10 de Mayo: Blog from Justin Ferland

May 10 -Justin Ferland

SOOOO…… Today we woke up at around 5:00 to get ready to go up to the Santa Maria volcano and hike to a lookout point where we could watch a volcano erupt.

We drove for about a half hour, with the mountain growing larger and larger. It was huge. Unfortunately right as we started on our trail, a very thick fog decided to roll on in and block out everything within 300 feet. 

"Well maybe the fog will be gone when we get to the lookout point." During the hike up we met a farmer who lives about half way up the mountain. For the rest of the trip, he and his four dogs hiked with us along the winding trail into the clouds. It was very interesting because about half way up, the trail turned into a series of pure green valleys and dirt paths. The fog was right in our face, and you could see clouds moving between your hand and your shoulder. I love fog.  I was really happy about this. It also was really cool and not to moist -- really…..really nice. However, when we got to the spot where we were suppose to view the eruption, THE FOG WAS STILL THERE!!! It is not all bad, though. We got some good photos and some nice exercise. We sat at the lookout point of the mountain for about a half hour, then started down. About ten minutes after we got down, I turned around, and looked up to a very, VERY fogless volcano. -__-   

We then hopped on a city bus and rode back to our spanish school, all before 1:00.

The rest of the day has been just relaxing and hanging around the city. 

Happy Mothers Day! To all of the loving mothers out there,

-Justin

10 de Mayo: Blog from Ashley

Hello from Guatemala!

Yesterday we went to the Mayan ruins of Takalik Abaj. It was amazing to see. The Mayans as a civilization are sensational. They had incredible stone etchings which were more permanent than writing on paper. Their etchings were drawings of various animals, people of higher powers, and numbers. They would align certain rocks, etchings, and pyramids to coincide with the planets and the universe. What amazed me the most was that there was a rock with feet imprinted into it.  A priest would have to stand exactly where the feet were in order to make sure the stars and planets were aligned. The feet were perfectly etched into the stone as if someone had just stood there. It was just so crazy to think that a Mayan priest stood right were we were thousands of years ago. Thinking we were standing where the Mayans stood was just mind boggling. 

Love to home,

Ashley Seigal

10 de Mayo. Blog from Cara Keyser.

Cara Keyser

The streets are alive here in Guatemala for Mothers Day, even in the pitch black. There are flowers and music everywhere. Firecrackers spark up the night. My favorite music to listen to here is Enrique Iglesias. My little sister at my home-stay dances with me to his songs. I spin her around in circles, swing her under my feet and she even gave me a kiss on the cheek! All the watershed kids send their love out to moms for mothers day.  Feliz Dia de Madre! 

Students finish their first week and 25 hours of Spanish instruction.

The game is called "Basta" and challenges students to generate words beginning with a given letter as quickly as possible.

Students visit the small Mayan pueblo of San Andres, Guatemala

Greg enjoys his Spanish instruction.

8 de Mayo: Blog from Thalia

When learning a new language, mistakes are unavoidable. Often these mistakes translate to things that are very far from socially intelligent. The following are some examples of the hilarious mistakes people have made translated into english:

"I have five girlfriends" -Justin

"I give birth as a sport" -Cara

"Cornflakes milk hot why" -Trevor

"I'm pregnant" (sounds like embarrassed in Spanish) -Cara

"I'm dangerous" (instead of 'lazy') -Eva

"I like young beans" -Carter

"Balls" (meaning to say 'eyeballs') -Justin

"I have a dead cow in my house.  No, I have a dead cow in my house.  No! I have a dead cow in my house!" - Andy

These mistakes are bound to happen and they are very fun to laugh about afterwards. At the same time, making these types of mistakes is how we know that people are stepping out of their comfort zone and taking risks. This is the best way to learn. Overall, we are learning a lot of Spanish and having fun while doing it.

El Museo de Los Maya.

7-Mayo. Blog from Andy Klauber

On Wednesday in Xela, Guatemala, Trevor and I decided we needed new shoes laces. So we convinced our teachers to let take us into the city and find a shoe lace vender. So Trevor and myself had a goal; we where to find the shoe lace vender, communicate with the vender regarding shoe laces, and acquire two sets of new laces. We were successful in buying the much needed laces, doing so in Spanish, negotiating the complex streets of Xela.

