So soon I will be leaving my most recent home of Antigua. This will be bittersweet as I have grown attached to my super kind host family, yummy bakeries, ballet and yoga classes, and the general ease of life. Antigua has treated all of us volunteers very well (despite those nasty parasites), and we are very grateful for that.
But more importantly we are all super super excited to finally arrive at the Farm this Friday!!! Wednesday we begin our venture in an epic 13 hour bus ride to La Ceiba, Honduras, where the Andrea, the executive director of the finca, lives. Here we can stock up on whatever we need for finca life, and catch one last breath before the farm. Then Friday morning we have a brief 3 hour journey to the Finca! Then we get to meet the rest of our vol community, the amazing kids, and soon eneough find out our official jobs at the farm!
So yes, if you have a moment on Wednesday or Friday, a quick prayer for our safe arrival would be very much appreciated. Otherwise, I will apologize in advance, because starting wednesday my internet becomes super limited, so if I don´t respond for a two week period to an email know that you all remain in my thoughts and prayers, I just will be living with limited access to internet very soon! But snail mail to the farm and emails are still very very wonderful. Please know that each little piece of contact with friends and family truly brightens my day, so send away, and I will do my best to respond as fast as i can!
Wishing you all the best!
Mary Kate
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Round 1: Mary Kate 1, Parasites 0
So some of you may have noticed I have had very little online activity over the past week and a half...although this is in part due to limited internet access, it is more due to the fact that I have spent the majority of this time in my bed in an epic battle with some parasitic amoebas which decided to take up residence in my stomach. But no worries, after 5 days in bed, 3 days half in bed, some very strong anti parasite medicine, and a special unbelievably bland diet of rice and non citric fruit my stomach is now digesting normal food again and should be officially parasite free in just 1 more day! I even had the energy to go to church and hike around some ruins this morning! I must say I have never been so grateful to consume food and have moderate amounts of energy again :)
But yes to use a boxing metaphor big thanks must go out to the great people in my corner during my fight. First, to the second doctor I saw who actually figured out what I had (unlike the first who just told me i had stomach problems and overcharged me), and got me my meds. Second, to the amazing vols here in Antigua who visited me in my disheveled state everyday to get me whatever I needed. A special shout out to Deirdre, who literally was a super nurse and helped me with everything from walking to the doctor to reminding me I still needed rest even when I got a little energy and was very resistant to resting. Gold Star for her! And lastly, for my host mom Maudi, who kindly cooked me special meals for the better part of a week to work with my special amoeba friendly diet.
So yes, feeling fresh and new now, and ready to finally travel to the Finca this Wednesday!
Wishing you all the best wherever you may be!
Best,
Mary Kate
But yes to use a boxing metaphor big thanks must go out to the great people in my corner during my fight. First, to the second doctor I saw who actually figured out what I had (unlike the first who just told me i had stomach problems and overcharged me), and got me my meds. Second, to the amazing vols here in Antigua who visited me in my disheveled state everyday to get me whatever I needed. A special shout out to Deirdre, who literally was a super nurse and helped me with everything from walking to the doctor to reminding me I still needed rest even when I got a little energy and was very resistant to resting. Gold Star for her! And lastly, for my host mom Maudi, who kindly cooked me special meals for the better part of a week to work with my special amoeba friendly diet.
So yes, feeling fresh and new now, and ready to finally travel to the Finca this Wednesday!
Wishing you all the best wherever you may be!
Best,
Mary Kate
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Meet my fellow vols
So I realized that I keep mentioning my amazing fellow newbie finca vols, but have rudely failed to introduce them. I promise a picture soon, but for now here is a quick run down of my amazing new finca newbie vol family.
The Hurst Family: Jacob, recent grad of ND's Master of Divinity program, and his lovely wife Rachel, a ND undergrad grad herself, and their three boys Jonah (5), Isaac (3), and Ruben (1) provide us all with a wonderful family model to emulate among our community. They also kindly host us (along with Tami and Lili) in the apartment they rent for Sunday dinner and Wednesday Lectio. The boys also always find a way to make you smile with their bright smiles and never ending energy.
