I have been waiting for it - but it hasn't happend - yet!
I have done lots of reading about it and certainly talked with people who have experienced it so it is with a bit of trepidation I write that I have not yet experienced it - or have not experienced something that feels really shocking!
I certainly have been aware of the increased pace of life and the greater degree of commercialism. I am also continuing to feel the tug of my new found friends in Guatemala, my slower pace of life and the need to follow up with projects I was involved with. And I am wondering how I will fit in at work; will I be able to bring my carefully cultivated slower pace to my job?
And then again maybe I was not away long enough to experience it?
Or maybe some of the strategies I have been using for reentry are helping. The four day visit to Tofino with my husband was a real treat (even if it was cold and rainy). As well, about a month before I was to return I began thinking about the writing I wanted to do. The biggest piece has been a cultural values analysis of modern Mayan culture. I really enjoyed doing the research and the writing and am loving the feedback I am getting from friends and colleagues in the highlands.
The team I worked with had a potluck a couple of days after I returned so that was a great opportunity to find out how everyone was doing, bring people up to speed on projects still underway and continue discussions on project work which needs to be done here to prepare for the next trip.
I also have had almost three weeks of time to get myself back here and have used the time to think, write, talk to colleagues, walk with friends and to sleep!
We'll see.
Feliz tardes, Colleen
LIFE School
These doors open to the school office and library.
Chalking
On my last day I did a school assembly on Canada. I capped the 45 minute lesson with an activity near and dear to the hearts of most kids in Canada in the spring - drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.
A LIFE School Classroom
Not nearly as high tech as most of the classrooms in Canada and full of us much learning and excitement as any I have been in.
Guatemala
Department of Solala
Like a province or state, the department is the regional political entity. Santiago Atitlan and Panajachel are located on opposite sides of Lago Atitlan
Garden Gate
on the lowlands of Santiago Atitlan
Statue of Christ on the cross
The statue has been cleaned, tied to the cross which is raised at the front of the church.
The casket as it begins the procession.
Sixty men, each with a tag on his shoulder noting his place move the casket along the route. A second team of sixty men take over at the half way point, about 7 to 8 hours after the procession begins.
Statue of Mary
Mary's statue follows the casket on the first part of the procession.
Santiago
Saint James as he follows Mary and the casket of Christ on the church Plaza
Building the Alfombra #1
The pattern elements are chalked on to the cobblestone and the first strips of carpet are laid.
Alfombras #2
The stencils are placed on the sections of coloured sawdust to build layers of contrasting colours.
Alfombra #3
A section of the completed carpet laid in the church plaza.
Catholic Church of Santiago
Friday evening - all is quiet
Photo for Mom
For Kate
A photo she would take
Local Transport
Pickup (notice the bar in the centre for balance) from a tuc tuc
Towards Santiago Atitlan
Strip market gardens roll down to the Lake
Vista Dorado
View from our front steps
Microscopia Amigos
Two grade six students study an onion skin slide with the microscopes we donated to the schools.
Soccer is Serious Play in Guatemala
This is one of a number of games played during a week devoted to basketball and soccer tournaments. Thats the Chacaya Lower School Junior Team in the blue jerseys donated by a league in the Comox Valley.
Dental Lessons
Prior to the arrival of our team dentist many of us were engaged with supporting dental lessons for about 500 kids who live in villages around the Lake. Kids learned the importance of brushing their teeth and had a practical lesson in how to do it.
Water
At Chukamuk Uno the women have to come here to get their water. This settlement built after Hurricane Stan as no water in its pipes because the well water is full of sulfer. The water in this cistern is pumped directly from Lago Atitlan and trucked to the settlement.
Astronomy Lesson
Pedro shows his primary students how the earth (a ball used to play soccer) rotates on its axis.
Coffee Berries
The berries are picked by men who are paid about $7 for a 100 lb sack. The seed is what becomes the coffee bean.
Hauling the Soil for the Garden
A group of boys went with Nicholas and hauled this very rich soil from for spots on the mountain. Then the students used a variety of innovative techniques to get the soil up from the road to the garden plots - about a 50 foot rise.
Working on the Garden
One of the few pictures of me - working with the kids to plant the garden
Stove project - after
This stove, modified to minimize the amount of wood used as well as the amount of smoke generated provides families with a relatively smoke free environment and a place to warm up in the rainy season.
Stove Project - before
Women cook on open fires with minimal ventilation. Kids are often straped to their backs meaning both Mom and baby breathe in the fire smoke
I know what is healthy food
Food groups a la Guatemala
Mother and daughter in tipico ropas
The huipile (embroidered blouse) and corte (wrap around skirt) are typical clothing for women in Guatemala.
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