Here are a couple of important facts to note about Ronald Reagan before this upcoming presidential election, as John McCain proudly raises up his admiration of Reagan without embarrassment...
During Nicaragua's armed conflict Ronald Reagan was the biggest supporter of the Nicaraguan National Guard, the group that factually committed the most atrocities during the civil war against its people - innocent Nicaraguans.
Reagan also refused, for much of his presidency, to talk openly about AIDS because of its relation with homosexuality.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Ballot information
Many of members of the group here in El Salvador have been anxiously awaiting our ballots to come in the mail.
One friend received her's yesterday, but the majority will still be running to the post office later this week.
Some friends and I went to the mega mall that is about four blocks away and took about an hour in a cyber cafe to arrange all of our materials to print off--the materials being those affiliated with voting.
I am worried now, though, because I did receive all my voting information for senate candidates, mayor candidates, etc; but what I found was missing was my ballot information for the presidential candidates. ...NOT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Each state has rules unique to it, and in MN one can have their ballots mailed to them. So I did request for this to be done but now I am thinking that I made a mistake along the way...
Hopefully I will get this figured out tomorrow because THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IS CRUCIALLLLLLLLL
One friend received her's yesterday, but the majority will still be running to the post office later this week.
Some friends and I went to the mega mall that is about four blocks away and took about an hour in a cyber cafe to arrange all of our materials to print off--the materials being those affiliated with voting.
I am worried now, though, because I did receive all my voting information for senate candidates, mayor candidates, etc; but what I found was missing was my ballot information for the presidential candidates. ...NOT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Each state has rules unique to it, and in MN one can have their ballots mailed to them. So I did request for this to be done but now I am thinking that I made a mistake along the way...
Hopefully I will get this figured out tomorrow because THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IS CRUCIALLLLLLLLL
Sunday, September 28, 2008
el salvador and green scissors
This afternoon we arrived in El Salvador!!!
The border held us up for around an hour but that was alright because just an hour and a half later... San Salvador!
Tonight we talked through some of our orientation, became inspired by Sister Peggy's (our Libteration Theologies teacher) passion, received some monumental reading assingments... aaand cut my hair!! Here is when the electric green scissors come in to play! Thanks to Julie, now my hair is off-balance, short, and I love it!
San Salvador is giving me the good vibes. Now we are all finally living together in one house. Tomorrow we will start off a busy week!
The border held us up for around an hour but that was alright because just an hour and a half later... San Salvador!
Tonight we talked through some of our orientation, became inspired by Sister Peggy's (our Libteration Theologies teacher) passion, received some monumental reading assingments... aaand cut my hair!! Here is when the electric green scissors come in to play! Thanks to Julie, now my hair is off-balance, short, and I love it!
San Salvador is giving me the good vibes. Now we are all finally living together in one house. Tomorrow we will start off a busy week!
Pachaj, Cantel
Ending off our last week in Guatemala (before traveling to Antigua), twelve of us studied and lived in a pueblo called Pachaj, which is in the area of Cantel. This community is 100 percent indigenous and played a key role during Guatemala's armed conflict. Its location is great, too, being just 30 minutes away from Xela.
So noting above on Pachaj's unique role during the armed conflict, Cantel was the only region in all of Guatemala to not take part in the armed guard services. The armed guard services were organized by the Army; they forced men out of every community to patrol their village and report any guerrilla activity. Essentially what the armed guard services did was put many male community members' lives at stake and force families into uncomfortable, dangerous circumstances.
Also during the armed conflict, a textile mill was built in Cantel which from then on altered Cantel's economic situations and fomented a lasting dependence by the people of Cantel on the mill, ultimately a negative dependence at that.
So in all, learning about Cantel's history was an ongoing process throughout our week there. Cantel also has a huge amount of its population in North America. Since Guatemala's economy continues to struggle, economic hardships are the number one reason for migration to places like the US and Canada.
So noting above on Pachaj's unique role during the armed conflict, Cantel was the only region in all of Guatemala to not take part in the armed guard services. The armed guard services were organized by the Army; they forced men out of every community to patrol their village and report any guerrilla activity. Essentially what the armed guard services did was put many male community members' lives at stake and force families into uncomfortable, dangerous circumstances.
Also during the armed conflict, a textile mill was built in Cantel which from then on altered Cantel's economic situations and fomented a lasting dependence by the people of Cantel on the mill, ultimately a negative dependence at that.
So in all, learning about Cantel's history was an ongoing process throughout our week there. Cantel also has a huge amount of its population in North America. Since Guatemala's economy continues to struggle, economic hardships are the number one reason for migration to places like the US and Canada.
goodbye dear Guate
Guatemala now holds memories in my heart and nostalgia when I think of the people whom I encountered and lived with there...
Yesterday the group and I left Xela, which had been our home for three weeks, and went to spend one day and one night in Antigua. Antigua is a preserved colonial town that is, of course, filled with plenty of tourists and "westernized" trends.
I say this not with the intention of putting a shade of negativity around the image of Antigua, but rather just to recognize its reality.
