Update

To touch of some of the last few ideas and experiences in Guatemala before El Salvador takes over the conversation here is an update.

September 15th:
Was independence day in Guatemala. The true state of independence is a debatable subject as their independence from Spanish 190 years ago was essentially a transfer of power from the Spanish government (with financial woes at the time) to the wealthy Guatemalan born people of Spanish parents. Which means that the poor and indigenous populations are still oppressed. There was no war for independence, just a ceremonial signing of papers stating the new state of "independence." Though, being in Xela or Quetzaltenago, on this day meant that we got to experience the largest independence day celebration in all of Central America. We stayed out until the fireworks were set off at midnight, got to see various segments of parades (there were A LOT!), and go to the feria (mostly just a bunch of vendors and rickety rides). Generally, it was a very interesting experience that was plenty of fun but also thought provoking.

The week in Cantel:
Four days that were the ones with the most rewards, rich experience, and general learning of the program thus far. It would take me days to recap all the experiences we got to have so I'll stick with the highlights and some basic information.

We stayed in a small community outside of Cantel, Guatemala. It was a rural community whose economic support was largely agricultural. They have two community buildings: an evangelical church and a three classroom school with a large cement area outside. We were put with host families in pairs. The houses were simple: mostly two rooms made out of cinderblocks with running water at one faucet and a latrine nearby to go to the bathroom in.

My family's house was nicer than I was expecting, but very simple all the same. They have four children, an eleven year old daughter (Lily), a nine year old son (Carlos), a seven year old daughter (Grialda Marisol), and a three year old daughter (Alicia). The children were some of the sweetest and most well behaved that I have ever met. Every night we would play cards or games (simon dice, luz rojo/luz verde, pato pato ganzo, etc). I also taught them some of the songs we sang at camp this summer which they really liked.

In the mornings we had Spanish classes, but since mine was over we just spent the time walking around the mountainside, reading short stories, or visiting the school and singing with the kids. The afternoons varied as far as activities. We had a cooking class, visited the natural hot springs, this really neat recycled glass factory, and a doctor of natural medicine.

Our last night we had a big party with the whole community where I taught all the kids some simple songs and then we all made improvised s'mores with chickys (a shortbread cookie with chocolate on one side) and marshmellows. It was a blast!! I think the kids had a lot of fun too.

The realities of life in the community are so very different from anywhere else we have stayed. While my professor and I, were sitting outside reading short stories we would see the people of the community walk by. We saw the men with their horses with loads of chopped wood heading back and forth from where they had to purchase the tree to chop for 300Q ($27) and where they had to sell it, a long walk away, for 60Q per load. I am not really sure how many loads they could get out of a tree, but they are not able to make a very big profit off of their constant work.We also saw kids working to help their parents make money, when they might otherwise be in school. Once a child reaches about ten years old the costs incurred in attending school, whether directly through cost of materials or the absence of the extra income they could bring by working. The idea of an education all the way through university is rarely in the future plans of the young people in this community.

The time spent in this community is hard to sum up in a clear way in writing right now, but the thought processes and images in my mind are not soon to leave.

End of Guatemala:
Once we left the rural village, we had one night back in Xela where we got to have dinner at Cafe Red once again. There was concert at PLQ also, but I was so tired and not feeling so well so I decided to skip out and go back to the hotel. The following morning we had breakfast and then headed to Antigua. Antigua is a mixed bag in my opinion. It is so familiar to me, despite the number of years that have passed since I spent studying Spanish there. It has become much more tourist central that I remember it being. More modern cafes and restaurants, but still, in my opinion, a very beautiful city. I am glad that I got to experience other parts of Guatemala as well, but I really have no bad feelings toward Antigua. I also was able to visit the house of a family friend of ours, which was very nice. Apparently, I have not changed in the past seven years except to grow taller. We found a nice cafe with a bookstore (dangerous places for me!) and were able to do some other exploring as well. It was a really calm way to end our five weeks in Guatemala.