Tami: Tami is from Southern California and left her teaching job at a local Catholic school there to join our Finca family. She is one of our resident movie aficionados along with Betsy, which is always great for starting conversation. She also is one of the fellow residents in the apartment the Hursts rent, along with their close friend from home.
Lily: Lily graduated from school a year ago and worked in youth ministry over the past year in Southern California with the Hursts and Tami. She also happens to be the godmother of Jonah. Lily already speaks fluent Spanish, so she is a wonderful buddy to have to wander around town while those of us still in school get restless :)
Phil/ Felipe: Phil also graduated a year ago from school, and after a year of working in his native state of Washington, has joined our finca family. Phil is always a funtime to hang out with, as well as a great person to have fun life chats about whatever you so desire with.
Amanda: Amanda is a recent graduate of Illinois State University, and is from a neighboring town of Peoria, IL (home of my dear friend Anna Seghetti). She was a teaching major there, and is now bravely learning Spanish is a short two month period. A fun fact about Amanda is that although she may appear pettite and unassuming, she is actually a black belt in Karate!
Deirdre: Deirdre is a recent grad of The College of Saint Scholastica in Minnesota, and is our resident nurse. Deirdre was also my travel buddy on the way here, and current roomie with my host family. Deidre and I have had many fun times around town, as we both have an obsession with sweets!
Nils: Nils is a recent grad of the University of Portland and wins the award for tallest newbie volunteer at 6 feet 4 inches. Nils also lives in the next room over at my host family, and always kindly volunteers to split the last piece of whatever is left at dinner, and offer my stomach can rarely refuse.
Betsy: Betsy is a recent grad of ND like myself and along with being a movie aficionado proves the most competitive at Banana grams, a favorite game of the newbie vols, winning almost every time.
So yes, this is my new finca vol family, which will soon grow as we join the current vols at the farm this friday!
Endorphins Guatemaltecos + Yummy Panaderias = Happy Volunteers
Low blood sugar and lack of exercise can make people grumpy and unhealthy anywhere, but especially while adjusting to a new country. So the other volunteers and I have been making a serious effort to avoid both. aka we have been visiting the many cafes and bakeries while also finding our own unique ways to stay fit. Here is a brief summary of our favorite spots so far:
Cafes and Bakeries:
1. Bagel Barn...Sometimes we just need a little American loving sprinkled with free wifi on top, so we have spent many a rainy afternoon in this little bagel cafe, home of very scrumptious bagels and delicious hot chocolate.
2. Restaurante Dona Luisa...Breakfast and Bakery heaven. But really, 5 of us had breakfast here on Sunday and there was about one crumb left between all of our plates. Also their cookies and banana bread are beyond words amazing.
3. The Panaderia around the corner from school...aka the one place we have found so far with real american cupcakes, and therefore one of our favorite places.
Exercise:
1. Betsy and I have been enjoying yoga class on Monday and Thursday evenings with some retired ex pats and fellow volunteers.
2. Nils and Phil have been enjoying their visits to Antigua's Gym, where both of my host brothers happen to work as well. Phil has also had some fun playing in local pick up futbol games with his host brother.
3. Rachel and I have had fun finding running routes not over run with cobblestone streets, which can be somewhat of a challenge in a town of all cobblestone streets, but we are finding ways!
4. And lastly, I have been able to rent the yoga studio for only $12 per hour and a half to teach myself a ballet class. The stair well works perfectly as a bar, and my ipod is well prepped with several ballet class playlists. So no worries, ballet lives on in my life!
Wishing you all beautiful days!
Mary Kate
Cafes and Bakeries:
1. Bagel Barn...Sometimes we just need a little American loving sprinkled with free wifi on top, so we have spent many a rainy afternoon in this little bagel cafe, home of very scrumptious bagels and delicious hot chocolate.
2. Restaurante Dona Luisa...Breakfast and Bakery heaven. But really, 5 of us had breakfast here on Sunday and there was about one crumb left between all of our plates. Also their cookies and banana bread are beyond words amazing.
3. The Panaderia around the corner from school...aka the one place we have found so far with real american cupcakes, and therefore one of our favorite places.
