Cornflakes

Some like them hot.

The other morning I was greeted by my host brother with a question of whether or not I liked cornflakes. Yes, indeed! Not much beats a bowl of cereal and milk especially when you haven't had it for a month. I was pretty excited when I walked into the kitchen and saw the box sitting on the table. My host mom got the biggest bowl out of the cupboard of course and opened the box --side note-- the bag had a huge slit in the side even though it was new, I'm wondering how common that is. Anyways, back to my breakfast. I didn't see any milk around except the can of evaporated milk which scared me a little, not only because I was curious as to how cornflakes would taste with evaporated milk, but she was opening the can with a knife the size of her forearm. The can was safely opened and yes, she did pour the syrup like substance over my cereal. But before I could decide exactly how I would choke it down she blew my mind again, pouring boiling water from the stove in the bowl as well. Ha ha! I guess there's a first for everything. And so you know, I had hot cornflakes again today, and I think I like it.

Cockroaches in the latrine...

...I'm not sure I'll ever be comfortable with you there.

It's been a busy week! Starting with a visit to the Toledo district to check out some of the potential placement sites. There are more sites than volunteers, but only four K'ekchi sites, so a few of us have a pretty good idea of where we are going. Plus, the four villages were pretty close to each other which makes me happy. As we were driving through the first K'ekchi village I got butterflies in my stomach, picturing myself there. How exciting! There was something great about each site that made me glad I was not the person deciding where I would be placed. I don't think I could do it. One of the schools was very small, only three instructors teaching two grades each. Another school already had boxes held for their Peace Corps Volunteer and had written on the calendar that we were coming to visit that day. The last school we were able to visit was very large with multiple classes for each level. The village was more like a town, it even had a computer lab with internet. We drove past the fourth site, so that's exciting in itself, not knowing what the school was like. We also went to a few Creole communities and honestly, I'm so happy I know I'll be in a K'ekchi village. Something about the Maya people makes me want to work with them. Plus, all four future sites are pretty close to Punta Gorda. Isn't it beautiful? I'm pretending that's my bicycle leaning against the palm tree. I can't wait to get a bike!
On the way back from Toledo we had a two hour delay at the bridge. It rained so much the night before that the only bridge back to Belmopan was flooded all day. Luckily we were able to cross and get home. I wouldn't have minded staying another day in PG, but we have so much to do in training that losing a day would have been hard to make up, especially since the day after our field trip was market day. The four of us trainees along with Miss Carmelina went to the market to practice our K'ekchi purchasing skills. Then, we helped make the turkey soup. I was surprised how good cassava is, and also warned about the pronunciation. I can't remember the two terms right now, but it's a horrible story, I'll just tell you the word for cassava is similar to younger sibling. After our first meal as a training group, we were going to watch a movie in K'ekchi, but instead we worked on our teacher training projects. Next week we'll be doing a workshop for teachers in Georgeville as an entire education group on classroom management. I get to talk about consistency and the importance of focusing on the behavior and not the child. I'm hoping to find the movie and watch it soon.
I went back to Miss Maria's house (my host sister with the four little boys who lives across town). It was good to see my 9 year old tutor, Freddie, but the comment I'll never forget this time wasn't as light. Maria's youngest son is maybe 8 months old, and she was asking me (of course it was translated by cousin Mario) if I would want to take Junior back to the states with me. Really? I couldn't imagine her actually wanting to give her child away to a stranger and hold back tears every time I think about it. My response to her request was I'm living here for two years, plus I don't know how to raise a child. So I guess Mom was right in worrying about me falling in love and bringing back an adopted child.
Thursday was a holiday. I went to the ceremony and saw the parade. During the ceremony the speaker was talking about the schools and how 60% of teachers in Belize are untrained. This reminded me of my reasons for coming. After the parade was a party at the park including a punta dancing contest and a greasy pole competition. Some guy greased up a pole with lard, putting a flag at the top and a group of four men climbed up on each other trying to get the flag. There was only one team competing, but they got the flag on the first try without needing the fourth man. Oh Belize, I love you so.
I spent the weekend in Belmopan with a current PCV. We went to Belize City, and yes, it was a lot better going for fun. I really enjoy meeting current Peace Corps Volunteers. I love hearing about their time in Belize and also their life before PC. Plus, Melissa had great resources for my Teacher Training session on comprehension strategies. What are the odds. During the weekend I also went to a bird rescue farm owned by a couple from Wales. It is illegal to own a wild bird in Belize, but many people do and clip their wings, so once they are rescued, they have to grow new wings and learn to live on their own. The farm was beautiful and so were all the birds. The couple was very nice and invited us to come back anytime.


So yes, life is good down here in Belize. Hot, but good. It's crazy to think Nebraska weather is cooling down and soon the colors of fall will be all around. I know I'll miss the seasons, but I also know I love what I see here.

My family not only sells tortillas, but they also have a Popsicle cart. They rig it up quite nice with the bicycle horn, and on hot days they rope the umbrella on a stick to create their own shade. The Paletas are tasty, especially the chocolate covered banana ones. It's a real banana flavor, not the fake taste. Yum Yum!

