Hello,
So I had such an awesome time at the fiesta that I just wanted to make one more quick note before going to bed. The fiesta was wonderful. We had an excellent dinner and wonderful company. Afterwards there was corn cake and coffee. And of course music. then there was a little awards ceremony, but funny awards. I got the "Survivor Stomach Award" for Outstanding scholarship in Oral Rehydration Therapy. There were many other fun ones having to do with needing a bag of rice, or dropping your cake and eating it too. Then we had a conga line out to the garage to find a pinata. This was awesome. And this pinata move side to side instead of up and down which made it much harder. With being spun around and then voices calling from all over and a moving pinata, we had some great laughs. Linda wandered the most and ended up the farthest away, but once she found the pinata, she grabbed hold of it with one hand and just kept hitting it. Then there was candy for all and bracelets. It was altogether a wonderful time. I then had to say goodbye to everyone and came back to the house as I leave very early.
See you soon,
Teresa
Friday, August 12, 2011
Last Week in Guatemala
Hello all,
So this was my last week and today is my last day. Tomorrow morning I leave for the US to join the rest of my family in Denver. So what has been going here during this week?
Monday- Well this morning it was the full group together in the morning. We checked in on what all of the different groups were doing. I do not currently remember what we talked about, but it had something to do with Guatemala of course. Then in the afternoon was Spanish class which I like.
Tuesday- In the morning we went to Hermano Pedro. Today was very interesting because this week there is a team from the US here to do cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries. One of the kids that I have been working with was able to receive her surgery today. Not all of them who need it will be able as you have to weigh at least 10 lbs to have the surgery. In the afternoon it was Spanish class. My teacher and I walked to La Merced, which is a very large and old church. It is connected with the ruins of its monastery. We went to visit the ruins first as there was a funeral finishing up in the church. I got some amazing pictures from the top of the building. Afterward we went in the church, which was gorgeous, but I did not really take pictures because there was Eucharistic Adoration going on at the time. Afterwards we walked back and had an enjoyable rest of class. That evening I was working on my part of our groups presentation to show Nancie tomorrow.
Wednesday- In the morning we went to Hermano Pedro. Today and yesterday there were some many parents visiting their children, which was amazing. However, only one parent can visit at a time for only two separate hours. Another child got surgery today, and another will tomorrow. Today the head nurse asked me to help feed some of the kids in one of the back rooms, which they are there because they are more severe. I really felt that this showed that we had gained their trust to help with this. We then went and showed the draft of our presentation to Nancie, who thought it was very good, which relieved us all. In the afternoon we went for our large group meeting. We had a very interesting guest speaker and then watched a very serious hour movie called “Killer’s Paradise” about all of the murders of women and how it is rising and they are not being investigated at all. This evening I worked on my final Spanish homework and then on editing our presentation.
Thursday-This morning was back to our large group for a final lecture. We kind of wrapped up everything we had discussed and learned and pushed the thought forward. I then rode back on my last chicken bus, which now seem like such a normal way to travel. Just stand on the side of the road where you know the bus you want goes by and get on the very full bus. In the afternoon it was my last Spanish class. We spent the first two hours just talking, which was great. After a break we looked at my homework(which I did great on) and then talked for the rest. I had a wonderful Spanish teacher. After we were all done, we had a small Spanish graduation. We each got diplomas, a bag and cake. It was really great. Then after dinner I went to meet with my group to finish up our presentation and make sure we all knew who was saying what.
Friday(today)- So this morning my small group went for one last time to Hermano Pedro to the Infant Nutrition Unit. It was a bittersweet morning. It was good to be at Hermano Pedro, but sad to say goodbye to the children that I had been working and playing with for the past month. Though today we did have a different experience, with being allowed to take the kids outside on a little patio for about 10 minutes. It was hard to say goodbye to the nurses and the children. Afterwards, I met with Nancie for a little bit and then went to pick up all of my laundry, which I had a lot. Everything clean for packing. Then we had lunch and started giving nervous about presentations. After lunch the group got together at the NAPA-OT office for dour presentations. My group was to go last. All of the presentations were very interesting and well done. It was great to learn all about what the other groups had been doing and had found out. Then we all did online surveys for the program. Erin and I then went to get a delicious looking cake to give to our family from us and Linda as a thank you present. We came back and I packed up all of my stuff in about 30 minutes. Now we have only about 20 minutes until the fiesta. I am sure the rest of the night is going to be really fun and probably the next time I am online I will be in the USA. I am getting picked up to go to the airport at 6am in the morning tomorrow.
