Miedo y Anticipación

It’s starting to get weird now since every day that goes by was our last of that day in Guatemala. (That may have been confusing, but I mean it in the sense that today is my last Tuesday in Guatemala). Monday, I relaxed for a bit after breakfast and then Aleia and I went to the market and Nim Pot (a little store) and I finally finished my Christmas shopping! Then, we had our last regular Core 400 class in the afternoon at Paul and Bev’s house as tomorrow we each are giving our presentations about the papers we wrote/are writing.

This morning, Aleia and I made our rounds around town. We stopped by a friend’s house to drop stuff off. I purchased my last tostada from the ladies who are in front of the school everyday. Went by the laundry mat and went to Parque Central to make a final ‘creative’ purchase to aid in my gift giving. Then, we went back to our house and listened to some worship music in Spanish while sitting on my bed and working on our little projects. Now, I’m at Paul’s house using the internet to post my blog updates and finish up stuff for my classes.

Only a few days left here in Guatemala and I’m going to make the most of them! Packing is difficult, not because I have so much stuff, but because I know it means the end is near. The end of something good, something great! I’m getting nervous about making the transition back to the states, but I know that everything will work out how it’s supposed to. It might take time and the reverse culture shock might be overwhelming at times, but I know I’ll get through it...I'm not quite ready yet, but I know God is preparing me.

Casi El Fin

Last week was quite wonderful! Monday and Tuesday I mainly spent relaxing, reading and waiting in great anticipation for Wednesday and Thursday…and the weekend! Wednesday, some of us went to a neighboring city, Ciudad Vieja, for a parade. There were tons of semis, floats, dancers, children, vendors, horses, and Barack Obamas…It was fun though. We were there for about two hours waiting for it to start, watching it, and waiting for traffic to clear so we could get back to Antigua. Wednesday night, there was also a ‘burning of the devil’ event here in Antigua. My roommates and I planned on going to it, but our host mom gave us dinner at the time we were going to leave (an hour and a half earlier than we normally eat). By the time we arrived, the devil had been burned and everyone was going home or staying to listen to some music and dance, so we just walked back home.
[there were lots of weird devil floats like this one] [smurfs :) ]
[I got my picture with Barack and Michelle Obama...one couple out of many]
Thursday morning I read a bit and went to the school to use the internet before lunch. Then, after lunch two of my roommates and I went over to the Nemecek’s house early to help get ready for our Christmas party. We mixed some dough, cut out cookies and baked them before everyone arrived for the festivities. Then, we decorated the Christmas tree and some cookies before busting open a Santa Claus piñata. We recorded ourselves singing Feliz Navidad and put it on YouTube so we could be part of our Christmas chapel on campus (which was yesterday.) It was a great party and ended with bellies full of cookies and some Domino’s pizza. It was a fun last group celebration before we head home.
[Aleia, Jen and me baking up a storm]
[Piñata]
Here is the link to the Feliz Navidad video: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=592370550&sk=photos#!/photo.php?v=575892446543

Friday and Saturday were chill days. Saturday we just relaxed, hung out, went to the market, and enjoyed Antigua for our last Saturday. Sunday we had our last group meal :( It was a breakfast buffet with on a hill overlooking Antigua. We had a gorgeous view and were joined by Juan Carlos and his wife Suri (the daughter and son-in-law of my house mom). Juan Carlos is the director of our Spanish School, La Unión. We ate lots of food, watched volcano ‘eruptions’ and talked in Spanish and English. Quite a lovely last meal!
[Eruption!]

Luces!

Another amazing week has come and gone…Most of last week I spent relaxing, reading my Bible, reading for class, and reading for pleasure. (I’m really not a big reader, but it was nice to just relax a bit!) Most mornings I spent my reading time either sitting on my little balcony, on my bed or sitting in another bedroom with my legs sticking out on the roof below working on my tan. Monday and Wednesday afternoon I had one of my classes and then besides that had some free time.

Thursday I mixed things up a bit and went to La Unión to use the internet in the morning and then in the afternoon, Jen and I went to Sky Café and read on the roof up there. (More reading, yes!) The reading wasn’t as fun because it was for class, but at least I got my homework out of the way before the weekend began! Friday I made a morning dash to the market and made an impulse buy…I can’t say what I got yet as it is a Christmas gift for a family member. I just hope he likes it! Friday night we went to Parque Central for the lighting of the park. There was a big celebration of sorts with a stage, marimbas, fireworks, floating lights, cotton candy, people in costumes and lots of Christmas lights! There was a countdown and the whole city watched as the lights in Parque Central lit up all the trees in sight.

[Fireworks]

[Aleia and I eating some cotton candy!]

[Floating lantern being lit]

[The lights]
Saturday I went to a café with Aleia called, Y Tú Piña También. (Yes, that means ‘And Your Pineapple Too) I got to Skype with my family AND Google video chat with Andi Ruth! :) After lunch, our house went to the market to make a few small purchases and then my other two roommates when to a café, so Aleia and I went to the 24 hour prayer chapel I had stopped by to look at a few weeks ago. We spent a few hours there and it was really nice!
[The sidewalk leading to the prayer chapel]

Sunday, we had our group meal at Portal Antigua, a hotel near my home stay. Lunch was buffet style and included pool access. :) Best of both worlds?! Yes. Ate a hearty lunch and then laid out by the pool taking a break every so often to take a swim in the water, dry off in the sun and then snag a little more grub from the buffet. Then, time to repeat the process again. Our buffet time lasted until 4, so we sat down for an early dinner at 3:30 and tried not to stuff ourselves silly. It was a great day of food, sun, and company!
[Aleia and I in the pool =] We acted like we were 10 and got laughed at multiple times, but had a blast!]