Wed, August 5th:

Well, I had an interesting first day yesterday. I met Marlo (my United Planet coordinator/guide/friend/savior) at the language school in the morning. There are lots of people from all over the world studying Spanish there. People of all ages, each one of them doing something different and interesting with their lives. I met an older man who grew up in Brooklyn, not far from where I live. I must say that it was nice to talk to someone who knows my neighborhood! Small world, huh?

I went to the shelter with five other volunteers where Ariella, the coordinator, showed us around. It was pretty empty and quiet...until she took us over to the day care center and we all fell in love with the children. All of them, between the ages of about 2 up to 5 years old, all said in unison, "Buenos dias" (in that super-cute way that only a little kid can say it.) That was it for me; instantly hooked. Even better, they have tons of Legos there, so I knew it was going to be a fun time. After leaving the room, I immediately signed up for a field trip we´re doing tomorrow, taking them to the park to play. I really can´t wait. I know it´s going to be a.w.e.s.o.m.e.
Today I´ll be making lunch for everyone, despite the fact that I´ve warned them of my extremely liberal use of garlic (ajo) They seemed fine with it. My kind of people.

I wanted to quickly mention (again) that my host family is amazing, I really cannot imagine any other family being better than this one. Catalina and Antonio are literally like a mom and a little brother to me. Such warm, kind people. Man, will I miss them when I leave.

I had my first one-on-one Spanish lesson with Palmenia yesterday too. She´s excellente and I started to remember the Spanish I just learned last semester (and got an A in, btw.) I still can´t make sentences, I´m still intimidated, but I´m beginning to find out that I don´t have a choice in the matter (Especially if I plan on getting lost again...see next paragraph)

So, after getting lost and wandering around town for about an hour, I was very fortunate to meet an extremely friendly older couple and their two teenaged daughters, who not only helped me get back to the house, but they insisted on driving me there in their car! I am so incredibly blessed to always manage to find the kindest people in this world. Catalina and Anotio were sitting in front of the house waiting for me. I didn´t understand what she was saying, but it wasn´t hard to figure it out, because she kept touching her heart and speaking rapidly. The she started to hug and kiss me. I felt like such a fool, but I promised myself that that isn´t going to happen again. It´s par for the course for me to get lost at least once on every trip anyway, so at least I got that over with right away.

After dinner last night, Antonio and I read from his science book, so we helped each other with our homework, so to speak. Antonio´s the man!

Tonight I´m going on an overnight full moon hike up the volcano (Volcan Santa Maria) Am I crazy? Absolutely. Am I psyched? Absolutely. I have altitude sickness pills, so I think I´ll be okay. I´m going with about 30 other people from all over. I heard it will be FREEZING up there, but you only live once, right? How can I turn this down? You know there will be photos and I´m going to video tape it as well.

Check back tomorrow, assuming I am able to wake up and post.

Miss you all.

XOXOX


Val

some photos of Xela

I will have to post quickly but I am already in love with this place. Marlo is taking me all over town and I already feel at home in Xela. I to keep this short because I have to leave for my Spanish lesson now! More later!

I have no idea what I'm doing...

...but I'm doing it anyway. I haven't given enough thought to what may happen. I have no expectations about anything (I've been to India, so I know better.) I have no friends (yet) in Guatemala. I have never been to a country by myself without a friend picking me up and taking me around. Despite all of these things, something is propelling me to carry-on. Part of it is because I am surrounded by loving, supportive friends and family members who keep me going when I feel as if I can't. Another part of it is that I can no longer remain in this comfort zone I've established for myself without taking some sort of action. Donating money and signing petitions isn't enough for me. I don't feel as if I found United Planet and Nuevos Horizontes anymore than I feel as if they found me. I had no specific destination in mind, only that I wanted to go where I was needed. And so it has come to pass.

After I land in Guatemala City tomorrow, I will travel by bus for four hours into the Northwestern part of the country to the city of Xela (pronounced, "Shay-la.") There I will stay with a host family and do my volunteer work at Nuevos Horizontes. (A description of the shelter and a link to its website is below.)

No matter what may happen, I know that my life will be forever changed from this experience. And I will try my best to meet it with an open mine and an open heart.

Inhale. Exhale. Onward...

Time to pack.

XO

val

Asociación Hogar Nuevos Horizontes

http://www.ahnh.org/

AHNH is a non-governmental, non-profit, Guatemalan organization that has been working with women and children in the city of Xela, Quetzaltenango since 1989. AHNH is comprised of a network including an administrative office, a Shelter, and a Day Care Center. All offer support, services, and temporary shelter to women and children survivors of domestic violence and to single mothers with extremely limited financial resources.

(source:http://www.xelapages.com/vol-nuevoshorizantes.htm)

And Away We (almost) Go

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne

A Short History From a Long Life:

After nine years of working for a New York City exhibit design firm, I have decided to resign from my position and return to school to finish earning my bachelor's degree in Social Change and Women's Studies. It is a huge turning point in my life. For the first time in ages, I feel very much alive. I want to take risks again. I want to devote my life to the things I'm passionate about. In four days my journey will begin.

This is where my journey begins...

Verrazano Narrows bridge, Brooklyn NY. View from my roof.