C.E.'s H.U.G. Project with Ferrazzi Big Task's Serve & Grow in Guatemala ~ by Founder & President Emlyn Lee
1/3/201211:15:58 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, HUG Projects, Volunteer
“Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” ~ MLK, Jr.
I read this quote about two weeks ago at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC just days before meeting a group for a service trip through Guatemala. Cultural Embrace has been working with New York Times best-selling author and relationship guru, Keith Ferrazzi, for several of his personal service vacations in the past two years. Ferrazzi has extended his personal investment to give back to at-need communities abroad in to making a career of humanity by creating a division of his company, Greenlight Ferrazzi “Big Task’s Serve and Grow.” Last week, Ferrazzi launched a pilot trip and invited 11 friends, family members, and colleagues to join on a return trip back to Sacatapequez, Guatemala.
I have created, organized, and managed hundreds of trips around the globe for individuals and groups, yet having spent the past week managing the operations of this Big Task service trip, I am humbled by the compassion, dedication, and generosity from each of these travelers. The 11 members from this group consisted of families with young (ages 8 & 12) and adult children (ages 28 & 34), singles, students, professionals, retirees, coming from all regions of the States and Australia. Most of these travelers lead a very busy professional and/or personal life, but took time out of the holidays to join Ferrazzi to serve and grow in Guatemala.
As a trip organizer, I often fear of the dynamics of a group and how well they will react with not only the local communities they visit, but within the group itself. This concern was not the case for this group. Although many were strangers to one another before the trip, they instantly connected and shared a common bond to embrace the Guatemalan people, their needs, as well as one another. Having the Master of relationships, Ferrazzi, spearhead insightful discussion topics, such as “What are you hopeful in 2012”, “What are you most grateful for in 2011,” “What can we individually and collectively do to help these children,” made it simple and natural to reflect on this trip’s mission.
Less than 30% of Guatemalan children receive an education beyond 6th grade, a concern from this well-educated group of travelers. Thus, we visited 1-2 social projects a day that serves to improve the education, medical/health, and living conditions of the local children and families. We played and interacted with the children and families of at-need villages; learned about the short and long term needs and goals of the local non-profits that Cultural Embrace partners with to allow the communities to sustain themselves; brought food, games, clothes, shoes, books, school supplies; and donated monetary funds to provide scholarships to high-achieving students that couldn’t afford to go to school. We enjoyed our leisure time together and befriended locals and Guatemalan business owners to discuss ways that we, as individuals, and collectively are able to increase the awareness, provide more support, and help serve others to grow.
The smiles and hugs that the Guatemalan children and families provided as we entered a community were infectious. Their appreciation wasn’t necessarily for the candies, notebooks, meals, or money that this group donated, but for us being there. For us, knowing that they would have food in their stomachs and an education for another year until we return again, allowed us to gain a new perspective of the basic needs in life that we often take for granted.
Whether you make a professional career or personal commitment to support the noble struggle for equal rights for all…you will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in. 
A Hot Summer With Cool Memories ~ by Founder & President Emlyn Lee
9/1/20112:05:50 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
China, Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Summer Camp Counselor, teach, Volunteer, Work
My East coast upbringing recalls September as a transition to autumn. Students go back to school, the weather gets cooler, leaves change, and we begin to ‘Hail to the Redskins’. But for some reason, the triple digits weather in Austin makes it feel like we’re in an endless summer.
Regardless of this long and never-ending heat spell and drought affecting Texas, when I reflect back on the past few months, I have had a pretty cool summer! I was fortunate enough to have traveled to China with twenty of our ESL Summer Camp Counselors, and organized a week-long TEFL and cultural training and orientation in Beijing with excursions and activities before our participants went off to various cities throughout China to teach English. Couple of weeks later, I went to Guatemala to work with a local NGO on a new project for our H.U.G. volunteer projects (more details to come in a few weeks), and was able to meet and travel with a Cultural Embrace volunteer and professor that was on a site visit for her future short-term faculty led service program.
There are lots of things to see and do in China and Guatemala, yet I feel my highlights on these trips were meeting and traveling with Cultural Embrace participants. I talk to our participants regularly on the phone or via Skype. We email, tweet, and thumbs up each other behind a computer screen. I may even get a few encounters of people that stop by our
Austin office, or meet them when I’m traveling domestically at a school fair or presentation. But traveling and seeing my participants experience our program in a foreign country (and China and Guatemala are both very foreign) makes all the long days and hard work worthwhile.
That's the point of traveling. To get out of your comfort zone, let your guard down, and embrace other cultures. You develop a deeper sense of community in a global perspective, as well as your own backyard. Respect is developed between foreigners. Unique bonds and relationships are created among your traveling companions. You connect. You grow. You develop. You embrace life together. You Discover the Similarities – Share the Differences.
'You Want to Buy Machete??' The Market and Other Guatemalan Experiences, With Pictures!! - by Haley Price
7/13/20114:31:47 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
So today me and my neighbor were walking through the market and that we are convinced Guatemalans are raised to sell! Children have great marketing skills and are pretty sly about it. One really cute little boy asked if I wanted to buy some handmade fabric and I said no but kept talking to him just because I was waiting for my bus and he was pretty adorable. I had my nice camera around my shoulder and after I told him no, he said "pues...por un beso?" hahaha and then after I laughed he said he could use my camera to take a picture of me for me....sneaky little kid...I know he would have run off with it. So I told him oooh nooo haha and he had this little smirk and walked away.
Children here don't go to school, they are shining shoes at 7 years old and selling on the streets all day. Few do go to school, but the schools here are privately owned so it is rather expensive for families to send kids to school.
In the market they really do try to sell everything and anything. I was looking at some things and this guy comes up to me in two seconds and asks if I want to buy a machete! I do not look like the kind of person who would buy a machete...I thought it was hillarious.
An other distinct Guatemalan thing I've found is their fascination with fireworks! 4 am and all day and all night fireworks, or bombas, are set off. They are either firecrackers or a huge mortar that sounds like a war is going on. The tradition is to wake up someone at 4 am with firecrackers outside their door if it is their birthday....but I'm having a hard time believing that it is someones birthday nextdoor EVERY morning. So with the fireworks, rooster, barking dog, and loud children around the house, sleeping is a challenge. If you ever come, bring earplugs to sleep with.
Yesterday I went to Lake Atitlán and explored by boat the villages of San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago. San Pedro was definitely the best and was really very beautiful. The lake is also gorgeous, there are 3 volcanoes and about 12 villages total. Besides hiking Volcan de Pacaya, Lake Atitán was definitely one of my favorite things I've done since I've been here.
Local life is easy going. Everyday we wake up, go to class or volunteer, drink a lot of coffee (BEST COFFEE EVER), run some errands, hang out at the cafe or bar, always meeting new people, and then watch a movie or go out that night. I love this lifestyle. Life moves slow and simple. I could definitely get used to it. I got offered a job at the local bar! haha we have gotten to know the bartenders of Cafe No Sé really well! More people have moved into the house. So right now we have one Canadian, one guy from the UK, one from Korea, and another from Australia. Talk about a cultural experience!!!
So far, I LOVE it in Antigua, it really is different from the rest of Guatemala I've seen. It feels the safest, and the people are really friendly to tourists, and the vibe is very welcoming.
PICTURES FINALLY!
Week 1: Hanging, Chillin, and Adventures - by Haley Price
7/12/20114:18:14 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
So I have officially been here for a full week and wow I feel like everyday is a new adventure!
Last night we were at our favorite bar/hangout Cafe No Sé and just hung out and had some beers, the bartenders know us now so it gets more fun each time we go. This time they asked if I loved Antigua, and I of course said yes! Then, they offered me a job. haha its tempting, but I think I should finish my degree at UT? hahaha I can't imagine living over a couple years here though, its so small and such a slow way of life that I may go crazy because I love always having something to do or work on.
Today we did a zipline trip in the forest of Antigua, above the coffee plantations, and it was SO much fun. Next is hiking Volcan de Pacaya, and going to Tikal. I will post some pictures soon!!
First Day of Guatemla: A Korean Experience - by Haley Price
7/11/20114:50:11 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
My first day was a culture dynamic like I had never seen. I live with one other guy right now, who is from Korea and hardly speaks any spanish or english. His friends are here too, and my first night they and two of the teachers of the language school came over and they cooked food and had drinks. The food - phenomenal. I have no idea what it was...some kind of meat with cabbage rolled into a leaf with this amazing saracha sauce. Anyway, the craziest thing was that the teachers speak spanish and they speak korean, so there was a lot of misunderstanding each other and communicating with gestures and pictures. It was the quietest "party" I had ever seen, but as the night went on we all got more comfortable and spoke mainly spanish. My favorite moments were the ones where Spanish and Korean languages were mixed together, and we still understood what was being said. I guess since I'm a communication student it was fascinating to me at least..haha
So far, Antigua has been an amazing experience, and it's only been 3 days! I don't want to leave, it is so much fun and I am learning so much. I went to the macadamia plantation and the jade factory which were both surprisingly more interesting than I expected. What I love about Antigua the most are the PEOPLE. They are so friendly, the bartenders and most people around the city are more than happy to educate you on their culture and history, and tell you all the things you need to know about Antigua. I was afraid that they may not enjoy tourists, but all the Antiguans I have talked to are so happy to share their city. I talked to a woman behind the bar of a coffee shop for over an hour and she explained all the traditions of mayan culture. It was fascinating! They also love to help you with your spanish :)
I have some free time before I start volunteering and taking classes. However I am at the school almost everyday for the free wi-fi and the free tea/coffee. And Guatemalan coffee - WOW. so so so good. I think I drink it twice a day at least. The school also offers activities every day and I've met a lot of people through the school. Last night I met a group of students who all traveled here alone, and it was a great time. We went salsa dancing and to a local bar. I think I'm going to be a salsa expert by the time I leave here :)
Tonight we are going to go try ilegal mezcal, a tequila native of Oaxaca, and is only in one bar in Antigua. Supposedly it is the purest agave you can get...But I've heard it tastes like gasoline..I guess we'll see! haha and tomorrow I'm having lunch with a local then picking my mom up from the airport! I plan on getting her some bird of paradise flowers from the market to greet her with..i know...soooo cuuuute. She is really excited and I am planning some excursions and adventures we can take while she is here. The first thing we want to do is visit Tikal, which is the largest ancient Mayan civilization.
In short, I love it here, and am so incredibly excited for the rest of my time in Central America!
Off to Antigua Tomorrow! by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Haley Price
6/30/201110:50:23 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Bright and early, I will FINALLY be on my way to Antigua, Guatemala. I am extremely excited and nervous at the same time. The 5 weeks since my last post has gone by so fast! I can't believe June 28 is finally here and in less than 12 hours I'll be on my way to DFW airport! Air travel has always made me nervous, which is crazy, but I'm still new to the whole traveling completely alone thing. I have been brushing up on my spanish all week, although I hear that in Antigua a lot of people speak English. I have been keeping in touch with people from and living in Antigua right now and have arranged coffee dates with locals. I'm excited to see who is living in the volunteer housing when I'm there, I'm hoping at least a few people! This is going to be such an adventure, I don't think I've ever done something that is so independent! I am packing light, and layers because it's rainy season right now, and storms are expected all week... hopefully it will only rain a few hours in the afternoon or at night. Things have been going really smoothly with Cultural Embrace and the planning, I made a lot of specific requests and organizing things for certain times etc, and they made it all happen :) call me high maintenance I guess haha
The things I'm most looking forward to:
1. THE FOOD (I pick my destinations for the food, gotta be honest...haha)
2. Perfecting my Spanish
3. Volunteering
4. Adventures
5. Meeting new people
6. Returning with great memories and lots of pictures :)
So definitely stay posted! I'm sure I'll have some great stories!