Hasta luego,
Teresa
Sunday, August 7, 2011
New Friends and Last Weekend
Hello all,
So I had kind of give you a heads up on some of what was going to happen with my last post, so now I will update you and give you more fun details. So starting with Thursday, in the morning I went to Hermano Pedro with half of the small group. Hermano Pedro was celebrating 25 years of having the nutrition unit, which is where I am at. When we got there at 8am like normal, most all of the children had already been fed and the place was decorated for a party (which would be in the afternoon). At 10am, there was a mass in the chapel to celebrate, and I was able to go and take one of the older children with me. It was a very good experience. There were people from all of the different units at the hospital there, not just staff but patients too. After that, we had lunch from 12 to 2 with the group of students from the university of San Carlos which is the only university that has a just OT program. There were about 22 students that came (which is most of them) and they were from first year to third year. The program is an undergrad program, but for I think all they also studied psychology. During lunch I got to talk a lot (in spanish) with two of the students, both in their third year (last year). It was interesting to find out how different OT is here and the program and they were interested in finding out about OT in the US. There are not many OTs in Guatemala, as evidenced by only one school with small class sizes, but there are OT jobs, but you don't have to be an OT to necessarily do some of the jobs labeled OT. It was overall a good experience. Then after that I went to Spanish class, and my Spanish teacher and I walked to the San Fransisco church because I was looking for the perfect gift for my dad, which I found. I was able to go inside the church, which was gorgeous and to see the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro. He is known for many miracles and it is said that if you knock three times on his tomb, he will wake up and you can petition him for a favor. It was a good trip, and then we went back and of course studied more spanish. Later on that night I walked in the park with Andy (another student at our homestay) to get pictures of the Cathedral at night because he left this morning.
Friday--- This was our long fieldtrip day. We started out at 8:30am and drove about 2ish or more hours away (yes those fun car rides around and up and down in the mountains, plus near the end our van was having slight issues with front brakes, such an exciting trip). I do not remember the name of the town we went to, but we went out to a rural area to visit with an ambulatory team, which for many people is their primary health care. They visit areas about once or twice a month. They have vitamins, vaccines and some very basic medicine. It was very interesting. We then went and had lunch in a park in a town. Rachel and Nicole had packed us all lunches. It was a nice time. We then went and visited a health post in that town, which would be the next step up the ladder from the ambulatory teams, and before going to the municipal capital for the hospital. We came back in the afternoon and had a little bit of time before the majority of us went to have dinner at "The Children's Restaurant" , which is part of an organization called T.E.S.S. Unlimited. Tess, who I know from her connected work at Hermano Pedro tries to find children with cleft palates or cleft lips and get them the surgery or help they need. With the restaurant, the children get classes in cooking and in English so that they will hopefully have better job opportunities when they grow up. The children are the chefs and the servers, though have they adult supervision. It was a fantastic experience.
