Everyone knows what it is like to ride a school bus, right? Like most of you, I ride school buses almost everyday too. Here is Guatemala the main for of transportation is “chicken buses” as gringos know them but in Spanish are called “camionetas” These “camionets” are old school buses from the United States that have been brought to Gautemala, painted bright colors and provide transport for most of the population.
I assume you have many rules that you must follow on your ride to school. You have to stay in your seat at all times, only two to three to a seat, no standing and no crossing the white line at the front of the bus, well there are no rules on the camionetas. Most of the time there are three adults to a seat and maybe a child sitting on the lap of one of those adults, in addition to people standing in the aisle! Sometimes the buses are so full that I have to stand on the stairs of the bus. The “ayudante” or bus helper (he collects money and takes the packages on the top of bus on and off), will cram as many people as the bus will allow so that they can make more money! In my town many people live in rural areas so they only have a bus one time a week. If they want to come to town any other day they have to take what Guatemalans call “jalones”
Jalones are just someone with a pick up that gives you a ride to where you need to go. In order to go to one of my communities I have only have the option of taking a pick up ride. Many times the back of the pick up with crammed with 15-18 people depending on the size of the pick-up! I actually prefer to take jalones because you get to see the beautiful landscape so much better than you do from a camioneta! But the only bad thing about jalones is that they sometimes break down or cannot make it up a hill so you have to get out and push it up the hill!
I mentioned about that gringos call the camionetas “chicken buses,” they call them this because many times there are live chickens on the bus because people are transporting them to the market or home from the market. There are many things that the camioneta will carry, such as, baskets of food, vegetables and fruits, furniture, and almost anything else people need to transport.
I hope that you all enjoyed your postcards. There should be a picture or two of the camionetas or “chicken buses!”
Monday, February 11, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Who likes food?
I love food! It is a very important part of life in Guatemala from selling vegetables, fruits and meat in the market to the role that some types of foods play in the daily lives of Mayans!
The typical meal here consists of rice, beans, chimole (tomato sauce), normally some type of meat, and tortillas! No matter what you are eating, could even be pizza, tortillas will be served with it! During training, I would eat cornflakes or pancakes for breakfast, along with fruit. For lunch I would have rice with some meat and tortillas or I would have some kind of soup! My favorite kind of soup is called Pepan! It have all kinds of vegetables, meat and a lot of different spices, it is very delicious. For dinner I would have eggs and beans or some kind of pasta, dinner was the smallest meal of the day while lunch was the biggest! What is your biggest meal of the day?
Tortillas are made from corn here in San Martin. Many families in the aldea grow their own corn to make the tortillas. After the corn has been picked they take the husk off and lay the corn out to dry! After it is done drying they take all the kernels off and take them to a “molina,” which is a machine that grinds the corn and mixes it with water to make a “masa,” or mixture! This mixture is what they make tortillas with. They take a small hand full, roll it into a ball and then flip it between their hands to make a small, pancake like tortilla! The hot off the “plancha,” or cooking surface are the best!
There are also different colors of tortillas; there are yellow, black, red and white tortillas! The different colors come from the different colors of the corn! The four different colors of the corn represent different parts of a person. The Mayans believe that they were made from the corn and that each color made up a different part, the blood, the skin, the hair and the eyes!
Everyone that lives in an aldea grows lots of different kinds of food. They grow corn, beans, lots of vegetables and in many places fruits because it is really warm here! Lots of families eat most of the food they grow but they also sell it in the market on Thursdays and Sundays, which are the two days that the main market is open! There is always people selling vegetables and fruits everyday of the week but those two days there are tons of people!
Do you think that you would like the food here in Guatemala?
The typical meal here consists of rice, beans, chimole (tomato sauce), normally some type of meat, and tortillas! No matter what you are eating, could even be pizza, tortillas will be served with it! During training, I would eat cornflakes or pancakes for breakfast, along with fruit. For lunch I would have rice with some meat and tortillas or I would have some kind of soup! My favorite kind of soup is called Pepan! It have all kinds of vegetables, meat and a lot of different spices, it is very delicious. For dinner I would have eggs and beans or some kind of pasta, dinner was the smallest meal of the day while lunch was the biggest! What is your biggest meal of the day?
Tortillas are made from corn here in San Martin. Many families in the aldea grow their own corn to make the tortillas. After the corn has been picked they take the husk off and lay the corn out to dry! After it is done drying they take all the kernels off and take them to a “molina,” which is a machine that grinds the corn and mixes it with water to make a “masa,” or mixture! This mixture is what they make tortillas with. They take a small hand full, roll it into a ball and then flip it between their hands to make a small, pancake like tortilla! The hot off the “plancha,” or cooking surface are the best!
