Becca In Guatemala

sorry for the late update!

2009-08-12T22:17:00.001-07:00

I think I last wrote in Nicaragua. I then went to San Juan del Sur, also in Nicaragua. After there I crossed into Costa Rica, going to a few different beaches along the Pacific Coast finally ending at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, in Montezuma, where I celebrated my 25th birthday. It was fantastic. I arrived in Colorado yesterday, where I am visiting my brother in Boulder for a week or so. In a few more days, I will be heading south, back to Oklahoma and Texas, only for a few days. At last, I will reach Boston around August 21st or so.

I have done some more surfing, lots of beach, some camping, a baseball game, and more!

But I am back in the states where there is ice, washing machines, and toilet paper! Yessss....

Isla de Ometepe

2009-07-28T11:21:00.001-07:00

Hey hey,

I am now in Isla de Ometepe, an island in Lake Nicaragua, comprised of two volcanoes. Volcan Concepcion and Volcan Maderas. I am now staying at Finca El Porvenir and it is absolutely beautiful. I hiked the volcano yesterday, which in total is about a nine hour hike. It was challenging but really beautiful. There is a lake in the crater at the top, but itś only partly visible because the last hour or two of the climb is in the clouds. I climbed up by myself, and when arriving at the top where there were others, mostly groups, all with guides, and here I come out of the jungle, and they were all like ¨you climbed up here by yourself?¨ Thanks Dad for all those camping trips and Brent for all the hikes. It was a pretty straight-forward hike though.
I will probably stay on the island a couple more days and then head to San Juan del Sur.
Internet is very limited, but I will update when I can.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST BROTHER EVER!!! Love ya Brent!

Granada

2009-07-24T14:46:00.001-07:00

Hi!

I´m in Granada now. It´s okay. Actually, I don´t really care for the city. But I went on a canopy tour today, where you get to ´fly´ on all these zip lines through the jungle. It was good fun.
Tonight I am going to a baseball game!! Nicaragua is the only country in Central America that plays baseball, but it is huge here. They definitely all know where Boston is and about the Red Sox. Tonight is the championship game against Granada´s main rival, Esteli. So it should be quite a good game and I´m going with a group from another hostel.
I think I will head out in the morning for the volcano islands, Isle de Ometepe, since I´m not really mad about this place.

Adios

don´t drink and let some nicaraguan woman cut your hair

2009-07-22T10:07:00.001-07:00

Oh well, it will grow back i suppose. Note to self: mojitos and haircuts don´t mix.

Anyway, in addition to that adventure yesterday, I also went volcano boarding. I have some great pictures, but will have to post them later. But basically you hike up an active volcano and the board down on the ash and the rocks. Rocks fly at your face and you are totally black by the time you get down the mountian. My highest speed was a whole 38km/hr. One guy in our group got 72km/hr!!! The record is 80! The volcano we hiked/boarded was Cerro Negro, which translates as ´black hill´ because when it first appeared it was only a small black hill and the people did not yet know it was a volcano. There are a string of ten volcanoes here on the west coast of Nicaragua, and this is the youngest, only about 160 years old. The last time it errupted was in 1999, for five and half days. Anyway, the town I am in currently, Leon, if fantastic. One of my favorites maybe and I am really enjoying Nicaragua, more than Honduras. The locals here are just much nicer and have been since the minute I crossed the border. I will probably stay here one more night (I met some cool other backpackers) and then tomorrow head to Granada, further south.

adios

Nicaragua

2009-07-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update that I safely made it into Nicaragua and will start my travels here for the next couple weeks. I am in Somoto for the night and will hopefully head to Leon in the morning. Although, this cab driver kept telling me there are no busses tomorrow though. Hell if I know. I have a camera again, thanks to Andrew who safely made it out this morning (as far as I know right now!) and back to the States, so I can start posting pics again at some point hopefully! We had a wonderful time at the beautiful Bay Islands and a long journey yesterday to the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa.

Miss everyone!

Hello Honduras

2009-07-13T20:02:00.001-07:00

Hi!

Last Saturday, July 4th, was my final day at the orphanage. Mixed emotions; I miss the kids already, but not so much the rats, lack of water, and constant bug bites.

I currently cannot post any photos (camera-done), so here is a link of the kids performing the Lion King. Oh it was absolutely adorable! (I have not been able to watch this video, but I´m sure it´s great) We all pitched in with costumes, stage set, and rehearsals. A lot of work, especially for Jorge who taught the kids all the song and dance and was the true organizer behind all of this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7PC-OuRECI

Since the orphanage, I have been traveling with Andrew, who arrived the following Sunday. I took a bus Sunday to Guate from Rio Dulce and met him there. The next day we headed to Antigua, which is not exactly seeing ´true Guatemala´, but it was a nice change of pace for me.

