During breakfast, Sarah started giving me a hard time about how much sugar I was putting in my tea. Gave me a lecture about diabetes. I explained that tea is where I break down (2 teaspoons per cup of tea – not nearly as bad as “Southern Sweet Tea” where I have to mix half-and-half sweet and unsweet tea!), but that I also don’t eat much of processed food or junk food/candy in general.
I’m starting to think that Sandra doesn’t like the work she does because she really doesn’t smile much outside of the class.
It’s funny how the Spanish workbook we use has many stories about divorced people and single parents. Maybe it’s because they are such a common thing in Guatemala, as Sandra told me. Then I learned that Sandra is 36, and doesn’t like men from Guatemala because they are “Machisimo” (“macho” and sexist).
Before going back to my host for lunch, I walked through the market to try to find Japanese ingredients. I walked by a Guatemalan man who said “Ohayo” (“Good Morning” in Japanese) and I turned around in shock. I chatted with him in my minimal Spanish and he knew “Good Morning,” “Good Afternoon,” and “Good Evening” in English. I asked him where I can find Japanese ingredients around there (I think I said food) and he said probably not anywhere, but I might be able to find some Chinese near Central Park (which I later realized, he was probably thinking about food from restaurants and not ingredients).
After leaving the markets, on my way back to the host for lunch, I spent some time in the supermarket to try to figure out what to buy/make tomorrow for the Childcare project. The closest thing I can come up with was ramen – throw in some beef (yes, more expensive than chicken, but “I can afford it” – I had no interest in being frugal/cheap considering where I was – Guatemala - and who I was spending time with – children from families in poverty), make them try seaweed, and sliced up scallions in a chicken broth.
(The “racist” ramen packets I plan on buying tomorrow)
Oh – and eggs. This is one of those countries (uh – is it all countries except the United States?) that handle the way they wash the eggs differently - they don’t need to refrigerate the eggs. I suppose Chelsie probably would know the deep explanation of the differences. I thought about adding cooked and sliced eggs into the ramen but I wasn’t trying to go crazy, considering I am going to have to feed about 40 people – the kids and their mother and/or father (and/or whoever takes care of them at home)
The next time I visit, I will have to make sure I bring some Japanese experiences for them. Japanese curry, pocky, etc. I was bummed to not be able to make them Japanese curry, which is very popular with kids in Japan. Oh, and a pocket dictionary and phrasebook, instead of my “cheat sheet” – although I am hoping to be much better at Spanish by then. I hope. Seriously.
Yesterday I realized that I was truly feeling confident walking around Antigua. I remember just a week ago I was pretty nervous and anxious, but after a week, I had gotten used to comfortable walking around the town.
I also swung by a big store – perfect for souvenirs – suggested by Dorothy – and looked for more junk I can buy.
On the way to the volunteer project, I sat next to Corrine who was coming to help with whatever we needed to do today. She came today with another volunteer, MJ, a girl from Korea who was studying Biochemistry (!!) at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and has been “taking a break” (I assume that means “burnt out”) from school since May, traveling and volunteering throughout Central America. I think she said she spent 4 weeks in Peru, and 3 weeks in Nicaragua or something like that volunteering so far.
I also learned that Corrine, 23, met his boyfriend Donnie on the same Childcare project in the Spring. Donnie, 26, was volunteering, visiting from Utah (he has relatives – grandparents – who live in Guatemala). Corrine did not talk to Donnie the first few days because he was a “big guy who came across as macho” but got to know his soft side a few days later when a bunch of volunteers hung out in the evening. They hit it off, kept in touch, and eventually, Donnie moved down to Guatemala.
One thing I noticed today while in the daily “ridiculously speeding Chicken Bus” is – I don’t think I have ever seen a speed limit sign…
At the childcare project, we helped sort and divide up donations for each of the children’s families. There were children’s clothes (this time it was all girls’ clothes), and food (beans and corn flour for tortillas).
(Tino making picture frames – one of many things they do/make/sell to raise funds for the childcare project)
(Where Lesbi makes tortillas)
After we got back to Antigua, since we left the project early (we were only helping them sort and divide up the donations – a few of the kids showed up, but only to help), Noga asked if I wanted to go eat dinner with her. Since I had about 2 hours free before my dinner at the host family, I told her I can come hang out.
We picked a place near Central Park. I learned that Noga is a very picky eater. No, wait – that’s an understatement. She’s probably malnutritioned – but that’s a whole separate discussion. She pretty much eats: pizza, fries, rice, bread, and maybe cauliflower and carrots – if they are cooked well. Oh, and she’s a vegetarian. Hence, she has not been eating much (if any) of her host’s meals. I have seen her eating M&Ms twice. She’s not a large girl at all, but that probably is because she’s still 19 and actually has a metabolism.
I mentioned to her that Corrine told me Maximo had about 20 childcare volunteer projects. Noga said that one of her roommates is at one with orphans who have HIV. I realize that some projects are going to be more difficult, or emotionally harsh, than others. Relative to what I could have gotten, I suppose in some ways I am lucky because, while these kids are in poverty, they are able to do much. They all have, while some still need, sponsors, so they can get a good education and chase their dreams.
Sarah skipped dinner to hang with some friends, and after (another yummy) dinner, Chelsie went to check out a pool tournament where someone she just met at the park was going to be playing (eventually taking 2nd). Dennis, Sue, and I stuck around chatting for a while talking about divorces and celebrities. Lorena sat and ate with us while we talked (and her English is not good enough to really understand most of what we say). Lorena again had to guess my age – this time guessing 35-36. Not sure why she didn’t remember asking my age the day I showed up.
Thoughts from today: Dating feels selfish compared to what I can do here to help people. There's a lot of excitement I get from knowing I can come back and directly make a positive difference in the lives of these children.
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