Newbies!

As sad as it was to say goodbye---the new volunteers have arrived and moved into the houses last night. I am living with three new volunteers, Samantha, another English teacher from Vermont, Edith from Germany, who works in the after school programs, and Bianca from Germany, who works with the special education students. We (Yvonne and I-for eight hours) cleaned the house in preparation for the newbies and tried to make the place as welcoming as possible. I am excited for the upcoming months to get to know the new volunteers and form friendships and memories with them and share all the ups and downs that is life here at NPH.

"I hate that red truck...it takes away all my friends."--Molly Malone

 Saying goodbye is never easy--especially when you have been living, working, traveling, eating, laughing and crying with the same people for the past six months. At NPH new volunteers arrive every January and July and the volunteers that have been there for a year say their goodbyes.

Last Thursday we had our official despedida (goodbye party) for the volunteers that were leaving. The home gathered together and all of the sections preformed, sang, and danced in appreciation of the volunteers giving their time, love and energy over the past year. The evening was filled with many smiles, many hugs and a lot of tears. After the despedida all of the volunteers, new, old and in the middle (my group) went to La Familia, a family run bar/restuarant in Parramos, for drinks, dancing and a night of fun. It was so much fun to all be together for one last time, but at the same time I looked around the room and realized that some of my very close friends who have gotten my through the past six months and who had been such an integral part of my life here at NPH are about to leave.

The goodbyes started early the next morning with Michael and Meghan and continued throughout the weekend until this morning. I didn't realize how affected I would be by people leaving and the changes that were happening. Saturday and Sunday I woke up at 5am to send off Jess and Erika and as we watched the red NPH pickup truck pull out of the driveway for the third or fourth time Molly said, " I hate that red truck...it takes away all my friends." As sad as we all were that put a smile on our faces.

It was weird returning to the houses and having eveyone gone and going up to English and not having Jess be there. I made such amazing friendships over the past six months...ones that I hope to keep for a lifetime. We have shared so many ups and downs and so many firsts--something that links you forever.

Michael, Me, Moll, Jess, Katie and Meghan

Yvonne, Me, Jess, Katie, Erika and Moll

As sad as it is to start a new six months without the old volunteers I know when one window closes a door opens.

Peter Pan Chapin Style

The cast before the first show!

This is a much overdue post but.....

Over the past three months I have been helping out with NPH's production of Peter Pan. Some of the older kids at NPH had shown interest in theatre and asked if they could put on Peter Pan so Meghan, another volunteer, and a bunch of us translated the script into Spanish, with the help of some of the older kids, with Guatemalan references and got the ball rolling. We held auditions and then once the parts were casted we practiced twice a week for over three months. With the help of Tio Sergio, a tio here at NPH, they kids participated in different acting exercises and activities and practiced songs, dances and scenes for the play. The kids were even given the opportunity to go into Antigua and partake in acting workshops at el Sitio, a cultural center in Antigua.

Getting ready for the first show at NPH!

The Indians showing off their body paint!

Peter Pan and Tiger Lily!

Captain Hook and the crocodile!

Putting on the show at NPH in the comedor.

The cast of kids, which was around 50 pequeños from 10 years old to 25, worked hard until the last show. They helped to paint the big pieces of fabric we got for each of the scenes and they helped gather props and put together costumes. As time grew nearer we began to run out of funds for most of the costumes, but Caleb and Jenn gratefully donated 100$ which was enough money to buy all of the costumes, all of the makeup, print out a picture for each of the cast members and have a pizza party after the show was over. A little amount of money goes a long way here.

After working hard and practicing for three months we presented NPH's version of Peter Pan twice here at the home and once at the cultural center in Antigua. It was such an amazing opportunity for the kids to partake in the play and work hard towards something that had such an amazing turnout. It was a lot of hard work and big time commitment, but such a rewarding experience.

The boys playing make believe!

Peter just returned...through the window!!!!

Peter and the Indian Chief! 

Captain Hook vs. Peter Pan

Lost Boys & Girls

Tiger Lily, Peter and the Indian Chief

Tiger Lily, Smee and Captain Hook

Uh oh......

Cast shot after the BIG performance at el Sitio.

Half Way There...

Today marks six months since I arrived at NPH and embarked on this adventure--I can't believe how fast time has flown by. And yes Molly and I made each other big signs to hang in our office--to commemorate the day! I am not saying it has all flown by--there have definitely been the days that drag on forever and even the hours that seem as if they will never end, but all in all six months has passed in the blink of an eye. Even though the time has gone quickly I have done so much in the past six months--met so many people who I have grown to know and love, had many new experiences, was pushed out of my comfort zone, had many ups and downs, had a visitor from the States, improved my spanish, celebrated birthdays and holidays and completed half of my year here at NPH. There is one week left until we say goodbye to the volunteers who have been here with us for the past six months---showing us the way and the new volunteers have arrived who will we teach and guide through there first six months here.

Making guacamole during "tia time"!

Some memories from the past six months...I have:
-Survived being a tia during Semana Santa
-Celebrated Easter/Semana Santa Guatemalan style
-Been a proud/smiling parent while the girls danced their Quinceañera waltz
-Helped put together Peter Pan (chapin style)
-Swam in the most crystal clear pools in Semuc Champey
-Traveled to Mexico for a week and had the most amazing time with Jose's parents
-Climbed volcano number two--escorted by a sixty year old man with a machete
- Spent a weekend at the beach with all the volunteers
-Seen the most amazing sunsets

Semana Santa in Parramos.