Weekend--- Saturday morning I did not really do much except finish up my observation and rest some. Then had Italian food with my friend Adrenne and then we did a little shopping and negotiating. Then a group of us went to Pastores or Boot Town, as there are so many shops with boots or other items made out of real leather for good prices. I just looked and helped shop with a friend, sorry no cowboy boots for anyone. Came back, did a little more shopping, and sat in the park for a little bit before meeting Erin. While there I met a new friend, Maria, who is from Guatemala City, she is slightly older and was visiting for the day. We talked for a while and she told me if I ever wanted to visit Guatemala City I could stay with her and she would take me around. I told her that unfortunately I was leaving the next Saturday and would not be around. Erin came and I showed her where San Fransisco was. Later on, I went to Pollo Campero (their big name fried chicken restaurant) with Andy for food. During dinner the futbol (soccer) game was on TV with Guatemala playing, who is apparently really bad. We managed to see them score a gol, which ended up being the only gol and they won the game. The excitement was great and there were many firecrackers set off and then later fireworks. We then walked to the park which ended up being a great idea. In the park we met one of the other Spanish teachers from Tecun Uman, who Andy knew, and we chatted with him for a while, and made a new friend there. Then there was a live concert of different singers going on in the park. It had something to do with this weekend every year lots of people from El Salvador come and visit Antigua. While listening to the music we ran into Veronica and Vincent (host mom and dad) and stayed with them. We then all walked back together at about 11pm. It was a great night.
Sunday--I went to mass at the Cathedral this morning and then toured with a guide the ruins of the old Cathedral that was destroyed with the town many years ago in an earthquake. At 11am I got to talk with Joe, which was very exciting. For lunch, Erin and I went and ate at McDonalds to say we did, though it looks very different and I have pictures. oh and there is a story about it being haunted. Then we walked around some and did some more browsing and shopping. (for all that I go shopping I do not buy much each time, as I am looking for perfect gifts). I met with my small group to discuss and work on our final project, and then did some more wandering around and browsing with Adrenne. Overall this was a fantastic couple of days. Sorry this was so long, but lots of good stuff happened. Now for the last week and I still have several things I want to do.
Hasta Luego,
Teresa
So I had kind of give you a heads up on some of what was going to happen with my last post, so now I will update you and give you more fun details. So starting with Thursday, in the morning I went to Hermano Pedro with half of the small group. Hermano Pedro was celebrating 25 years of having the nutrition unit, which is where I am at. When we got there at 8am like normal, most all of the children had already been fed and the place was decorated for a party (which would be in the afternoon). At 10am, there was a mass in the chapel to celebrate, and I was able to go and take one of the older children with me. It was a very good experience. There were people from all of the different units at the hospital there, not just staff but patients too. After that, we had lunch from 12 to 2 with the group of students from the university of San Carlos which is the only university that has a just OT program. There were about 22 students that came (which is most of them) and they were from first year to third year. The program is an undergrad program, but for I think all they also studied psychology. During lunch I got to talk a lot (in spanish) with two of the students, both in their third year (last year). It was interesting to find out how different OT is here and the program and they were interested in finding out about OT in the US. There are not many OTs in Guatemala, as evidenced by only one school with small class sizes, but there are OT jobs, but you don't have to be an OT to necessarily do some of the jobs labeled OT. It was overall a good experience. Then after that I went to Spanish class, and my Spanish teacher and I walked to the San Fransisco church because I was looking for the perfect gift for my dad, which I found. I was able to go inside the church, which was gorgeous and to see the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro. He is known for many miracles and it is said that if you knock three times on his tomb, he will wake up and you can petition him for a favor. It was a good trip, and then we went back and of course studied more spanish. Later on that night I walked in the park with Andy (another student at our homestay) to get pictures of the Cathedral at night because he left this morning.
Friday--- This was our long fieldtrip day. We started out at 8:30am and drove about 2ish or more hours away (yes those fun car rides around and up and down in the mountains, plus near the end our van was having slight issues with front brakes, such an exciting trip). I do not remember the name of the town we went to, but we went out to a rural area to visit with an ambulatory team, which for many people is their primary health care. They visit areas about once or twice a month. They have vitamins, vaccines and some very basic medicine. It was very interesting. We then went and had lunch in a park in a town. Rachel and Nicole had packed us all lunches. It was a nice time. We then went and visited a health post in that town, which would be the next step up the ladder from the ambulatory teams, and before going to the municipal capital for the hospital. We came back in the afternoon and had a little bit of time before the majority of us went to have dinner at "The Children's Restaurant" , which is part of an organization called T.E.S.S. Unlimited. Tess, who I know from her connected work at Hermano Pedro tries to find children with cleft palates or cleft lips and get them the surgery or help they need. With the restaurant, the children get classes in cooking and in English so that they will hopefully have better job opportunities when they grow up. The children are the chefs and the servers, though have they adult supervision. It was a fantastic experience.