Exercise:
1. Betsy and I have been enjoying yoga class on Monday and Thursday evenings with some retired ex pats and fellow volunteers.
2. Nils and Phil have been enjoying their visits to Antigua's Gym, where both of my host brothers happen to work as well. Phil has also had some fun playing in local pick up futbol games with his host brother.
3. Rachel and I have had fun finding running routes not over run with cobblestone streets, which can be somewhat of a challenge in a town of all cobblestone streets, but we are finding ways!
4. And lastly, I have been able to rent the yoga studio for only $12 per hour and a half to teach myself a ballet class. The stair well works perfectly as a bar, and my ipod is well prepped with several ballet class playlists. So no worries, ballet lives on in my life!
Wishing you all beautiful days!
Mary Kate
Monday, September 6, 2010
Estoy en Guatemala!
Hello Everyone!
So about two weeks ago now I arrived in Guatemala for langauge school. Time has flown, but it also seems like way longer since I have been in the states. So here is a brief summary of my life so far:
After a quick flight Tuesday night (August 24) from DC to Chicago, I met up with fellow Finca vol Deirdre. We had a quick 3 hour nap in an airport hotel then took off at 530 am fom Chicago to Houston, then after a quick layover we had our last flight into Guatemala City. Then, Hugo, from our school, picked us up at the airport and we then took a short 1 hour ride into Antigua. We arrived at the student house to find the lovely faces of our fellow vols Betsy and Amanda. In an effort to get adjusted to the time (only 2 hours off the east coast) and not just crash after travelng we ventured around the city, which is truly beautiful. It is full of traditional latin american colonial houses in red, yellow and white, beautiful churches every few blocks, sweet smelling panaderias, and street vendors with yummy tortillas. I will post some pictures as soon as I get a chance.
That night all the Finca vols who were here in town (9 of 10) went over to the apartment 4 vols are currently renting. We all got along instantly, and had a fun time sharing stories and getting to know one another. Then Deirdre and I, half asleep already, finally made it to bed. The next morning we started school bright and early at 8 AM. Our school works by setting each student up with a personal tutor. My tutor is a very nice guatemalteco whose name is Domingo. He has been a teacher for over 20 years now. Our first day we just spent chatting, he trying to figure out my level of spanish for lesson plans.
That afternoon myself, Betsy, Amanda, and Phil went out for a weekend excursion to the city of Lanquin. One of the most famous national parks in Guatemala is there, Semuc Champey. So Thursday afternoon we hopped on a small shuttle bus. After 8 hours of crazy turns and heavy rain and darkness for the last 2, which was quite entertaining, we arrived at our hostal in Lanquin. It was truly beautiful. It was set on the outskirts of town in the beautiful green mountains. It basically was a giant tree house with tons of hammocks outside and breathtaking views all around. Tired fom our long drive we fell asleep quickly.
The next morning we all hopped in the back of a pick up truck with 5 other travelers from Israel, and our awesome guide Otto and headed to Semuc Champey. We are pretty sure Otto has some special climbing and caving gene because he moved around the cave and the park like it was his natural habitat, and always managed to smile and make a joke in the mean time. When we arrived we went straight to the Cuevas de Maria. Here we had one of the most intense and amazing cave tours ever. We literally swam through the cave while holding a candle for light and watching out for rocks along the way. After climbing up several ladders next to mini waterfalls and crawling through tiny spaces, we reached the edge of the safe part for visits, and headed back. Two hours I will remember for a long time to come. After this we hiked up to the mirador, or look out, to see the entire park at once. It was truly breathtaking. There are over 50 different sized clear water pools, a very strong river, and green mountains all around. After this we treked down to the clear water pools to relax. It literally felt like we had entered Fern Gully. The water was so clear and the pools just flowed into one another. After eating our sandwiches and swimming around for a while we headed back to the truck and back to our hostal for some much needed showers. That night we ventured into town and ate some yummy street tacos.