-Kayaked on Lake Atitlan
-Done yoga outside under a canopy of trees
-Had a visitor from the States---Christine!!!!!
-Celebrated the 4th of July Guatemalan style (aka-a flag cake and sparklers)
-Celebrated Molly's birthday--chocolate chip pancakes and all!
-Gotten closer and enjoyed every moment I have spent with my section of girls
-Made so  many breakthroughs in the classroom with behavior and English

-Met the new nine volunteers 

-Graduated from being a new volunteer to an old volunteer

The cast of Peter Pan--before the first show!

Pools at Semuc Champey!

The amazing beach in Mexico!

Volcano hike number 2--overlooking the lake and
the soccer field.

Sunset on the boat over to the beach--Puerto Iztapa!

Yah for Christine coming to visit--San Pedro with liquados!

HAPPY 4TH!

Happy Birthday Moll!

My girls jumping off the tv table and taking photos!!!

New and old volunteers!

All that has happened in the last six months only leads me to believe that the six months that are ahead of me will be amazing. Mom is coming in two weeks and I am heading to California in Oct. for Caleb and Jenn's wedding. Before I know it it will be time to head back to the states. I am definitely not ready yet and I look forward spending the next six months hanging out with my girls, getting to know the new volunteers, finishing the school year and going on vacation. Here is to the next six months!!!

Where in the World is Christine Wicks?

After months and months of waiting and countdowns---July has finally arrived and Christine Wicks has made it to Guatemala! When Christine first told me she was booking her flight the end of June seemed liked years away---but it has finally arrived!!!!!

Christine arrived on Wednesday afternoon and we picked her up at the airport. In true Guatemalan fashion we were late and she was standing out on the platform with her huge bag waiting for me. I could not have been happier to see her! We headed to Antigua first and spent two days catching up, drinking coffee, eating amazing food and exploring the city of Antigua. We visited places in Antigua that I did not even know existed--beautiful ruins and churches.

After two full days in Antigua we head to the lake for a little relaxing. We went to a lakeside town called San Pedro--I had never been there before, but it comes highly recommended by all the other volunteers. The town itself is so cute with little winding streets, that are even too small for cars to fit on. We stayed at a hotel on the lake with a lawn of hammocks overlooking the water, mountains and the volcano. The first night we met up with Michael, Jess and Erika who also happened with be in San Pedro for the weekend. We had a fun dinner and drinks out and it was so fun to introduce Christine to the people I have been spending every day with for the past six months--to the people who have become my very good friends. The next day Christine and I woke up early and headed out on a guided tour/hike up Volcan San Pedro. Manuel, a native elderly man from the town, was our guide and he lead Christine and I up the volcano with dog and machete by his side. The trail of the volcano is directly uphill and was extremely challenging--but it had the most breathtaking views.

After our morning hike we decided we deserved massages. Another town on the lake, San Marcos, is known for yoga and massages so we headed on over. We took the boat across the lake to San Marcos and spent the afternoon exploring the village and getting massages---much needed! The next day--back in San Pedro--we woke up to rain and it did not stop raining all day. We hopped from restaurant, to coffee shop, to bar and read and played cards while it down poured. The rain let up for an hour or so in the middle of the day and we snuck in a kayak--which was beautiful. Always fun to see places from the water! The next morning we heading to an outdoor yoga session before headed back to Antigua. The yoga sesssion was so relaxing and beautiful under a canopy of trees.

After a few days of rest and relaxation we headed back to NPH--so I could show Christine where I have been and what I have been doing for the past six months. Christine spent the next to days being such a good sport--she came to classes with me, where she was bombarded with questions. She came to my section with me where she was attacked by my girls and she help my plan for my upcoming classes. We went on a tour of NPH and took a hike through the mountains so she could really come to understand why I am so happy and why I love being here.

It was so amazing having Christine here and showing her what has become such a big part of my life. It was hard to stay goodbye and I am already counting down until we are reunited back in DC!

Happy 4th of July!!!!

                                                    HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

When I studied in Spain during college the times I was the most homesick were over holidays and events when I knew my family and friends were all together and I was missing out days at the beach or easter brunch or family dinners. Since arriving in Guatemala almost six months ago (ahh) I decided to celebrate all the holidays from home and try to uphold all the same traditions and start some new ones here with my new family at NPH.

So today--marking the 4th of July--is a day where I would normally be watching the parade at my house with the masses of friends. Then making my way to the beach for a day at the beach with eating, drinking and relaxing in the sun. Which would then be followed by a group dinner and fireworks. I tried my best to uphold the traditions here in Guatemala and make the day as festive as possible.

I started off the day not wearing my uniform to work (rebel!!!) and dressing in red, white and blue. I then proceeded to teach all of my classes about the Fourth of July, through readings, games and activities in the classroom. We even had our own parade--which may have included candy be thrown. I was just trying to give the kids the full experience.

Later in the day I made an amazing cake decorated like the flag with strawberries and blue m&m's. There are no blueberries in Guatemala--so we had to make do with what we had--which included Erika and Molly going through many bags of m&m's to find enough blue ones. Following the cake making extraveganza we made a delicious dinner of pizza and beer---how much more american can one get.

After dinner the rest of the volunteers from the states, as well as Germany, Italy, Holland and Belgium, joined us for cake, sparklers (which we found in a box in the volunteer house) and some good old american music. I would say all in all it was quite the 4th of July!

                 New traditions with new friends---Happy Fourth from all the way in Guatemala!