Weekend--- Saturday morning I did not really do much except finish up my observation and rest some. Then had Italian food with my friend Adrenne and then we did a little shopping and negotiating. Then a group of us went to Pastores or Boot Town, as there are so many shops with boots or other items made out of real leather for good prices. I just looked and helped shop with a friend, sorry no cowboy boots for anyone. Came back, did a little more shopping, and sat in the park for a little bit before meeting Erin. While there I met a new friend, Maria, who is from Guatemala City, she is slightly older and was visiting for the day. We talked for a while and she told me if I ever wanted to visit Guatemala City I could stay with her and she would take me around. I told her that unfortunately I was leaving the next Saturday and would not be around. Erin came and I showed her where San Fransisco was. Later on, I went to Pollo Campero (their big name fried chicken restaurant) with Andy for food. During dinner the futbol (soccer) game was on TV with Guatemala playing, who is apparently really bad. We managed to see them score a gol, which ended up being the only gol and they won the game. The excitement was great and there were many firecrackers set off and then later fireworks. We then walked to the park which ended up being a great idea. In the park we met one of the other Spanish teachers from Tecun Uman, who Andy knew, and we chatted with him for a while, and made a new friend there. Then there was a live concert of different singers going on in the park. It had something to do with this weekend every year lots of people from El Salvador come and visit Antigua. While listening to the music we ran into Veronica and Vincent (host mom and dad) and stayed with them. We then all walked back together at about 11pm. It was a great night.
Sunday--I went to mass at the Cathedral this morning and then toured with a guide the ruins of the old Cathedral that was destroyed with the town many years ago in an earthquake. At 11am I got to talk with Joe, which was very exciting. For lunch, Erin and I went and ate at McDonalds to say we did, though it looks very different and I have pictures. oh and there is a story about it being haunted. Then we walked around some and did some more browsing and shopping. (for all that I go shopping I do not buy much each time, as I am looking for perfect gifts). I met with my small group to discuss and work on our final project, and then did some more wandering around and browsing with Adrenne. Overall this was a fantastic couple of days. Sorry this was so long, but lots of good stuff happened. Now for the last week and I still have several things I want to do.
Hasta Luego,
Teresa
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Lake Atitlan and more
Hello all,
Sorry I am getting behind on my posting but there is just so much going on here, so little time, I like to sleep and internet is iffy sometimes. So this past weekend I went with most of our group to Lake Atitlan. It is a beautiful lake and it was an amazing trip, with a few bumps, but I will get to that later.
So the group of 11 left for the Lake at 8am on Saturday. We traveled in a large van and the trip took about 2 hours. However the ride was a bit of a roller coaster as we traveled through the mountains. We arrived at the hotel and dropped off our stuff and then we were off for a boat tour of the lake to visit two different villages. There are many different villages around the lake. There are also mountains and three volcanoes surrounding the lake. The villages are really built into the mountains. (Yes I have pictures that I will put up sometime).
The boat trip on the way to the first village was very fun. We took lots of photos having a fun time. The plan was to go to the first village (San Pedro?) for lunch. However that did not work out so well as our professor accidentally remembered the wrong village. It turned out okay though because we walked around a little bit and then got Chocobananas, which are frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and nuts. It was very tasty and nice on a hot day. We then walked back down to the dock and got back in the boat to head to the other village, Santiago Atitlan. This was a very interesting town. The first thing we did was find a "guide" to take us to see Maximon which is a statue of a cigar smoking, rum-swilling deity (there are different theories as to who he was). You have to have a guide to see it because the house he is in changes each year. We each had to pay 2Q to go into the house. This was one of the starngest/creepiest experiences. First the trip was of course up hill though so back alleys. We get there and the statue does have a cigar in its mouth. There were Christmas lights up, candles lit and on the floor, some thinks they saw a Menorah, and a figure of Jesus. In addition, in the background there was music that sounded like "Santa Clause is coming to town", and whatever was playing the music was dying, as the music was creepily high pitched. But it was a fun experience. We then went and visited the church, where in 1981 the priest was murdered. the church is very different and is a Catholic church with a Mayan feel. We then went and had a nice lunch.