We’ll be showing off our new laces at home, 

Andrew

Students learn about traditional Mayan clothing and customs

Thalia:  Daughter of the people who lives in the valley under the 10 peaks.

Photos from our trip to the natural saunas

6 de Mayo: Blog from Tyler Scripps

Tyler:

Living with our families has been very enjoyable and delicious. For example, this morning for breakfast Trevor and I had eggs with salsa and frijoles (smooshed beans). Another example of this is the cookie I am eating while writing this, the cookie is thin and sweet without being burned. I have gone to the market as have multiple others. Near the market is the Casa de Cambio or house of exchange, there I exchanged dollars for quetzales. I bought a mango at the mercado (market). Neil also got a mango and when we returned we both had our mangos and they were delicious.

6 de Mayo: Blog from Eva Klauber

Eva K-

Yesterday we went to a hot springs in the mountains. It was all natural steam coming up from the earth and we got to sit in little rooms filled with steam. It was like a sauna but in my opinion much better. The view was breathtaking. We overlooked the mountains and the clouds were very low to us giving it a calming feel. The place we were at had many plants and it looked almost like a small forest, there were large bowls filled with water and flowers floating on top. It was so beautiful and so relaxing, it really made me forget about everything and just enjoy myself. It was a once in a life time experience and I’m so glad I got to be here for it! 

Walking through the market

Cinco de Mayo: Blog from Nick Jones.

¡Hola Amigos!

I never thought that I would actually wake up to a rooster in the morning, like you see in movies. However, these past few mornings, rather than by an alarm clock, I get to have the experience of waking up to a rooster. It is at 4 a.m. every morning but, it is very cool. The feeling of being a part of an entirely new culture is one that can not be described by words.

¡Hasta Luego!

Señor Nick

Blog Post from Neil McCormick. Cinco de Mayo.

5/5 Blog:  Neil McCormick

Xela is an interesting city. I am really comfortable here honestly. I’m surprised at how much Spanish I remember. Talking in the language all the time is really helpful. My home stay mother makes awesome food and my bed is comfortable. It is extremely tiring though. My brain is fried with all the information coming in, but It’s good. Yesterday we went to the market and I learned all the names of fruits and vegetables and bought a mango. I have no Idea how to eat a mango, so it all got stuck in my teeth which was hilarious. Afterwards our class went to some historic buildings in the city, including an old church from the 1600’s. Only one piece of the old building is still standing, the rest was rebuilt after many earthquakes, but it was cool to see.

Neal.

Explorando la historia de Quetzaltenango (Xelahu), 4 de mayo

Inside the courtyard of the municipal city building

Outside the public theatre, built in 1880

Checking out the architecture in the Palacio del Gobierno

El Primer Dia de Clases! el 4 de mayo

Hola familias!
Amir and I are realizing that our days are SO full, that we really can't get to the blog until the evenings.  Today was a fantastic success.  Below are photos of students with their teachers.  During their five hours of instruction and discussion, most students went out of the building with their teachers for some of that time to explore the market and other local areas of the city.  This afternoon we walked around the city center visiting various old buildings to learn about the history of the city itself. 

A few pictures from today

We have arrived and all is well!

5/3

We are well and happy, safe and sound.  No hitches at all other than no electricity all day in Xela making internet access impossible.  We spent the afternoon getting a tour of the city with Nora and Rolando, the directors of the school.  Kids are now with their homestay families resting/sleeping in their bedrooms before they have dinner.  We will see them tomorrow morning at 8.  They all have our cell phone numbers and know to ask their families for the phone if they need to contact us.  We have met all the families and been to all their houses.  Wonderful Families!

Week One: Pre trip is a success!!

5/1

Today students finished an amazing week of learning prior to embarking tomorrow for Guatemala!  Students learned in depth the "Story of Guatemala" from Mayan times through today including the brutal civil war and Mayan genocide.  We brushed up on our Spanish, learned about cultural norms and American stereotypes and bonded as a group.  Stay tuned for more to come!

Amir.

Welcome!

Welcome to our Guatemala May Term 2015 Blog Site.  On this site you will get a chance to see and read about our May Term.  We will post pictures and students will blog about the experience.  Check daily for new posts and pictures and feel free to comment as well!  Enjoy!

Amir and Pablo