We chilled in Antigua, took a day trip to Lago de Atitlan, which is beautiful, and we hiked up a volcano.
After Antigua, we headed into Honduras, starting with Copan, to see the Copan Ruins. It was more Maya ruins, similar to Tikal, but different in many ways as well. It has been said that Tikal is the New York of the Mayan ruins, and Copan is Paris. Both beautiful and impressive, just different. While Tikal has temples of impressive magnitude and height, Copan has incredible statues and scupltures with emaculate detail.
To see all of this, you can check Andrew´s blog. No surprise, he is much better at this blog stuff. There is more detail, more frequent updates, and pics as well.
http://andrewnalband.blogspot.com/
So no worries Mom and Dad, there will at least be great updates for the next week still as long as you check his blog.

We just came from Lago de Yojoa, after an interesting, and maybe, ´relationship building´ day on the lake. Renting a paddle boat turned out to be....more work than initially anticipated. (family, think of that wonderful family day on some lake-Lake Murray maybe-with the ore, and it being thrown in your direction dad...yeah, you can imagine)

Anyway, we are in La Ceiba for the night and will catch the ferry in the morning to the beautiful Carribean, Bay Islands. There are three to choose from and I think we are planning on Roatan. Supposedly beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and diving. I am looking forward to staying put for a few days and just relaxing on the beach.

That´s the latest and all is well!

wow, I love water.

2009-07-01T20:05:00.001-07:00

Sorry it has been so long....again.

I have not seen civilization in 2 weeks and we have been without water now for 6 days at the orphanage, let alone electricity. It has been `character building` to say the least. And if you are now thinking how bad I must smell, well, yeah. We have been `bathing` in the river....and washing our dishes there. The same water you can see some of the toilets actually flush (those that flush) directly into. Yep.

So Saturday is July 4th, Independence Day, and that just happens to be my last day at the orphanage......

The kids are doing well, considering the situation and how tired all of the volunteers have been.

Hopefully I will be able to post a bit more once I am backpacking. Andrew, see you on Sunday!

(and I don´t know about pictures, it is so humid here, I think my camera is done)

Descanso II

2009-06-05T15:15:00.001-07:00

I realize I may resemble a guy in this picture, but that is just how I look when I surf. As you can probably tell, this was my second day out (ever), because my form slightly improved.

Descanso II

2009-06-05T15:13:00.001-07:00

I have been on my second descanso now, in El Salvador on the beach for a week learning to surf. It's been amazing. I have a whole new appreciation for surfers as I was convinced I was drowning, at least three times, the first time I went out.
Here is a picture of the beach at El Tunco/Sunzal, where we have been staying at a hostel, Surfer´s Inn.

2009-06-05T15:10:00.001-07:00

Me and Jessica, one of my girls. Such a cutie.
And a few of the ninas pequenas and varones pequenas swimming, their favorite activity.

The Kids

2009-06-05T15:04:00.001-07:00

The first picture is Casa G from the water, the first thing you see when arriving on the boat.
Carlos, which everyone calls Carlitos b/c he´s so small, is one of my kids. Such an angel.
The kids on the steps are several of my kids, although not all. Tanja, Eric, Jessica, Gerson, Selvin, Diego, and Nelson. On a regular day, I have 11 kids total, from ages 2-5.

2009-06-05T14:57:00.001-07:00

Semuc Champey

2009-06-05T14:53:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of the many pictures taken at Semuc Champey (from my first descanso). Such a beautiful place. It was about 7 hours by bus from Flores (Tikal, Mayan ruins), and then about 45 mins standing in the back of a four wheel drive truck to actually get to the place. This place was so remote and amazing. Met a lot of great people, swam and hiked by candlelight through caves, and swam through the falls and pools in Semuc Champey. Definitely the highlight of my first trip.

quake....

2009-05-28T08:26:00.001-07:00

Just writing to say that everyone is okay after last night. The earthquake was largest in Honduras, as I'm sure you have read, but it was definitely still felt here at the orphanage. Things are a bit of mess inside the houses and school, but everyone is okay. Long night here with the kids but we are all good!

hi!

2009-05-20T18:31:00.001-07:00

Hi!

