Week two in Guatemala

Hello all,
     So I have gotten some complaints about not posting on my blog recently.  While I am glad that you are so interested, let me tell you about what my week has been like so you can understand while I did not feel like spending my free time blogging everything.  My schedule for this last week of school stuff is laid out below.  Monday through Friday the schedule is configured in mornings and afternoons.  We generally meet three times for large group, three times for specific group- me pediatrics, and three afternoons for spanish and every Thursday we have an extra guest lecture. On and on fridays we have a fieldtrip.  Breakfast is at 7am, lunch at 1pm and dinner at 7pm.  I try and wake up at 6:30 everyday and go to bed between 9:45 and 10:30 on weekdays.
     First of all Spanish, I think I have been doing pretty well with this class. I really love the one on one style.  We generally just have a conversation for the first part, then do some sort of activity such as reading or something and then work on some grammar.  during this time we will normally break back out into conversation over something that came up.  Second, large groups, I have found these very interesting, though most of the stuff is more anthropology focused instead of OT and that is a little harder. I have been learning so much about Guatemala, and it is all so fascinating, if a lot of it sad.  It has been really interesting to focus on home human rights and health is so interconnected.  Third, my pediatrics group at Hermano Pedro.  I am really enjoying this and learning a lot.  The second week is much easier than the first because I am more used to it and have grown in confidence.  For example, today I fed two little babies with pretty significant cleft palates with only a little trouble.  This is something I had not done before but had seen the others feeding there children on previous days while I was feeding other kids.  It was an amazing experience.  And also just being there with the kids, being able to put some of my skills to use and see how I can help them develop is great.  I really like my group.
      Fourth, the guest lecture last night was great.  He was from FAFG, which is the Forensic Anthropology Foundation in Guatemala.  For anyone who watches "Bones", yes like that.  There are four different areas in this foundation though, the forensic anthropologists, forensics archeologists, forensic genetics and unidentified persons area.  While really fascinating to learn all about it, the reason it came about was from sadness.  It came about to try and find and identify the 40,000 people that disappeared during the civil war and those persons unidentified in mass graves.  They now also work with the prosecutor's office for some crimes and with identifying with mass disasters.  The whole process of how it works is very fascinating and when I come back I can talk more about it with anyone who wants to know more.  I took lots of notes.
       Fifth, the fieldtrip of today.  While we were gone for a long time it was a great fieldtrip.  We went to Comalapa, which was about 1hour 20ish minutes away by bus.  Let me first just say that the last bit up the mountain on very narrow curving roads was crazy, especially seeing that they have two different statues of Mary on the journey for safe traveling.  The first place we went was to visit this "green" school that is being built by a group.  When I say green building, i mean to the next level green.  This building is built out of trash, tires, recyclables, mud, and cement.  (with some other things but those are the important things).  It was amazing, and this school was built into the hill with the group having to dig it out.  The trash came from that the guy in charge had built a park before with the connection of some government or group or something.  There was a charge to get into the park that those rich could pay but poor couldn't.  To even this out, the poor could collect trash off the roads or just bring a bag of trash for entrance into the park in order to help clean up and properly dispose of trash. At the park they built thing out of the trash.  They are now building a new school with this.  I will try to put up pictures soon on facebook so you can see what i am talking about.  We then went to visit a Curandera, which she is a natural healer in this Mayan population within an area of Comalapa.  It was very interesting.  We then visited and learned about MayaWorks, which is a cooperation of Mayan women in the area of artisans or weavers.  They sell fair trade with the United States to make money  and understand more about woman in this machismo society.  I think you can look up more about it on MayaWorks.org .  We then came back on the crazy ride, though I think I said wrong before, we were not in buses but in vans, but it was still stomach upsetting enough.  We got back at 7:20ish and got home for late dinner.  I then finished my observation I had to do for Hermano Pedro group and am using my free time tonight to write this blog:).  I hope you all enjoy it.  Tomorrow morning most of the group leaves at 8am to go to Lake Atitlan for the weekend and we will come back Sunday at like 4 or 5.  It sounds like a very promising weekend.  I will fill you in when I get back.

