My barbed wire series :)

I have become so accustomed to barbed wire... everywhere... that I no longer notice its pervasive presence.
This tiny string of barbed wire separates our portion of the roof from our neighbors roof.It is not so much effectual as symbolic.

Up on the roof...

I love Latin roofs... an escapea view, a different vantage point, an opportunity to check on the neighbors...
a clothesline, a patio, ...un poco de todo! Our roof has a beautiful view of part of the city both during the day and at night.

Remnants of Antigua

I found these photos from my last day in Antigua, as I was downloading more recent ones. Some are from the Market, and the others are from a little nursery/cafe near my house where I loved to go read, study, walk around. It was so peaceful! I have not found such a place here, but there is a park nearby where I walk or run everyday which is a haven in the midst of the city.

Hasta Deciembre...

I dropped Travis off at the airport today and we said yet another good bye... until December. I don't recommend long distance engagement, but we are seeking redeemable qualities of this time apart.

Two for Two

There have been no new blog entries this week due to Travis visiting... no time for blogging! To say that it was wonderful to have him here is an understatement. My family here loves him and the two boys (who both speak English really well) joined us for nightly boggle games :). Travis got to enjoy the "mundaness" of my life here (home to cedepca and back home daily) as well as the adventures of taking the bus for the first time in the city and driving adventures with Emily. Dennis (dad) is still in the U.S. and Mari (mom) cannot drive, so I drive the family everywhere whenever we go anywhere and have become somewhat of the taxi in residence!

We're two for two on bus "incidents." The first of two bus adventures happened on Friday. We went to a movie "A Good Woman" and were trying to return home before it grew dark, as the buses are not safe after dusk. Our number (203) pulled up, I pushed my way up the stairs thinking Travis was right behind me. But he was trying to pay the money collector, and couldn't climb on. The bus started moving with Travis holding my hand over the crowd of people between us, me unable to get off, and him running along side the moving bus! The bus was so packed that there were several men hanging on the outside of the bus with one foot on the open door. He yelled that he'd catch the next bus as he let go... and I could only think about the fact that Travis doesn't speak Spanish, had no idea where we were or where the house was, and didn't know the route or where to get off! So I got off at the right stop just as it was growing dark, and watched 5 or 6 buses (#203) pass by... and no Travis. Just as I was starting to worry, he walked up and explained that he had disembarked a couple of stops too soon, and had to walk a distance to find me.

The second incident happened on... well our second bus outing Saturday. We went to the center in Zone 1 to explore the central Market and Square. We hopped on what we thought was the right bus to return home, but discovered about 10 minutes later we were wrong. Here's Travis at the intersection of two bus stops where we finally got off to wait for another bus. I have decided that it is not whether or not you get lost that matters, it's whether or not you can find you way back from there. And we did! I'm a bit tentative to have my next bus adventure without him, but I'll venture to one of these days.

We spent much of the week studying (for my teaching, and for his classes) but did make it to the central market, movie theater/mall, out to dinner in Zone 10, and Zone 1. The restaurant in Zona 1 was a great little hole in the wall with graffiti all over the walls, plastic stools for seats, and old marked up wooden tables... but great food and atmosphere! No Salsa dancing this time though we tried... we'll have to find a place in December.

Travis dancing and doing jump and jacks in the living room so that Benjamine and I could play with the action settings on our cameras. What a sport!

Bags of herbs and spices at the central market... these are the only labeled ones I have seen. There are usually just bags of grains, spices and herbs the contents of which seem to be common knowledge.

Why only women?

He's back! The poor guy had to transport his own wedding band to Guatemala (along with a long list of other requested items), for his fiance to put it on his finger. Travis has decided to wear his "engagement band" this year while we're apart. Neither of us really understand or support the tradition behind the woman being the only one to wear an engagement band as a sign of commitment before the wedding, so Travis is officially and publicly off the market! :)

We went to dinner at a great place in la Zona Viva, the first night he got in, and planned to go salsa dancing, but were too tired.

We are now having a thrilling day of studies. I need to prepare for my class on Wednesday (this week is "The Q Source" and "The Reign of God" in the gospel accounts)... and he has plenty of work on papers and such as this is technically his "reading week." It feels like the good 'ol days at Princeton!

