Guatemala Slide Show... as I wait in Charlotte

Guatemala Slide Show


I hope that you enjoy the slide show! I am stuck in Charlotte overnight because the weather and cleaning a plane caused me to missed my connection! I guess I should have taken Odie's advice!

Sorry Odie, but I must go!

I think Odie wants me to stay! He has found his place on my bags!

Almost HOME!

I am home (well almost, I am in Charlotte), but I am in the USA!! I had a wonderful trip with Beau. Here are a couple photos!! I just wanted to say hello!

Birthday- GUATE STYLE!

So I spent my first birthday out of the country with a bunch of 8 year olds, 3,000 of my closest friends, and a couple amigas who love to dance!!! On Thursday, my class threw me a surprise party after lunch at school. I knew they were up to no good when they came in asking “why are you so happy today?” And when I replied, “because it is my birthday”, they all looked surprised and said “oh no, we forgot!!” It was really cute because they planned the entire event including who would bring what food item. They then talked to the Spanish teacher and Jamie (another 3^rd grade teacher) and had them type of the list to send home. I played along perfectly and returned 5 minutes after lunch had begun to a door closed and a quiet classroom (which never happens). When I opened the door they all yelled SURPRISE! And sang to me. I immediately gasped and they were so tickled!! It was great! We had cake, chips, drinks, candy! They even decorated my room.

*Side note- all of the kids call the teacher either Miss or Prof here. It gets sort of annoying and we are trying to teach them to say our full names. So… as a joke, when they say Miss, I respond mis (my)… camisas (shirts), pantalones (pants), zapatos (shoes). They think it is hysterical so they have started calling me Miss Zapatos to be funny! That is why they wrote it on the white board!

After school was Noche de Luces, which is the annual holiday even complete with food, carnival games, and fireworks! The event was to raise money for Habitat for Humanity here in Guatemala and was AWESOME!! Local restaurants and businesses set up booths of food and items for sale. The children had carnival games, face painting, cookie decorating and story times. At about 8:00 the fireworks began. Because we did not want to fight all of the people leaving after, we returned to my apartment and watched from the rooftop! This was a great decision because we were eye level with the lights and we did not have to listen to “My Heart Will Go On” over the loud speakers!

To finish the night off, some gals (and a couple guys) went out for drinks and then dancing. Our first stop had wonderful couches and free beer, so it was pleasing to all. We finished the night at another club/bar where we danced to “untz,untz” music (that is what we call it here! Just try to say that out loud and hopefully you will understand what I mean!). It was a blast and we got some good aerobics in to this music because we were the only ones dancing!!

Overall it was a great 26^th birthday!! I am excited to see all of you in December when I am home!! Beau comes to visit on FRIDAY! YEAH!! Merry Christmas!