Hasta luego,
Teresa
 

Week 2	July 25	July 26	July 27	July 28	July 29
a.m. wake up at 6:30 breakfast at 7am    Lunch is at one	1) Check-in 2) Impacts of Violence on Health 3) Health, Risk, Development, and  Human Rights  9-12pm but 20 minutes each way on but	Focused Area Groups- Hermano Pedro 8-11:30am takes 15 minutes to walk each way	Focused Area Groups This week I was sick with nausea and was told to stay home	1) Political Economy of Disease 2) ORT 3) Medical syncretism And then tour of common hope, we got home right at 1	Focused Area Groups 8-11am takes 15 minutes to walk each way and today we had to have lunch at 12:30 and leave at 12:50 and took a tuk tuk
p.m dinner at 7, try to sleep by 10 and homework most days	Spanish 2-5	Spanish 2-5	1) Guest lecture: PAHO 2) Case Study: Primary Care Delivery, Elder adults  2-5:30 and then bus	Spanish 2-5  5:30-7:30, Guest lecture: FAFG	Field Visit:  Comalapa - Kaqchikel Curandera, MayaWorks from 1 to 7:20pm

Fiesta de Antigua

Hello all,

So today is the national holiday or whatever of Antigua.  They had lots of stuff going on all day; in fact part of it was over this last weekend too.  My professors allowed us to start class late in order to watch part of the parade this morning.  It was really great and very interesting.  I took some videos of one of the marching bands.  I will probably not get more photos up until this weekend.  As it is, I am writing this in word because the internet is having issues.  In the parade, there is a Miss Antigua, who is the niece of my Spanish teacher.   So after watching part of the parade, we all got on a bus to ride to the building where we have class.  But as it is a holiday today, the building we normally have class in was closed, even though the professors had asked last week.  So we got off the bus halfway and just walked back.  We ended up having class in the hotel that is serving as the field school office currently.  Class was pretty good, but my host dad said he was sorry we had to have class on this holiday.  The rest of the day was regular.  Came back and had lunch, a special lunch that the entire family cooked, then went to Spanish class for three hours.  Afterwards my peds group met for about an hour and a half to discuss everything and articles.  I came back, had dinner and am now writing this blog.  I need to do my Spanish homework and maybe read some for Wednesday.  Otherwise I am going to bed early.

 

Adios,

Teresa

Fieldtrips and more

hello all,
So I know I still need to write about some of the things that have happened in the past couple of days, but first I want to start with today.  A group of us went on the field trip to another town to see Mayan people and learn some about their culture.  I will be posting pictures up on facebook.  First we learned all about their different clothes that they wear.  Then we got to learn about the wedding traditions through a couple of our group getting to act it out.  That was very interesting.  Then after that we were able to look around at all of their different crafts they have made from blankets, scarves, table runners, purses, bags, aprons, pot holders to jewelry and much more.  I bought myself a beautiful multicolor blanket that was hand made and a gift for mom.  Then we got to try some of their traditional food and we each got to help make a tortilla.  Mine turned out pretty well, it was hard for us not to have them stick to our hands.  I also tried some fresh black coffee, which I very strongly dislike.  then we got to try crushing coffee beans, which takes a lot of work and I got two little blisters.  It was overall a very fun experience.  Oh and this morning I went to mass in the Cathedral, it was very nice but I need to sit closer and read the readings ahead of time to better understand. 

Yesterday we took a short trip to the "Cross on the Hill".  It is an old cross up on the hill with a fabulous view of Antigua.  I took lots of pictures of the view, which included some very nice pictures of one of the Volcanoes.  Otherwise a good portion of yesterday was spent doing homework and relaxing.  We did go out to dinner at a nice restaurant. After dinner we tried to find a club to go to and dance, but the one we went in was so cram packed it was ridiculous.  And the other one we went to did not have good music so most of us, including me, just went back home. 