The boat ride back was very fun/crazy. I was sitting in the second row of seats. The day had turned gloomy and the water was rough. The front of the boat went up in the air several times and slammed back down. We also got some water splash, but not too much. The back of the boat apparently had a much calmer ride and took video of us. When we got back to Panajachel (the town our hotel was in) and we went to put our stuff away and then set out for exploring the market. I shared a room with Adrienne and we had a fun time shopping around. She helped teach me how to negotiate prices because you should never take the first price offered and you have to learn how not to be too interested in anything. I had a fun time and bought gifts for four different people while there. That night we had dinner at a cool restaurant, though there were definitely mostly gringos there. There was also a fun band that played all different types of music. It was a great day except the fact that I was developing a cold and cough. We went back to the hotel and Adrienne and I watched the last 20 minutes of Harry Potter number 3 in Spanish before going to sleep. (by this point I was not feeling good at all)
On Sunday we did not have to leave the hotel until 11am. I ended up just staying in the room and resting until 10 when we went out for breakfast. Adrienne and a couple of other people went to swim in the lake. At this point I was feeling horrible with a bad cough, sore throat, stuffy head and nose, and probably a slight fever. We left at 11 to see Mayan ruins on our way back. I mostly stayed in the back to myself and rested. The Mayan ruins were cool, and really old. I have some pictures but I was kind of just feeling out of it that day. We stopped in Chimaltenango on the way back for lunch. We ate in a mall, and let me say that it was like a culture shock in reserve because malls are very similar. I ate at a fried chicken place that is very popular in Guatemala. Once we got back I just rested for the rest of the day.
I think my host family is going to think that I get sick easily. In my defense, it is the rainy/winter season here. The temperature and weather had been changing. Luckily I was feeling better on Monday though still a cough and stuffy nose (apparently I couldn't taste the food at breakfast). We had group class in the morning, which was good and then Spanish in the afternoon, which I had a hard time focusing at. Tuesday I felt a little better and went with my group to Hermano Pedro in the morning. I got to work with one little girl for a good portion of the time, which was really nice. I also got to try the AIMS, which is an assessment. The afternoon was back at Spanish. Oh and both Monday and Tuesday it rained pretty hard but luckily it was mostly during Spanish class. Today we were with the big group both morning and afternoon. It was a good day, and we learned a lot. Tomorrow we get to have lunch with OT students from a university in Guatemala City, it is the only university with OT students in Guatemala. It sounds very exciting. In addition, Hermano Pedro is celebrating their anniversary tomorrow so it will be different there also. Then in the afternoon, if it is nice my Spanish teacher and I will be going for a walk during class so she can show me a church and I can look for something. It should be a good day. Friday we have a fieldtrip all day, with going to different rural villages I believe. (Oh and I am still stuffed but have less cough and am overall feeling very good).
Thank you all for staying with me and I will write more later,
Teresa
Sorry I am getting behind on my posting but there is just so much going on here, so little time, I like to sleep and internet is iffy sometimes. So this past weekend I went with most of our group to Lake Atitlan. It is a beautiful lake and it was an amazing trip, with a few bumps, but I will get to that later.
So the group of 11 left for the Lake at 8am on Saturday. We traveled in a large van and the trip took about 2 hours. However the ride was a bit of a roller coaster as we traveled through the mountains. We arrived at the hotel and dropped off our stuff and then we were off for a boat tour of the lake to visit two different villages. There are many different villages around the lake. There are also mountains and three volcanoes surrounding the lake. The villages are really built into the mountains. (Yes I have pictures that I will put up sometime).
