WOW!

Wow, I have so much to say so you might want to get a cup of java and enjoy
this entry! My first stop after the airport on 13, Marzo 2010 is at Pollo
Campero with the American delegates. Pollo Campero is Guatemala’s version of
KFC in EEUU. I met with most of the delegates there for the first time. It
went well, they were all really bright people with the same version of
empowerment as I. That night we departed for Panajachel. The road trip was 2
hours + and it was chilly at night. At one point way up in the mountain, we
were really close to the clouds (how cool is that?!) and I had a bad case of
hiccup. It was actually funny because we thought it will never end. After we
got in at the hotel, we went out downtown Panajachel. I had hand/homemade
tortilla with shredded chicken and queso. It was nothing like Tex-Mex and it
tasted great! We walked for most of that night away to many food vendors in
the streets and native Guatemalans enjoying their night.

The next day some delegates and I ventured on our own to do many things at
Lago Atitalan: we went boat riding to a village, shopping at the market, and
just walking around. I spent most of my time looking at authentic Mayan
blankets, and clothes, etc. The Mayans are humble and hard working people.
Their patterns were colorful made by hands. The fruits (watermelon, papaya,
melon, & mango) here were just sumptuous. I can honestly say I’ve had more
share of those than any other food in Guatemala!

Fundal is a school for the deaf & blind in Guatemala City. The director
there has a brother who is deaf & blind. Her love and passion were so
obvious. Parents have so much to believe for because of her vision. I have
never been so emotionally touched than that day at the school-why didn’t I
listen to my parents to bring a tissue in my purse? J

Looking back arriving to Antigua on 14 Marzo, I realize that I experience
things that are different, yet similar. Spanish is a language I have known
all my life being Spanish and Peruvian myself, but being in Guatemala
without my family has made me more competent in using my Spanish speaking
skills especially with the deaf Guatemalans. Today I did the Amazing Race
with my group Nicolas, Jennifer, Sebastian (GUA) and Ricardo V (GUA). Wowow,
I’m usually oriented to wherever I am, but during the race, the streets were
laid out different, the landscapes and buildings looked strikingly similar
to those in Spain. Yet, the buildings had no street names or numbers. The
collaboration with my team had some highs and lows, but I believe that as a
team, we are interdependent for our overall performance and finished our
race with newfound understanding of how one other works.

Again, there’s so much to say but in closing I can humbly said I’m a changed
person through constant positive interactions with the American and
especially the Guatemalan delegates. I look forward to what the rest of the
week will bring!