On Friday the entire group went on a field trip to Chimaltenango to visit two different hospitals.  We first visited the national hospital there (there are several for all different areas).  It was very different than any hospital in the US.  You did not hear any beeping, any machines because there are not really any.  drips are by gravity.  They can only do basic surgeries.  If you need any special surgery or something you have to pay at a private place or you don't get it.  They have a small blood bank at the hospital.  They do have a newer building for maternity because it was donated by the government of South Korea.  but there was still not any of the technology we have.  And there were several women to one large room.  The second place we visited was a private NGO (non government operated) and there were not really any people around because they said the people come in the late afternoon and leave in the morning usually.  It was kind of a sketchy place but also not really any technology.  The guy who gave us a tour at the first place said that only private hospitals in Guatemala city can you see hospitals like ones in the US.  It was a learning experience. 

Well I will tell you more about Hermano Pedro and other things later.  For now I am going to try and put pictures on facebook.

adios,

Teresa

Fiesta and Random

Hello all,
I am feeling much better today, and I got better as the day went on.  The antibiotics are great.  So this evening there was a fiesta celebrating the Spanish school's 28th anniversary.  Everybody with classes currently there was invited, which meant my entire group.  We went and had a blast, there was good food, music and then lots of dancing.  Salsa, modern, random and yes we even managed to do a line dance.  It was great fun.  Tomorrow morning there is an optional field trip I am going on which I will fill you in on later and everything else that has happened these last couple of days.

So random things to mention.  First, sadly yes there is a McDonald's here, but surprisingly I would not have seen it if it had not been pointed out because there are no golden arches and it is in a regular building looking like everything else here.  Second, yesterday when I was sick there was one fun thing, I got to ride in my first Tuk Tuk (I will put up a picture later because I am not sure how to explain it being this small little motorized thing two people can ride in).  Thirdly, there are armed policemen and military men everywhere (well lots of places).  Fourth, it is fun to take your life in your hands and cross the streets, there is kind of a balance where cars will not stop to let you go but so you need to just cross, but you can't too close or they won't stop either.  Don't worry, we are all learning fast.  And lastly for now, I finally had semi cold water today.  Bought it in a convenience store.  (the only drinking bottled water limits ice around here to zero and expensive electricity makes you not store it in a fridge.)

Until later
Teresa

Estoy enferma (I'm sick)

hello all,
I will write about yesterday and all of my fun experiences more later. This morning I woke up with my stomach not feeling quite right but was still able to eat breakfast and everything.  Before going off to class I was feeling a little cold.  By the time I got to the group class I realized I should not have come because I was getting hot and cold chills and my head was feeling very cloudy and my stomach not well.  Luckily where we were having class is at a clinic so I was able to see a doctor right away.  He said I have an infection in my intestines and gave me some antibiotics.  I went back to my home stay and rested all day.  I was able to eat some dinner and am feeling better now.  Hopefully everything goes away soon.  I will right more later

hasta luego
Teresa

First day at Hermano Pedro and more

Hello all
First I would like to say that I was in error about the turtle.  It is apparently a pet here as the little girl Mishelle brought it to our room today and let it loose.  I have more fun pictures of it, as it was under the bed, on my shoes and placed on my roommate Erin.  Not sure when I will get pictures uploaded, but good odds say not until this weekend at least.  Sorry for the delay but we have very full days and with so much new information it is very exhausting.  Oh and on one more random note, I am usually on the computer after dinner which would be around 10pm Eastern time.  This is not exact but it is the best time to try and catch me on the computer. Okay so for my day