There are also different colors of tortillas; there are yellow, black, red and white tortillas! The different colors come from the different colors of the corn! The four different colors of the corn represent different parts of a person. The Mayans believe that they were made from the corn and that each color made up a different part, the blood, the skin, the hair and the eyes!
Everyone that lives in an aldea grows lots of different kinds of food. They grow corn, beans, lots of vegetables and in many places fruits because it is really warm here! Lots of families eat most of the food they grow but they also sell it in the market on Thursdays and Sundays, which are the two days that the main market is open! There is always people selling vegetables and fruits everyday of the week but those two days there are tons of people!
Do you think that you would like the food here in Guatemala?
Monday, January 21, 2008
School Time
Guatemala is just starting a new año escolar (the school year)! San Martin and most of the aldeas started school last Monday. The school year starts in January and ends in late October, early November. Which would you like better, starting school in August or starting in January?
The beginning of the school year is very similar to the beginning of the school year in the United States. Before school starts you have to go register and pay to start the school year. You also have to buy all your supplies. The markets here are full of notebooks, pencils, paper, colored pencils, erasers, and book bags. There is one big difference, they also have to buy uniforms. The schools in the cities require students to wear uniforms, even public schools. Would you like to have to wear a uniform at school?
Another big difference is that students only go to school half day. They start school at 7:30 in the morning and get out at 12:30! Why do you think this is? The reason is that many schools, especially in rural areas do not have enough teachers to teach all of the students at one time, so they have to split the day in half. They teach half of the students in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. Another reason is that many areas do not have enough money to pay the teachers full time so they only pay them half time. The final reason is that many students, mainly boys, have to help with whatever harvest or planting is taking place.
All most all of the aldeas have a school, but that school normally only goes up to fifth or sixth grade. After this students either do not go to school or they have to come into the bigger cities to go to school, that means up to an hour bus ride or 2 or 3 hour walk! Many children, especially girls, out in very rural areas only reach 3rd or 4th grade or do not even go to school. I am working with many people who cannot sign their name so they have to use their thumb print. Do you think that you could be successful in the United States with only a 3rd or 4th grade education?
I am working on certifying my farmers with Fair Trade, which a type of certification that makes sure small farmers around the world receive fair prices so that they can make a living. One of the rules in order to be certified with Fair Trade is that you have to show that your children are in school and attending on a regular basis in order to receive the Fair Trade price. This is helping keep kids in school longer and receive a better education so that they may one day be able more successful!
You should realize that you are very lucky to have to opportunity to go to school all the way through 12th grade. I know that some of you, maybe even most of you do not like school but many students here in Guatemala would love “to HAVE to go school everyday!” Stay in school and work hard because there is a Guatemalan kid that would love to have what you have!
The beginning of the school year is very similar to the beginning of the school year in the United States. Before school starts you have to go register and pay to start the school year. You also have to buy all your supplies. The markets here are full of notebooks, pencils, paper, colored pencils, erasers, and book bags. There is one big difference, they also have to buy uniforms. The schools in the cities require students to wear uniforms, even public schools. Would you like to have to wear a uniform at school?
Another big difference is that students only go to school half day. They start school at 7:30 in the morning and get out at 12:30! Why do you think this is? The reason is that many schools, especially in rural areas do not have enough teachers to teach all of the students at one time, so they have to split the day in half. They teach half of the students in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. Another reason is that many areas do not have enough money to pay the teachers full time so they only pay them half time. The final reason is that many students, mainly boys, have to help with whatever harvest or planting is taking place.
All most all of the aldeas have a school, but that school normally only goes up to fifth or sixth grade. After this students either do not go to school or they have to come into the bigger cities to go to school, that means up to an hour bus ride or 2 or 3 hour walk! Many children, especially girls, out in very rural areas only reach 3rd or 4th grade or do not even go to school. I am working with many people who cannot sign their name so they have to use their thumb print. Do you think that you could be successful in the United States with only a 3rd or 4th grade education?
I am working on certifying my farmers with Fair Trade, which a type of certification that makes sure small farmers around the world receive fair prices so that they can make a living. One of the rules in order to be certified with Fair Trade is that you have to show that your children are in school and attending on a regular basis in order to receive the Fair Trade price. This is helping keep kids in school longer and receive a better education so that they may one day be able more successful!
You should realize that you are very lucky to have to opportunity to go to school all the way through 12th grade. I know that some of you, maybe even most of you do not like school but many students here in Guatemala would love “to HAVE to go school everyday!” Stay in school and work hard because there is a Guatemalan kid that would love to have what you have!
