Antigua, Guatemala.

This post is a result of finding my old journal from 2016 where I documented my study abroad experience in Guatemala. Thinking back, I vaguely remembered not enjoying reading I, Rigoberta Menchu in preparation for the trip and found the mandatory journaling quite tedious. I am now grateful for it all. This post focuses on the first part of my trip in Antigua where we immersed ourselves in Guatemalan culture through home stays, Spanish classes, and volunteering at a local school.

We're super cute in our "We Love Guatamala" T-Shirts.

May 18

Getting to Guatemala was crazy just because I didn't feel like it was real until I got here. I didn't really talk to anyone about being accepted into the program, so it wasn't anything I was discussing frequently. When I arrived in Guatemala, I as in awe seeing the chicken buses. They're so colorful and it looks like people spend a lot of time making them. I was also surprised to see how many of them there were and looking inside, some were just full of kids.

I really didn't like the hike we took on the first full day in Guatemala. I thought it would match the so-called easy description everyone was using. I've hiked mountains before all the way to the top and for some reason, I felt like my heart would come out of my mouth here. I think the exhaustion and my own anxiety was getting to me as well. I won't be making it to the other hike and I thank God that there were horses on the first because I was ready to roll back down that volcano. Regardless, it was a great experience and my favorite part was roasting marshmallows while looking at the view!

May 19

I was surprised at how many times I was moved in Spanish class today. They really put me in basic at first because I didn't conjugate properly and I honestly just didn't remember since I haven't had Spanish class in so long -- I just happen to be a native Spanish speaker. Most Latinxs wouldn't know how to conjugate just like how most English-speakers won't know how to do it in English. I'm happy with my new group because I feel like we're on the same level.

Me at the mere thought of being stuck with gringos who can only say hola and tequila.

Today we spoke about The Art of Political Murder with our Spanish teacher since she asked what we did to prepare for our abroad experience. She was familiar with the story and told us he was killed because he spoke out a lot against the injustices facing their country. However, the politicians during that time did not approve and ordered him to be murdered. She also mentioned that no one was truly sure of who killed him. It actually could've been anyone! The class we had prior to coming to Guatemala is proving to be relatable already.

May 20

Today was a great day! I was really tired at this morning's Spanish class, but I learned a lot. I suggested to our Spanish teacher that we go to the market and we actually did! We did two hours of lecture learning the tenses of verbs and how to conjugate since that was our group's weakness. After the break, we had a tour if the market where we learned about the different vendors. This was also a fun experience because we agreed to only speak Spanish, no matter what.

Indigenous vendor with her display of colorful fruits.

It was so cool seeing the different vendors and how big the market is since I imagined it to be much smaller. We also went to La Bodegona, which surprised me as well because I thought it would be smaller. I was especially surprised with all the special offers such as: a drink and a mixer, diapers and a baby plate, and mayonnaise with a sandwich box all sold together for low prices!

Lester and I were a bit too excited to find this lol.

We also visited the local McDonald's and that was the best one I've ever seen. It was like a high-end restaurant by the way it looked inside with a grand patio on the outside. The workers are also waiters and I've never experienced that in a McDonald's. Lastly, we went to a cultural conservation center, which is basically like a huge library. There was Wi-Fi, books, movies, quiet space, and much more. It seems like a great place to do our homework, so maybe we'll go back. It was a bit sad seeing the ruins of a church -- our Spanish teacher told us it was destroyed after an Earthquake.

This photo was taken in that beautiful McDonald's located in Antigua.

The school we went to was also so much fun today. Yesterday, I didn't really know was I was doing. Today I got the hang of it and I'm good friends with some kids now, so that's exciting. Lester's group also had a really fun activity and I thought my group killed it while dancing on the stage. The students were shy at first, but Maryum and I told them we would do whatever they wanted. I'm so happy they had fun and showed the group dance not only once, but twice!

May 21 & 22

The Macadamia tour was fun and I've never actually seen a Macadamia before production. I've only eaten Macadamia nuts in cookies, so it was cool seeing how they actually are. I also liked how we ate the Macadamia nut by itself since it was a new experience for me. It also had the most beautiful outdoor bathrooms I have ever seen.

The weaving tour was my favorite part of the day. Seeing all the tools they use made me realize how long it must take them to weave and how much hard work it requires. I already knew it was labor and creativity intensive, but this visit made me appreciate it more.

Lester and I appreciating the backdrop of cloths weaved by Indigenous Guatemalans.

I really liked that the man giving the presentation was really passionate. When I asked why men didn't wear traditional clothes, I was annoyed that Diego (our tour guide) cut him off. I felt really bad that he was cut off because he wanted to speak more and it reminded me of the Reader's College prior to this trip because of the information the man gave. He said it started with colonialism (which is the start of POC struggle, am I right?) by Spain, then continued with Guatemala's own discrimination. It only makes sense that people working outside the home stop wearing the clothes because they are the ones facing discrimination. The women kept wearing their traditional attire since they stayed at home and were able to stay away from discrimination for the most part since they didn't work outside before. I also understand that it's been more than 300 years, so that's why the men just don't go back to wearing the traditional clothing. We gotta remember, discrimination is still present today.

yeah POC can't be racist, but you get the point.