I am alive, the chiquitos are sick, which means I am as well. Yay....but otherwise, I´m pretty great. The howler monkeys have moved in basically, which means sleeping past 4am can be challenging. I have about two more weeks before my next descanso and have only been coming into town, at most, once a week. I will be going to El Salvador with another volunteer to surf and chill at the beach.

I will post pictures of my little angels soon!

Miss you all and email me any updates...or just anything!

2009-05-03T12:28:00.001-07:00

A temple in Tikal, Temple II.

Pictures from Livingston and Semuc Champey to come!

2009-05-03T12:22:00.001-07:00

This was taken from the tallest temple at Tikal, Temple IV, after climbing up 64m. You can see some of the other taller temples from here as well.

2009-05-03T12:15:00.001-07:00

We took the kids by boat to Fronteras where they were having a fair. We actually wore them out for once. The girl here is Jessica, she is one of mine....so cute!!!

2009-05-03T12:08:00.001-07:00

One day, we had a futbol tournament, kids vs volunteers. Here are me and some of the volunteers after the game. It had rained the night before and we were all pretty muddy.

The two girls are two of my favorites. Elvira and Ingris.

The good news is, we found the lice comb...

2009-05-03T12:06:00.001-07:00

.......the bad news is, I needed it.
The orphanage....is an interesting place. We have decided each child is actually two, one is this sweet, loving, adorable, angel that makes you smile, but in about 2 seconds, this other child comes out. This other child may may bite or kick you at any moment. I got peed on my first day.

Regarding the volunteer house, it is up for debate if we lost the lice comb, or if the rats claimed it. The volunteer house is basically a screened in shack, which allows you to hear the bull frogs, howler monkeys, insects, and birds all night and all morning. It also is a great home to bats, giant rats that are taking over, lizards, and insects. Seriously, the rats are taking over. The kitchen at the orphanage has a giant snake they keep to control the rats there. Maybe we should just get some cats.

We eat beans and tortillas. Every meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Usually, with something else. That something else being rice or eggs.

The day starts pretty early, I am usually up by 5:30am to go run, and we get the kids at 7:30am. And then we basically have them until 4pm. I have the chiquitos (the little ones, which is why I will perpetually have lice while I am there) We have a break, and then dinner with them at 6pm and then activities immediately after until 8pm. Sometimes we come back to the volunteer house, light a candle (no electricity at all, and no water after 8pm) hang out, some one plays guitar. It's nice, but most nights we are asleep by 9pm. With the occasional awakening because someone got hit in the head by a bat or a rat falls on top of your mosquito net.

Someone asked me while I was at a hostel this past week, there has to be something though that I miss. And it's the kids laugh. It's so genuine and it makes it all worth it.

I spent a week at the orphanage and it is now time for my descanso! Another volunteer and I headed out on Monday to Flores. We decided to stay in Flores a couple of nights in a hostel and take a day to go to Tikal and see the Maya ruins. They were really awesome and it has been nice being in Flores, which is right on the Lago de Peten, and eating something other than beans. The bus left at 4:30am from Flores to get to Tikal by sunrise. My friend and I hiked through the jungle about 45 mins to sneak in....it's quite expensive to enter the park. The pyramids and temples were pretty cool though. They date from about 500BC to 300AD. We were able to climb to a top of several of the temples which allowed a great view of the area there.

After a couple nights in Flores, we traveled to Semuc Champey. Wow. It was about a 7 hour bus ride, and then when we arrived in Lanquin we had to switch to a four wheel drive truck and climb in the back to stand and hold on for the last 30 mins or so. The last 3 or 4 hours of the trip were beautiful. We rose about 5000 ft into the mountains and we were way out in the jungle. These buses and trucks fly down/up these one way dirt roads that tightly wrap around the mountains. The Pikes Peak drive is nothing compared to this. Finally, we arrived at our hostel right near Semuc Champey. My friend and I ended up meeting up with four other people and we decided to hang out together the next day.
We first did the caves in the morning. You get a guide and a candle and head into the water. A lot of it is swimming, some climbing, all while holding your candle to see. We got to jumb off some cliffs at one point and drop down through these shoots into darkness (I was in front and hoping that I was correctly understanding our guides Spanish...) It was about two hours in the caves and so awesome.
We then headed to the waterfalls and to climb one of the mountains. I was really impressed by this place. Later that night, four of us bought some candles and snuck back into the caves to get pictures, because they woulnd't let you bring your camera on the tour. Such a good idea.

After there, we decided to head back towards Rio Dulce and go past on to Livingston, which is where Guatemalan and Caribbean culture fuse. It is home to the Garifuna people and has a nice chill Caribbean feel. We have mostly hung out on the beach which has been nice and relaxing.

