Hola friends and family!
Although the mornings here in Chimaltenango are still chilly, the days are starting to heat up and spring is in full swing! Flowers are blooming left and right, filling the streets with color. I have been thoroughly enjoying all of the sunshine, especially because it felt like I spent two months in constant rain last fall. I know it’s still cold for most of you who are reading this, but I hope you’ve been able to catch a few glimpses of the sun here and there!
As I briefly mentioned in my last blog, it has been very fun building relationships with the kids and getting to know them better. Every day they open up more…and also get a little crazier, but so it is with teenagers! Last week, I was asked to cover the 9th grade salsa class because the teacher was not able to make it. For those of you who know me well, this is pretty comical. The only types of dances I know how to do are The Cupid Shuffle and The Cotton Eyed Joe. So naturally, this is what we did! We all had a blast, especially the kids, because line dancing is far from the structure of salsa that they are accustomed to.
In other school-related news, just a few days ago, I was asked to accompany the kids on the bus route after school. All of the teachers had a meeting together that afternoon, but the problem was that an adult is required to be on the bus at all the times. The solution: me. Of course, I readily agreed when the school coordinator asked me if I would be willing to ride with the kids, but I also had to chuckle to myself a bit because I’m barely older than some of the seniors, yet I was the designated “adult.” Nevertheless, it all went well, I managed to keep everyone under control, and even was able to chat with one of the 7th graders almost the whole way!
Additionally, my host family and I went to Antigua last week to watch some of the processions that were taking place. As we near closer to Easter, these processions become more and more frequent. Essentially, the processions include giant floats of Jesus and the Virgin Mary that are carried throughout the streets of Antigua (pictures #1-2), preceded by a few people burning incense and followed by a huge band of drums, tubas, and many other instruments. My two host brothers were helping to carry the floats, so it was fun to get to watch them do that and experience the massive crowds that the floats draw. During my time in Antigua, I was able to visit my previous host family, which is always a blast, as well as meet members of my current host mom’s family, as she is originally from Antigua.
Lastly, I received news from Jenna in Cobán, that Ria, the dog I rescued in December, is ready for adoption! Jenna sent me a before and after picture of Ria’s recovery and I could not believe my eyes (pictures #3-4)! She is so big and healthy now! It makes me incredibly happy to think that the tiny, abused, and malnourished puppy that I rescued just a few months ago is doing so well and will be able to be adopted into a loving home soon!
As always, thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
Much love y hasta la próxima,
Jenna
