The Things I’ll Remember
This was my final homework at the school. I was supposed to write a composition on my total experience here. But when it came to writing it I could only write random thoughts and memories that stick in my head while I have been here in Xela.
Estas son las cosas que yo voy a recordar de mi viaje en Xela: Estando de pie en la calle con mis bolsas mi primera noche esperando para mis padres, caminando a la escuela mi primera vez, conociendo Kristina durante orientación, montando en el bus de pollo, sentando en el patio en la Finca Alianza, los borrachos durmiendo en los calles, el día que yo estuve muy enfermo, la primera vez yo comí pan con frijoles, los ojos locos de Víctor que el bato español en mi cabeza con amor, poniendo en la playa de Champerico, jugando ping pong en la escuela, visitando San Simón en Zunil, sintiendo me que mi español estuvo creciendo, mi primera vez al Lago Atitlan, estando en el techo del hotel en Panahachel con amigos, constantamente levantando mi dedo pequeno en mi mano para Jaime y Luis, las fiestas de navidad y año nuevo con mi familia, caminando en la ciudad buscando nueva cosas, bebiendo el café en la escuela, tomando un barca a Santiago, oyendo la risa de Anabella, sentando en mi favorito lugar Café Baviera, bailando en la escuela y la parranda, viendo la cultura indígena cada día, gritando “Helados” a mi familia todo el tiempo con Davis, el visto de la ciudad en el vía a Los Vajos, cenando con Olga y Magda, subiendo la carreterra a La Pedrera con Craig, hablando con mi amor en el jardín, viendo las caras de los niños cuando ellos comprended algo nuevo, saber que cada semana es una oportunidad conocer alguien nuevo, jugando fútbol con mi familia, dando besos para hola y adios, viendo los chuchos en las calles, caminando en las calles en la noches, haciendo tiempo especial con Gyuhee, Carol, and Natalie, teniendo amistad y amor en una cultura diferente que normal.
 |
 |
 |
 |
These are the things that I will remember of my trip in Xela: Standing in the street with my luggage my first night waiting for my parents, walking to the school for the first time, meeting Kristin during orientation, riding in chicken buses, sitting on the patio at Finca Alianza, the drunks sleeping in the street, the day that I was very sick, the first time I ate bread with refried beans on it, the crazy eyes of Víctor as he beat spanish into my head with love, laying on the beach in Champerico, playing ping pong in the school, visiting San Simón in Zunil, feeling that my spanish was increasing, my first time at Lake Atitlan, being on the roof at my hotel in Panahachel with my friends, constantly raising my pinky finger for Jaime and Luis, parties at Christmas and New Year´s with my family, walking in the city finding new things, drinking coffee in the school, taking a boat to Santiago, listening to Anabella laugh, sitting in my favorite place Café Baviera, dancing in the school and at La Parranda, seeing the indigenous culture everyday, yelling “Helados” to my family all the time with Davis, the view of the city on the way to Los Vajos, dinner with Olga and Magdalena, climbing the road to La Pedrera with Craig, talking with my love Erlinda in the garden, seeing the faces of the kids when they learn something new, to know that every week is an opportunity to meet someone new, playing soccer with my family, giving kisses hello and goodbye, seeing the dogs in the street, walking in the streets at night, investing my time with Gyuhee, Carol, and Natalie, having friendship and love in a culture different than normal.
 |
 |
 |
 |
I Heart Borrachas
Yesterday in Cafe Baviera, I was minding my own when I hear “Hey You” from the table next to me. I look over to start talking to two women who were on their way to being three sheets to the wind.
So then one of them said “¿Quieres ser mi novio?” and then they start giggling and ask me how do I say that in English, so I say “Do you want to be my boyfriend?”. Then they start laughing again.
Apparently one of the girls found it necessary to be getting drunk because her boyfriend broke up with her. And from what I got out of the conversation he was jealous because her and her friend were very hot. Of course you are. I’m surprised “We’re bringing sexy back” has not infiltrated the Spanish language. But I’m going to start it:
“¡Estoy trayendo sexy detrás!”
One of the girls knew a little bit of English, but this began a comical lesson for the brokenhearted woman on how to say vulgar things about her ex-boyfriend in English.
Definitely an exciting afternoon in the cafe!
First of My Lasts
I recently had my last day teaching the kids at La Pedrera. The first of my lasts as my trip starts coming to an end.
The kids at the school have been incredible. Very respectful, welcoming, and willing to learn everyday. It is a wonderful heart warming feeling to see young faces light up as they realize they are learning and creating something new. It just fuels my want to teach again someday.
In my time here, we have learned different things in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and web development. It is a completely different atmosphere because none of the kids have computers in their homes, so they are so excited and interested in what you have to teach them. Very different than in the US just because computers are so commonplace.
I see different kids in the street around the city and they are always coming up to me, shaking my hand, and wanting to talk. It’s great.
Theresa, the representative for the project at Casa Xelaju, has been climbing the hill everyday to assist the kids in their homework and learning for 12 years. She is a very special person and I’m glad that I have met her. She allowed me to teach the kids without restrictions and was very appreciative of all the time that I put in there.
For my last day we did some Powerpoint presentations where they learned how to animate text in their presentations. I had made print outs of all pictures for each student and gave the to them as gifts for the end of class. You would have thought it was like Christmas. They were so excited to get pictures of themselves.
Friday, Theresa called me into her office to talk about my time here, etc. and gave me cards that were made from many of the students, including drawings and little messages from them. A very special moment for me.
