03.30.09
Posted in Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 10:54 pm by Administrator
In my last post I told you about starting to build gardens…
Well, let me tell you what has transpired now! Wow!!!
On Thursday I met with a new group of women in a neighborhood adjacent to El Remate. I thought there might be a small group that would be interested, but over 25 women showed up, interested in forming a group and building gardens. I have work for the next 10 days building 2 gardens per day. It´s hard work but very rewarding. On Saturday morning a group of 5 women helped build Claudia´s garden, and I must also mention Walter, Claudia´s husband who also made a big difference especially with the maya (fencing we put around the garden to keep out the chickens and dogs). We are all learning. We hammer with planks of wood, sort stones from the earth with our hands and break up dry cow manure to mix in to improve the soil. I´ve even learned how to use a machete….
And what is more amazing… Do you remember MY Wildest Dream? The end of hunger. I definitely feel like I am making a difference!
Permalink
03.27.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Uncategorized at 12:18 am by Administrator
For the past 5 years, the women of Ix-Canaan have had square foot gardens in their homes. Rose, a volunteer from Washington D.C has been working with the women to teach them how to grow vegtables and herbs using organic techniques. Unfortunately Rose has been ill the past year and the women haven´t had gardens for awhile. But now, the gardens are back.
Alita (another volunteer who is helping me with translation) and I met with the entire women´s group yesterday and distributed seeds (Radishes, cilantro, chile, pepino, and tomato). We offered to help in getting the gardens ready for planting. The group is slow to warm up, but we finally had a few volunteers. So, this morning I built a garden with Sonia, and this afternoon with Dona Juana. Blanca came by to supervise this morning, and she seemed much more positive – perhaps they didn´t believe that I would actually get down on my hands and knees to work, but work I did. Sonia and I cleared two plots for her and her daughter Deyme, and Juana and I created a whole new garden. Her prior garden is now a computer center. I will be building gardens with Gloria, Blanca, Gregoria, and Betty, and I expect that when word gets around we´ll be asked to help with others.
Today is my birthday. Anne (Director of Project Ix-Canaan) took us to El Gringo Perdido for lunch. Between that and building gardens, I couldn´t have had a better birthday. This is my wildest dream, to contribute toward the end of hunger, and it is happening. I am grateful to the women themselves, as well as Alita, Rose, and Anne for the opportunity to work with them toward the end of hunger in El Remate!
Who knows where I´ll be building gardens next!
Permalink
03.25.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Costa Rica, Guatemala at 7:56 pm by Administrator
I have been making lots of friends along the way.
First, Peter and Trish from Denver on the ferry to Mal Pais in Costa Rica. We ended up caravanning on a dirt road for 20 miles and I so appreciate their recommendation of El Rey Patricio where I stayed. Peter and Trish, if you´re out there, email me at allison_haynes@hotmail.com!
Next were Grettel and Greg who taught me to surf.
Here in Guatemala, I had a connection with Rosa Maria Botran, who has been my guardian angel here. She lives in Guatemala City and had her driver Jorge pick me up and take me to Antigua. There I stayed with a Guatemalan family – Elsa, Manuel, Claudia, and Jocelyn, and made many friends doing yoga, venturing out to neighboring pueblos, and watching the sunset from the roof tops. Susan from Rhode Island, Beth from Wisconsin, Trish from Vancouver, Mary Lou, Brunell and Lydia from NY. I also met Debra from Athens, Georgia, a psychologist and yoga instuctor and we had many conversations about finding our life purpose.
Here in El Remate, in only 1 week I have met so many people I can hardly keep the names straight. Anne and her husband Dr. Enrique run Project Ix-Canaan. The women of the project, specifically Doña Juana, but another 20+ women. Elita another volunteer who is delightful and helping me with translation with the women´s group.
Gabriella from Trinidad and her daughter Jude manage the bungalow where I am staying. She is also giving me spanish lessons. Guatemaltecos include Humberto, the driver who makes sure I get on the right bus when I go to town, Alicia, Reina, Alfonso, and Paulo at El Gringo Perdido (the lost gringo) where I stayed the first few nights, Amicar, Estella and Erwin who played guitar and sang one night at an improptu song fest at their bungalow. I went to town with Estella and Amicar yesterday and we went to the markets, bank, supermarkets, and ate ceviche on the lake. They are Guatemaltecos, but lived in San Diego so we speak mostly spanish but if I don´t understand we can use Spanglish.