Hasta Luego,
Haley
5 weeks, 2 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Haley Price
6/27/201112:54:21 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Until I'm in Antigua!!
Getting pretty excited YA'LL. haha ok I'll lay off the texas-ness a little.
and yes, I have a countdown going.
Hmmm sooo plan plan plan! Turns out my very own mother wants to come visit. This is super exciting and cool, just the organization is kind of tough. Hopefully it'll work out, gotta figure out how to get her from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua (Safely) ...no idea how to do that....not a taxi...chicken bus???
I don't even know who's picking me up at the airport, where exactly I'll be living... I feel a little clueless I must say. But there's still time to get the details down. Half of my nerves about this trip are from not knowing the details and not knowing what exactly is the plan. The plane ticket is bought so that's half the battle I feel. Thats the commitment step. This is gonna happen.
I still have a few things to take care of. I owe Cultural Embrace some $ still but money is kind of tight so trying to get that to them ASAP. Also wanting to plan some excursions and things to do. I made some friends through couchsurfing and will meet some locals that way when I get there for coffee. I know that sounds crazy, but couchsurfing is a very awesome (and reliable!) way to meet locals and get a crash course of the culture of wherever you go.
However safety has been on my mind a lot lately. Everyone tells me I'll be fine and all that, I just can't be too careful. I researched crime reports in Antigua...bad idea...freaked myself out and got me thinking all this crazy stuff! I've talked to 3 people so far who have lived there and they said it's all just fine and not to worry. I really hope the volunteer housing has a lot of people there when I go.
Nos Vemos!
Making it Happen by Volunteer in Guatemala and CE Intern Haley Price
6/8/20111:12:06 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Intern, Volunteer
Ever since visiting Mexico a year ago, I’ve had the itch to go back to Latin America, this time, with a purpose. I looked into studying abroad, and everything related. Financial restrictions did not allow for study abroad. Thus, I was left with other ways to make my adventure happen. I looked into the Peace Corps, and other opportunities available to students for the summer, or even after I graduate from the University of Texas.
One day, I was at a favorite study spot on the lake with my best friend, studying Spanish. He said that the only way I will become fluent is to immerse myself, and live somewhere with the language. Well, with all my restrictions, how is that going to happen? A man that was also on the patio chimed in, and told me about how he lived in Spain. Then a woman named Emlyn then also chimed in talking to me about Cultural Embrace, and how there are many options for me to make my dream happen. I met up with her later and viola, now I am a marketing intern here at Cultural Embrace, in which my work will be returned with a trip to Antigua, Guatemala, where I will help the community, reach fluency in Spanish, and provide in depth blogs and videos for Cultural Embrace to use in the future. Internship, and my Latin American experience? Talk about killing two birds. Some things just work out, and I’m starting to believe I’m meant to do this! If my friend had not said anything, and that random guy never chimed in, then where would I be! So, I am on my road to Antigua.
As of now, I’m planning the dates, working hard at my Spanish skills, and already thinking about what to pack! June can’t come soon enough sometimes. Summer in Austin is one of my favorite things in the world, but this experience is going to be the highlight of my college years. I’m just bouncing with excitement thinking about it.
However, my nerves are definitely on end. Travelling alone can seem extremely risky to me sometimes, but it’s nothing I haven’t done before! My parents are supportive, nervous wrecks, but supportive! They are going to buy their tickets to visit when I have dates set.
So, where to go from here? I guess I should start doing my research about Antigua, and find more about my living arrangements.
Right now the internship with Cultural Embrace in Austin has taught me soooo much. Way more than classes have, but everything I learned about marketing, advertising, and communication has been very useful. I work on various marketing projects, as well as social media and online communications. I even got to use my fitness expertise also!! :D
I enjoy the things I do here, and am really grateful for this experience, as it has been one most valuable.
I love to write and hope to have fun with this
blog, expect a lot of pictures...and some rambling here and there :)
Hasta Luego,
Haley
April's A-Ha! Travel Moments by Teach in Guatemala Participant Jerzy Wasilewski
6/8/201112:58:10 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
A-Ha, Featured Participants, Guatemala, Teach
I have been living in Guatemala for 3 months now and have observed a great many things. Some differences are quite obvious and others more subtle. It has been interesting to try and get deep enough into the culture that I am able to actually see things from their perspective. I can’t say I’m there yet, but I can say that I’ve realized some of the initial thoughts I have are pretty hasty. The cultural differences only seem so strange because I am living in a foreign land with the same set of eyes from my homeland.
I noticed right away that coffee is far more popular than in the US. Nearly everyone drinks coffee everyday and it is not unusual to drink it at every meal. I’m not a coffee drinker myself but have found myself drinking a little here simply because it’s in constant supply. At dinner the question asked is “¿Quieres café?” not “¿Qué deseas beber?” It is as if it is assumed that coffee is standard with each meal. I have observed this in far more places than just my host family and have been told it is common here.
The other day I finally made a comment to one of the teenage daughters in my host family because she had just served coffee with sugar to a six year old per the child’s request. Yes, even children of six years of age here are drinking coffee. I told her that it was crazy in the US for someone of that age to drink coffee. I have been astonished by this since I noticed this phenomenon while living with various host families. The teenage daughter responded with the simple question of “¿Por qué?” I opened my mouth to explain as my brain quickly generated the response…except nothing came out of my mouth. It suddenly occurred to me that my explanation was not sound. I was about to respond that giving caffeine and to a kid of that age is not a good idea. But before I released that thought from my mouth I processed the other side of the equation. What do we give our kids to drink in the US? I didn’t like the answer I gave myself but it was the reality. I know PLENTY of elementary school age kids whose parents allow them to consume soda and candy on a regular basis.
Suddenly my case was lost, before I even spoke. It was this moment when I realized the differences are only odd to me because they are just that…differences. Different doesn’t mean weird; it just means you are not accustomed to it. This was my revelation of the month. It is unfair to evaluate what you observe in a culture or society from the standpoint of a different culture. I will be away from my culture for several more months and I am very curious to see what I find strange back home once I return.
Pre-Departure Thoughts by Teach in Guatemala Participant Jerzy Wasilewski
6/8/201110:32:28 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Teach
Here I am about to undertake my international journey. I feel this is a journey of exploration not only into another culture, but into me. An experience of this magnitude will likely bring much more than I could anticipate at the onset. My name is Jerzy Wasilewski and I work as a Guidance Counselor at a high school. I am currently 29 years old and am about to leave everything behind to depart for my 6 month teaching program in Antigua, Guatemala.
As one might expect, there’s been a range of thoughts and emotions from the time I started my search leading up to now. At first there was the eager sense of adventure. While I have not lost that feeling I started to get nervous as the departure date approached; scared of the unknown, knowing that I would face a frustrating language barrier as part of my learning process and absorbing the reality that I would not see my friends, family, and dog for quite some time. At times it didn’t even faze me and yet there were also periods of great sadness and anxiety as I looked ahead and envisioned myself so far from the comforts and familiarity of home. Oddly as the travel date got much closer I felt less intimidated by the journey ahead and simply found myself impatiently awaiting its start. I am curious to see how I feel when I actually arrive at my destination.
People have frequently asked me why I decided to do this. It’s difficult to explain it to them. I usually just respond with something simple like “I want to learn Spanish.” Really there is so much more to it than that. I describe it to my close friends as an opportunity to hit the reset button on life...the chance to remove myself from my accustomed life schedule in the USA. I’ve always been someone who needed to strive toward a goal in order to avoid becoming bored or losing purpose in my own life. After completing my Masters of Education I needed to take on another project. I had been interested in learning Spanish for several years on a personal level and quickly finished the Rosetta Stone Spanish computer program after completing my Masters. Once I entered the professional world of the K-12 school system in Arizona I realized how beneficial it is to be bilingual in English/Spanish. My friends joke that I’m going down to Central America to find a wife. I don’t expect others to truly understand my motivation for this trip but I believe it’s exactly what I need in my life at this point. I am seizing the opportunity to embark on this adventure while I am still in a position to do so. I don’t ever want to look back and regret passing up the experience. I realize that down the road when I am married with children I will likely not be able take such extended travels so the time is now.
I started the search for an international teaching program months ago using website references from friends and colleagues. At first I was quite overwhelmed by the number of programs I found. How did I know which programs were legit? How did I even know what to look for?? I can say that the best guidance I got in my selection came from others with similar travels in their past. I was shocked to discover the cost of many programs. My desire to teach in another country wasn’t about making money but I thought it was crazy that I would have to pay an organization to volunteer my time. After a while I got better at identifying programs that I could discard right away for consideration. I shied away from programs with disorganized websites with grammatical/spelling errors. Admittedly it did bring me more comfort to choose a program whose organization is based in the USA. What I found the most reassuring about Cultural Embrace was their prompt response time and willingness to help with any and all questions that I had.
Personally, my selection had less to do with the program’s specific location and more to do with finding an all inclusive inexpensive program; I didn’t want to worry about finding a place to stay etc in a completely foreign environment. Admittedly I know very little about Guatemala, aside from the nearby ruins of Tikal which I am most excited to check out. As long as they spoke Spanish in the primary language I was good to go. My mother, on the other hand, couldn’t help but research the area in order to ease her worries. Whatcha gonna do…moms will be moms.
Back to H.U.G. Guatemala for the Holidays by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/8/201110:26:49 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
Hola y Feliz Navidad! I’m back in Guatemala enjoying another Christmas in one of my favorite cities, Antigua. I decided to return back this year to check out our H.U.G. (Help Understand Give) Guatemala project, and to share this beautiful country and holiday season with my family and friends.
Although I usually travel alone or have a friend meet up while I check out or create new business developments for Cultural Embrace’s program, my oldest sister, Ann, brother-in-law, Bill, and 12 years-old niece and nephew, Michael and Alexa wanted to go on a meaningful vacation during the holidays. They currently live in a town right next to San Mateo, California (near San Francisco), so they thought it would be fitting to spend the holidays sharing it with children from our H.U.G. project in San Mateo, Guatemala (near Antigua). So this is a rare, yet very special treat to have my family join me on this holiday adventure.
I have customized this trip a bit from our typical Volunteer in Guatemala week program, or our popular requested Group Travel itinerary, so we can have a family fun-packed week. We are spending the first 5 days in Antigua…one of the most charming cities in the world. It is foreign-friendly city, with cobble-stone streets filled with delicious restaurant, cafes, shops, and hotels; yet it still maintains the local Guatemalan culture (indigenous and modern) and charm.
Most of our participants take 4 hours of one-on-one Spanish lessons with our partnering language school in Antigua, and I was thrilled when Michael and Alexa agreed to take lessons during their ‘vacation’. We enrolled them for two hours of Spanish a day for the next three days which is perfect for younger children and their attention span…and they had a blast! I loved hearing that they had more fun and learned more Spanish in the first two hours than all the years that they have been learning Spanish since age 3 from day care years. And to be honest, their attitude and confidence in Spanish showed immediately after their first class, as they were trying to speak Spanish to the waitress.
Ok, I can go on and on, but it’s 7pm on Christmas Eve. I certainly don’t want to miss a meal in Antigua, as the restaurants and cafes are delicious and beautiful. And then will join the locals and celebrate Christmas by attending a service at the Cathedral located in the town square. Feliz Navidad to you and your loved ones!
Black sand, Brown rum by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/7/201111:47:50 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Kate and Katie's Excellent Adventure came to an end just in time to meet Cami at the airport.
Cami is one of the volunteachers who I met in
Chile. Coincidentally, while I was in Guatemala, Cami and her family planned to volunteer in Guatemala City with an organization called
ProjectWalk. With our stars aligned, Cami and I enjoyed a short reunion before she prepared for a challenging two weeks in Guatemala City. We had one mission: Get Cami to the beach!
Monterrico is the closest beach to Antigua, but it is not quite like the beaches in Costa Rica or Panama. The black sand from the volcanoes makes the beach unbearably hot during the day. So hot, in fact, that you cannot walk on it comfortably until dusk.
Monterrico's intense sunlight and body-crushing waves kept us off the beach almost the entire weekend. Aside from a few evening strolls down the coast, we stuck to the hostel's hammocks and swimming pools, the latter of which were more like warm baths by noon.
With no where to go to cool off, we sought shade in the cafe at
Johnny's Place, an infamous Guatemalan hostel. When we walked in, Cami and I were greeted by excitable Guatemalans who insisted on buying us welcome shots of Guatemala's best rum,
Ron Zacapa. The generosity didn't stop there, our new amigos insisted on buying rounds of sangria, cuba libres, and even dinner.
We soon learned why the Guatemalans were eating and drinking so excessively (if not just for the fun of it). It is impossible to sleep through a night in the Monterrico heat without a few shots of rum. We learned this one night too late.
On our first night in Monterrico, neither jungle-strength bug repellent nor cold showers helped us sleep. Instead, we laid awake cursing the humidity and hungry mosquitoes throughout the night. By Saturday night, we got the memo, and by Sunday, we were ready to get the hell off the coast and back to the airy mountains.
Before we left though, Cami and I explored the Monterrico nightlife. With four options for dinner in the one-road town, we stopped at the first cafe with a friendly face. No menu to be seen, an older Guatemalan woman greeted us at the door then cooked up the plato del dia before we could change our minds.
Served with heads, scales, tales and a huge citranella candle, Cami and I forgot about the heat long enough to enjoy a wonderful meal.
On our way back to the hostel, we heard an acoustic guitar and cheerful singing coming from a local bar. Unable to pass up live music, Cami and I spent our last quetzales on cuba libres and sat in for a song.
Too soon, Cami and I parted ways. She stayed on to volunteer at a hospital in Guatemala City while I made my way back to the US of A with my adventures on hold. For now.
Kate and Katie's Excellent Adventure --Turf by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/3/20112:41:59 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Beach behind, jungle ahead.
To get to the Costa Rican rain forest, we rode for eight hours on a cramped, sweaty bus made for people under 5'2." Sore and cranky, we unloaded in the underwhelming town of Santa Elena.
Although only 5 kilometers from the nearest rain forest, Santa Elena is a dry, dusty town void of character. It is a place where low-quality, over-priced restaurants and tourist shops with identical inventories compete for leases and everyone speaks English--just brimming with local flavor.
Eager to get out of Santa Elena and see the jungle, Katie and I scheduled a canopy zip-line tour. Two hours later, we had our hard hats buckled, and our belts strapped at uncomfortable and unflattering angles.
Katie was a natural, but I needed a few warm up runs. The zip line "guides" were no help with their mischievous pranks. From all corners of the world, each guide came to Costa Rica to work/play on the zip lines all day.
But as it turns out, taking groups of uncoordinated tourists on the same metal wires ten times a day gets boring quickly. To entertain themselves, the boys would do flips onto the zip line, ride upside down, or pretend to hit you. Even though our guides were bored, and probably mocking us in a modgepodge of languages, Katie and I had a howling good time (once I learned how to use the brake).
Between zip lines, we hiked through the forest, pointed at plants that seemed like they'd be important to botanists, and watched for wildlife. We heard the howler monkeys, then we saw them! The two monkeys were hooting and hollering, chatting away while climbing in and out of our sight.
After 16 zip lines and a "superman" finale, Katie and I retired our flight gear and headed back to Santa Elena to eat pizza and sleep.
The next morning, we took advantage of the hostel's free "buffet" breakfast, packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, laced up our sneakers and set off for the Waterfalls. The walk was a lot longer--and steeper--than we expected. The hike that we estimated would be 10 miles round trip, easily became 15 miles with a few wrong turns.
On the way, we passed fields and forests, and took many wrong turns. At one point, we walked down a dirt road in the general direction of the waterfalls and were stopped by the foaming mouth and burning eyes of a vicious guard dog. For a little guy, he had a big attitude.
We backed away cautiously, only to encounter two more dogs in our path. Katie kept a tenacious grip on my arm--the only thing that kept me from running. We stood there shaking, trying to back away calmly. The angry dogs followed us until we got to the main road. With the little monsters out of sight, I laughed nervously while my eyes roamed the road for a taxi.
No taxis passed, but we did come across a man walking with his horse. He said that we were getting close, and had only a few more kilometers to go. We walked over streams and through woods until we came to a sign for the waterfalls. Three more miles. Damn it.
Finally, we reached the San Luis waterfalls. The falls seemed to pour straight out of the sky. Far from snapping jaws and private property, Katie and I relaxed (or rather, fumbled) on the rocks and swam in the icy spring water. The respite would have been lovely if we didn't have the 8 mile-uphill trek back to ponder.
On our last day in Santa Elena, Katie and I got up early to lead the line of tourists to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. In this forest, we followed scrawling trails in search of elusive quetzals, waterfalls, and hanging bridges.
Since we skimped on the tour guide, we missed out on most of the wildlife, but we found a few lizards and many a picturesque landscape on our own.
Hanging bridge across the continental divide
Are we in the jungle or the secret garden?
Katie, finding her roots. Si que huevos!
Between seas and trees, Katie and I had a great time exploring Latin America together. We are planning our next trip, post-grad school--time and resources allowing. Anyone up for a little ramble through Southeast Asia?
Kate and Katie's Excellent Adventure --Surf by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/3/20112:02:19 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Since a week of bliss in Belize wasn't enough relaxation for me, Katie Dowd and I started our epic adventure at the beach. We beach-hopped from Costa Rica to Panama before heading towards the jungle. First stop: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
On the south eastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Katie and I rented bikes and rode up and down the long, hot, and humid coastline until we found a seemingly uninhabited beach:
Punta Uva.
We looked up and down the coastline and there was no one in sight. We were thrilled to have our own private beach until we saw warnings posted on the coconut trees. Apparently looters and thieves also enjoy sand in their toes, wind in their hair and a casual lurk in the woods. Who can blame them? For fear of losing our beloved digital cameras, we took turns in the ocean and vowed not to fall asleep.
But of course, we slipped into sun-infused comas. We woke up abruptly, not to looters rustling the bushes, but to chunks of sand pelting our faces. Two huge grey beasts were thigh deep in sand tunnels with no regard for our presence. As we stood up and gathered our things, the identical dogs looked at us curiously before galloping into the waves.
The combination of sun, salt, and a long, sweaty bike ride sucked up all of our energy and we were ready for bed by an undisclosed, embarrassingly early hour. To avoid the gringo-hunting mosquitoes, we bathed in repellent and wrapped ourselves in gauzy nets. In our little cocoons we slept, dreaming of our next stop: Bocas del Toro, Panama.
We hopped on a local bus at 6 am and made our way to Panama. Customs was...shall I say lax? The bus dropped us by a decrepit bridge. We looked around for a building, a sign—anything—but all that lay ahead was a long, narrow bridge. We followed other passengers over the patchwork of wooden planks, minding the gaping holes that led to the river of phlegm below.
On the other side of the bridge there were more taxi solicitors than border patrols. We presented our passports to a tiny little man in a tiny little office and moved along. After a few minutes of unbearable harassment form the taxi men and no signs of local transport, we agreed to accept a ride to the boat launch, an hour away. We drove through/around/below/over hundreds of acres of banana plantation before we reached the dock. From there, we were quickly shuttled into a lancha, or water taxi, that chugged along until we reached Bocas del Toro.
The first two days in Bocas del Toro were beautiful: sunshine, white sand, jade water, etc. We took water taxis to far away, deserted islands and tanned our hides. But too soon, our luck turned. By day three, Katie and I were stuck in the hostel with nothing to do except play poker and drink. So that we did. Thanks to my unreadable poker face and a little bit of luck, I won the first round of poker, emasculated the men in the hostel, took their money, and went out on the town.
In a nearby hostel, Mondo Taitu, there was a hopping bar, free hookah bongs, lots of travelers and tropical drinks. Katie and I had a few too many Cuba Libres and spent most of the next day in bed, not missing much except for more rain.
On the third day of rain, we joined a snorkeling tour with our witty, charming, and may I dare say, adorable, English friend, Simon. Simon rivals Nick for "favorite person met while traveling." He had the same kind of modest, unassuming nature with an open mind and a great accent. So, yes, on our last day in Bocas we went snorkeling. In the rain. It was terrible.
Cold, miserable, and more than a little bit pissed at Panamanian weather, we hung our suits to dry and gave up on the beach. Next stop: Cloud Forest.
Unbelizable by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/3/201111:51:44 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
If you ever want to spend all day every day frolicking with large sea animals, sucking down
Planter's Punch, strolling under palm trees, and/or browning your hide, then go to San Pedro Caye of Belize. These pictures don't need explanations. Just know that I did nothing all week and it was glorious.
2 oz. Dark Rum
2 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
Dash Grenadine
Orange Slice & Cherry for garnish
Combine 3 juices and Rum in a shaker with ice. Shake well, and strain into an ice filled Collins glass. Top with grenadine. Garnish with an Orange slice and a Maraschino Cherry. Personally, I prefer to simply drop the cherry in the punch, thus allowing it to soak up all that great flavor!
For a thirsty crowd, multiply the recipe by number of servings and serve in a pitcher with ice.
Tikal: Temple of the Jaguar by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/3/201111:48:23 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
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And the travels through Central America begin. First stop: Tikal.
From the shores of Belize, we flew to Tikal for a day tour. Hot, humid, and full of tourists, Tikal was not the secluded natural wonder that I had imagined, but it was as picturesque as the post cards and worthy of its reputation.
The park is in the jungle—hanging vines, wild noises, shifting leaves—the real, freaking jungle. The dirt paths are well-trodden, but the park is flush with foliage in hundreds of shades of green. With all of the tourists, it was hard to glimpse a monkey or an elusive quetzal, but we could hear the birds conversing all day, with flashes of bright feathers every once in a while.
The University of Pennsylvania has been excavating Tikal for decades and the work they have accomplished is unbelievable. With architecture dating back to 4th century BC, covers over 570 square kilometers with over 3000 palaces, temples, and burial grounds.
In the "Great Plaza" lie burial sites, the residence of the Mayan royal families, and the most famous structure of Tikal: Temple #1, the Temple of the Great Jaguar. Over 200 feet tall, this is the structure most often seen on post cards and web sites.
Walking among ruins always gets me thinking about the lives of peoples past. How different it must have been, and how similar. Were people happier then? Were they obsessed with progress too? What were the popular foods? What did they dress like? Did little kids aspire to be Mayan gods instead of astronauts and lawyers? Did they have our equivalent of "sports stars"? What did they value most? How was the wine? Has there always been an excuse for miserable people to be miserable, whether it be a 9-5 or weed whacking in the jungle? And why are the stairs spaced sooooo far apart? Were the Mayans giants?
All I know is that if "church" was at the top of all of those stairs, 400 BC Tikal is no doubt where religious divergence began.
Last day in San Mateo by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/3/201111:41:30 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
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I have avoided writing this blog because I knew it would be hard--to relive the day, to see pictures of the kids, to once again feel all of the love in that little house. It would mean that I am accepting closure, that I am acknowledging the end of my travels. That now, I am sitting around filling out temp agency applications instead of making sand castles in the Caribbean. But having been home for a week, it's time to embrace the time honored cliché: All good things, especially the best things, come to an end.
Chicken Bus decorations
My last chicken bus ride was a poor sampling. Hoping to show my parents what I have been talking about, you know--deafening reggaeton, wheels falling off, engine stalling, packed house, pick pocketers--I was disappointed when the bus was half full and fully functioning. Now that both Chris and my parents have enjoyed calm, safe, comfortable chicken bus rides, my credibility is starting to feel questionable.
