A Week in the Life of...

Mis Amigos y Amigas,

So I’ve noticed that most of my blog entries talk a lot about the special things that I’ve been doing here in Guatemala…holidays, retreats, etc. But if any of you are like me, you might be more interested in my daily life. I know when I read people’s blogs, I always just want to know what they do from day to day. What time do they get up? What do they eat for breakfast? How do they get to work? Well, wonder no more! I am going to give you account of “A Day in the Life of Celeste” or maybe more like “A Week in the life of…” And if you aren’t like me, and care more about the special events of my life, well don’t worry. There are plenty more of those entries to come. And if you don’t care about either my daily life or my special events, then why are you reading? Go do something else! By the way, I just started working at the beginning of January. So this schedule I have is new and still be perfected.

A Week in the Life of Celeste in Guatemala

Monday: On Mondays I wake up at about 7 am, just about the time my host mother is leaving to walk my host sisters to school. I really enjoy this time I have to myself. I go upstairs and heat up my own breakfast. Breakfast can be a variety of things, mostly leftovers from the day before. But, more often that not it involves eggs, beans, tortillas, and fresh cow’s milk delivered daily (sugar and cinnamon added). Then if it is a shower day, I jump in the lukewarm shower. We recently got a hot water showerhead installed, so no more bucket baths. I miss the control I had over the heat of my bucket baths. But nothing beats finally getting all of the shampoo out of your hair!
Then I gather up my materials and walk (hoping guys catcall me along the way) about ten minutes to a lady’s house who is teaching me to paint. Her specialty is painting the patterns of the Mayan hand-woven traditional blouse; she is currently the only artist who does that. But right now, she is teaching me to paint pretty landscapes. The secret is to add flowers. Flowers were there are no flowers. Flowers in trees, flowers on the street, flowers in houses, flowers coming out of my eyeballs. My class usually lasts until a little after 11 am. So, I head home, do my thing, whatever that is. Maybe it is read, maybe it is wash the dishes, maybe it is work on lesson plans, maybe it is help my host mom make ice cream to sell. Then I head to pick up my little sisters from school (CEFORMA). That usually takes about an hour. It takes 15 minutes for me to walk there alone. Then I wait for the girls. And it takes about 20 – 25 to walk back home (little legs). At 1 o´clock we eat lunch. Lunch can be anything from plants, soup, pasta, rice, potatoes, beef, sausage, anything. But it always includes tortillas and often includes fresh juice.
After lunch, I prepare for my class, make photocopies, and head back to CEFORMA, another 15 minute walk. At 3pm I teach an English class to about 20 parents, who usually leaved confused and I realize how much I don’t know about teaching English, teaching adults, and especially about teaching adults English in a foreign culture.
At that point, I either go home to enjoy delicious homemade sweet bread with delicious over sweetened coffee, or I head to the internet café for a bit.
The night winds down by either watching TV with my family or reading in my room. I am asleep between 9 and 10. (Yes I know 9pm – 7am is a lot of sleep, but you’d be surprised how tired I can get throughout the day.)

Tuesday: Tuesday mornings are the same, minus the painting class. I always find ways to occupy myself, whether it is going to the market, reading, preparing my lessons, cleaning, etc. Tuesdays I go to pick up the girls from school, quickly eat lunch, then rush back again to teach my English class to the 5th and 6th graders at 2pm. I have 6 students, and love their energy. They are so much fun. We’ve picked out English names, and I am now referred to as Teacher Holly. (They insisted on me picking a name out too, instead of just calling me Celeste without the Spanish accent) Our classes usually involve a lecture and a lot of games and songs. Now, they are perfecting “Row, row, row your boat” sung in a round. Tuesday evening looks the same as Monday.

Wednesday: Wednesdays are the same as Tuesdays, but a bit more relaxed since I have my parents English class at 3pm instead of at 2pm like on Tuesdays. Wednesday nights I usually hang out with a friend after class to practice English.

Thursday: Looks like Monday, but I have my 2pm class instead of my 3 pm class.

Friday: I don’t teach, so I do laundry, plan my lessons for the next week, clean my room, and all of that usually ends up taking most of the day.

Saturday and Sunday: These days always vary. Now on Sundays I am learning to weave. I often say I am going to do my laundry on Friday, but don’t (too cold!) so I have to do it these days. I usually talk with my family on the phone, hang out with my host family. Sometimes we go to get atol and tostados in the plaza. And sometimes we go to church (haha only sometimes). These days usually involve going to my host grandparents’ house for a bit. And there are often parties to go to (baptisms, confirmations, weddings, etc.)

And of course, no two days are ever the same! There is always a surprise to greet me throughout the day.

The next few months are going to be more varied and busy. I have a lot of out of Comalapa activities coming up that I am really looking forward to. And I’m sure I’ll have lots more “special occasion” blog entries coming soon too!

christmas pictures!