Adios de mi amigos en Guatemala!

So, here we are, my last blog to be written on this trip to Guatemala, packing is half done, need to buy an extra carry-on bag and a couple of typically themed tee-shirts. I came out with three suitcases plus an extra bag – I am returning with two suit cases less, the first thing I have learned is it is pretty pointless carrying excess of anything around the world.  Si this last week I have been on another give “it all away spree.”

I am ready to leave in another sense, Antigua was an obvious choice to start out on this adventure, but I feel that despite its obvious beauty and architectural wonders it is not Guatemala and was probably the worst place In Guatemala I could have chosen to learn Spanish~ sure Antigua is crawling with Spanish Schools all offering 1-2-1 tuition and all much of a muchness. They cater for the enthusiastic tourist, volunteer here for may be 2 – 4 weeks who needs a grounding in the language, to become fluent I needed to be in a part of Guatemala where English was not the fall-back position.  So I hope for greater things in Peru!  My knowledge of the grammar of Spanish is pretty thorough but now it all needs to be put to use!  Here, everybody wants to show off their English and before you know it you are talking English not Spanish.  But never mind, this adventure is about living and learning, after all.

Renting the house was the right thing to do, but the house I rented though possessing a lovely garden was inconvenient and its position in this lovely garden made it a magnet for every kind of biting insect imaginable, all they all seemed to find a way into the bed! My legs have only just recovered from the myriad of bites.  In Peru I am sticking to the volunteer house (will have a double room with private bath)  and when I feel the need for a change will go and spend a couple of nights somewhere in a reasonable hotel, or share a flat maybe. But again live and learn.

Adjusting to life in a shared house has had it’s ups and downs, being 55, and I suppose a bit more set in my way (though I like to think pretty damned flexible) it is hard sharing with 20 something’s who all seem to think that the fairies come down at night and do the washing up, put stuff away and generally keep the place habitable. Whilst determined not to play the martyr, there have been periods here in the volunteer house when I have stuck to washing only my own things and demonstrably doing my washing up immediately after eating, and just leaving other peoples mess to themselves. But, in the end despite you do end up doing it, otherwise there are going to be rats everywhere!  They don’t seem to get the fact that the houses are open, there is no back door, the kitchen is open, and their Mum is not here to look after them!  In Peru from my investigations, the volunteer house, seems to be better organised is only available to selected volunteers who as its says “will maintain and care for the house as if it was there own – it is not a party space and not availble to volunteers under 21”.   But as an early riser, I was showered and would be drinking my first cup of coffee (with ojitas) by six a.m. so pretty much had the place to myself.

 Again, I feel I have also learned a lot about selecting organisations and projects, there were so many problems and “politics” associated with the project in Santiago Zamora that it was only from around Easter when I decided to just focus on my art classes and withdraw any participation in the politics of the project that I started to enjoy myself.  (My views on this are in my previous blog).  In Peru I am going to be teaching music and working with orchestras and choirs and much groups so I reckon it will be different. 

It was only recently that I realised that most of the dissatisfaction I had been feeling was simply because I had strayed from my original intention.  Live simply, no responsibility, be a volunteer only, (don’t get involved in the organisations), no romantic entanglements (amigos con derechos only!), to be open to new ideas, to enjoy myself and to move on when I get bored ……

Six months in one place is certainly about right, it also coincides with most countries visa rules.

With the Otra Cosa network in Peru I also have the advantage that they run so many projects that if the main one does not  work out (or I need a break) I could escape to the mountains or the jungle. And that whilst Huanchaco is a Latin American tourist destination in the summer (Nov- Mar) the tourists are Latinos not gringos! In any case I will need to leave Peru after 183 days! (But can re-enter after a few days).

I have made some good friends here, and re-established one or two old friendships from past trips, and I have to say that the internet really does play a positive part here, inasmuch, as friendships can be maintained. In the case of Peru, I am already talking to some people, who I am sure will make my arrival in Huanchaco less daunting.

So, despite this all sounding a bit negative, I am happy, have been on a steep learning curve and know that year two of the grand adventure is going to be better. I am going to make sure my Spanish improves, going to look for more opportunities to do get involved in the local community and be even more open to new experiences. My plans for Ecuador (after Peru) will do this nicely as I hope to work on an Alpaca farm, live with a small village community of 45 people in the Amazon jungle, and also live with a community in a dry coastal forest.

Guatemala has served it purpose as a gentle introduction to Latin America, I give a score of “6 out of 10” for year one with the comment “Can, must and will do better next year”  (That sounds just like my school reports!)

So thanks to all the folks at CasaSito and to my friends Jossefet, Eduardo (Erick), Abdias, Marvin, Ricardo and Eny for making my time in Guatemala so enjoyable. (Oh.......  and my Korean students!)

Suny one of my Korean students of English

Now where’s my promised toasted Hovis, butter, and Coopers Marmalade all washed down with some strong breakfast tea!   Martin and Jean are working hard to make me feel truly back in the UK! 

I leave today at 16:00 for the city and spend the night at my friend Eny’s place, he is then driving me to the airport for my 06:26 flight to Houston, then to Neward and finally I arrive in Birmingham Wednesday at  07:10.

So a final Volcano Fuego update:

In a special bulletin on 3 August, 2012, INSIVUMEH reported a new phase of activity at Fuego, characterized by increased seismicity and degassing sounds. Incandescent tephra was ejected 200 m high and a lava flow travelled 500 m down the SW flank into the Taniluya drainage. Pyroclastic flows likely descended the SE and SW flanks. During 4-7 August explosions produced ash plumes that rose 200-400 m above the crater and drifted NW and W. Lava flows travelled 250-300 m down the Taniluyá drainage. Detached blocks from the lava-flow front travelled down the flanks to the vegetated area. Blocks also traveled down the Ceniza drainage (SSW). At night during 5-6 August explosions ejected incandescent tephra 100 m above the crater. 

“Such a shame all that tephra was on the other side of the volcano from Antigua!”

(Like I actually know what tephra is! )

With me good friend Eduardo aka Eric!

 And now I am signing out of Guatemala and setting off for blighty and Brum!

 (A more considered review will follow later!)

FINALLY!

From the "Newage 2012" website:

"Are you ready?

The year 2012 is upon us.

Ready or not, the Mayan calendar is running out, the universe is expanding, and our chance to get to know one another barely starts a ripple on the vast ocean of time.

Come in and share the madness as we spin into the void of eternity consumed in the fire of planetary destruction.

Be here when first contact occurs, the poles reverse and you suddenly find yourself on the opposite side of the world, or when beams of energy from the sun transform cats into the most intelligent life on earth."

 Meeeeow   (some of us already new this about cats!)

.........No really the final thing .... a few pictures not mine of sunset in Antigua ......ahhhh how appropriate!

Hasta Luego Amigos