The next morning we slept in a bit and then spent the morning reading and laying around in the hamocs. Then after lunch we went for what was supposed to be calm river tubing. But since the water was so high because of all the rain, it was actually a pretty strong current at points. In the end we all made it to shore safely, myself with the help of holding onto a tree. That night we hung out at the hostal and headed back early the next morning for Antigua. After another long 8 hours, but these in the light and only light rain, which was a true luxury, we arrived back in Antigua. Amanda and I went to mass at a local church, and I must say it was really exciting when I still remembered half of the responses in Spanish for mass. After that we headed over to the Hurts (other vols) house for a community dinner, which was full of wonderful people and food.
Then this past week I had my first full week in Anitgua and of school. It went very well. My teacher and I are getting along well. Each night I write a story, and then in the morning we edit it, and then review whatever areas of grammer I was having trouble with. Domingo and I also enjoy talking about food, every day I learn a new fruit I should try. During the afternoons I hang out with the other vols as we explore Antigua, or if its raining, as it did almost all last week, we like to hang out at The Bagel Barn, which has arguably the best hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls in town. The community is forming really well, and my Spanish is coming back very fast, both of which are very good things!
On Tuesday, I finally moved in with my host family, who live convienantly 1 block from the school. They are very kind, and have a very warm and welcoming home. The food is yummy, and they have orange juice every morning, which is just wonderful. Maudi and Francisco (aka Paco) are the grandparents, Diego and Andres are the adult sons who live in an apartment on the back of the house, Christina is the daughter, she lives there with her two adorable children Adrianna (7 years old) and Alejandro (2 years old), and lastly there is John (an Aussie who rents a room while he teaches English in a local school). I live in my room with fellow vol Deidre, and Nils, another vol, lives in the next room down. There are always people, and Adrianna and Alejandro are always entertaining.
This past weekend we all stayed in Antigua because with all the rain this past week several of the roads were shut down, and it was also fun to have a weekend here to hang out and explore. Some of you may have heard of the mud slides around Guatemala, but no worries, Antigua is very safe and unharmed, minus the fact that it rained like crazy on and off all of last week. But this weekend was beautiful. We went around taking pictures (I promise to post them all soon), went to the movies (Sherlock Holmes and Avatar), and had a nice community dinner on Sunday followed by an epic game of uno which started off with a draw 14.
So that is all I can think of right now. Sorry it is so long, but alot happened in the past two weeks. I promise shorter and more frequent posts in the future. Also, some of you have been asking for my address, mail is wonderful, but also takes a while to arrive, so please send it to the Finca in Honduras, and it can be there when I arrive October 1. The address is at the bottom of my blog so just scroll down and you will find it.
Wishing you all the best!
Mary Kate
So about two weeks ago now I arrived in Guatemala for langauge school. Time has flown, but it also seems like way longer since I have been in the states. So here is a brief summary of my life so far:
After a quick flight Tuesday night (August 24) from DC to Chicago, I met up with fellow Finca vol Deirdre. We had a quick 3 hour nap in an airport hotel then took off at 530 am fom Chicago to Houston, then after a quick layover we had our last flight into Guatemala City. Then, Hugo, from our school, picked us up at the airport and we then took a short 1 hour ride into Antigua. We arrived at the student house to find the lovely faces of our fellow vols Betsy and Amanda. In an effort to get adjusted to the time (only 2 hours off the east coast) and not just crash after travelng we ventured around the city, which is truly beautiful. It is full of traditional latin american colonial houses in red, yellow and white, beautiful churches every few blocks, sweet smelling panaderias, and street vendors with yummy tortillas. I will post some pictures as soon as I get a chance.
That night all the Finca vols who were here in town (9 of 10) went over to the apartment 4 vols are currently renting. We all got along instantly, and had a fun time sharing stories and getting to know one another. Then Deirdre and I, half asleep already, finally made it to bed. The next morning we started school bright and early at 8 AM. Our school works by setting each student up with a personal tutor. My tutor is a very nice guatemalteco whose name is Domingo. He has been a teacher for over 20 years now. Our first day we just spent chatting, he trying to figure out my level of spanish for lesson plans.