The boat trip on the way to the first village was very fun. We took lots of photos having a fun time. The plan was to go to the first village (San Pedro?) for lunch. However that did not work out so well as our professor accidentally remembered the wrong village. It turned out okay though because we walked around a little bit and then got Chocobananas, which are frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and nuts. It was very tasty and nice on a hot day. We then walked back down to the dock and got back in the boat to head to the other village, Santiago Atitlan. This was a very interesting town. The first thing we did was find a "guide" to take us to see Maximon which is a statue of a cigar smoking, rum-swilling deity (there are different theories as to who he was). You have to have a guide to see it because the house he is in changes each year. We each had to pay 2Q to go into the house. This was one of the starngest/creepiest experiences. First the trip was of course up hill though so back alleys. We get there and the statue does have a cigar in its mouth. There were Christmas lights up, candles lit and on the floor, some thinks they saw a Menorah, and a figure of Jesus. In addition, in the background there was music that sounded like "Santa Clause is coming to town", and whatever was playing the music was dying, as the music was creepily high pitched. But it was a fun experience. We then went and visited the church, where in 1981 the priest was murdered. the church is very different and is a Catholic church with a Mayan feel. We then went and had a nice lunch.
The boat ride back was very fun/crazy. I was sitting in the second row of seats. The day had turned gloomy and the water was rough. The front of the boat went up in the air several times and slammed back down. We also got some water splash, but not too much. The back of the boat apparently had a much calmer ride and took video of us. When we got back to Panajachel (the town our hotel was in) and we went to put our stuff away and then set out for exploring the market. I shared a room with Adrienne and we had a fun time shopping around. She helped teach me how to negotiate prices because you should never take the first price offered and you have to learn how not to be too interested in anything. I had a fun time and bought gifts for four different people while there. That night we had dinner at a cool restaurant, though there were definitely mostly gringos there. There was also a fun band that played all different types of music. It was a great day except the fact that I was developing a cold and cough. We went back to the hotel and Adrienne and I watched the last 20 minutes of Harry Potter number 3 in Spanish before going to sleep. (by this point I was not feeling good at all)
On Sunday we did not have to leave the hotel until 11am. I ended up just staying in the room and resting until 10 when we went out for breakfast. Adrienne and a couple of other people went to swim in the lake. At this point I was feeling horrible with a bad cough, sore throat, stuffy head and nose, and probably a slight fever. We left at 11 to see Mayan ruins on our way back. I mostly stayed in the back to myself and rested. The Mayan ruins were cool, and really old. I have some pictures but I was kind of just feeling out of it that day. We stopped in Chimaltenango on the way back for lunch. We ate in a mall, and let me say that it was like a culture shock in reserve because malls are very similar. I ate at a fried chicken place that is very popular in Guatemala. Once we got back I just rested for the rest of the day.
I think my host family is going to think that I get sick easily. In my defense, it is the rainy/winter season here. The temperature and weather had been changing. Luckily I was feeling better on Monday though still a cough and stuffy nose (apparently I couldn't taste the food at breakfast). We had group class in the morning, which was good and then Spanish in the afternoon, which I had a hard time focusing at. Tuesday I felt a little better and went with my group to Hermano Pedro in the morning. I got to work with one little girl for a good portion of the time, which was really nice. I also got to try the AIMS, which is an assessment. The afternoon was back at Spanish. Oh and both Monday and Tuesday it rained pretty hard but luckily it was mostly during Spanish class. Today we were with the big group both morning and afternoon. It was a good day, and we learned a lot. Tomorrow we get to have lunch with OT students from a university in Guatemala City, it is the only university with OT students in Guatemala. It sounds very exciting. In addition, Hermano Pedro is celebrating their anniversary tomorrow so it will be different there also. Then in the afternoon, if it is nice my Spanish teacher and I will be going for a walk during class so she can show me a church and I can look for something. It should be a good day. Friday we have a fieldtrip all day, with going to different rural villages I believe. (Oh and I am still stuffed but have less cough and am overall feeling very good).
Thank you all for staying with me and I will write more later,
Teresa
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