Finishing February

Some of my readers may have noticed something about my blog. Yes, you probably have noticed how great it is, but you may have also noticed how I haven't talked much about work. The thing is, I haven't had much work. Due to varying factors, my first few months in site have been less of a 'hit the ground running' situation, and more of a 'take your time and adapt' situation. However in recent weeks things have begun to pick up. This coming week, March 2nd, I will have my first full week of scheduled work and it shouldn't slow down from there. I will be planting gardens with about seven women this week. Next week we will continue to plant and also I will host a cooking class and my counterpart Ela and I will start up a literacy class with about twenty women. This will be the second year for all but one of the women, for who it is her first year. These women know a bit of how to read and write and in the second year we will continue to hone those skills and integrate basic level education. These last few months have been a mixture of enjoyment and frustration; enjoying my time to adjust but also frustrated at the seemingly lack of interest to actually work from my committee. As such, I am ready to begin to be productive with the women here. My hope as I begin to know these women as I plant with them, is to next encourage the construction and use of a compost pile. From there, I want to push vermicompost; but, one step at a time. And now, some pictures. 

I encountered this Mayan man on my way home one day last week. He was amicable enough to let me take his portrait. However afterward he asked for me Q5. I gave him Q2. He's in the traditional traje, suit, of my town. Underneath his sweater is the bright red shirt that is also typical. The sneakers are not so typical, but the man's got to wear shoes. 

This weekend was hot. 70 degrees in the shade, according to Nic's trusty porch thermometer. Due to a bought of sickness on my part, we had to cancel plans to visit a volunteer in the next town. As such, we had a day in tiny, remote Chuyuhub to fill. After soaking some morning rays, I got a little warmed up. Nic suggest I take a dip in the pool; his pila (the pila is the sink you see me sitting in). It was quite refreshing. 

After swim time, we decided to pack a picnic and find a shady spot. As we're walking down the road these Mayan kids have a blast running from the gringos. They stop, look back at us, I wave them near, and they take off running, giggling. And the cycle continues... 

...until we catch them at their home. These girls are beautiful. 

Here's the shady spot we found. There is so little pristine nature here in Guate, and nothing grand like we are so blessed to have in the NW. This little, relatively clean creek with trees provided some of the little pieces of nature I need to keep myself sane here. 

 A cow. There are lots of them at Nic's site. This one was particularly good looking, I thought.