I'm just starting to wonder why this is incomprehensible to others. Someone asked me what I thought the real reason to why men didn't wear the traditional clothes, so I told her that I agreed with the man and gave the explanation above. She said they didn't really buy the explanation, as if it were ever for sale. It could be due to her own ignorance. Stuff like this has been happening the whole trip and I've been trying to help educate, but I'm just annoyed at this point.

May 23

Today I really didn't feel well. So far, my stomach is okay. I've just had a migraine since last night that won't go away. I think it's because I have a chronic pain disorder that is currently being triggered by all the new things I'm not used to yet. It's hot, I'm stressed from the work and activities, and I haven't actually taken the time to rest. I'm looking forward to having a stable schedule because yesterday was tough being together outside for 12 hours. I really need time to myself and I haven't gotten that since we have so many activities and work to do. I like all of the activities, but I wish we had more breaks. I also understand that this trip is short and there is a lot of pressure to fit in as much as possible, but I also don't like feeling sick so I hope we end up finding a balance.

Doesn't everyone feel this way when they have a migraine?

I really loved today despite the fact that I wasn't doing so well because my group's project was today! It was surreal planning it and having it actually happening. I really think the students liked it because they were engaged from the beginning and I expected so much more attitude since they're teens, but they only made some jokes here and there and we laughed with them (even though the jokes were on us)! They completed the worksheet allowing us to learn what their typical meals were like at home and we shared our answers. The best part for everyone was eating the Twizzlers, jelly beans, and trail mix we brought from the U.S.! Before this, I was in a bad mood since I was in a lot of pain and I made sure to leave that at the entrance of the school to make it the best day so far.

May 24

The most important thing I learned on this trip is to be thankful. Working at La Escuela de Esperanza has been an eye-opening experience. While I have learned very harsh stories of how extreme poverty makes an impact on others, it has allowed me to be humble. Being working class in the U.S. is so different than what these kids are going through. Even though I have limited resources, I still have so much more than these students when speaking of materialistic items. But, this experience has been amazing and I love these kids.While my peers complain about how crazy the kids are during recess, I always tell them to let them be! They are going through so much at home the least they deserve is a way to channel their frustrations. Also, we're in Guatemala! That means that the culture is DIFFERENT.

The last thing I thought about was how easily I could have been in the same position. My family immigrated from Dominican Republic during the recession in the 80s and 90s. My mom told me she fed me water as a baby sometimes when she could no longer produce breastmilk and didn't have any money for formula. Hearing stories like that from my family creates a connection between me and the kids of Guatemala. The only difference between me and them is that I was afforded opportunities much earlier in life. All of this makes me realize that I would like to wrk with people in need because I have a lot of personal experiences due to my own struggles with poverty, mental illness, and much more. The key is connecting with my patients through empathy.

The ecology of Guatemala is very beautiful. One thing I have noticed in particular is how people incorporate it into their daily lives. For example, my host family's house is decorated with plants inside, around, and on top of it. While they have human neighbors, they make sure to incorporate nature.

May 25

Today was our last day at the school and it was sad. I got really close to a student named Gracie and I'm really going to miss her. She is the sweetest little girl and is so smart. Everyday, she jumped on me t hug me and give me a kiss on the cheek. She reminds me so much of myself because growing up, I was very shy and quiet. I'm thinking of sponsoring her when I get to the states because she has made an impact on me and I want to make an impact on her.

My peers and I on the last day of volunteering at the school.

This experience really makes me think about my future career. I want to work for an amazing nonprofit like La Escuela de Esperanza after I graduate. I took Anna's card and will try to arrange volunteer service when I'm back home. I'm really starting to think about what I'm going to do with my life because I graduate next year! I am definitely going to go to Grad school though, let's see how studying for this GRE goes!

How I actually felt after graduating college lmao.

May 26

Tikal was an amazing ancient city of Guatemala, but it was abandoned and no one is sure why. The theory I agree with most is that the city just got too big. According to our guide, there were as many as 120 thousand people living in this city. This means that resources were becoming more limited and people began to fight. The increased fighting and decreased access to resources changed the way of living for the worse. If NYC ever had a lack of resources, I know that conflict would definitely rise and I would definitely get out of there.

Standing at one of the ancient temples at Tikal.

May 27

Today is our last day in Antigua 😞 Maryum and I gave our host family a small statue from Chichi because their house is very decorative. Our host mom really liked it and put it in place right away. We also gave Ivana (her granddaughter) a coloring book and Crayolas since she loves to color. We spent most of our morning at Barista's Cafe finishing up our homework with Lester and finished our time off by having lunch together. We will miss Antigua.