially when you do not know the language very well. It didnt help that soon after I got to the school where I would be studying (Pop Wuj), a petite Guatemalan man named Francisco, (my host father) walked in the door wearing a white tank top, shorts and running shoes. With a ginormous smile on his face he said...well...he said something. Something in Spanish that was most likely simple, but as the words blended together in my brain, they became the most complex words I have ever heard. I imagine he saw the fear on my face as I grabbed my suitcase and turned to Steve to ask if we would meet up later. He shrugged and said "guess ill see you tomorrow"

My host family includes Francisco and his wife Elvi, and 3 other Spanish speaking students. It has been quite interesting trying to comunícate with them all. There have been many conversations where I think I know what theyre talking about and after a minute or so, they end up looking confused and I realize I was wrong all along. This situation usually makes for an extremely awkward one. Fortunately, my Spanish is already improving after only a few days.

We have started each day here with an intercultural class that is taught by a Guatamalan named Ronnie. It goes from 8 until 11am or so. Later we come back for Spanish class at 2 until 6. There are 5 medical students here, including Steve and I, who attend the cultural class, and then our Spanish classes are one on one. The cultural class has been extremely interesting for me. Ronnie has talked about the history of the Spanish invasion and its effects, the Mayan beliefs and culture, and the implications of both of these things on Guatemalan culture today. I wont try and explain it all right now. Muy interesante.

Earlier this week we were able to visit Fuentes Georginas where we hiked up into a magical forest, and went into some hot springs. We just got back from a town about an hour away from here where we helped build a stove for a family. Tomorrow we go to a coffee plantation. etc. etc. I need to continue this later, because it is time for dinner. Hopefully i will find some time to post some pictures which will be self explanatory.

Adios

Test Blog

I will be in Guatemala in less than 24 hours. booya.