Hola from Guatemala!

Through Loyola´s Global Health Fund, I am studying Spanish and volunteering in Guatemala this summer. I arrived in Guatemala City on Wednesday, May 26 and traveled to Quetzaltenango (otherwise know as Xela) on Thursday, May 27. The moment I arrived in Guatemala, it was pouring rain...non-stop. I knew it was going to be the rainy season, but I never expected there to be buckets of water falling from the skies. As it turned out, I had arrived right before the first tropical storm of the season, tropical storm Agatha.

Agatha wreaked havoc on much of Central America, especially Guatemala because it was closest to the eye of the storm at its most powerful point. The destruction has been massive. Thousands of people have lost their homes, roads have been demolished or blocked by mudslides, and local attractions (such as the hot springs near Xela) are simply gone. Through my school, I have helped collect food and supplies to distribute to those most affected by Agatha. Despite this terrible storm, the people in Xela have shown so much strength and positivity. I have no doubt they will recover from this incident even stronger than before.

As far as school is concerned, I am loving every minute! I am studying at Celas Maya Spanish School and have classes Monday through Friday from 8am-1pm. It´s very intense, but I am learning sooo much. I have two more weeks of classes, so I am confident I will leave Xela with a strong base on which to continue my Spanish education. Also, I am living with a wonderful woman named Sonia, who is a Guatemalan version of my own grandmother. She is the sweetest person and cooks the best food! There are definitely times when communication is difficult, but we find a way to understand each other :)

Next weekend, there is an Alternative Medicine Fair at the cultural center Agosto Monterroso here in Xela. I am very excited for the opportunity, as I have been learning bits and pieces of the local medicine traditions through mi casa madre Sonia, my teachers at school, and through various books provided at the school.

Well, I am off to do a little more exploring of the city on this beautiful Sunday afternoon...and then do mi tarea (homework!) so that I am prepared for classes tomorrow. Hope all is well back in the States. Until next time...

Ann Clark, MS1