Category Archives: Guatemala & Colombia 2017

Unexpected Greatness

It’s crazy to think that just 3 months ago I was back in the states getting ready for a trip I never thought I would have done. While packing up my suitcase and backpack I was thinking about all that might come out of an experience like this.  The new Spanish I would learn, the … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

International Women’s Day

8 March 2017 In honor of international women's day, we did the only logical thing to celebrate: and that was eating cake. With much glee, we sang and celebrated the birthdays of those from February and March, in addition to celebrating women and the women in our lives. After our cake break, the guys so kindly … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

Frequently used phrases

1 March 2017 Frequently Used Phrases When I first thought about learning a new language, I thought the most difficult thing would be the grammar. While grammar is tricky, I've found the hardest thing to be the vocabulary. You can understand how the grammar works all you want, but it is meaningless when you don't know the … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

The Q’eqchi and reflections on culture

27 February 2017 In between our two three-week semesters of Spanish classes in Guatemala City, our group had a 10-day trip to Alta Verapaz and Peten. These are departments in the north of Guatemala. During this time, we experienced three different cultures and activities. We began our week with a host stay in a Q’eqchi village … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

I will miss this country

24 February 2017 I will miss this country... I will miss my host family. Who took in a foreigner and accepted me so graciously into their home. Demonstrating so much love in their hearts, caring for me and feeding me, and sharing their culture so willingly. I will miss the food. The simplicity of rice, beans, eggs, and … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

The Symbolic Universe of Guatemala

22 February 2017 Some of the most important things are invisible and impalpable. Love has no color. Freedom has no taste. Hope has no smell. Peace has no texture. Respect has no sound. For this reason, we have developed symbols. Hearts represent love, for example. But the symbols we use are by no means the objectively … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

Comfortable?

Comfortable?
Are we comfortable? Being so far away from friends and family Not understanding half of what is going on Struggling to communicate what we are thinking? Are we comfortable… Staying with families who don’t have hot water and others who do Living in a gated community with guards Getting catcalled in the street? Are we comfortable… Seeing kids working in the dump to earn … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace

CASAS – Getting Started

Hello readers of EMU, who hope to read about our adventures! You should be excited to know that we landed safely in Guatemala and are currently with our host families. First a little bit about our trip over. We flew from Dulles Airport to San Salvador in a flight of nearly 4 hours.  From there … Continue Reading ››
Group Photo at National Palace