Belize City!

What a day, what a day! I wasn't expecting to go to Belize City so soon and would have rather gone for fun, but either way, I made it there and back. I was so nervous yesterday when told I would have to brave the bus ride by myself, but luckily I have the best host mom ever and she offered to go with me. She even went over to my Language and Culture Facilitator's house early early this morning to clarify what was going on and seeing if she should go with me. It was so great to have someone with me, and I think I'll be able to go on my own when I go back in a few weeks. The doctor visit was nothing major, just checking out the hole in my ear drum. I guess it's in a good spot, should heal on it's own, is not infected, and there's no permanent hearing loss. It's just uncomfortable. But yeah, I love my host mom. She takes care of me, going above and beyond anything I could have asked for, giving me motivation to learn K'ekchi. I want to express how grateful I am, but all I could do was give her a hug and say "tojo'kre" once we got home. Also, when we made it back I had pictures on my door. One on the outside from Jose', with High School Musical stickers and a speech bubble that said, "I love Amy as my friend." Then on the inside, Mario drew me a nice race car. I'll keep them both forever. When I was telling them about going to Belize City and also the trip I'll be taking tomorrow, they always ask, "You'll be back?" I'm already wondering what I will do when the answer is no... On a brighter note, I've noticed my family speaking more directly to me. I usually have a blank stare as my response, but sometimes I'm able to pick up on a few words. How exciting!
Technical training has been great as well. We went to interview the principal at the school here and she is quite the woman. Most principals here also teach or substitute which is what she was doing the past couple years, but now, since the school has grown, she is able to focus more on her administration. I have yet to understand what all that involves, but was amazed to hear she still has time to privately tutor a boy who had never been to school before and wanted to learn. She didn't want to put a 14 year old in with the Infant 1 four year olds so she took it upon herself to teach him. Wow, wow, wow! Plus she does training for all her teachers. I would like to follow her around for a day and can only hope the principal at the school in my placement site has half that ambition. Next week we'll get to observe a classroom, then take a student and do a diagnostic reading test.
Hope all is well with all of you.
Loves and Hugs! ~Amy

Host Family

While driving from Belmopan to Maya Mopan, I kept thinking to myself, "I don't want to be the first person dropped off," so of course as soon as the vehicle stopped I heard, "This is Amy's house." While unloading my bag I was also heard, "She doesn't speak English." What?!? I won't be able to talk to my host mom until I learn K'ekchi?!? Agh! But she did greet me in the most appropriate way, with a hug. Luckily my host sister knows English pretty well, and my host brothers know a little less, but they are all great teachers! My first lesson was counting to five and Mario was all over having me repeat it and trying to count on my own. Carolina is my pronunciation pro. We laugh a lot about all the words I can't say correctly. I just know I'm saying something completely different when I pronounce something wrong. Jose' kept pointing out things and telling me the K'ekchi word while I was washing my clothes on Sunday. Yes, I am hand washing my clothes, taking outdoor showers, using a latrine, and sleeping under my mosquito net.
Every meal is also an experience, not knowing for sure what I'm eating. Last night there was a hunk of this white substance on my plate. I took a big bite, leaving me with a mouthful of spongy cheese. I've quickly learned to take smaller bites. This afternoon I had some soup with vegetables and what I first thought was boiled chicken, because I really couldn't see what it was. As I went to get a piece my spoon easily cut through and came out yellow. First I was frightened, but then I realized it was just an enormous egg! Not only do we have dogs and chickens in our backyard, but also turkeys. Oh! And tul (banana) and mank (mango) trees. Overall the food has been fine, plus, my family owns a tortilla shop, so I have all the fresh corn tortillas I want with every meal.
It took me awhile to figure out who all lives at my house, but I think I know now, even though I'm not sure I've met everyone. It's hard to keep track because there are so many people that stop by and hang around, especially when the TV is on or we're playing cards, Pass the Pigs, or hide and seek. I love to play! Anything! It doesn't matter if you speak English, K'ekchi, Spanish, or Kriol; you can still have fun.
The days seem to be getting better and better. I've felt relaxed ever since being in Belize, but recently not so comfortable. It's hard for me not being able to communicate with those around me. I have to write down what I want to say to my host mom, like things as simple as asking to pack a lunch. I am starting to feel more comfortable though, especially when I remind myself I haven't even been here a full week. Last night was so great! I went to my host sister's house across town. She had four little boys and all they would do was smile. The oldest one started talking to me, asking if I knew Spanish. I told him I wanted to learn Spanish AND K'ekchi. His response, "Let's learn now." I was glad I had brought my language manual and I started by reading a story and asking him to translate it. Again, my pronounciation was off, which made it hard for him to know what I was saying. He told me to "Go home and just say the words over and over and over." I mentioned my brain hurting after learning so much which he didn't understand because learning was easy for him, "When I was born I had English and Spanish and K'ekchi all in my head." Haha! I'll never forget him saying that, or his laugh.