The title of this post comes from a song that I love - Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. This song, especially this line, has been incredibly true these past few weeks. I was home in St. Louis for Christmas and then came back to San Lucas with the feeling of being at home here as well. The only reason I feel so at home in both of these places is because of the people I am constantly surrounded with. My friends and family in St. Louis have known me the longest and I'm the most comfortable with them. The people I have become close with in San Lucas continuously challenge and support me as I learn to love a new culture and language. These are the people that make wherever I am a home.
A couple days before I left for Christmas, we had a Christmas party up at the Women's Center. One of the general surgeons that had come down in October left $200 for us to spend on Christmas gifts and fun things for the poorest children in San Lucas. Katie mentioned that in the past they had a Christmas party and it was a huge hit with everyone. We heard that idea and took off with it. We spent a couple weeks planning out games, sorting through donations, and getting the word out to the poorest families in San Lucas and a few surrounding communities. The coordinator of the women's center Güicha made all of the food and the groundskeeper Santos was in charge of the games (such as the potato sack races featured in the picture to the left). I played soccer with a few of the girls and also helped hand out their little gifts at the end. It was a huge success and we had over 400 people come for games, food, and party favors. And judging by the picture on the left, I think the kids had a pretty good time too :)
Below are a few pictures from my Christmas break. It was busy and full and so wonderful to be back for a bit.
So all in all it's been a busy couple weeks but nothing major has happened. Just the day to day shuffling of groups, charades when I don't know Spanish translations, and enjoying the beautiful weather Guatemala has to offer.
The final story I will leave you all with involves these 6 joyful kiddos in the picture above. Yesterday I was walking back to my house from a hike and these little minis were sitting outside our gate. They were giggling and staring at me so I asked them what they were doing. The boy on the far left explained to me that they were waiting for a taxi to take up to the mountain to pick coffee. Their ages ranged from 2 to 6. I couldn't believe it, waiting for a taxi like it was no big deal. They were hilarious; every time a taxi drove by, they'd all stand up and then their hands would fly up into the air before they realized the taxi already had people in it. When I showed them the first picture I took of them they wanted another. So when I stepped backward to take a second picture, the little girl on the far right started to fix her hair. She's only 4 so it was so funny to see her trying to comb her hair with her fingers. I was then laughing with them and asked her if her hair was ready. Well that really made them laugh and that's when I snapped this picture, right before the two little girls on the right fell over laughing.
I hope this update finds you all well and in good spirits after the holidays. Here's a to a new year!
paz.