'Tis a gift...

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

These lyrics came to mind today when I was offered lunch and later brought apples by the woman who cleans and makes coffee daily at the seminary (I can't remember her name suddenly!). Her generocity and thoughtfulness touched me.

Soy professora... (?!)

Well... I found out a few key reasons why I am not registered for classes at CEDEPCA. I had understood that I was coming here in mid-October to begin a new semester or quarter of classes alongside other students at CEDEPCA. But, in fact, they are in the middle of a semester right now that will end Nov. 21st. So rather than taking classes this semester as I had expected... I'll be teaching one (or trying to)! When I arrived at CEDEPCA today Judith invited me into her office after a brief orientation of the school. She informed me that Veronica who has been teaching the New Testament class, has been very ill and in the hospital for a week or two now, and will not be able to return soon. She had discovered that I have a masters degree in theology (rather than bachelor) and asked me to begin teaching on Wednesday! I was then directed to the "Salon de professoras y professores" which I had seen earlier in passing, and showed me my own desk complete with a new notebook, teaching materials for the class, books, tape, stapler, sticky notes, a calculator... and all sorts of other "teaching materials" to ensure my success on Wednesday! I did explain that my Spanish is not up to par for teaching, (which she knew at that point) but she simply said she would accompany me on Wednesday to explain the situation to the students... assumedly before leaving me with them. :) So I have much reading to do between now and then... I'm off to brush up on the Synoptic Gospels.

Bien venidos a la capital!

So I made it! Here a few shots of my new accomodations. Charlene and Daniel were wonderful to drop me off here yesterday (after seeing Born III in the mall here :)) and then I settled in with my new family.
I am living with Mari, Benjamine (13) y Lucas (15) and Denis who is in the U.S. right now and will return in a few weeks.
My room is really amazing- great bed, private bathroom, wireless, space for my truck load of books... more than I had hoped for really.
The family is wonderful, I was able to spend most of this morning talking with Mari before going to CEDEPCA. I still do not know how long I will stay here, but it's great for now.

Hablo Espanol!

Friday was my last day of Spanish class, which is both exciting and terrifying! I now have to use, practice, and become more fluid with all the grammar and vocabulary that I "know" on paper. I will be living with a Spanish speaking family for a while in the city which should give me plenty of opportunities to practice, in addition to the classes and work I'll be doing. The picture to the left is my Spanish teacher, Marta Lidia and I, where we had breakfast together on my last morning. She was an excellent teacher, and wonderful companion to me throughout my month here. It's amazing how well you know someone after spening four hours with them each day in conversational langague lessons for over a month! She is intelligent, warm, fiesty, hurmorous and really just delightful to be with. I'll miss her. In fact, she one of my only friends here so far. Maria (my new Swedish friend) and I joked yesterday that we can call someone our friend if we 1) have their contact information 2) see them on a daily basis or 3) see them outside of language school more than once! So Maria and her husband Alejandro, are two of my new friends. They were at the language school with Travis and I our first week, and will be moving to Guatemala City as well to live and work there. I am thankful for new friends in this foreign land.

I had to take these pictures below because they are comical to me. First, because I trip and nearly fall almost daily on the streets here, but second, because I cannot imagine navigating Antigua in a wheelchair, or with a cane! These signs are imbedded in the pavement along the main avenue here with cracks through the sidewalks and cobbelstone streets!

No illusions here...

No illusions here! My mom reminded me of the fact that none of us know what will happen tomorrow... I just happen to be more cognisant of that fact here. I am under no illusion that I know what tomorrow will bring. I plan to move to Guatemala City. I'll be living with Dennis Smith and his family in "Zona 7" which is just west of the city center. I do not know how many kids he has, how old there are, what my quarters will be like, or how long I'll be staying there. Nor do I know where CEDEPCA is in relation to where I'll be living, how I'll get there, when I'll start classes or any thing else really! For those of you who have been asking me these great questions- this is an update to let you know that I don't know! I'll keep you posted as soon as I'm able. In the mean time some "peaceful" photos at the request of my friend Daniel Esher.