The only thing wrong with the bus ride was me. I rode the entire way in a daze, going over in my head what I wanted to say (in spanish) and prepping myself for good byes.
Leaving the kids, Juan and Judith, and my life in San Mateo was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Luckily, Juan and Judith made my last day as upbeat and positive as possible with games, smores, and lots of dancing.
As when Nick left, Juan and Judith shared kind, eloquent words and then the kids got in a long line and each handed me a note coupled with a big hug. Then of course, it was my turn to speak. It is hard to be articulate in spanish when you're choking back tears, but I did my best to express to Juan, Judith, the kids, and the other volunteers that they have changed my life, that in three short months I have learned so much—
—to approach every opportunity with an open heart and an open mind—
—to live simply, and to appreciate the beauty in simplicity—
—to always be prepared for tomorrow—
—to live not solely for yourself, but also for those you love—
I know my future is capricious, but one thing is certain: I will be back to San Mateo. I will once again laugh and cry under that worn tin roof. And I will be at home.
Del cielo cayó una rosa
Mi madre la recogió
Se la pusó en el cabello
Y que linda se miró
Semana Santa! by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/3/201111:37:03 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
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Every Sunday during Lent, the processions in Antigua grew larger and larger. By Semana Santa, the processions lasted over 12 hours and employed thousands of purple-robed Guatemalans.
Before the procession passed through the streets, residents would create intricate alfombras, rugs made of died wood chippings, sand, grass, or fruits/vegetables. The rugs, beautiful and time-intensive, are destroyed in seconds as one hundred robed feet pass over.
The processions carried on late into the night, often ending around dawn. One of the most famous processions, La Merced, is depicted below.
The Guatemalan women also play a big part in Semana Santa. Every procession has a women's anda, stand, that is carried by 80 women on each side. The anda is made of long, thick wood and is very heavy. Por eso, the walk is slow and grueling, in tune with the music.
And the music, slow and somber, is one of the most memorable aspects of Semana Santa. Hundred of brass players and percussionists march with the procession, repeating the same somber songs that strike a deep chord with the spectators.
The church, musicians, and spectators aren't the only ones benefitting from Semana Santa. Hundred of local vendors gathered to prey on the big crowds. I may or may not have been subject to sales pressure and caved, of course, buying some sweet shades and a balloon.
Más! más! más!
6/3/201111:04:56 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
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This week we raised 800Q ($100) selling jewelry, which is a lot by Guatemalan standards. It's not always that profitable, but we can usually count on $50 a week selling jewelry during break at the language school (10-10:30 am).
The extra income helps to offset the costs of school materials as the kids go through notebook after notebook of tarea. I am reluctant to leave the modest little business without a selling successor, but feel good that a few of the kids have really taken to the art (craft?) and at the very least can have fun with it.
I left some Joyas stands in a few gringrofied cafés so that they could sell on their own. I am hoping the jewelry stands will earn a few extra dollars a month or at the very least spread the word about the orphanage.
The baby bracelet on the top right hasn't sold yet. My team of jewelry makers have a different concept of what fits.
The little sombreros at the bottom are made out of Avacado seeds. One of the older kids, Carlos, carves them during craft hour. Que talento!
más!
más!
más!
Picture me in that chair and you have an idea of what my mornings look like.
HUG Project with Appalachian State by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/3/201111:00:37 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Featured Participants, Group Trips, Guatemala, Volunteer
In just one week, the Appalachian State University volunteers built the foundations of a library, cleaned and painted seven houses throughout San Mateo, and experienced Guatemala like true Chapínes.
From the first day, I could tell that this group of volunteers had great chemistry, big hearts, and a good sense of humor—all useful characteristics in combatting the daunting work that lay ahead.
To get to know each other and Antigua, we went to Frida's for some Mexican flavor on Sunday night. Not quite typical Guatemalan food, but all the staples were there—tortillas, black beans, chicken and rice. Plus, Frida's fajitas are divine.
Before we started
Early Monday morning, everyone greeted the first day of hard labor with the good spirits and positive energy that I would come to expect. The week's primary goal was to lay the foundation for a library on the second story of the orphanage. The construction area, however, was closer to a junk yard than a library. When the volunteers got there, the upstairs was littered with toys, donated books, trash, and an unused mattress.
Photo, Kristin Johnson
The mess didn't phase the volunteers though. They were ready for any and every task Juan assigned: a guerrilla war against arañas (spiders), or naranjas!! (oranges), if your spanish is rusty; two hours to carry 555 cinder blocks into the orphanage; or, an overhaul of the trash collection that had become the backyard. In groups of five, the fifteen volunteers attacked every corner of the orphanage, including the dance floor.
The volunteers completely reconfigured the back yard, itemized and organized the existing makeshift library, and prepared the construction area for its cement foundation.
Photo, Kristin Johnson
Although there were two strapping young men in the group, not one of the thirteen girls shied away from the dirty work. Las chicas took turns sieving sand, mixing cement, and plastering the walls.
New Blue Walls—Photo, Kristin Johnson
Library walls afterwards—Photo, Amy Johnson
While a group of five was constantly working hard on the library, the other two groups helped the rest of San Mateo by cleaning and painting seven homes of children who attend the orphanage. By the end of the week, the locals recognized and greeted the volunteers. And the kids, well, they had fifteen new best friends to play with.
One of the most memorable events of the week was Thursday's lunch. To show their appreciation for the work that Appalachian State did in the orphanage and throughout the community, local women prepared Pepian de Pollo, a Guatemalteca specialty. The women prepared enough for all of the volunteers and 46 children. Although half of the group was incapacitated by stomach cramps, the volunteers did their best to digest the generous gesture.
Pepian de Pollo Recipe
Ingredients:
3 Pounds Chicken — in large pieces
4 Cups Water
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Large Tomatoes — chopped
5 Medium Tomatillos — chopped
1 Large Pasilla Chile — chopped
1 Large Guajillo Chile — chopped
1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds
1 Tablespoon Squash Seeds — optional
1 Stick Cinnamon
2 Teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 Cup French Bread Crumbs — moistened with broth
1/4 Teaspoon Achiote
1 Tablespoon Flour
Directions: Cook chicken in 3 cups water with salt for 30 minutes. Cook tomatoes, tomatillos, both chiles in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Toast sesame and squash seeds, cinnamon stick and hot chile flakes in a dry skillet over low heat for about 10 minutes. Careful not to burn them. Process toasted ingredients to a powder, then add to tomato mixture. Process this mixture to a smooth paste. Add bread, achiote, 2 cups chicken broth and flour. Process this to a smooth paste. Add this sauce to the chicken. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes or until sauce is a thick red paste. Serve with tortillas or rice.
Despite the long, hot, and duro days, the volunteers were always ready for the afternoon activities. Every evening we experienced a different element of Guatemala—tours of a coffee plantation, macadamia farm, and jade factory; salsa and meringue lessons; and lots of artisan markets.
"Top Quality" Beans Drying
Jade Mask at Carlos's One-Man Fábrica- Photo, Samantha Lane
Fun, if not effective, salsa lessons- Photo, Kristin Johnson
In just a week, each App Stater became part of a family in San Miguel and part of the community in San Mateo. At the going away dinner on Friday night, the host families provided dinner, the coordinators offered speeches and the volunteers supplied saucy dance moves.
App State's many quirks and personalities made it hard to say good bye on Saturday, but as a consolation, we started planning my visit to Boone, North Carolina this summer. I hope that the HUG projects continue to be this successful, but the open minds and open hearts of App State will be hard to beat.
More Joyas de Hope
6/3/201110:52:41 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
And now, earrings. Again, made from naturally colored beans that Juan and Judith grow in their garden and semi-entirely by the kids in San Mateo.
Earrings are 40 Quetzales, or $5 a pair. Let me know if you'd like me to bring some home for you. Color requests are welcome.
All proceeds go toward the kids' school supplies and come with good karma. Thank you for your support!
Sudor y Amor: Rendezvous in Guatemala
6/3/201110:51:19 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Although I didn't think Chris would depart from Newark in the face of the latest East coast apocalyptic blizzard, he showed up as planned on Thursday evening. Three days with Chris weren't nearly enough, but we covered the basics: San Mateo, tortillas, sunshine, mojitos, and lava. Next time, we will make it to the beach.
Liquados and views of Volcán Agua from Café Sky
On Friday, we took a chicken bus up to San Mateo where confusing games, rhythmless dancing, and running in circles gave Chris an idea of what I do every day. Always a little shy at first, the kids stared Chris down before making two important judgements: he can't dance, but he is a buena onda.
Chris's interactions with the kids were graceless and thus hilarious. As Chris doesn't speak Spanish, but will quickly remind me that he knows some French, the kids spent a lot of time communicating through body language, namely, grabbing his hands and jumping on him.
He wasn't totally lost in San Mateo, however. As it turns out, Chris is actually quite good at making jewelry—and I dare say that he enjoyed it.
After our trip to San Mateo, we wandered along the cobblestone streets of Antigua. We had dinner at Las Palmas, a noncommittally Cuban restaurant thats cuisine and decor have been cross-bred from various Latin American cultures. We didn't learn much about Cuba by dining at Las Palmas, but we did enjoy two fantastic steaks and learn that there are four glasses (if you pour like Chris) or six glasses (if you're more urbane) in an average bottle of wine.
On Saturday, we deferred our excitement for the volcano trek and filled the morning with ruins: La Catedral de San Francisco and Las Ruinas de Santo Domingo as pictured above and below, respectively.
In 1717, Antigua suffered from a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that destroyed 3,000 of the city's majestic colonial buildings. Again in 1773, a string of earthquakes caused yet more damage, the remnants still visible today.
With much anticipation, it finally came time to climb Volcán Pacaya. Most who travel through Antigua make this hike within the first few days, but I have been waiting patiently for Chris to come so that we could sweat it out together. And sweat we did.
I have been going to the gym religiously in Antigua, but no amount of time on the elliptical could have prepared me for this hike. We stayed at the head of the pack, crossing the hardened lava with the more experienced explorers, but the people to our left and right didn't break a sweat nor skip a beat in conversation.
The messiest without exception were Chris, me, and "el gordo" (the fat guy who the guides kept teasing, offering him a horse as a "taxi." After 999 adamant "No, gracias'," he forfeited his dignity and got on a caballo).
Approaching the lava was like walking into the deepest depths of Mordor; I kept waiting for Gollum to emerge and alter my reality. With or without Frodo, though, the thick mist gathering on the mountainside was too eerie to be anything but the end of the world.
The lava was just a few feet away from us. With uneven footing and masses of tourists navigating their way toward the lava, it is a wonder there aren't more burn victims. Gotta love safety standards in Central America.
And here's the mouth of the monster where Chris made himself useful and roasted some marshmallows, melting his shoe soles and charring his leg hair in the process.
While Volcán Pacaya was the highlight for both of us, the whole weekend was incredible. I was so thrilled to introduce Chris to my little life here and share the sunshine with someone who needs it (first time ever that I am tanner than him). Now, I just need to get everyone else to visit...any takers?
Baile de Nuestros Tradiciones
6/3/201110:40:31 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
All of last week, the kids from San Mateo were practicing two traditional dances: "Instrumentos de Labranza" and "Nuestros Tradiciones." Garbed in traditional Mayan attire, the kids practiced their steps in hopes to give a perfect performance at the language school on February 9th for the school's anniversary party. With their beautiful costumes, cultural insight, and adorable smiles, the orphanage hopes to start a small performance business at local language schools in order to earn extra money for school supplies, clothes, shoes, classes, etc.
In the dance, the newlyweds are christened at the same time two youth undergo their First Communion. The ceremony is typically performed in the home after a traditional Catholic ceremony and is followed by a lunch or dinner with the family and clergy.
