Tales from Tortilla town...

Sorry to those who have been anxiously awaiting this blog (ie. my parents) but I´ve finally got the first post up.

So before we get into details, let me clear up a myth.

Because you're living in Guatemala means that you´re going to drink some of the best coffee in the world, right? VERY wrong. This coffee-rich country exports it´s best beans. You know, I´ve had my fair share of cup`o joes here and there and it´s either Folgers or Nescafe. So much for that for idea.

This picture is 25 of the 32 trainees that I'm here with in country. We went to roast mallows on the lava. (I'm in the back with my "I was attacked by a bear t-shirt")

So...I am almost two months into training here in the Guate. I am living in a small community (10,000 people) in between the capital (Guatemala City) and the tourist hot spot (Antigua). Training has been very busy and continues until I'm sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer on March 27th and then sent off to whereabouts unknown. Should find out in a few weeks.

What will be I doing? Raincheck? No my title is "Sustainable Community Tourism Volunteer" so I'm being trained to do that. For the past few months we've been working on a well developed eco-tourism park trying to promote it to the general public. Here´s a picture of Tony (other Italian trainee in my group) and I working with one of the guides. This mirador looks out to the capital, Guatemala City. Pretty sweet

...And if we´re designing a marketing plan for it, we need to have a little fun too. This is me tearing up a rope swing:

So my host family is awesome. Every morning I wake up to ¨Buenos Dias Yessy¨...I am currently brainstorming for new names beginning the 27th of March. Not sure if Pancho will fly, maybe Lefty? Ideas are welcome...

Anyways, there´s two little girls in my family. Carmen is 4 (think Isabelle, who is now 5) and she´s great, although she stares at me ALOT. Think she´s still trying to figure out who this tall white dude is. Do I understand a word she says? No, but she´s great.

Not sure who nicknamed me Jesse Messy - however, there is someone who has me beaten. Carla, at barely 13 months. She receives her plate of food, dumps the plate on the table and will either plaster it from her forehead to her neck, or throw it at me. Love it. If you notice the shirt and table in the picture, you will understand. It´s hilarious every night. Oh and I got to see her take her first steps last week. Quite amazing!

Here's a good story...What do you do with young kids that speak another language? Your guess is as good as mine. I went with the whole "Let's put up my tent in my room". Backfired, they wouldn't leave. Ahh!

The older boy Bryand (13) is my host brother. I´ve been teaching him English (ie: doing his homework while he plays with my IPod, jk)

My house is unreal, on a hill overlooking the whole town with a futbol field, more avocado trees than they know what to do with, and chickens running wild. Did I mention I live with all the sisters and brothers, meaning there's about 8 kids running around all day every day. Chickens and babies...No it's not Noah's Ark...

What else...I church it up every Sunday, its pretty funny since I cant understand the pastor, although I act like I know what I´m doing. Of the 32 volcanoes I plan to climb in Guatemala I have conquered 1 and a half thus far. I´ll let you know how this ambitious goal works out. Picture time...

Volcano Pacaya

Tony roasting marshmallows over the lava

me, Maria, Sara, and a friend of ours from Antigua

My first Guatemalan birthday party, one of the host Mom´s in my community

Tony and I with our teacher, Isabelle. She´s pretty tall as you can see. Backpack is on backwards so I don't get robbed. Doing well on that (so far)

Tony and I (the Italians we are) decided to cook an Italian dish for both of our families. That's my parents sitting across-next to me, with the 2 girlsAlso, since we are working ALOT we need some time to get to Antigua and enjoy a beer with the other trainee´s (me, Tony, and Josh from Ohio)


...And that´s all, til next time enjoy your hot showers