Guatemala City
Sababa!
10.07.2006
23 °C
Buenas Tardes!
I am pleased to announce that I am now in Guatemala, having safely arrived.
After landing at Guatemala airport and struggling through customs, Danielle (a participant in the program) and I borrowed a nice security guards cell phone and called Luis for a ride. This turned out to be a good decision, as Craig (another participant) inadvertently ended up at the hospital (lost, not sick).
Edwin at the hostel Aurora made our stay very pleasant, and we lucked out by getting a room with el bano. Ive met quite a few people since we were all gathered around the tv watching Zidane headbutt his way out of the World Cup (did you guys see that insanity?¿) A few guys from Tel Aviv, who are traveling for 9 months after serving their time in the military, taught me how to say sababa (cool) and the word for the last remnants of beer in the bottle (the best I can do is schleh)
Guatemala City is very busy, and Parque Central is bustling with magicians, psychics, political protests and mucho vendors. I tried my first chuchito, a barbecued corn and chicken snack. We also entered Catedral Metropolitana for a bit, but there was a service being held and we didn’t want to disrespect the congregation.
I think the taxi drivers in Guate play a game when they get bored—how many tourists can we take out in one run? Our taxi driver earned a lot of points.
We dined at a little restaurant, and I had the typical meal—some rice, meat, plantains, beans—and a banana liquado. I am happy to report that I have not yet had to break into my First Aid kit for Immodium.
Today we had orientation at a small restaurant where the breakfast was awesome! Mmmm, breakfast. It seems that Ill be taking Spanish in Antigua until Friday, when the other participants and I plan to meet up to make our way to Tikal. Rumor has it that if you don’t see Tikal, you don’t see Guatemala. I begin teaching on Monday at Atitlan.
Im surprising myself with the amount of Spanish I know and can use in semi-functional ways. Everyone has been very patient with me so far.
I am now in Antigua, near my hostel and school, which are both incredibly beautiful. I wish Barringer and Newark looked like this!
Most of you wont be surprised to learn that Ive gotten myself lost quite a few times already, but Antigua is small and beautiful and fun to get lost in. The only ugly thing in Antigua is the tourists, and there are a lot of them! (j-k)
At 4pm today I get to learn salsa for free at the school, so I better give myself ample time to get back in case I go down the wrong calle. One thing I have learned—Guatemala time is not US time, so we might not even really begin until 5.
Asta luego!
Posted by aliontas 14:30 Archived in Guatemala Tagged volunteer
