Happy Christmas from Guatemala!
Trip Start
Nov 25, 2006
1
6
16
Trip End
Feb 17, 2007
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Antigua,
Guatemala
Sunday, December 24, 2006
After party on Monday, Wed and Thursday I was back teaching. Almost a normal day, except on Wed we had the monthly birthday celebrations. All the kids with a birthday in December get a present and to bash a pinatta-big papier mache creation filled with sweets which eventually breaks causing a 100children rugby scum for sweets. Best explained by photos, but very amusing. Although 2 of my naughty boys were banned from sweets...letting off firecrackers under the tables again. Think my disciplining skills need improving, apparently it is easier if you speak more than 10sentences of spanish.
On Friday, it was meant to be sports day at school but we gave the kids the option of watching videos or sports. Therefore I spent the morning watching Jungle Book and Snow White in Spanish with 50very silent and well behaved kids who didn't once ask for a break. I wish they wer always that easy! In the afternoon I helped/hindered in the building of new cabinets to store the kids books and equipment in. Lots of screwing in screws hammering, re-hammering when it went wrong and we got the 5 done! 4 of us stayed behind to finish, missing the last direct chicken bus, so we got home via tuc tuc, pick up truck and finally the most packed bus ever-rush hour on a Friday evening, to run home and run back out for dinner with all the volunteers.
Yesterday, finished my Xmas shopping, secret santa stuff and pressies for the family and grandchilren then in the afternoon/eve climbed Volcano Pacaya! The climb was quite tough, mainly due to the rapid pace and wanting to get up for the sunset.
Bashing the pinatta
When we got within view of the summit, which was smoking and the lava fields I was happy to stop. Not so. We then hopped our way across the, hot in places, lava field to get a stunning view of the sun set and 3 other volcanoes that surround Antigua. Yesterday was really hot so it was quite clear, although we were above the clouds. Probably one of the most beautiful sunsets ever, complete with being warmed by a volcano, which gave off intermitent and heart stopping bangs and pops! Health and safety clearly had not been introduced to the Pacaya guides who incidentally I understood entirely in Spanish and ended up translating to the rest of the group! As if! Incredible evening, the lava glowing red, millions of stars out and a not so great trek/run back down the mountain with torches after dark!Off for lunch, very excited about Chrismas celebrations tonight and tomorrow, wishing everyone a very happy Christmas, hope the celebrations are good and involve lots of yummy food wherever you are in the world!
Comments
Happy New Year!
Hey hun, it's amazing to read the stories and kids look just sooo adorable. It sounds amazing what you're doing out there, keep up the smiles! Your spanish will be amazing when you get back! Think your choice of country for christmas celebrations was much better than mine this year - almost no snow in Finland! Im home for 4 weeks, catching up with everyone and writing my dissertation...boo! Wish you all the best for the new year 2007! Miss you lots! lots of love, Henna xxxxx