Day 49-54

I'm sorry I've been lazy! This week we got down and dirty and built a firepit on the land. On Tuesday, we held a memorial service at the firepit for Heather's mom who passed away just earlier this year. Tuesday would have been her 70th birthday. I'm glad that I could have been part of this service. I have gotten to know Heather, Greg and their family so much these past 2 months. Today we also removed the two door frames on the first house! It was exciting and nerve-wrecking as we were just slightly worried that everything might come tumbling down...but it didn't! We also found a bat hidden between the wooden frame and the earthbag!

I really like the blog that I posted up on Ethical Bean so I'm going to cheat and copy and paste what I wrote there on here...

This week was especially significant for me in Guatemala. On Tuesday, June 28^th, I was honoured to be involved in a memorial service to commemorate Heather Knox’s (Executive Director of Project Somos) mother’s 70^th birthday. Susan Knox passed away earlier this year so it was very meaningful that Heather and Greg were able to spend the day with Heather’s dad, Heather’s brother and Heather’s daughter, as they are all here volunteering for Project Somos.

In preparation for the service, all of us went to the land with our work gloves and shovels to build a fire pit for the ceremony. As this will also be a permanent area for the Children’s Village, we consulted our foreman, Antolin, who is a Mayan priest. With his expertise, we built the fire pit in accordance to Mayan tradition, which included the exact size of the fire pit as well as the location of all four flower gardens.

Although the locals working on the land are not related to Heather or Greg, when they found out the importance of the fire pit they were eager to be involved in helping us build it. As this project has become a very important part of my life, I am also grateful for this opportunity to be part of such a special occasion. During the moments around building the fire pit and the memorial I was reminded of the importance of love and family in my life.

There is a lot of love put into building this Children’s Village. Because Heather and Greg have been so gracious and loving, they have built unity amongst everyone that is involved in this project whether it be the volunteers, the community or the locals working on the land. I have now learned that family consists of anyone that we feel is important in your life. For me, that includes my new Guatemalan family – everyone here in Tecpán.

Day 44-48

The days just fly by...it's hard to believe that its the weekend again already! I'm going to be heading down to Lake Atitlan again for the weekend just for some R&R. This week has been nice. We had a good day working on the land and productive days working in the office. This week I interviewed Heather for my Ethical Bean blog so check that out if you want to learn more about the children's village.

These past 2 weeks, we had some volunteers come help us out. One thing I learned is that volunteering abroad isn't for everyone. We had someone that felt like our construction of the house was too slow and he didn't respect the fact that he was here to help us out. In fact, it felt like since he was helping us out, that we were indebted to him. Wrong attitude. Volunteering means doing anything and everything that needs to be done. So yes, if it means picking up garbage on the land, ultimately you are still helping us out because someone has to do it eventually! I respect the fact that this isn't for everyone. But if you choose to volunteer locally or abroad, do it with an open heart and try not to judge. You will gain so much more and the experience is amazing....including picking up garbage.

As promised, below are some pictures I took at Chichi.

Day 40 - 43

The past few days has been great. We had a few parties - one with the kids in the earlier post and a farewell for Parker who has been volunteering here for 6 weeks! It was great chatting, bonding and just enjoying each other's company.

On Thursday, we made Father's Day cards for all the workers on the land with the family photos that we took on Children's Day. We developed the photos, glued them onto a blue bristol board and then wrote a thank you note and pasted it on the inside of the card. To us, it seems like such a small gesture of "Thank you" but to them, it showed that we actually do care about them and their family. Some were almost in tears as this is their first family photo and even said now they want to work even harder for us because we are "good people". It was amazing and touching. We take so many things for granted and I can't even count how many times I have been close to tears from witnessing everything out here.

Today we went to the biggest market in Central America! It was amazing...I bought some great things including a yellow hammock seat! I wanted one last year when I went to Costa Rica but decided against it....and now I finally got one! Pictures from the market will be posted later....sorry but I'm lazy right now!

Firecrackers for Parker!

The Father's Day cards that we made.

Day 38 & 39

The last few days has been busy just catching up with everything (so much happens in a week here!) and today I went to the land for the first time in almost 2 weeks! Before I left for Toronto, the height of the walls were just about my height and now they are waaay taller than me! In fact, they finished all the outer walls!! Crazy how fast things are moving!

I also got a sweet new office with an amazing view...check it out in my photos below!

Tonight we invited our friends, Nicoletta and her kids over for dinner because it was the birthdays of two of the boys! Remember Wilson? It was his bday! They're so cute...so smiley and sweet.

Day 37

I just got back into Guatemala last night! I had an amazing week with my girls! :) One thing I did notice going from Guatemala back to Canada was the culture shock. My first hot shower (with pressure!) surprised me, using the toilet and being able to flush the toilet paper surprised me, brushing my teeth with tap water surprised me....and the list goes on...including how quiet it is in Toronto compared to Guatemala! I heard some dogs barking one night and found it oddly comforting (there are ALWAYS dogs barking at night in Guatemala)!

I also noticed a few changes in myself - the little things don't bug me as much....helping someone and not getting a thank you or a response didn't bother me....I felt more content with myself. It's the simple things in life that are the best things in life. I am being humbled....a lot. :)

Since I don't have any pictures of Guatemala, I will include a few of my girlfriends and I. I am blessed to have such amazing friends.

Day 25 - 28

After a fun filled Monday and Tuesday, this past week, I laid low and worked in the office for the rest of the week. I am officially reaching the end of my first month in Guatemala and it's been amazing...but I do need a break. :) I'll be heading to Toronto for a week....a trip that has been planned since late last year. There are a few things that might shock me when I go back to Canada.....the ability to drink the tap water, the lack of black smoke coming out of the buses, and not being the only Asian in town! I'll also miss saying "buenos dias" or "buenas tardes" or "buenas noches" to everyone I see on the street. There's something very warm and friendly about this little town of Tecpán. :)

I know in a week, things will change a lot in the building of first house....the house may be all done! Its only been 2 weeks and they've done so much already!

May 27th

May 31st

June 3rd

So I won't be blogging for a week but I will still be writing for Ethical Bean which will be posted up on their website every Friday now!

I'll see you in a week, my Guatemalan friends!! Hasta luego!