And So It Begins...

Somehow Miten and I missed the first day of orientation although we had been here 8 days before any of the other teachers. I'm going to chalk it up to the language barrier.  I think in a foreign country any mishaps of any sort can be blamed on this language barrier. Maggie, Miten, why did you buy your apartment instead of renting it? Language barrier. More importantly, we made it in time for the pizza party at one of the principal's houses. All of the staff, old teachers and new were there and it was incredibly welcoming and exciting to finally meet everyone.  Trying to pick up on all of the traditions here I quickly learned that it is customary to give a kiss on the cheek when greeting someone. I found this out when my real estate agent and apartment owner essentially put their cheek up to my mouth. So I followed suit when arriving at the pizza party and gave my principal a kiss on the cheek to which he seemed puzzled.  Have I acted inappropriately? I still can't figure it out. Language barrier? Everyone at the party knew who Miten and I were because we were the "lost" teachers who never showed at orientation.  Everyone is insisting on 'keeping on eye on us' and it may be the joke that never ends. But at least we'll be remembered, right? Little do they know it was all a ploy to make a grand entrance.  Hasta luego.

Antigua

So Antigua is the place that everyone assumes you are traveling to when going to Guatemala. It is an extremely old quaint city with cobblestone roads that turns out to be a bit safer than Guatemala city.  It's only an hour from us so it will be a good neighbor to have. After reading about almost 30 different hikes and bike rides from our Lonely Planet book we were lucky to find just one that was going out that day. Our one and only option was a 5 hour bike ride through the villages surrounding Antigua and we took it. Miten, our British guide Ed and myself. The highlights include: the gorgeous scenery of 3 volcanoes, observing women who walk miles through the hills with a basket of clothes to wash it in the community fountain, visiting a village known for its weaving where women create such ornate and beautiful tapestries and clothing, visiting a macadamia nut farm where they gave us facials with the oils from the nuts, having every Guatemalan pronounce Miten's name as "Ming" (which I think now adds an Asian twist to his background) and being stuck in one of the villages due to Miten's bike breaking in the middle of the road. After his bike broke we decided to stop at una tienda and buy some cervezas, the local one called 'Gallo'. We then naturally got into a game of futbol (aka soccer) with 3 five year olds.  To no fault of our genuine soccer skills we lost. badly. The star player of the 5 year olds was a boy they called Gordito who proceeded to lift up his shirt and do a belly dance (or the truffle shuffle according to Miten) every time he scored. Quite entertaining.

Bienvenidos!

If you didn't know... that means welcome.  Maggie and I are only speaking spanish to each other and therefore we haven't spoken very much thus far.  Just kidding.

We can't wait to share the adventures!  This could be one of many blogs or one of one ... we'll just have to see. We are currently living with the sweetest Guatemalan family at their bed and breakfast where they have extended every effort to make us a part of the family.  We have tortillas and beans morning and night and they have quickly become a staple of our new diet.  There have been a few culture shocks so far but no worries there is Kraft macaroni and cheese at the Walmart down the road. Men with 12 gauge shotguns (don't ask how Miten knows that) are at the doors of almost every establishment including Wendy's. Toilet paper can seldom be flushed down the toilet. Although it is maybe widely known Guatemala is definitely a machismo culture so I have started waiting hand and foot on Miten. That's a lie, but he still wishes. All in all it's been a great adjustment and we have been having a blast. Stay tuned.