Monday, January 14, 2008
What is Gautemala like?
Guatemala, what is it like?
Guatemala is a beautiful country, both the landscape and the people! Guatemala is a country of 12 million people with over 6 million indigenous people. Guatemala has a long history dating back to the ancient and dominating culture of the Mayans! Spanish is the official language of Guatemala but there are over 22 Mayan languages spoken throughout Guatemala. I will be learning the Mayan language Kaqchikel.
The Mayan culture is very alive and strong today. In my town, San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimalteango, many of the women dress in the corte
and huipil, which are the traditional skirt and shirt! Each pueblo or city has its own colors and designs to represent where they are from. The unique design was also the way the Spanish marked their slaves so they would know who were their slaves.
Guatemala is the land of eternal spring and the place of many trees. The western part of the country is made of large mountains covered with many trees. I live about 12 miles from my departments capital but it takes me around 45 minutes to get to my town because we have to winded our way through huge mountains to get to my town. Every morning I wake up and look out my back porch and see a enormous volcano, which is one of 33 volcanoes here in Guatemala! There are three volcanoes that are very active and you can usually see them letting off gas!
Most of the Guatemalans who live outside of Guatemala city are farmers! The most important products are coffee (which I work with), sugar and bananas! Other products that are important part of Guatemalan’s lives are corn, beans, and many types of vegetables. Many people sell their products in the markets in the local cities or even in the larger markets in Guatemala City. In my town we have market day on Thursday and Sunday. This is when I buy all of my food for the week, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, carrots, chilies, beans, and rice! You can also find a variety of other things in the market, clothing, pots and pans, plastic containers, flowers, CDs and DVDs and also food to sit down and eat!
I am sorry that I have not been on top of writing to you guys but please if you have any questions post me a reply and I will answer them as soon as I can! I hope that you have enjoyed learning about Guatemala so far, I know that I have!
Guatemala is a beautiful country, both the landscape and the people! Guatemala is a country of 12 million people with over 6 million indigenous people. Guatemala has a long history dating back to the ancient and dominating culture of the Mayans! Spanish is the official language of Guatemala but there are over 22 Mayan languages spoken throughout Guatemala. I will be learning the Mayan language Kaqchikel.
The Mayan culture is very alive and strong today. In my town, San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimalteango, many of the women dress in the corte
and huipil, which are the traditional skirt and shirt! Each pueblo or city has its own colors and designs to represent where they are from. The unique design was also the way the Spanish marked their slaves so they would know who were their slaves.Guatemala is the land of eternal spring and the place of many trees. The western part of the country is made of large mountains covered with many trees. I live about 12 miles from my departments capital but it takes me around 45 minutes to get to my town because we have to winded our way through huge mountains to get to my town. Every morning I wake up and look out my back porch and see a enormous volcano, which is one of 33 volcanoes here in Guatemala! There are three volcanoes that are very active and you can usually see them letting off gas!
Most of the Guatemalans who live outside of Guatemala city are farmers! The most important products are coffee (which I work with), sugar and bananas! Other products that are important part of Guatemalan’s lives are corn, beans, and many types of vegetables. Many people sell their products in the markets in the local cities or even in the larger markets in Guatemala City. In my town we have market day on Thursday and Sunday. This is when I buy all of my food for the week, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, carrots, chilies, beans, and rice! You can also find a variety of other things in the market, clothing, pots and pans, plastic containers, flowers, CDs and DVDs and also food to sit down and eat!
I am sorry that I have not been on top of writing to you guys but please if you have any questions post me a reply and I will answer them as soon as I can! I hope that you have enjoyed learning about Guatemala so far, I know that I have!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Dia de Independencia
Hola! This weekend was Dia de Independencia, or Independence Day for Guatemala! The festivities begin on Friday night with the running of the torch. All of the children in town travel to the captial of the state they live in and light their town’s torch. They then bring the lit torch back to their towns and there is a parade through town until they come to the big torch in the center of town, The torch carries the “Fire of Freedom,” they call it this because it was not actually September 15th when the Independence document was signed but rather the day before. But many Guatemalans did not know they were free until they woke up on September 15th and saw the “Fire of Freedom” This is why they carry the torches through towns the night before.
September 15th is a day full of parades, music, food and even some fireworks! The day begins early with a parade of all the school aged children marching, playing instruments and little Independence Day princesses! This is followed by a huge lunch in the town square. In the afternoon neighboring towns parade through the town too! In the late afternoon in a neighboring town there is a pole climbing contest! The town takes a 60 foot tree, takes all the bark off and puts grease all over it, then they see who can climb to the top! If you make it to the top then you get Q500 or about $70! There was a guy that made it all the way to the top this year!