Later, the bride must clean up everything until one or two in the morning while her husband waits for her at home. While tradition varies from pueblo to pueblo, honeymoons are not common and the size of the celebration is dependent on the value of the "vendition."
A Quick Trip to Lago Atitlan
6/3/201110:37:41 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
This weekend I went to Lago Atitlán to enjoy the enchanted forests of el pueblo, San Marcos. San Marcos is one of many towns bordering the lake and is known for its mystic atmosphere, but definitely not its nightlife. Although San Marcos did not offer much other than meditation after dinner, there was plenty to do in the sunshine.
We stayed at hotel La Paz in a thatched roofed cabana with bathrooms showered in foliage, a traditional Mayan sauna, and yoga available at all hours of the day.
Our outdoor shower, equipped with a verdant roofing system.
After practicing yoga in the fresh morning air, Rachel and I climbed rocks and navigated steep mountain paths to find a quiet place to sunbathe. We jumped from cliffs overlooking the clear water, swam amongst miniature crabs, and sunbathed near nude swimmers. We stayed on the rocks until dusk, befriending both locals and travelers as they passed by.
The edge or our perfect sunbathing rock
Despite its peaceful ambience, the empty town became a little eerie in the evenings. Rachel and I got the impression that San Marcos could be a dangerous, albeit beautiful, place to get lost in at night.
The largest street in San Marcos
After dinner Saturday night, we went looking for a bit of revery, but only found deserted gardens and some wandering locals; the winding dirt paths were empty, all three restaurants were closed, and the hippies must have wrapped themselves in their fair trade ponchos and retired to meditate.
When I have a long weekend, I plan to return to Lago Atitlán. A day and half was not nearly enough.
Buena Vista and Katie's Casa
6/3/201110:34:39 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
This weekend I stayed in Antigua to descansar un poco, but the weekend was full of action despite my intentions.
After a mint flavored hookah at the popular lounge downtown, we flocked to Cielo'swhere two members of the Buena Vista Social Club performed saucy salsa jams.
In Havana, the Buena Vista Social Club was a well known salsa house where members could dance the night away. Considered the Golden Age of Cuban Music, in the 40s and 50s Buena Vista Social Club provided a place for talented and innovative musicians to collaborate.
In the 90s, some members finally recorded a compilation album as well as a produced a documentary. Both productions were international successes and restored some of Buena Vista Social Club's former glory.
Friday night, Katie Dowd came to Antigua and stayed the night. We went out to dinner at Frida's, a low lit cafe dedicated to Frida Kahlo with mosaics and Mexican artwork adorning the walls. After turning in for an early night, I went to Parramos with Katie the next day.
At the
NPH (Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos) facility, I met Katie's friends, some of her students, and ate delicious home made pizza. The NPH place resembles a small campus with well-maintained buildings, lawns, and playgrounds. It's presentation is impressive and seems like a safe and loving place for displaced or abandoned kids to grow up.
After meeting lots of kids and volunteers, Katie and I planned our entire trip down to Panama. There is so much to do in Central America that we won't be able to cover nearly everything, but we agreed on some must-see places—waterfalls, cloud forests, jungles, cave repelling, canopy zip lines, volcano climbs, and
lots of beaches—that should serve as a sound introduction to Central America.
A Taste of Rio Dulce and Livingston
6/3/201110:30:48 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
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As it turns out, Rio Dulce is not all that sweet and Livingston has its own flavor.
Last weekend, an easy six-hour shuttle ride to Rio Dulce turned into a fourteen-hour mega adventure my mother considers "dangerous" and I consider "funny." At the time it wasn't that humorous, but the drug dealers and drunks on boat docks, 37 mosquito bites, and competitive card games with a group of ten-year old Garifuna boys (games I instigated in hopes to protect myself from the drug dealers and drunks on the boat dock) are at least a little bit funny in hindsight.
After the aforementioned scenic route to Livingston, I found my friend Anne, as planned, swaying to tortoise shell drums and maracas amidst a mixed population of
Black Garifuna, Guatemalan Mayans, and tourists.
This Garifuna music, called Punta, is a traditional style of drumming that is often accompanied by hips that gyrate in all kinds of unnatural ways (traditionally, and appropriately, considered a "fertility" dance). Lacking the joint flexibility necessary to fit in, we kept our hips out of the local discotechs and instead frequented a small bar al lado de la playa.
Next to the beach, I tasted my first "Coco Loco,"a concoction that is famous in the Caribbean. Made from a rum that is soaked in herbs then added to the coconut milk, the drink has a peculiar taste that grows on you by the end (much like most strong drinks). Originally, the herb-infused rum was used to alleviate stomach pains. With attention from tourists, however, its primary purpose eventually changed from medicinal to inebriant.
Lately, tourism has been slow in Livingston. After certain, ambiguous violent encounters between locals and tourists a few years past, the once ripe and lively Livingston is showing signs of decay. The hotels are crumbling, street dogs govern the alleyways, and most of the local bars are two people short of deserted.
This eerie, abandoned quality is augmented by the haunted blank looks of people sitting, dazed on porches while distant Garifuna chants and drums stir otherwise silent streets.
Presently, Livingston is only accessible through boat. The lancha business has supported local families for generations but may be facing its demise. Despite local protest, the Guatemalan government is building a road through the jungle that will connect Livingston to the rest of the country.
With this impending road, the lancha business will be wiped out, costing Livingston its one source of sustainable income, not to mention dire implications on the time-honored language and culture.
The Garifuna that reside in Livingston are descendents of West Africans, Caribs, and Arawak. According to oral history, while delivering slaves from Spain to the Americas, two Hispanic slave ships ran off course and crashed near St. Vincent. The Africans that survived intermixed with the existing culture on the island and created a new African-Carib generation.
After the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the British violently took over St. Vincent and deported all of the African looking civilians to an island off of the coast of Honduras called Roatán. Eventually, the island became too small for the growing community and with Spanish permission, the Garifuna moved toward the mainland, spreading out across the Caribbean coast.
Some locals fear that this intermingling between the rest of Guatemala and Livingston will cause both the local business and local flavor to fade. Just looking around, noting how distinct Livingston is from Mayan Guatemala, it is hard to disagree. Livingston has a foreign feel, a Caribbean cool with an African accent that is unlike the rest of Guatemala. It will be interesting, and quite possibly tragic, to see what happens to this Garifuna community.
To invest in what's left of the local economy as well as to work on our tans, Anne and I took a lancha to a remote beach called playa blanca.
We also went hiking around the Seven Altars, los siete altares. The Seven Altars are a group of waterfalls and swimming pools that run through jungle foliage. But thanks to the dry season that has denied the coast rain for the last two weeks, there were no waterfalls and only one pool deep enough to swim in. Despite its desiccation, the high trees and clear waters surrounding Seven Altars were a relaxing place to nurse my sunburn.
To start the trip back to Antigua, we took a boat tour up the river for which the area is famed: Rio Dulce. Along the river we stopped at various sites such as the Lago de Flores, or lake of flowers. Here, thousands of lily pads spot the coast while local kids paddle around in child-size canoes.
And then there were the hot hot hot springs, aguas muy muy muy calientes, that were too hot to swim in. If you have ever absent-mindedly filled up a bathtub only to sit on the porcelain edge and probe the scalding water with a hesitant foot every ten minutes until it reaches a tolerable temperature, then you can relate.
And the last stop was el Castillo de San Felipe, a castle alongside Rio Dulce that was built in the 1500s to ward off pirate attacks, not all that successfully.
After the tour, Anne and I were dropped off in Rio Dulce, the city. While the river is a majestic force of nature, the town absorbed little if any of this beauty. Rio Dulce is primarily a launching pad, where you grab a lancha and get out. It consists of a maniacal market street where Guatemalans bark out discounted prices and black smoke pumps out of passing buses.
Our place of residence was pleasantly located across the bridge and far away from the market mania. We spent the night at this sweet refuge, books and licuados nearby, before starting the (this time) seamless ride back to Antigua.
los ninos y la luna, nos vamos a la cama by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/2/20111:41:45 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
For much of the past month, a quirky Canadian has been volunteering with me in San Mateo. Originally from a suburb of Ontario called Ancaster (not to be confused with my good old suburban home town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania not to be confused with Transylvania where everyone thinks I am from, no one in Guatemala having heard of Pennsylvania), I met Nick at the school my second day in Antigua and have since become an unconditional fan of his shaggy ginger hair, disheveled flannel button ups, and unconventional take on life.
No, I am not in love with Nick. But, if he asked me to marry him (I think I'm in line after Swedish Fia, Danish Anne, and British Sam since a double citizenship with the US isn't all that exciting), I would immediately research foreign matrimony policies. Or in wishful thinking, maybe I already have.
Did you know that Australians who want to marry foreigners have to provide email correspondences from the last two years, submit a photo album, and solicit ten witnesses to write on behalf of the loving and healthy relationship? And in the US, one of the first steps to legitimizing a marriage is a wedding "announcement" in the local newspaper that must be printed at least two weeks in advance. I never understood that section of the newspaper; I thought people were just vain.
Amelia gives Nick his first of 46 valentines
Regretfully, Nick's last day of work at the orphanage was last Friday afternoon. As his going away party coincided with Valentine's Day, Dia de Amistad in Guatemala, the kids from San Mateo prepared heart-shaped cards, jewelry, and bouquets of flowers.
Vanessa and Maybeline with wild flowers.
After homework help and English class, the kids formed a line that stretched the entire length of the orphanage floor. The whole process took a half hour, each child spending thirty seconds to express his or her earnest gratitude in a sad, small voice.
Even though I didn't line up with recuerdos for Nick, I hope he knows I am going to miss our daily chicken bus rides and our off-color conversations over coffee, mojitos, nachos, and the like. While traveling you develop an easy manner of meeting people, but you also get better at saying good bye. I am constantly astonished by the warm, insightful, and entertaining people I meet abroad; people that I would latch onto at home, but here, have to let come and go without protest.
Abrazos from Eric
Among my recent foreign friends is an outgoing and artistic girl from Barcelona named Aina. Aina also works at the orphanage in San Mateo and has some great ideas for jewelry. It's great to have another extranjera's opinion so we can better market the products toward tourists. In its humble developing phase, we have decided to call the jewelry company "Joyas de Hope," Joyas meaning Jewelry and pronounced "Hoy-as."
Makeshift way to show examples
We haven't found a way to make earrings yet, but the kids have created colorful bracelets and necklaces to sell to tourists. 100% of the proceeds go toward the children's school materials, clothing and living expenses. And as the jewelry is made out of natural materials, beans of all colors and avocado seeds, the business essentially yields nothing but profit.
Another makeshift way to show examples
With the kids in school right now, I spend a half an hour to an hour each day making jewelry with the older kids (a different kid every day) and we can make about fifteen bracelets and ten necklaces a week. I am selling most of the jewelry in Antigua, but if you are interested in a necklace or bracelet, let me know and I will happily bring one home for you!
With committed volunteers like Nick, the implementation of revenue boosters such as Joyas de Hope, and incoming groups facilitated by Cultural Embrace, the kids at the orphanage are optimistic about the future. The children of San Mateo sent Nick home with a hand-made necklace, hand-picked flowers, and hand-crafted cards, but he left with more than gifts. Nick has a home and a family in Guatemala.
When we left that afternoon, the kids sang in unison as they do every day—forever hopeful, forever gracious:
"Buenas noches
Hasta mañana
La luna y los niños
Nos vamos a la cama
Nos vamos a la cama
Nos vamos a la cama"
Un Aniversario Muy Especial by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/2/20111:34:38 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
This week the local language school celebrated its anniversary, which included a special presentation by the kids from San Mateo.