That afternoon myself, Betsy, Amanda, and Phil went out for a weekend excursion to the city of Lanquin. One of the most famous national parks in Guatemala is there, Semuc Champey. So Thursday afternoon we hopped on a small shuttle bus. After 8 hours of crazy turns and heavy rain and darkness for the last 2, which was quite entertaining, we arrived at our hostal in Lanquin. It was truly beautiful. It was set on the outskirts of town in the beautiful green mountains. It basically was a giant tree house with tons of hammocks outside and breathtaking views all around. Tired fom our long drive we fell asleep quickly.
The next morning we all hopped in the back of a pick up truck with 5 other travelers from Israel, and our awesome guide Otto and headed to Semuc Champey. We are pretty sure Otto has some special climbing and caving gene because he moved around the cave and the park like it was his natural habitat, and always managed to smile and make a joke in the mean time. When we arrived we went straight to the Cuevas de Maria. Here we had one of the most intense and amazing cave tours ever. We literally swam through the cave while holding a candle for light and watching out for rocks along the way. After climbing up several ladders next to mini waterfalls and crawling through tiny spaces, we reached the edge of the safe part for visits, and headed back. Two hours I will remember for a long time to come. After this we hiked up to the mirador, or look out, to see the entire park at once. It was truly breathtaking. There are over 50 different sized clear water pools, a very strong river, and green mountains all around. After this we treked down to the clear water pools to relax. It literally felt like we had entered Fern Gully. The water was so clear and the pools just flowed into one another. After eating our sandwiches and swimming around for a while we headed back to the truck and back to our hostal for some much needed showers. That night we ventured into town and ate some yummy street tacos.
The next morning we slept in a bit and then spent the morning reading and laying around in the hamocs. Then after lunch we went for what was supposed to be calm river tubing. But since the water was so high because of all the rain, it was actually a pretty strong current at points. In the end we all made it to shore safely, myself with the help of holding onto a tree. That night we hung out at the hostal and headed back early the next morning for Antigua. After another long 8 hours, but these in the light and only light rain, which was a true luxury, we arrived back in Antigua. Amanda and I went to mass at a local church, and I must say it was really exciting when I still remembered half of the responses in Spanish for mass. After that we headed over to the Hurts (other vols) house for a community dinner, which was full of wonderful people and food.
Then this past week I had my first full week in Anitgua and of school. It went very well. My teacher and I are getting along well. Each night I write a story, and then in the morning we edit it, and then review whatever areas of grammer I was having trouble with. Domingo and I also enjoy talking about food, every day I learn a new fruit I should try. During the afternoons I hang out with the other vols as we explore Antigua, or if its raining, as it did almost all last week, we like to hang out at The Bagel Barn, which has arguably the best hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls in town. The community is forming really well, and my Spanish is coming back very fast, both of which are very good things!
On Tuesday, I finally moved in with my host family, who live convienantly 1 block from the school. They are very kind, and have a very warm and welcoming home. The food is yummy, and they have orange juice every morning, which is just wonderful. Maudi and Francisco (aka Paco) are the grandparents, Diego and Andres are the adult sons who live in an apartment on the back of the house, Christina is the daughter, she lives there with her two adorable children Adrianna (7 years old) and Alejandro (2 years old), and lastly there is John (an Aussie who rents a room while he teaches English in a local school). I live in my room with fellow vol Deidre, and Nils, another vol, lives in the next room down. There are always people, and Adrianna and Alejandro are always entertaining.
This past weekend we all stayed in Antigua because with all the rain this past week several of the roads were shut down, and it was also fun to have a weekend here to hang out and explore. Some of you may have heard of the mud slides around Guatemala, but no worries, Antigua is very safe and unharmed, minus the fact that it rained like crazy on and off all of last week. But this weekend was beautiful. We went around taking pictures (I promise to post them all soon), went to the movies (Sherlock Holmes and Avatar), and had a nice community dinner on Sunday followed by an epic game of uno which started off with a draw 14.
So that is all I can think of right now. Sorry it is so long, but alot happened in the past two weeks. I promise shorter and more frequent posts in the future. Also, some of you have been asking for my address, mail is wonderful, but also takes a while to arrive, so please send it to the Finca in Honduras, and it can be there when I arrive October 1. The address is at the bottom of my blog so just scroll down and you will find it.
Wishing you all the best!
Mary Kate
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