Be the Change

What I’ve learned in Xela
-          I have a deep respect for Mayan indigenous groups.

·         I love navigating myself through large cities and that feeling of being “lost”.

·         Giving makes me feel great inside. Por ejemplar - giving two little boys my piece of pastel (cake) that I bought at the bakery; giving a homeless man my refresca (cold drink).
·         There are places in Latin America where it’s safe for a woman to walk alone at night.
-      I'm not equipped to survive in cold weather. 
·         I love making home-made tortillas with lunch and dinner, the smell of sautéed plantains, and the tastes of chocolate caliente con arroz and pancakes with miel (honey). 

Molino de maiz negro

tamales y tortillas

chocolate caliente con arroz

Spanish lesson

After each meal you say “muchas gracias” and in return everyone accompanying you says “buen provecho” (good benefit).

My host-family

I cannot thank my host family enough for their hospitality, especially my host-mama, Aniela. She made me feel like an addition to her family. She took care of me one day I was not feeling well, and warned me of the dangers of Latin men. By the way, her cooking is phenomenal – always in her kitchen cooking up some Latin deliciousness and introducing me to new flavors! Muchas gracias por todas.

Teaching English at K’amawanik Escuela

Lesson #5

·         Review of last week’s vocab

·         Weather conditions and the outdoors

·         Clothing and body parts (sang “head, shoulder’s, knees and toes)

·         Played “Simon Says” to practice learned clothing and body parts

Lesson #6

·         Greetings and introductions

·         Self-expressions

·         Played the question game

We celebrated our time together with cake

I love them!!

My student, Azucena, teaching me K'iche. 

"Dios te tocó el corazón Sarah por donar los pizarrones. Hace tres años buscamos. El año pasado el mes de octubre fuí con las monjas de aromas y con el gobierno de mi pueblo y no me dieron. Gracias a tí, a tus amigos y tu familia." (Abraham)

"God touched our hearts, Sarah, for donating the boards. We've looked for three years. Last year in October I went to the nuns of aromas and the government of my people and they I did not  give. Thanks to you, your friends and your family." (Abraham)

Abraham Ajiataz Calel (Teacher of K'amawanik Escuela)

FACT: Only 7% of students at K'amawanik graduate from secondary school. If money is limited then the families typically choose their sons to finish school over their daughters. That is why Centro Maya Xela's scholarship program to help Mayan women go to university is so very important.

More photos:

My Volunteer site family (Central Maya Xela)

tuk-tuks

Our crazy, rainy ride via tuk-tuk

Xela

Plaza Central in Xela

Xela

Santa Maria Volcano and cemetery

Tecun Uman

Plaza Central in Xela

Santa Maria from my balcony

San Francisco el Alto

Donate to Educate

I've reopened the website for continued donations out of recommendation from a contributing mentor. Please give those who hold education to the highest standards this website for information on how to donate.

Travel Update

I’m sure you noticed I didn't make it to Belize…this was due to my wound, time and money (I’m not that disappointed – It’s so close to Florida and will be a snorkel trip for me in the future). I leave Xela the 31^st of May and head to the Highlands of Guatemala. I really love Guatemala and don’t want to leave so I’m slowing down the itinerary.  After the Highlands, I still plan to bus through El Salvador and Honduras very briefly before reaching the Pacific beaches of Nicaragua – for sun, ocean, surf, kayaking, nature, new friends and parties! Yes!

Blog
I've added some "Helpful Travel Resources/Websites" (located at the bottom of my blog profile). These sites will help you start to plan your safe, international travels. If you have any requests for additional travel resources please email me at sarahpaulick@gmail.com so I may help you. I also added "Google Translate" so you can read my posts in any language needed (located directly under "About Me" on left side of profile).

Quote 
"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi