Mi Casa es Tu Casa - by Emlyn Lee

12/12/20099:39:18 PM Link 1 comment | Add comment

Guatemala

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!”
 

Jay Stailey

12/15/200911:09:01 PM

How about a close-up of the notorious maids of the fountain. What a great place to finish a great year!