At Tikal I met Julia and Damon from San Francisco. Julia is a life coach, and Damon a reasearch physicist. I am meeting interesting people all along the way. No time to get lonely, although I do miss all my friends and wish I could share this amazing experience with you!
Love,
Allison
Permalink
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 7:36 pm by Administrator
I swam in the lake 3 times yesterday – morning, afternoon, and one last time under the stars. The water is crystal clear, a perfect temperature – I think about 80 or maybe warmer. It´s so clean and fresh I don´t even need a shower when I get out.
Today I ventured out for a half mile swim after a 5 mile run down the lake shoreline. I am using an old mountain bike to get around town. I wish I could say I am keeping my weight down, but the food is good and I´ve been enjoying the local beer Gallo which is just as cheap as water.
I work with the women in the afternoons and today we are handing out seeds. I´ll be helping them plant their gardens for the next week. It´s definitely a wonderful experience!
Permalink
03.23.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Mayan Calendar, Tikal at 5:43 pm by Administrator
This past weekend I went to Tikal, and ancient Mayan city of pyramid temples, 3 acropolis, quarries and resevoirs. It was built between 300BC and 900AD, when it was deserted for an unknown reason. It was then covered by rainforest jungle, until rediscovered by the western world in the 1800’s.
It is a place with a lot of spiritual energy. The Mayans are now allowed to perform ceremonies here which were banned during the civil war and prior governments. We climbed the highest pyramid to watch the sunrise over the jungle on the Spring Equinox.
Even more faciniating is the Mayan Calendar. I am just learing about it, but essentially the Mayans were great astronomers who developed a sophisticated calendar system and also were the first in the Western Hemishere to identify the concept of Zero. The calendar predicts a shift of conciousness taking place over the next several years culminating in a significant change in 2012. In fact, the calendar actually resets back to zero in December 2012 when 5 of our planets will be in alignment. I am reading a book to learn more and will write another post with more details. It is facinating given the turbulent times we are living in and the changes in consciousness and values that may result from the economic crisis.
This morning I went for a run, and then a swim in the lake before heading off to a project kickoff at the local school. They are building bathrooms and teaching the kids construction. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn a trade. This afternoon I meet with the women’s group to finalize the plans for what we will be doing for the next couple of weeks – planting gardens in their homes. Needless to say, I am pretty busy!
I miss you all and would love to hear from you if you get a moment to comment or send me an email.
Love,
Allison
Permalink
03.20.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 1:42 am by Administrator
I am in El Remate, a very pleasant and tranquil pueblo on Lake Peten-Itza. I have rented a bungalow with a lovely garden for $250a month. Gabriela, who manages the place, is from Trinidad. Her first language is english, but she has lived in Guatemala for 30 years and teaches 
spanish so I am also continuing my spanish lessons.
On my first day with I met with Doña Juaña, the president of the women´s group – Project Ix-Canaan. We discussed our plan, and Tuesday I met with two small groups of women to inquire about their interests. Probably needless to say, it is a group of women, with different levels of interest and engagement.
On Wednesday, I had an amazing opportunity. The Guatemalan government is sponsoring meetings in each of the states for the empowerment of women. I went with Doña Juana to the meeting. There were 40 women there from all over the state of Peten. (As I write this, a baby pig is coming into the room where I am working on the computer). It´s certainly a different world here.
I met with a few other women today, and had a strategy meeting with Doña Juana. Here´s part of the problem. She doesn´t read or write. So one of the things I am doing is to help her everyday. She knows the letters and sounds, so she just needs to sound out the words. I didn´t know that I know how to teach how to read, but apparently I do and that´s one of the things I will be doing.
I am going to Tikal, an ancient Mayan city this weekend. That will be interesting. I am learing about the Guatemalan culture, people and food. The people are very friendly. The food is good. I am learing enough spanish that I understood the driver who told me that ¨”los crocodillos son muy amable,y les gustan gringas!”…. the crocodiles (they are here, but on a different part of the lake) are very friendly, and especially like gringas (foreign girls)! The fact that I understood a joke in spanish made me happy!
Hope you are all doing well. I miss you! I´d love to hear from you if you get a chance!
Allison
Permalink
03.11.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 6:52 pm by Administrator
Doors. One door closes and another opens.
I have been looking for a volunteer opportunity for several weeks now. I have sent a lot of emails – particularly to organizations and individuals in a town called Quetzaltenago or Xela pronounced Shay-la in Mayan language.
