As most Peace Corps Volunteers will probably tell you, the first few months in site is another transition, but a completely opposite one than training. I’ve been in site for over a month now, and it’s very slow. I started out making plans for every day in August with my counterpart, Julissa, but somehow I’d show up every day at 8am and the plans would get cancelled. I realized after 4 full weeks that she really isn’t going to help me get started right away, so I should do my own thing. I started weighing babies for a few days, which was an adventure: the kids would either be scared out of their minds of me or be in awe of this Ix’nula. It was fun, but it definitely does not have anything to do with my goals with the Peace Corps. Julissa introduced me to three promoters, and we exchanged numbers. A promoter is basically a woman who is able to organize other women and find a place to meet; she is generally well-liked and motivated, with a supportive husband. I was able to separately meet with these women, who then introduced me to several women that I will be working with. Some of the women worked with the previous volunteer, some not. I met with 6 women on Monday who I set up a meeting with next week to give a talk on water purification and cleanliness. I am really excited to meet with these women and get the ball rolling!
I was able to do some house visits by myself this week; they went well. They included 40 minute walks alone in the early morning, then meeting up with promoters to weave through cornfields to several adobe houses. Yesterday after doing these visits, Mikaela, the promoter, invited me over for lunch. I felt very welcomed while I ate with her, her brother, sister in law, and nephew. Mam is all of their first languages, so we had some fun with that while they taught me a few things! As I’ve been getting started with my own site, I’ve also assisted a couple friends in giving HIV/AIDS workshops. These are always super fun and interesting, and you never know the kinds of questions you’re going to get.
In other news, my birthday was by far the best birthday I have ever had (lacking, of course, my family and friends!). A group of 25 of us went to Lake Atitilán and spent 70Q a night each ($9) I posted a couple of pictures on the Flickr page, but there will be more when I steal Dirk and Michele’s pictures! We rented bungalows right on the lake, and sat out on the deck on Friday. Saturday we played Bananagrams, Uno, and Catchphrase, and Mich, Dirk and I took a canoe out for a while. It was picturesque.
A couple weeks ago I went on the longest and hardest hike of my life, to Laguna Chikobal. Laguna Chikobal is more than 2 hours straight up a mountain to an inactive volcano. Inside the crater is a beautiful lake, where we ate lunch and rested. The hike was well worth it, so if any of my visitors are brave enough I will be happy to do it again! There are also places to camp, so you could sleep in the crater of a volcano! COOL!
This month’s round of near death experiences include a bus and a dog. The first one, the bus, I was heading into the city and stood up in the front to get off at my spot. I dropped my umbrella and when I bent over to pick it up, the driver slammed on his breaks. All of the sudden I had my back to the front windshield and the stick shift in my lower back. I kind of looked like a fly smashed against the windshield, except I was on the inside. The bus driver yelled at me, as well as a few passengers, and they ayudante (the guy that collects money) smiled at me and in his Guatemalan accent said “Sorry lady.” I also was bit by a dog, but it was minor and I’m fine. Brookey keeps telling me that everything that can happen to me down here will, so I need to start proving her wrong = )
I recently had and got rid of fleas, which is a really fun experience. To be honest, I don’t know if I got rid of them, but I’m hoping so. It is so cold at night in my site that I am covered head to toe: socks, leggings, shorts, shirts, and fleece, and I haven’t seen any new bites in a while, so here’s hoping!
My host mom had a baby girl on Monday! I haven’t met her yet, but hopefully today’s the day. Romeo asked me to make a list of American girls’ names, because they don’t want to give her a typical Guatemalan name. I’m not sure the reason behind this, but I made a list for him and I’ll keep you all updated as to her name. Her brother, Junior, is pretty excited. He’s doing well, and we now have our own handshake- it’s really cool!

Since I’ve been reading a lot, and since I’m sure you’re all very curious, I thought I’d tell you all a few of the books I’ve read since I’ve been here:
Five Moral pieces
Omnivore’s Dilemma
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Scar Tissue
Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix
Rigoberta Menchu
Animal Farm (currently reading)

There are more, but I’m not sitting next to my bookshelf right now and can’t tell you what they are! I am trying to get into Dr. Raul’s book club, but I don’t know how enthusiastic he is about it. He’s at least willing to lend me some books in Spanish so that I can work on my reading comprehension, so that’s a plus. I will continue, however, to try to get invited to the book club… persistence always pays off!
Not too much else that I can think of. Thanks for everyone who remembered me on my birthday, and who continue to keep in touch.
Love and miss!!!!
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAKE!!