I got up nice and early, had breakfast and the met by small group and walked to Hermano Pedro.  At Hermano Pedro my group is volunteering with Infant Nutrition Unit.  Even though the name says infant, today I saw anywhere from a little baby to a 7 year old there.  The reason all of these kids are in this unit is that they have some issue dealing with nutrition.   After arriving there, we were each given a baby/kid to feed.  A good portion of the kids there have cleft palate or lip but there are other things going on as well.  My kid is a little boy who just turned 2 years old a few days ago and has only been at Hermano Pedro for about 3 weeks.  I am not sure specifically what is wrong with him, and I hope to find out more tomorrow.  He was in a high chair and I fed him his cereal.  Others were trying to bottle feed babies with cleft lips or palates.  After we were done feeding them most of us went off to a little room that had a mat on the floor and toys on the self we could pull out some.  This is the only other room to be with the kids besides the huge room that has there cribs and chairs to feed them all.  My kid is really big around his middle  and is maybe on the low end of normal for tone.  At the beginning I didn't think he was walking or really being mobile as he just stayed sitting on the ground and would try to get toys without crawling if at all possible.  There was not a lot of stuff for us to play with, but he and all of the other kids really seemed to just enjoy attention and being able to play some as there is not enough staff to normally allow for much of this, if any.  (the staff do what they can, but there are many kids for barely any staff).  After a while I wanted to see if my kid would stand, and he did with my cues.  Later I pulled him up and we walked around a little.  In the middle is was great to see some cooperative play between him and 7 year old girl as they both wanted to ride on this little push car and sat on it together.  Then there was much fun with playdoh and making tortillas with several of the kids.  After about 2 and a half hours, my kid stands up on his own and starts cruising some and then walks some on his own.  I hold his hands and walk all around the big room with him and he walks on his own some then too.  While this was going on, I heard a couple nurses talk about him walking and another adult ( I think a physical therapist from somewhere else who has been there some) said she thought he would be walking soon.  I think he was probably already walking at home before he came but maybe had not yet had the opportunity to walk there, but it was exciting nevertheless.  And after a little bit it was not just us walking around but we had gained on the train the little 7 year old girl and her little sister.  It was a good learning experience and so much more that I can not write it all down.  Afterward my group went on a tour of Hermano Pedro, which is not like a hospital that we would think.  It has no emergency stuff, it is mostly all long term, and with people that are very complex cases and a poorer population that might not be accepted at other places.  They do have different medical teams come in each week, giving time and supplies and everything else for free, to do different operations.  It was just too different to write down. I may try later.

After that I headed back home and then there was fun with the pet turtle that I already mentioned.  We then had a nice lunch.  (by the way, I have eaten so many different foods and I don't know what most are)  Then it was off to Spanish for three hours. Today my professor and I had a conversation for 2 hours and then worked on more grammar.  during the conversation I tried to explain all about occupational therapy, how it is in the US within many different population and examples of what they do.  I also had to explain about physical therapy in the US also.  this is hard enough to do in English, but it was very hard to do in Spanish and with thinking about another culture also.  In Guatemala, OT and PT is very much combined.  I hope I did the profession justice with my explanation. 

After spanish I went to the market to buy some water and snacks before heading home with over an hour before dinner.  Here is boring stuff...I did my spanish homework and started reading my article for entire group class tomorrow.  Had a great dinner and then finished reading.  Write my blog and in the middle was able to talk to my mother on the phone but not without problems...my cell phone was ringing, but I had not heard this cell phone yet and it was across the room charging.  I thought it was Erin's phone ringing and was wondering why she was not doing anything when she told me that my phone was ringing.  Unfortunately I got the phone right after it ended, but able to reconnect with mom. 

Well that is the end for today.  thanks for sticking with me and reading my stories. 

Day 2 in Guatemala- First day of class

Wow so my second full day in Guatemala and first day of classes.  So much has happened and I have learned so much.  First though I want to mention something from yesterday that I forgot to write about.  In the morning, upon opening the door to leave the bedroom I found a turtle walking by, and no this was not a pet.  There is some open area right outside the door but it is still inside.  It is kind of weird but cool.  The turtle was a surprise though, but I did take a picture so I can put up later.  

Okay, as for today.  Well this morning I found out at breakfast that there is another student from our group living in the same house but in a different room.  Her name is Linda and she is from Australia.  We had a nice early breakfast and then walked to meet with our group.  Our group of 12 students consists of several people all over the US but then also someone from Holland, Australia, and two from Canada.  We are quite a mixed group.  We are made up with occupational therapy students and anthropology students.  People are in all different levels of school also.  