The weather is really nice here! It is warm durning the day but really cold at night. During the day it is about 20 degrees Celcuis and at night it is about 15 degrees Celcius. Do you know how warm and cold that is in Farenhiet? Even though 15 degrees Celcius is not that cold you have to remember that I do not have any heat so it is like sleeping outside all the time.
Remember to send me your questions and let me know what you want to hear about!
September 15th is a day full of parades, music, food and even some fireworks! The day begins early with a parade of all the school aged children marching, playing instruments and little Independence Day princesses! This is followed by a huge lunch in the town square. In the afternoon neighboring towns parade through the town too! In the late afternoon in a neighboring town there is a pole climbing contest! The town takes a 60 foot tree, takes all the bark off and puts grease all over it, then they see who can climb to the top! If you make it to the top then you get Q500 or about $70! There was a guy that made it all the way to the top this year!
The weather is really nice here! It is warm durning the day but really cold at night. During the day it is about 20 degrees Celcuis and at night it is about 15 degrees Celcius. Do you know how warm and cold that is in Farenhiet? Even though 15 degrees Celcius is not that cold you have to remember that I do not have any heat so it is like sleeping outside all the time.
Remember to send me your questions and let me know what you want to hear about!
Friday, September 7, 2007
GUATEMALA!
¡HOLA! I am here in Guatemala, the land of eternal spring! I am sorry it has taken so long to post on my blog but I have only had internet access once since I have been here. Guatemala is not like the United States. Everyone does not have a computer and the schools do not have them either.
My first week here in Guatemala has been busy. When I arrived in Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala it was mid afternoon which means it was raining. It was raining because Guatemala is in what is called the rainy season. This means that everyday in the afternoon it rains for about 2 or 3 hours. The rainy season is when the farmers grow their crops. The farmers are beginning to harvest their crops right now! I am going to go pick fruit for the market with my family this weekend!
I am living in Magdalena Milpas Altas. Magdalena is the patron saint of the town and Milpas Altas means tall corn. They are not joking when they say this town is full of tall corn. The corn here measures about 10 feet tall. Do you know how tall that is? It is as tall as a basketball hoop (I think)!
Guatemala is a beautiful country. I am living in the mountains so it is really cold at night but warm during the day. It is really pretty here too because I can see all the other mountains around me, some of them are even above the clouds!
Magdalena is a large town for Guatemala. There are 2,000 people living here. Everyday there are horses and donkeys in the streets that are carrying things for people! Today there were even eight cows walking down the street! It is really dirty here because there are not trash cans in the streets so every throws their trash on the ground. Do you think this is good for the environment?
I eat fruit and Corn Flakes with hot milk for breakfast. For lunch I have beans, rice and chicken with tortillas. And for dinner I have beans and eggs and tortillas! Here you do not eat with a fork or a spoon you eat with tortillas. They make the tortillas by hand here. The grandmother of my house makes them three times a week. They are delicious! Do you like tortillas?
This has been a long post so I will stop here for today. Check again soon for another post!
My first week here in Guatemala has been busy. When I arrived in Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala it was mid afternoon which means it was raining. It was raining because Guatemala is in what is called the rainy season. This means that everyday in the afternoon it rains for about 2 or 3 hours. The rainy season is when the farmers grow their crops. The farmers are beginning to harvest their crops right now! I am going to go pick fruit for the market with my family this weekend!
I am living in Magdalena Milpas Altas. Magdalena is the patron saint of the town and Milpas Altas means tall corn. They are not joking when they say this town is full of tall corn. The corn here measures about 10 feet tall. Do you know how tall that is? It is as tall as a basketball hoop (I think)!
Guatemala is a beautiful country. I am living in the mountains so it is really cold at night but warm during the day. It is really pretty here too because I can see all the other mountains around me, some of them are even above the clouds!
Magdalena is a large town for Guatemala. There are 2,000 people living here. Everyday there are horses and donkeys in the streets that are carrying things for people! Today there were even eight cows walking down the street! It is really dirty here because there are not trash cans in the streets so every throws their trash on the ground. Do you think this is good for the environment?
I eat fruit and Corn Flakes with hot milk for breakfast. For lunch I have beans, rice and chicken with tortillas. And for dinner I have beans and eggs and tortillas! Here you do not eat with a fork or a spoon you eat with tortillas. They make the tortillas by hand here. The grandmother of my house makes them three times a week. They are delicious! Do you like tortillas?
This has been a long post so I will stop here for today. Check again soon for another post!
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