Sethventures

I started off my third week in Xela feeling healthy again, and proud of the progress that I had made in Spanish. On Monday, I went for a run with my host-mom. When we got back to our house, I realized that I had held a conversation with her for the entire hour - and understood practically everything she said (although...she spoke slowly for me). She told me that she and her family were surprised by- and proud of my progress. We recalled my first night here when I couldn't get a point across without playing charades (I can't imagine what she was thinking when I was trying to ask her - through mostly acting- "what time should I shower tomorrow morning?"). Outside of class, I participated in some pretty interesting activities through the school - ... read more

My first week in Guatemala was both challenging and incredible! Perhaps most challenging was traveling here alone knowing very little Spanish. Not many folks here speak English (neither does my Spanish teacher). Also challenging (though incredible) were two 5:30 AM runs up a mountain called 'Baul' with my host-mom, and today, hiking up a volcano. Incredible has been everything from learning about Guatemala's rich culture and history - to salsa dancing with new friends and social justice/political conversations with peers and my Spanish teacher (although the latter was often a bit indecipherable). So, for those that don't know, I am here because I wanted to do something exciting, adventurous, and educational with my summer months. It's the first time in a long time that I have had a summer "off" (although, technically, I am still serving ... read more