During its anniversary week, the language school passed out fat slices of cake, decorated the place with streamers, and hosted a number of activities for the language school students. Even though I am not taking language classes, I am always hanging around the school and feel like part of the family.
The language school is constantly throbbing with life, laughter, and is conveniently located between three hot spots in Antigua:
Y Tu Piña También, a hip café with fabulous breakfast options;
Café No Sé with the best tequila in town; and Café Sky with its satiating mojitos and a breathtaking view of Volcán Agua.
Considering the constant crowd in and around the language school, Cultural Embrace thought it would be the perfect place to promote its HUG (Hug, Understand, Give) Project.
With intentions to attract volunteers to San Mateo, share a glimpse of Guatemalan culture, sell the children's handcrafted jewelry (more on this soon), and increase awareness about social projects around Antigua, we coordinated a special event for its language students: traditional dances performed by the children of San Mateo.
While the kids performed two dances: "Instrumentos de Labranza" and "Nuestros Tradiciones," Instruments of Labor and Our Traditions, respectively, I explained to the crowd what was going on in Spanish and in English. I didn't realize how much I loved microphones. They had to wrestle it away from me by the end.
First, the kids performed "Instrumentos de Labranza," which is considered a "Working Man's Dance." It is the traditional dance of los campesinos, those who work in the fields, and features typical labor tools. Many of the children from San Mateo start working in the fields with their parents as early as age 3, executing difficult tasks such as grinding coffee, carrying stacks of woods, gathering flowers, or harvesting corn.
As many children in the villages work with their families at the expense of an education, the HUG project in San Mateo aims to pulls kids out of the field and help them matriculate by providing materials, scholarships, and scholastic support. Thanks to donations and volunteers, we have been able to gather school materials, help with homework, and teach the children life skills about nutrition, computers, emotional health, and hygiene.
After Instrumentos de Labranza, the kids performed Nuestros Tradiciones, a dance that mirrors a traditional marriage ceremony in San Mateo. During a wedding in the village, a pair of children receive their First Communion while the couple is blessed in matrimony.
While the bride wears traditional Mayan attire, the First Communion recipients dress much like Catholics kids in the United States (above and below). After the ceremony, the families and clergy have dinner together. Instead of a honeymoon, the bride gets to clean up after the party and host a celebratory lunch the next day. Lucky gal!
When both dances were finished, we provided a special treat for the kids. They hired a clown, who frankly, was underwhelming in a bird costume (?) and had a short supply of magic tricks. However, most of the kids had never seen a proper clown before, so they didn't notice his/her shortcomings. The look on their faces was priceless.
The event turned out to be a great way to promote the orphanage's aspiring jewelry business. Charmed by the children and Juan and Judith's passion to provide them with an education, we sold half of the jewelry the night of the dance. The following mornings, I set up a table at the language school to vend the remainders. By Thursday morning the rest of the jewelry was gone.
As soon as we replenish our stock, we will start selling the jewelry online and hopefully create a sustainable source of income for the orphanage. Also coming soon—those who can't travel to volunteer in person will be able to support the orphans of San Mateo by sponsoring a child on Cultural Embrace's website.
This weekend, I am heading to Rio Dulce and Livingston to rattle coconut trees, day dream in hammocks and count my blessings. Whether you are sipping on sunshine or clobbered in snow, I wish everyone a peaceful weekend full of love and appreciation for those who make life worth living. Happy Valentine's Day.
Diarios de Bicicleta
6/2/20111:27:06 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Flora y Fauna by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/2/20111:17:22 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
While Antigua is a beautiful city, by the end of the week the busy streets and crowded buses can be exhausting. To get away from the urban tempo and channel my transcendental side, I went to Earth Lodge for the weekend with a few friends from the language school.
To get to Earth Lodge, we took a "shuttle," which was actually just the back of a pick up truck, for a half hour up one of the nearby mountain sides.
After passing locals washing clothes and cows grazing on a steep trek down to the Earth Lodge valley, we arrived in time for happy hour. Drinks at the Lodge were based off of the honor system, a method that reflects the easy breezy attitudes of Earth Lodge employees and guests.
With the national cerveza of Guatemala,
Gallo, in hand, we found our tents and wandered around. Across a volleyball field were bathrooms, or more accurately, compost wells, and towering through the woods was the Tree House that we had hoped to inhabit. Word of advice: if you want the popular tree house experience—book in advance.
Happy with our arrangements despite being landlocked, we watched the sun set over Volcán Fuego from hammocks and later enjoyed a freshly prepared organic meal.
Walking barefoot in the mountains, dirt between my toes, surrounded by insightful personalities, I considered the seemingly incurable problems facing our world. I thought of Himalayan ice caps melting in my lifetime, of incomprehensible and inconclusive wars, of broken countries and broken homes.
But amidst all of the instability, destruction and corruption, there are still people with hope and determination who are working to redirect the future; not just the quirky, informative, wandering environmentalists we met at Earth Lodge, but also proactive companies like
Cultural Embrace.
"Our Children are not Chickens" by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/2/20111:11:06 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Teach, Volunteer
I've been in Guatemala for a week and already feel at home. Between the enthusiastic staff at the local language school affiliated with Cultural Embrace; the glowing faces at the orphanage in San Mateo, a hill town twenty minutes outside of Antigua; and the beauty of Antigua, a city known for its seamless integration of rustic and modern landmarks, Guatemala has surpassed all expectations.
I landed in Guatemala City last Monday evening and was greeted at the airport as expected. Without wasting any time, my instant amigo from the school, Luis, drove me to Antigua. The capital of Guatemala until the 7.1 magnitude earthquake of 1717 left most of the city destroyed, Antigua is a city characterized by cobblestone streets, immense ruins, freshly painted cathedrals, lively parks, flooding language schools, and picturesque views of the surrounding volcanoes: Fuego, Agua, y Acatenango.
Cultural Embrace's local partner is one of many language schools that facilitates traveling, volunteering, and socializing. The school is a fantastic meeting place where you can take private language classes amidst the school's jungle foliage, on stone benches in the sun, or on a couch next to freshly brewed coffee. Although I am not taking language courses, I have met dozens of people from all over the world who are friendly, interesting, and adventurous.
After a tour of Antigua from Ishmael, the social project coordinator of the language school, I explored on my own. Walking along uneven calles, you will see both local "tuk tuk" taxis and coach buses; chicken buses and hummers; local artisans and expensive jade factories. The disparity is unmistakable, but not neglected. There are many ongoing social projects based out of Antigua where travelers and locals alike can aid neighboring hill communities.
Working in San Mateo, I am part of Cultural Embrace's HUG (Help, Understand, Give) project. While recruiting volunteers, gathering donations, and facilitating education are important for the youth at the orphanage in San Mateo, the HUG project also aspires to help the village of San Mateo become self-sustainable.
Every day I take a chicken bus twenty minutes up to San Mateo to work with the children and the orphanage managers. The chicken buses are crazy: the reggaeton is blasting and tiny Guatemalans are stacked on top of each other.
The women are garbed in brightly colored dresses with long, dark hair braided down their backs. My first trip on a chicken bus was unforgettable. Climbing up an 80 degree slope of mountain, the bus chugged along like Thomas the train engine, only it didn't make it to the top. Instead, the chicken bus stopped midway and I was left biting my nails, wondering how recently the breaks had been examined.
A half hour of engine work later, everyone finally filtered off the bus and hopped into passing pickup trucks. Unfamiliar with truck-hailing customs, I was guided into the back of truck by local women. Half relieved and half fearing I'd fall out the back of the truck, I made it to the dusty streets of San Mateo without any more conflicts.
After the always eventful chicken bus ride every day, I teach English for an hour with Luis, a volunteer from Barcelona. While Luis continues, I then work with the orphanage managers, Juan and Judith, on their computer skills in hopes that they will be able to navigate the internet and advertise independently. When English classes are finished, we have a daily physical activity such as a scavenger hunt, a cooking class, or dancing lessons.
Last Thursday, all 46 children cooked chicken fried rice from vegetables that they had grown in their gardens. Each group of kids had a vegetable to prepare. They worked together patiently and enjoyed their creation as a family. Afterwards, each child had a cleaning responsibility and the place was spotless in minutes. I am so impressed with these kids.
In addition to activities with the kids and technical training with the adults, we also spend time each day brainstorming ways the orphanage can develop a sustainable source of income. By investigating natural resources and harnessing the children's existing talents and skills, Cultural Embrace and the orphanage have developed two plans for related businesses that will thrive off Antigua's tourism: Crafts (namely jewelry, cards, book marks) and traditional Guatemalan entertainment.
On February 9th, the kids will perform a traditional dance to celebrate the language school's anniversary. At the performance, we will advertise and sell the hand-crafted jewelry, made from brightly colored beans, hand made cards, and book marks. Our hope is that with income from its own business, the orphanage can continue to provide emotional, mental, and physical support to the growing minds and hearts of San Mateo while reaching its short term and long term goals without dependence on donations.
As Juan Carlos, a co-manager explains, "Our children are not chickens; they are not helpless. They can give back to the community too."
As Cultural Embrace volunteers arrive in Antigua to participate in the HUG projects, I will make them feel at home like the people here did for me. I am so excited to watch the volunteers ride their first Chicken Bus—Guatemalans dosing, reggaeton blaring, foreign eyes bulging.
There is magic under this worn tin roof in San Mateo; everyone who enters can feel it in the dusty air, in the adoring big brown eyes. I look forward to witnessing the changes that will take place across cultures, between hearts.
Embracing Cultural Embrace by Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Kate Springer
6/2/20111:02:35 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
Having been home for the holidays, I've gained a second wind and am ready for another adventure. I've been working with Cultural Embrace to set up the internship details that will guide my stay in Antigua, Guatemala. Starting January 18th, I will live with a host family in Antigua while simultaneously working with Cultural Embrace's HUG (Help Understand Give) initiative and fulfilling a multimedia journalism and promotions internship.
My job in Guatemala will be two-fold. I will act as a liaison between the orphanage and Cultural Embrace while concurrently documenting my experience, blogging at least once a week, and spreading the word about Cultural Embrace's altruistic initiatives to the curious, like-minded souls that I meet along the way.
Thanks to generous donations, determined volunteers, and CE founder, Emlyn Lee's passionate vision to "Discover the Similarities...Share the Differences," Cultural Embrace has been able to establish working relationships with communities in Guatemala that are desperately in need of support from the international community. While there are many places in need, I will be assigned to a make-shift orphanage in San Mateo, a village outside of Antigua. The orphanage supports and educates 46 children who would otherwise be displaced or abandoned. If you'd like to learn more or donate to the cause, read Emlyn's blog. You can also see what Keith Ferrazzi, a New York Times best seller and fervid philanthropist, did during his service trip with Cultural Embrace by visiting his popular blog.
Keeping the Dream Alive - One HUG at a Time! by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:40:40 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Kenya, Volunteer
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – MLK, Jr
Happy Birthday to the one and only, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! A true hero. My biggest hero. Many of my personal motivation and professional philosophies are influenced by his principles and “Dream” for this nation. But my ‘dream’ goes beyond the U.S., to a planet that embraces each other regardless of skin color and socioeconomic status. A world full of peace, love, happiness, and HUGS!
I recently spent a month visiting, meeting, and building relationships with poor villages around Antigua, Guatemala. One of my goals for 2010 will be to “sponsor” a few communities around the globe, in efforts to support education, local solutions, and sustainability. We are identifying these as our HUG projects--Help Understand Give. As for me, nothing makes this world smaller, warmer, and friendlier than through a HUG!
Cultural Embrace will continue to organize customized programs to Intern, Work, Volunteer, Teach, and Travel around the world, but this is our way to ‘give back’ and serve a few at-need communities. We are partnering with impoverished villages to help, understand, and give (our time, hands, heart, donations, support) to help meet their goals and objectives to improve their education, sanitation, health, and living conditions. We will work alongside the local people, to support their needs and create a positive impact to their community.