I´d been told Xela is the best place to go and where I can find lots of opportunities. So it was really strange that I wasn´t receiving replies to my emails. I had contacted friends of friends, as well as several NGO´s…. but didn´t get any response.
So the other day I began to wonder, perhaps I´m not supposed to go to Xela. It is actually the second largest city in Guatemala, and it´s actually quite cold there. It´s at 8000 feet so it sometimes snows! Not what I had in mind for my central american adventure.
I was talking to some students who had just delivered medical supplies to a clinic in El Remate. It´s a little town in the department (state) of Peten. It´s near Tikal – the biggest historical Mayan site. There is also a library, computer school, and…. a women´s center.
I sent an email to Anne, a Canadian woman who started the clinic 15 years ago. Low and behold, she replied in 5 minutes! They would love to have me as a volunteer. So I called her on the phone, and we spoke about their needs and my background. I will meet with the women and determine how I can best help them and put together some workshops and training.
I am thrilled. Now I know where I am going. I will fly to Flores, Peten on Sunday, and will be working at Project Ix-Canaan for a month. Here´s a link:
http://www.ixcanaan.com/
It´s located near Lake Peten where I can swim. It will be in the 90´s. And it´s a very small town in the jungle near Tikal. So everything looks like it will be a much better place than Xela.
We need to remember, when we keep knocking on one door, and it doesn´t open, perhaps, there is another way in!
XO!
Permalink
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala at 6:33 pm by Administrator
I´ve had a week of spanish classes. I thought I knew more than I do. It´s challenging. Mario, my instructor is patiently teaching me the same thing, over and over. I will say, “para yo”, and he´ll reply, “para mí´”….. it´s the difference between “for I” or “for me”…. simple, but I just can´t get it threw my head. I have lots of bad habits like that. But each day it gets better.
I have 4 hours of one on one instruction every morning. We´ve been reviewing verb tenses. After 4 hours my head is about to explode. Then I have lunch with the family and try to converse. They gently correct me again.
In the afternoon I walk around the city, visit a museum, may have a coffee or visit a few shops. Antigua is actually quite a larger pueblo. It´s about a mile square with about 50,000. It´s very, very clean and orderly. I´m very impressed.
I´m between class and lunch today…. It would be nice to see or talk to you and have a simple conversation. Know that I miss you all!
Permalink
03.07.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Uncategorized at 12:42 am by Administrator
I flew to Guatemala Tuesday. It´s a place of amazing contrasts. Antigua is a lovely colonial town in the highlands. It´s quite cold at night and in the morning. It warms up a lot during the day. There are beautiful hotels and restaurants, and also hostels and mercados. Both mestizos (latin americans) and indigenous people wander the streets.
I signed up for Spanish classes at La Union and have a private instructor for 4 hours every morning. I´ve also moved in with a family for the next week. It´s intense – I thought my spanish was better. I´ve got lots of bad habits to lose but it gets better each day.
I will be doing my strategic planning workshop at the school of some of the instructors (in spanish) next week. Then I head out to some of the surrounding areas and plan to do the same in some of the indigenous villages.
I think that brings you up to date. It´s Friday night and I need to head home for dinner with my family…. We had an interesting conversation last night about politics and religion. We realized that the whole world faces similar problems in different degrees, but people are people. We all hope for good things in life.
Love and miss you all!
Permalink
Posted in Central American Adventure, Costa Rica, Guatemala at 12:29 am by Administrator
There are lots of lessons in life when you are traveling.
1) Life is easier without expectations. When you don´t have any expectations, whatever happens is great.
2) You can trust most people, but always consider their perspective. Especially touts will tell you anything to get you to buy… that´s how I ended up the wrong ferry. It ended up fine, but it was a tough drive. You can read about it in Arrival in Costa Rica.
3) I realize that I often cut things too short time wise… that´s another reason I got on the wrong ferry. I arrived at 2:25pm for a 2:30 ferry…. not enough time to do research. So I´m trying to be betterabout giving myself time.
4) Trust my intuition. I almost always can tell if a situation is good or not. Something will just feel right if I am aware… I picked my hotels that way and was spot on. Restaurants and people too. I´ve met some fabulous people – Trish and Peter on the ferry, Greg and Grettel my surf instructors, Mario – my spanish instructor. And the family I´m living with are terrific also.
5) I miss David. It´s more fun travelling together than solo. I´m doing fine, and having fun, but two heads are better than one.
More to come I´m sure!
Permalink
« Previous entries Next Page » Next Page »
