La vida es como una caja de chocolates: Lets talk about field based training

Hola todos. This is going to be a long post, it has been two weeks since I last posted, and A LOT has happened. It has been a great two weeks, and I am not even sure where to start, so bear with me here.

I guess I'll start with Volcan de Agua, the fifth tallest volcano in Guatemala. I organized a trip for five of us to head there for the day and climb that beast. Jesse, Jamie, Sarah, Valerie and I headed out at 5:30 am one Sunday. After a quick breakfast in Antigua we reached the base of the volcano at around 7:30. As we started the hike we were passed by a group of about 20 runners who were racing up the volcano. This is incredibly noteworthy considering we barely made it to the top walking and taking breaks every half hour. The ascent took just under 5 hrs. We had lunch at the top, and it was incredible. The only negative was that a huge cloud rolled in as we reached the summit, so we were completely enveloped in cumulonimbus and deprived of the best views available. Thankfully I took lots of photos on the way up. The way down got even more interesting, because we decided to take what we thought was a shortcut. What it ended up being was a little used trail through thick forest that lead us through some private farms and some huge areas where deforestation is taking place. We were lost for about 2 hrs, but since we were always headed downhill we were never really all that worried. It was quite the adventure. The entire hike took about 9 hours, the peak is over 13,000 feet.

It is worth taking a minute to talk about the deforestation we encountered as we made our way through the forest/jungle. Forty years ago Guatemala was 66% covered in forest, today it is only 33% covered, and it is losing almost 2% annually. It does not take a genius to realize that at this rate the whole of Guatemala's forest will be destroyed in near future. I won't go into too much detail on the devastating effects this is having on biodiversity, air pollution, soil erosion, increased threat of landslides, etc. etc. etc. Let's just say that this problem has the potential to destroy the country. The government has taken some measures to prevent this by declaring protected areas, which make up most of the ecological parks that we will be working in. These parks currently make up 17% of the land area, but its not enough. Not only that, but they are understaffed, and illegal deforestation continues and rampant rates. Now I am sure you are sitting there thinking: this seems so obvious, why don't these people realize they are destroying their country and stop. Well, first of all the majority of the population is uneducated and totally unaware of the problem. Second, those who are aware are left with little choice; 60% of the population relies on firewood as their main source of energy to cook their food and heat their homes. There have been some reforestation efforts, many of which Peace Corps Volunteers have played roles in, but it is not enough to off-set the deforestation. It is my opinion that until the country as a whole can rise to a level where the poor no longer have to rely on cutting down the forest to survive, this decline will continue, and we have to do everything we can to educate, protect, and reforest where we can. Just one of the many concerns that a Peace Corp Volunteer has weighing on his mind. Now enjoy some volcano pictures.

Volcan de Agua at dusk.

The start of the path.

Forest tunnels on the trail.

Half way there.

Nice view.

We made it to the summit. We are in the clouds.

Next up: Ancient Mayan Ceremony.

A full 2/3 of the Guatemalan population is indigenous Mayan, so Peace Corps figured it would be a good idea to give us some insight into their culture. To do this they took the whole group of us to attend an ancient ceremony. This is a ceremony that the Mayans have been performing for centuries, and it is a celebration of life, a chance to make requests of the Gods (or more specifically their single being that is found in everything, but that is a little too complicated for right now), and a way in which they give thanks for everything they have. There is a great deal of symbolism in the colors, the ingredients used, the position of everything, the direction you face, etc. They burn 12 different color candles each representing an aspect of their life, they chant ancient hymns, call the gods attention by blowing into a conch shell, and speak to the gods through the fire. We each were given the opportunity to make our own offering and voice our requests. I asked for the health of my family and success in my work here. The whole ceremony took a couple of hours, and after we had lunch with the Mayan family that hosted.

Preparing the ceremony.

Offering sugar to the gods.

The blue represents: water, red: fire, yellow: earth.

Ceremony.

Next on the agenda: building a school out of recycled materials.

One day we took a 3 hour road trip through some crazy mountains. The trip itself was an eye opener, because we were able to see just how rural and underdeveloped this country really is. Imagine a 3 hour trip on pretty much nothing but dirt roads winding through huge mountains. After this 3 hour rollercoaster we arrived in a small town in the departamento of Baja Verapaz where for a year a grade school has been collecting plastic bottles and stuffing them with plastic waste (i.e. empty chip bags and plastic bags). They have collected thousands, and it has done wonders for cleaning up the town. Garbage management is one of the biggest problems facing Guatemala today. We then used these bottles to construct a new school building for the kids. When the project is finished the kids will have a 25 x 40 ft. building that will contain a library and a cafeteria. Besides the metal frame, the entire building will be made of recycled plastic coated in cement. It costs a fraction of what the normal construction price would be, it is just as sturdy, and it has cleaned up an entire town. Not bad huh?

A year worth of garbage collecting.

You have to make sure every bottle is packed tight.

And the first wall is under way.

Another project that is fun for the kids and a great use of recycled materials is the construction of a playground. This project we had no part in, but we recieved training so that we can attempt it in the future.

All kids love swings.

Playground of recycled materials.

Next: Santa Clara la Laguna and the Zip-line

So one of the stops on our camping trip was Lago Atitlan. One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. So beautiful in fact that it was considered for one of the new wonders of the world. There is a sight there that is home to an ecological park with elements of extreme sports involved. Including a repelling wall and the largest zip-line in Guatemala (200 meters up and 400 meters across). This park is surrounded by 4 protected areas, and the dream is that one day it will be able to generate enough tourism income to support all 4 protected areas and bring several entire communities out of poverty. That is the kind of potential our work here has. The lake is absolutely breathtaking, and the zip-line was such a rush. I am hoping with everything I have that this will be my site for the next two years, keep your fingers crossed for me.

Eduardo, my spanish teacher, about to try the zip line.

At the landing plank of the zip line.

Before the zip line.

After the zip line.

Lago Atitlan. Breathtaking.

Alyxe and me in front of Atitlan.

Alyxe is ready to zip.

Largest zip line in Guatemala, maybe in central america. Scream loud.

Zip-Line Vdieo!

What else? Oh ya, more recycled materials with kids.

One of the activities of our week in field based training was to go to a school and teach a classroom of kids to make arts and crafts out of recycled materials. I was not very excited at first, but I ended up loving the work I did with the kids. We played a few games that helped them to learn about the food chain, then we made piggy banks out of recycled bottles and paper.

My class after they made piggy banks out of recycled material and recieved our lecture on recycling.

Helping my kids make their piggy banks.

There is so much else I could touch on. I'll try and give a few hi-lites.

We had our second round of spanish exams, and I have graduated to the intermediate-high level, and was told I am on the border of advanced low. This was over a week ago, and I actually think I am in advanced now.

We celebrated Diego's birthday the other day. I gave him 3 new puzzles, that kid loves puzzles. I also embarressed myself trying to hit the pinata after being blindfolded and spun around 10 times.

We find out our sites on March 11. This will be a big day, because it will determine the next two years. Nervioso.

Does anyone have any specific questions? If you leave a comment or write me an email with questions I will spend the next blog trying to answer them.

Here are a few more pics.