We catch a lancha back to the orphanage tomorrow afternoon, as we have to start back Tuesday morning. I am ready to head back and see the kids and my stomach is ready to get back to a steady diet of beans and tortillas.

That is most of what has been going on!

Miss everyone!

Brief Update

2009-04-20T15:34:00.001-07:00

Turns out, plans have changed and I am leaving for the orphanage in the morning instead of Thursday. (Not a big surprise, planning anything is often a joke). But I´m soooo excited!

I will be working with the niñas pequeñas, the little girls! I think I will be sometimes be an orientadora (basically like their mom) as well as the kindergarden teacher mostly. But things may change of course... We are currently down on volunteers, so I think a lot of us will be doing multiple jobs.

I don´t know much just yet, but I will try to post after my first week or so there!

2009-04-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

pics

2009-04-19T13:24:00.001-07:00

more pics

2009-04-19T13:11:00.001-07:00

Photos!

2009-04-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody,

This is Andrew. Becca sent me some photos to put up. Enjoy!

The fist shot is from a trip to the beach on the lake. Becca and some of the other volunteers rented a boat "a lancha".

This is from a trip to a waterfall called "finca de paradiso" (hopefully I'm spelling that right)

And here we have some shots of the other volunteers and the Backpackers Hotel and Restaurant:

More photos are coming soon!

Hola!

2009-04-16T12:24:00.001-07:00

First of all, I´m sorry for the delay in letting everyone know what is going on! It has been a crazy first week and a lot of adjusting. The first night I arrived was the first night of Semana Santa. Semana Santa is like Easter week here, but it is a huge fiesta week. Parties every night and a lot of people on holiday.

I flew into Guatemala City, got in cab to go to the bus station, and immediately got on a bus (hopefully) going to Rio Dulce. I ended up sitting next to a girl from Boston on the bus! She also had been doing stem cell research, but was now finishing her 4th year of medical school in Vermont at UVM. She would be studying Spanish near Antigua (West of Guate) but had a few days to backpack before beginning class and wanted to see east Guatemala and the Rio Dulce area. So we were at least going to be lost together if nothing else! We got dropped off at dark on the side of the road (basically what seemed to be in the middle of nowhere) and started heading towards ´civilization´. We found a sign saying backpackers and followed it that direction until we came across the backpacker hotel.

So, I am currently in the Rio Dulce area, very close to Fronterras and a 6 hour bus ride east of Guatemala City. (about a 30 minute walk over the river to Fronterras) For the first two weeks, I work in the restaurant/bar- Hotel Backpackers. It is a pretty famous backpacker hostel and ´nice´ restaurant and bar. It is one of the main support systems for the orphanage where I will be going. I work doing a little of everything, waiting tables, washing dishes, cleaning, running food and drinks, etc. Basic restaurant work. For the first week (Weds-Sat) we worked until around 3-4am and then the volunteers and workers hung out some after that. It was a HUGE party everywhere and backpackers was a big place to be. Interesting crowd....
It was actually a perfect time to arrive becuase it was so much fun and I got to meet a large majority of the volunteers (they had many of them come up from the orphanage to help in the restaurant these few days). A lot of work, very little sleep, but fun.

This week, I have been taking Spanish classes every morning and working in the evenings.
So, I wake up around 6am (you are sort of sleeping outside, so once workers arrive and the sun comes up, you basically have to get up) run, head to class, go to town, then work all night, last night we worked until around 12:30am. Running here is interesting, they definitely look at me wondering what the hell I am running from. But oh well. There is still one other volunteer with me, a German guy, and he runs w/me sometimes.

So there is a brief overview of what my days look like now. I do have some access to internet, but once I go to Casa (the orphanage), I will only be able to come to backpackers at most, twice a week. And may or may not be able to email/post then. We will see..

But my Spanish is improving, and on Monday when I was getting out of the shower, a GIANT iguana fell off the roof and almost landed on me. Awesome.

Currently, I have diarrhea. I got heat exhausted on Tuesday night and got really pale and started throwing up so I took a cold shower and went to bed. However, since then, I have only eaten bananas, and even that isn´t really workin. I bought some more medicine today so hopefully....
But me and el bano are best friends right now.

That is about it. I will try to post more and tell about a few of the fun things I have been doing as well.
And pictures!

I am sure this is full of mistakes, as I don´t have much time, but I will write more soon!

And thanks to Andrew for helping me and making sure I let people know what´s going on!