Ok, so the idea of a blog is, presumably, that you should update it. This has not been happening. I can only apologise profusely and and attempt to rectify the situation forthwith...
In an ideal world, the time between this and my last post would have seen me carefully jotting down hilarious phrases and witty anecdotes, leaving me now solely with the job of pulling these constituent parts into a satisfactory, neigh glorious, whole.
Unfortunately, such jottings are conspicuously absent, so, absolutely do not expect any concise storytelling as I assure you, dear friend, you will be sorely disappointed. Although, having said that, I could in fact abandon this whole ridiculous blogging business and simply write novel with all the material Gladis, my teacher, has imparted since our fateful meeting. Like, for serious. Everything that could ever have happened to anyone (mainly bad) has happened to her, to one of her friends or to one of her numerous family members. The woman is an accident and tragedy-prone hoot.
Soooo, I've been working with an NGO called Neustros Aejados just outside Antigua for the past few weeks. The organisation incorporates lost of different projects, for example, they run a homeless shelter, a malnutrition clinic for babies, a school, an anti-human trafficking division, a food distribution programme etc etc. There are a few Americans knocking about - god love 'em - but, on the whole, it is run by local Guatemalan people. Actually, quite a few of the staff were people who went to the school as kids and returned, having completed university, to help the system to continue.
I find it a bit difficult to talk about some of this stuff because at times it has affected me in quite a profound way and I'm fearful of sounding like a voyeuristic chump. I have spent quite a lot of time at Casa Jackson - the place for malnourished babies - and out with the social workers who visit the families of the children at the school... I should add that the school is for, quite literally, the poorest people in the community, therefore, in order for things to work, when a child is taken on, the whole family is incorporated, with Neustros Aejados working closely with them to provide support in various forms. I'll go into more detail another time but it's late, I just got back from working in a homeless shelter (Mother Theresa eat your heart out) and I need my bed...In fact, sod it, I'm doing the bullet point thing:
- Electric shocks. Unavoidable. Especially in the shower. Can't remember the last time I had a shower without getting an electric shock. Effing annoying/ potentially life threatening.
- Ladies night in Antigua. To be avoided. At all costs
- Americans abroad to build stoves. See above.
- Hocotees. Would recommend. Little apple pear plum cherry things which taste like, and I suspect actually are, little nuggets of fruit heaven.
- Lago Atitlan. A huge crater lake surrounded by volcanoes. An absolute must-see before you pop your clogs - you cannot beat a Sunday morning swim off a rickety wooden jetty into crystal clear water. Ignore rumours of toxic algae.
- Helmets. Wear one when you ride a dirt-bike into the mountains. Or if you don't, do NOT tell your Mother.
- Earthquakes. A new experience. Not convinced it is an experience one would like to repeat on a grander scale.
- Salsa lessons. First one today. I wish I could say I styled it out, I fear the truth maybe somewhat different.
- Chicken buses. Efficient, cheap and fun but hold onto your bag. A journey aboard one would definitely be aided by having a rudimentary grasp of Spanish i.e. we didn't/ don't so had not a blithering clue what was going on.
- Baby sick. Not cool. 'Nuff said.
This post probably isn't going to be in the running for any sort of literary award, however, given the time of day and my lack of inclination, I would argue it represents a sterling effort.
Adios
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