This morning the entire group spent about three and a half hours learning all about orientation and key concepts.  It was a lot of information to learn in a short period of time.  We then met shortly with our focus group, mine being Infant Nutrition Developmental Unit or as I will refer to as pediatrics.  With not much time we decided to meet again after Spanish lessons because we all needed to catch the bus and get back for lunch with our host families.  After a delicious lunch,
Erin, Linda and I walked to Spanish school.  My Spanish tutor is Carmen and I am with her from 2 to 5 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for the 4 weeks I am here. (Everyone in the program does the same thing, including the directors).  It is really nice having a personal tutor.  At the beginning we talked for a while and then we broke down and started working on expressions, grammar and vocab(during everything else) at the end we did some activities.  It was very stress free and I already feel much more confident in my Spanish. 

Afterward I met with my group.  There are four of us students, one professor and the coordinator is with us.  We learned a lot, I have decided that I am probably going to be shocked tomorrow and we were told that there are good odds that when we get there the nurses will just hand us a baby and tell us to feed them.  Oh and in this unit infant can mean anywhere from baby to nine years old or so.  But we were also told that we are going in as volunteers but we keep our background of OT/anthropology to help us.  In addition, we are told that here in Guatemala there is no third party insurance, no documentation and no suing so we can do most anything.  We will see how it goes tomorrow.

When I arrived back at my host family’s home, Mishelle, who is 6 years old, followed me and asked me to play school (she only speaks Spanish).  We then played a little bit of school with her being the teacher and then she wanted me to do exercises.  She tried to get me to go down in the splits and I told her that I couldn’t (especially not in jeans), then Erin arrived home.  She was talked into joining the games also.  After more splits, jumping jacks and trying to get us to climb the wall, Mishelle switched to being models walking down the runway.  This was amusing, especially when Mishelle made Andy (Taiwan student studying Spanish) join in too.  Then it was dinner time and working on homework.  I have not been too successful, but I did read one article and study Spanish.   

Day one in Guatemala

Hello,
So I am not going to write much because I am tired and start with the fieldschool tomorrow so I want to be well rested.  I will have internet a little more often because I am paying to have it in the house.  I arrived safe and sound last night, but found out that we are on Mountain standard time.  had a crazy drive from Guatemala city to Antigua, with dodging from lane to lane and fun curves.  Oh and found out last night that I had been moved to a different host family but I am with another girl on the trip.


Today we got up and walked around.  there was a marathon or something going on outside, which was fun to see.  Found the church near us, but unfortunately it was locked and did not appear to have any services.  Later on I found out where the cathedral is, so I will try and find mass times for next week.  Met up with two other people from our group; Max who is from Hawaii and Sara who is from Holland.  After walking around Antigua some, we rode on a "chicken bus" to guatemala city.  This bus is like a school bus with bars added and they pack as many people as possible onto it.  There was generally three people to every seat and then people standing in the aisle packed full sometimes and right up to the door.  But it is really cheap.  We went to the mall in Guatemala City and watched Harry Potter in 3D in a huge theater, and let me say it is a worldwide phenomenon.  then rode back on a chicken bus again and met up with another student to have a late supper. Went back to house and met my host mom. 

Now I am going to bed.  meet up with the entire group tomorrow at 8:40 but first have breakfast at 7am.   See if we can figure out how to have a hot shower tomorrow.

Teresa


P.S. could somebody share this blog link with Joe

Getting ready for Guatemala

Hello blogging universe!!!
This is my first blog ever, and I am so excited to share my adventures with you.  I am spending my last night in Fort Wayne before leaving going to the midnight showing of Harry Potter.  My awesome brother carved me Ginny Weasley's wand because that is who I am dressing up as.  He is going to be Ron Weasley and my sister will be Voldemort.  I am excited. 
I have everything pretty much all set and packed for the trip and already have a BFF in Guatemala because I am bringing him starbucks coffee.  I think I am all set and will write more once something else cool happens. 
Marissa says hi!
:)