If you are interested, I encourage you to help through child sponsorship, donations, and active participation by visiting and experiencing Guatemala first-hand. Consider spending your next vacation combining fun, meaningful, and adventurous activities, while you meet and integrate with the local communities. We have several pre-established group departure dates for Guatemalain 2010 and 2011, as well as flexible individual dates that may be extended; or if you wish to join me on a service, safari, and sun adventure to Kenya, we have a pre-arranged July 30, 2010 departure.
More details of our San Mateo Milpas Altas, Guatemala HUG project will be shared next week. But for now, let’s redirect the purpose of this blog—in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let’s keep his “Dream” alive, so we are able to continue his strive to make this nation, and world, full of peace, equality and justice—one step (and hug!) at a time.
Volunteer in Guatemala Participant Spotlight: Keith Ferrazzi
6/1/20113:34:13 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Featured Participants, Guatemala, Volunteer
New York Times Best-Selling author of "Never Eat Alone" and "Who's Got Your Back," and CEO of Greenlight Consulting, Keith Ferrazzi, selected Cultural Embrace to assist him with a holiday service vacation to help out in orphanages in Antigua, Guatemala. Ferrazzi is recognized as one of the foremost experts on professional relationship development, and has been described as one of the world's most "connected" people by Forbes, as well as being named by the World Economic Forum as a "Global Leader of Tomorrow."
“We live such sheltered lives,” Ferrazzi says in his blog at www.keithferrazzi.com, “I showed up to Guatemala to care for those who the world has forgotten.” Compared to the living conditions of the children Ferrazzi worked with, our lives are indeed sheltered. Many of these children lack things that we commonly take for granted, such as family, clean water, and the opportunity to go to school. To put things into perspective, $10 could feed a family in Antigua for a week or more, and $300 could send a child to school for a year, giving them an opportunity to improve their lives, and the lives of their neighbors.
Of the children whose education Ferrazzi has sponsored, he noted that “Every one of these kids told me that their future would include coming back to help their village. . . This more than anything else give me hope for the future here.” Keith Ferrazzi’s day job focuses on helping people towards success through their relationships with others. It is fitting that through his volunteer work, he is able to see the invaluable constructive power of relationships and connections at work in the lives of the people he has touched during his time in Guatemala.
For more about Keith Ferrazzi's service trip to Guatemala, click here.
To donate to Cultural Embrace & Ferrazzi Greenlight's Guatemala projects, click here.
Cultural Embrace's Got Your Back by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:31:48 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
“It’s better to give before you receive. And never keep score. If your interactions are ruled by generosity your rewards will follow suit.”
How awesome is that quote? And how much more awesome is it to have met, worked, and traveled with the author of this quote?
I recently had the honor and privilege to host internationally renowned thought leader, consultant, and NY Times best-selling author of “Never Eat Alone” and “Who’s Got Your Back”, Keith Ferrazzi in Guatemala. Keith wanted to go abroad during the holidays, utilizing his vacation to giving back to others. For more info to his Personal Success Wheel, refer to “Who’s Got Your Back.”
I take pride in Cultural Embrace’s personalized attention and service to all our participants, but I knew this placement would be different, and wanted to personally oversee the trip. After spending one day with Keith, I’m not sure who was ‘guiding’ who? My friends often refer me as a ‘connector,’ and being in the travel and service industry, the need to build and maintain relationships is a no brainer. But watching and listening to Keith develop, form and strengthen relationships so eloquently and easily was an art form (even with the language barrier).
Unfortunately, Keith’s trip was short, yet sweet and impactful. We visited three local orphanages and community centers, and a village that lost funding for 7 pre-selected students to attend a private middle school in Antigua. With Keith’s generosity (for his time, heart, and donations), words of wisdom and support, I could immediately sense hope, drive, and motivation in the kids, parents, and community.
Cultural Embrace and Ferrazzi Greenlight will be working together to raise funds, awareness, and provide experiences for foreigners to travel to Guatemala (and beyond). Cultural Embrace will be working alongside the local community, to provide them with guidance and support. We will facilitate a mutually agreed upon plan to: encourage education, promote gender equality, end hunger, inprove access to water and sanitation, while holding the village members accountable for their actions (ie: population control, pollution, littering, health, etc).
I have plenty more to share, but I know I cannot do it all in one blog. I have big plans and visions…it’s the Aquarius in me…yet I also have to realistically understand that things aren't going to happen overnight. Through Cultural Embrace's operations and service to send individuals and groups abroad to integrate within a community and seek a purpose-filled adventure; Keith Ferrazzi's dedication and relationship-connection; and your support and wanderlust...we plan to help the village members of Guatemala to eat together, as a stronger and healthier community and, of course...never alone!
For more about Keith Ferrazzi's service trip to Guatemala, click here.
To donate to Cultural Embrace & Ferrazzi Greenlight's Guatemala projects, click here.
Feliz Ano desde Guatemala by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:28:25 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe it’s a start of a new decade. Since August, I have probably spent more consecutive days living in Antigua, Guatemala than I have in Austin, TX, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to end and start a new year. I’m sitting next to the beautiful private annexed pool in Porta Antigua Hotel, reflecting upon the projects and programs Cultural Embrace has accomplished in 2009, and motivated for a better 2010.
In 2009, we have sent over 40 participants to teach English (and other subjects, such as: history, American culture, physics, computers, math, etc) in Chile, China, Mexico, Spain, and Thailand for at least a committed semester or school year.
We have organized dozens of volunteers to help at-need communities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and Austin, TX from 1-52 weeks. Sample projects have included: building schools in Guatemala, helping with reforestation projects throughout Australia, the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, and Thailand, training at health/HIV clinics in Kenya, Thailand, Ecuador, and India, and tutoring kids and orphans in Argentina, Austin, China, Kenya, Nicaragua, Peru, South Africa, and Thailand.
Over 50 students or recent graduates have interned abroad gaining professional development in their field of study. Some of the interns’ needs were to earn academic credit, but all of them were focused on developing practical work skills in the global market. Examples of where and what some of these interns did are: working as an assistant for the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, coordinating events and cultural exchanges for Brazilian students to go abroad, marketing for businesses in the software, auto, language schools, radio/media, engineering, biotech, etc in Argentina, Spain, Australia, China, France, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Interns have also shadowed doctors in clinics and hospitals in Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Peru.
We have had over 25 young adults work in the hospitality and non-technical fields in Australia, Spain, France, and New Zealand. They have worked in hotels, restaurants, chateaus, golf and ski resorts, farms, and families as au pair/nannies. This is a great chance for them to earn a local wage, afford to live, work, and travel abroad, make new friends and professional contacts, and gain a sense of independence, responsibility, and global mindset.
Every business needs to set daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual goals. The New Year is an obvious time to lay down new resolutions and aspirations, and to increase and improve our services to encourage people to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We plan to build deeper relationships with at-need communities, by ‘sponsoring’ and facilitating their projects. I am starting with Guatemala, and developing relationships with several project leaders to discuss ways that Cultural Embrace may assist with marketing, fundraising, and providing awareness and guidance in building sustainability within their village. Plans to sponsor communities in Kenya, and India in 2010 are in the works.
I encourage you to put international travel on your New Year’s resolution list for 2010. There is no better way to balance your personal, professional, and spiritual state of mind than by going abroad. Cultural Embrace and I are committed to provide you the service that will allow you to have a safe, healthy, and memorable experience to...“Discover the Similarities…Share the Differences” of this beautiful world. Feliz Ano! I look forward to making this the best year and decade!
"Silent Night" on Christmas, Guatemala Style by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:26:16 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
Feliz Navidad desde Guatemala! I’m currently curled up in bed, on a chilly Christmas morning in Antigua, listening to one of my favorite classic Christmas song, “Silent Night,” and thought this would be a perfect theme for a blog. I’m celebrating my first Guatemalan Christmas, which began last night.
Guatemala is a Christian dominated country, with ~50-60% Catholics and ~40% Protestants, so Christmas is celebrated throughout the nation. Although it doesn't feel like Christmas, without the "White Christmas” that most of you in North America are experiencing, I have been reminded of Christmas through the singing lights, daily evening processions around town, Santas that walk around Parque Centrale, and…the bombas!
Families, particularly the kids, light firecrackers and firework to celebrate the holiday season (I’m still trying to figure out what day it starts, but more importantly, when it will end!) I thought I was a veteran with pyromaniacs setting off loud and fearsome firecrackers during my travels in China during Lunar New Year 1997, but last night’s Christmas Eve in Guatemala 2009 topped the charts.
Most businesses close early on Christmas Eve and all day on Christmas, so employees are able to spend the holidays with their friends and families, while churches offer several services throughout the day and night. I thought it was going to be a 'silent' and mellow night being away from home and family, so I joined my new foreign friends as we wandered around town, found the sparse restaurants, bars and cafes that were open, and attended a 10pm mass at the main Cathedral.
It was a beautiful service, even though we couldn’t understand 98% of it, due to language barrier and unfamiliarity of Catholicism, but the spirit of the mass, people, and the occasion filled the overflowing cathedral. After church service, we ended up walking around a park that still had street vendors, and enjoyed their poncho--a hot drink, that is traditionally made and served at Christmas. It is filled with all different types of fruit (pineapple, coconut, papaya, apples, grapes, oranges, plums, etc) cooked and simmered for several hours to bring a natural and delicious sweet and fruity taste. Guatemalans often spike it with rum to make a delicious Christmas cocktail.
We were sitting on a park bench, talking about life and solving world’s problems, when suddenly every street was filled with torpedo sounding, fireworks spraying, bee buzzin’, bomba blasting away! It was midnight and that’s when everyone lit firecrackers together… and that was just the beginning of their celebration! Midnight is when the families get together, eat a festive meal (usually tamales, ham, and lots of other yummy goodness), open their presents, sing, dance, and celebrate the birth of Jesus!
The streets and town were filled with clouds of smoke from the firecrackers, and I could hear cheers, music, and laughter. Although it may have been the antithesis of a “Silent Night,” but definitely a MERRY Christmas!!
I wish this blog finds you with a day full of peace, love, happiness, generosity, kindness and goodwill.
PS: While typing this blog up, the streets of Antigua were filled with yet another set of bomba blasts! It's noon...so let the festivities begin each time both hands reaches to the top of the clock!! :-D
Christmas Part with San Mateo's Community by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:23:58 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
It’s hard to believe that I left Austin less than a week ago. I feel like every day is packed with a month (at least) long worth of memories. I have to admit, it is hard for me to express in words some of the sites that I’m seeing, as well as what I am thinking, because it’s hard to digest some of the living conditions of the people in this beautiful country.
One of the villages that I visited on Sunday and Tuesday is called San Mateo Milpas Altas. It is located ~15 minutes car ride, or 30 minutes by bus (about 2-3 buses a day) from Antigua. I met an amazing woman, Judith Lopez, who I felt immediately comfortable with in my broken Spanish (it helps that she is a Spanish teacher and VERY patient), just from our initial handshake and hug. Judith fought (literally, physically) with her parents, as well with social norms, to be the first woman in her village to graduate, let alone attend, University. She studied socioeconomics, and returned back to San Mateo to use her studies to improve her own community. In 1999, she heard a knock at the door, and there were two poor children, asking for food and a place to sleep. Judith and her husband, Juan, opened their doors to these kids, and haven’t closed it since. Prodesenh was created, now helping over 120 children in a day, as well as the adults in San Mateo, to support and improve their education, life skills, and living conditions.
