Independent travel in Guatemala and Belize
Free travel was supposed to be a well-earned vacation from learning; I was expecting to saunter off into the Guatemalan jungle and render my mind blissfully empty of deep thoughts. Yet, in the aftermath of our week-long adventure through the mountains of Cobán and the steamy lowlands of Lake Izabal, I’ve realized that I accidentally....
Rajasthan Overview
After our stay at the Sarang Center in southern India, followed by our spring break week, we traveled back to Delhi before heading into northwest India – into the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan, in Hindi, means “land of kings” and is the ancient home of a collection of forts, palaces, fancy tombs, and Silk Road....
Kerala & Sarang Center
A day in the life at the Sarang Center, second person POV: 6:15 am: First alarm 6:20: Second alarm 6:22: Get out of bed, throw Kalari clothes on 6:31: Take Rickshaw to Kalari 6:47: Arrive, lather oil on body, go through bowing routine 7:01: Smile and grimace after Guru-ji starts class with “Three laps!, one....
Guatemala: Poetry
Hola m’hija Ahorita llego De platicar con un ciego Pero voz fijo Su corazón de fuego Perdió su visión En el año ochenta y siete Por un accidente de cohete Creando una fisión En ambos ojos y la mente Escuchame, me indicaba Es el trigésimo primer año De vivir así cotidiano Pero lo que me....
India: Beauty, Colonization and Wrestling with Enough
Goa Reflection The state of Goa is located in western India with its coastline stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its history, like much of India’s history, involves European colonization. The Portuguese set their eyes on Goa when realizing its valuable placement geographically as a port for spice trading along the Arabian Sea. In the late....
Guatemala: Alta Verapaz
We’re back from five breathtaking days in Guatemala’s Alta Verapaz, where we stayed with the organization Community Cloud Forest Conservation, led Rob and Tara Cahill, along with teachers and staff from the surrounding Q’eqchi’ communities. CCFC is working with the conservation of the rapidly diminishing cloud forest, as it intersects with the lives and well-being....
India: Kolkata, Varanasi and Bodhgaya
We were told that Kolkata was an 18 hour train ride from New Delhi. The train ended up being 5 hours late and taking 30 hours to reach our destination. One of the “four rules of India” is “anytime after sometime,” and we were truly experiencing this rule! I cannot, however, say this experience was....
Guatemala: Bucket List
Bucket List for Guatemala: ✓ -Watch a volcanic eruption from our classroom window -Hike a volcano and roast marshmallows at the top (this coming weekend!) -Take a moto (motorcycle) ride around the city ✓ -Barter down prices at the central market -Have a conversation with a stranger in Spanish ✓ -Attend Catholic Mass (one with....
Guatemala: Privelege and contrast
Last Tuesday after classes, everyone loaded into the CASAS minivans on an unusual tourist excursion. We were not headed to the national museum, nor to the presidential mansion, but to the cemetery: a resting place for some of Guatemala’s wealthiest elite that also happens to overlook the city dump. We arrived to elaborate cast iron....
Guatemala: Daily rhythms
Last Thursday, I woke up early and stepped outside into a gorgeous, sunny, Guatemala morning. It was our first day at CASAS. After a long day of airplane rides and a late night arrival, it was refreshing to finally begin the second part of our journey. The group was surprisingly animated for a short night’s....