Many of the children are orphans living with Judith and Juan or with neighbors or relatives. Some have at least one parent, but are unable or unwilling to care for their own children. Financial burden, alcoholism, lack of education and resources are common reasons these children are neglected at home (and school). Many of the parents are not available, either because they are seeking work, or they are alcoholics (prevalent of fathers in the rural areas). However, if and when the fathers return home, many are physically, mentally, sexually, verbally, and emotionally abusive to their wife and children. Many of the children and woman go to Prodesenh to find solace and love.
This past Sunday, Judith and Juan invited two American volunteers from South Jersey, USA, an intern from Quebec, Canada, and I to attend their Christmas party. There were about 60 children, from infants to 13 years old, and about 10 adults from San Mateo all sitting in a room, probably no bigger than my living room back in Austin. Not only was it warm and cozy due to the tight sitting quarters, but you could feel the warmth and love between the children, Judith and Juan. I would have never imagined that I could spend over 5 hours in a roomful of 60 children, but for some reason, time flew by, and I everyone had a great night. The children were so well behaved, eager for the next performance, enthusiastic to hold our hands, and listen to Judith and Juan emcee the program. They put on a whole production--with songs, poems, dances, games, piñatas, gifts, food, and a Christmas play. The children’s smiles were from ear to ear…my smile was spread across my face!
Danny Zucco meets Billy Blanks by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:19:32 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
My friends and staff often say that I work too much...which is probably true, but I love what I do, so I hardly consider it ‘work’…I mean, working in Antigua, Guatemala for a month, isn’t too shabby, huh? But I try to balance my mind, body, and spirit by reading, exercising, and embracing my faith. For me, there is nothing better to end a day than with a good workout. It gives me time to process the day, and relieves some of the ‘unforeseen fires’ that happens in an international service-industry. Plus, the calories inhaled from the boxes of Wheat Thins, bags of Twizzlers, and cans of cashews that I snack on at my desk needs to be burned. Today is no different, and I would like to share how I 'unwind' at the gym in Antigua.
There are two gyms in Antigua city. I joined La Fabrica, just two blocks from my apartment, and it reminds me of the ‘old school’ boxing gyms. Second hand Lifecycle equipments, rusted free weights, and some other ropey-hung apparatus that I’m too afraid to know. There was a salsa dance class in session when I got there. Even though it was a principiantes (beginners) class, it seemed A LOT harder than my best Shakira shimmy efforts could EVER handle. So, I got on the elliptical, pressed some buttons that I couldn’t understand, and trotted along. From across the room, I noticed this middle-aged professional lady scrambling in to the gym. She apparently was having a Manic Monday, and late for the salsa class. I noticed her not only because of her frazzled state, but because she was wearing 3-inch stiletto heels! I don’t understand how she is able to walk in them on leveled floor, let alone on Antigua’s cobble-stoned streets. But then, she rushed in to the exercise group room, stepped in line, and joined the class, not missing a single beat…business attire, stiletto heels, and all!
After about an hour, I was wrapping up my workout, and in came a local guy, wearing Ivan Lendl replicated wristbands, hair greased back similar to Danny Zucco of Grease, and parachute pants that MC Hammer could never touch. I HAD to stay and see what this class was all about. I asked the customer service rep behind the gated front desk what class was next, and he said, “Tae Bo!”
Pinch me!! Boxing was one of my favorite workouts back in Austin, until I tore some cartilage this past summer, and Tae Bo…seriously?!?! Billy Blanks was my best friend in the late nineties, and worked out to his VHS tapes daily! It was meant to be…my first Guatemalan group exercise class…with Rico Suave serving as the Guatemalan Billy Blanks.
In the beginning, I was guarding my left knee and trying to be careful on it, but once you got salsa and merengue music blaring at the loudest volume (unfortunately the louder the better in Guate...), and Guatemalan Billy shouting “mas rapido”, I was flailing my legs and arms just trying to keep up. I recall Billy Blank’s “double time,” but here, the pace seemed to be at quadruple speed. The music was so fast it sounded like the Chipmunks on steroids.
Low and behold, I survived my first Guatemalan group exercise class. I hobbled back home, not sure if it was because my knee is inflamed, or the difficulties of walking on the cobble-stoned streets (plus without street lights), but then I thought of that lady, and how she mastered walking on the streets, and taking salsa class in those heels. We’ll see if I am able ‘shake a bon bon’ in the salsa class (with Nikes on) at my next gym visit…
Mi Casa es Tu Casa by CE Founder Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:15:41 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Emlyn's Expressions, Guatemala, Volunteer
It has taken me two full days to digest that even though I am abroad, I am “home” for the rest of the year. It's quite ironic because Guatemala was my last 'backpacking' adventure that my former St. Louis roommate and I took, at the end of 2000, before I moved to Austin, Texas. It reconfirms my surreal and time-warped mind frame wondering…how did nine years just go by?!?
However, there are noticeable changes from my ‘backpacking’ days and running my own business. I recall the days of chasing after a crowded chicken bus with sheep tied to the roof, sweating with a backpack over my shoulder, and realizing my traveling companions and I arrived in a foreign country without a guidebook or plan. Or playing ‘rock, paper, scissor’ to decide who had first dibs on the bunk beds, even though the winner wasn’t sure whether the top or the bottom mattress was the better pick. Thus, having an organized airport pick-up (which we include in all our Volunteer programs), and a receiving line of the whole staff welcoming me upon my return to my partnering language school (the one I used backpacking in 2000), with a private apartment with cable modem made me feel a bit older (just a wee), and more mature, well, ok, maybe more professional.
I forgot to pack my guidebook again, but I consider that to be the small stuff not to sweat over, especially since I’m in such good hands with our local coordinators; but as for a plan…that is why I am here! Cultural Embrace currently sends individuals and groups to learn Spanish, volunteer at social projects, embrace cultural activities, such as: cooking classes, salsa dance lessons, bike tours around banana and coffee plantations, and take excursions in Guatemala, as well as many other neighboring countries in Latin America. But now, one of my goals for 2010 will be to “sponsor” a few communities around the globe. I would like to invest more awareness and client participation, and essentially take their needs ‘under our wings’ to provide funding and assistance to improve their living conditions.
I’m starting this plan in Guatemala, and using charming Antigua as ‘home-base’. This is a lovely cobble-stoned town, quaint in size, safe and convenient for foreigners, close in proximity to the new and modern La Aurora international airport in Guatemala City, and only 20-30 minutes drive by car to the project sites. I am going to visit the different communities, and decide which village I feel partial to, and will devise a short and long term plan with their leaders, men, women, and children to improve their educational and social welfare.
Although I am a bit nostalgic being away from my family and friends during the holidays, I am however, excited and anxious to ring in the New Year with meaningful and specific goals for 2010. I am looking forward to developing new friendships and building a closer bond with my Guatemalan family and “home”. I will be sharing my experiences on this blog at least 3x a week, and invite you to provide feedback, opinions, questions, or suggestions to help prepare for my plan. Since meeting Juan Carlos, my Guatemalan coordinator, in 2000, he ends every conversation, email, and telephone call with an expression, that remains so true to this day…”Mi Casa es Tu Casa!”
Teach and Volunteer Participant Spotlight: Kate Springer
6/1/20113:06:50 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Chile, Featured Participants, Guatemala, Teach, Volunteer
This December we are focusing on our Super-Participant Kate Springer. Kate is currently working as a teacher in Chile. As if that isn’t enough for one girl to handle, this January, Kate will also be moving on to Guatemala to volunteer at an orphanage and blog about her experiences!
Kate had several reasons for adding another chapter to her Latin American adventure through Cultural Embrace: “teaching in Latin America has made me want to spend more time in the South Western hemisphere. I have fallen in love with Chilean colloquialisms, food, music, and people and would like to explore another area of Latin America.”
While originally worried about the language barrier and the culture shock of living with a host family during her time in Chile, Kate says that “these are no longer concerns. I have re-established myself into family life and can communicate, easily but not flawlessly, in Spanish. Now, rather than feeling afraid or nervous about anything, I simply dread the day I have to say goodbye to the community that I will certainly come to love.”
Kate’s experience teaching in Chile also prepared her for working with children in Guatemala: “Armed with this learning experience, my creativity, and a good sense of humor, I hope to contribute an enthusiastic and creative personality to the volunteer community. I believe that no matter where you are, an open mind and an open heart are essential when working with children.”
On a practical level, Kate sees volunteering in Guatemala as an opportunity to perfect her Spanish skills. However, Kate expects the real reward of this trip to be the opportunity to “forge relationships with the children, my host family, and colleagues, and to learn more about the world through the perspective of another culture.”
Join a Group Service Trip to Guatemala, an Interview with Emlyn Lee
6/1/20113:05:00 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Guatemala, Volunteer
Cultural Embrace's President Emlyn Lee gives us the low down on the upcoming group trips to Guatemala. Read below to find out all the details and see why you should sign up for this "spring time sunshine and service trip"! ?
Q: Emlyn, are Group Service Trips something new from Cultural Embrace?
A: Over the years, we've customized all sorts of trips for groups. We design trips and cultural-immersion experiences for any unique group traveling abroad, such as short-term faculty lead study abroad, private groups, alternative spring breaks, healthcare and service-learning trips, youth leadership programs, environmental-conservation projects, fun family vacations, corporate team-building retreats, mission trips, alumni and associate groups. We obviously design our trips so the travelers will see and learn more about the fascinating and historical sites, but the 'sight-seeing' is secondary, and we try to design itineraries that will offer the travelers to integrate with the local community. One of the best ways to interact and connect with the local community is through service projects. There is no better way to build a relationship than to roll up your sleeves, and lend a hand (and heart) to help others. It is such a rewarding experience to the community, as well as yourself, and lifetime friendships and memories are formed.
Q: Do you offer trips for individuals who want to join a travel group?
A: Actually yes! We have several trips in 2010 that anyone can join. For example, the upcoming Guatemala Service trips have pre-arranged dates that individuals, couples, or groups may join. This is a great option for those that want to volunteer and meet other foreigners, while they embrace the Guatemalan culture and people. They are quick, economical, one-week trips, that coincide with Spring Break dates:(March 6-13); (March 13-20); (March 20-7); (March 27-April 3). We hope this offers a more meaningful and alternative travel experience for anyone wishing to volunteer in an at-need community and mix springtime sunshine with service.
Q: That sounds fun! What is the cost of the trip and what is included?
A: The trip fee is only $695! We prepare every logistical detail to ensure top quality, safe, and healthy travels. Our expert and knowledgeable staff support all the needs of the group, before, during and after your journey. Services include: airport pick-up and transfer, international and ground transportation, lodging with host families (hotel or apartment stay available for additional fee), meals, a CE staff trip leader, the best local partners for bi-lingual service, travel insurance, excursions, service and cultural activities, service projects, and social activities in Antigua Guatemala.
Q: What types of volunteer and service projects will take place during the Guatemala Service Trip?
A: Volunteer projects include: Teach, tutor, and play with children in low-income daycare community centers. Work with street children, handicap & disabled children, and troubled teens. Work in hospice, local hospital/health centers,pharmacies and nursing homes. Help build and maintain gardens and yards in at-need community centers. Contribute to building, fixing, and painting for at-need construction projects in schools and community centers. Groups may work together on one project or be divided into teams to work on different service projects- based on group size, skills, and Spanish language knowledge.
Q: What are the social and cultural activities you mentioned in Guatemala?
A: Most afternoons we provide bi-lingual guided activities or excursions, such as: cooking classes, salsa dance lessons, bike tours to local banana plantations, local soccer (futbol) games with local children, hike and visit to Volcano Pacaya, visit and boat ride to Lake Atitlan with a stop at a local market, and much more. We definitely try to 'maximize' your time abroad, especially since there is so many fascinating things to see and do; however, we also want to give you the option to relax, reflect, and rest. We have contacts with yoga studios, spas, and understand the need for 'leisure' time for you to chill.