It was quaint to spend our last day relaxing in the town. Right upon arrival the group and I went to a restaurant where we ate homemade pizza (talk about authentic Guatemalan food;) and then went off to explore. Arpita, a friend and I, later split off from the others to walk around more of the market area. She and I should have thought back to one of our past experiences (of getting lost together) when saying "Oh yes, this is the right direction..." So we did get lost; but then a bit after successfully wandered back to the hotel. Getting lost wasn't such a bummer though because after all, we did get to see more of the city. A bit sadly I must say, my afternoon and night in Antigua were filled with utter sickness. I should have known better than to keep drinking those yogurt fruit drinks with the pizza! They just were not sitting right. So the chills came and soon after started the vomiting... The group was great though! I definitely am not the only one who has gone through the sickness here...
Yesterday the group and I left Xela, which had been our home for three weeks, and went to spend one day and one night in Antigua. Antigua is a preserved colonial town that is, of course, filled with plenty of tourists and "westernized" trends.
I say this not with the intention of putting a shade of negativity around the image of Antigua, but rather just to recognize its reality.
It was quaint to spend our last day relaxing in the town. Right upon arrival the group and I went to a restaurant where we ate homemade pizza (talk about authentic Guatemalan food;) and then went off to explore. Arpita, a friend and I, later split off from the others to walk around more of the market area. She and I should have thought back to one of our past experiences (of getting lost together) when saying "Oh yes, this is the right direction..." So we did get lost; but then a bit after successfully wandered back to the hotel. Getting lost wasn't such a bummer though because after all, we did get to see more of the city. A bit sadly I must say, my afternoon and night in Antigua were filled with utter sickness. I should have known better than to keep drinking those yogurt fruit drinks with the pizza! They just were not sitting right. So the chills came and soon after started the vomiting... The group was great though! I definitely am not the only one who has gone through the sickness here...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Rounding up the last week
This week has been a stressful one, but at the same time I feel guilty for saying that because I AM IN GUATEMALA...!!!¡¡¡
Homework is accumulating, but more just the thoughts of finishing my final paper - which I have decided to do on Venezuela´s Hugo Chávez.
We just finished celebrating three compañeros´ birthdays here at the school.
I have a love and dislike relationship with the computer because I don´t have access to it very easily but then when I get on the internet I end up feeling like I should be in other places...
Tonight I also treated the host mama, Yoli, to an helado (ice cream). I must say that was the highlight of my day... sitting on the terrace in the middle of the house, under the sun, smiling and licking our ice cream cones together...
Homework is accumulating, but more just the thoughts of finishing my final paper - which I have decided to do on Venezuela´s Hugo Chávez.
We just finished celebrating three compañeros´ birthdays here at the school.
I have a love and dislike relationship with the computer because I don´t have access to it very easily but then when I get on the internet I end up feeling like I should be in other places...
Tonight I also treated the host mama, Yoli, to an helado (ice cream). I must say that was the highlight of my day... sitting on the terrace in the middle of the house, under the sun, smiling and licking our ice cream cones together...
auras, energías, destinos
This afternoon we went to an indigenous (Maya) healing ceremony. The group and I met with a woman sacerdote (healer) who has grown up amongst the Mayan traditions and culture as a whole. Throughout her life, also her life as a mother, she has passed along this spirituality; so not only did we get to talk with her but we also got to learn from her daughter.
After learning of the significance of each day (out of the 20 of the Mayan calendar), we then lit candles and placed them into the fire that was filled with a specific type of sacred bark, some sort of natural incense, and other specifics from the earth (which I cannot remember)... As we set our candles down amongst the other burning particles we transferred our thoughts as petitions, which the fire would then transcend to a different dimension.
Later we discussed the relation of science and Mayan beliefs. I can say that I was positively surprised at what I learned... like how the Mayan suggested 3000 years prior to scientists that the sun was in the center of the universe.
After everything, the sacerdote talked to each of us about our destinies, our energies and our auras...
Whether one believes in the Mayan practices or not, it is captivating to take part in them and hold them sacred.
After learning of the significance of each day (out of the 20 of the Mayan calendar), we then lit candles and placed them into the fire that was filled with a specific type of sacred bark, some sort of natural incense, and other specifics from the earth (which I cannot remember)... As we set our candles down amongst the other burning particles we transferred our thoughts as petitions, which the fire would then transcend to a different dimension.
Later we discussed the relation of science and Mayan beliefs. I can say that I was positively surprised at what I learned... like how the Mayan suggested 3000 years prior to scientists that the sun was in the center of the universe.
After everything, the sacerdote talked to each of us about our destinies, our energies and our auras...
Whether one believes in the Mayan practices or not, it is captivating to take part in them and hold them sacred.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Guatemala--Today´s Charla
Today we had a meeting/chat with a Guatemalan businessman, who really wasn´t as corporate as that term makes him sound, but he talked with us about Guatemala´s development (especially the development here in Xela).
So get this -- Guatemala´s main, number one, source of income is from Family Remittances; number two is Tourism. By 1990 100,000 Guatemalans were in the US because of the sky-rocketing unemployment in Guatemala.
The man stated blatantly that "radical change" is needed and that personal development must happen first so that democratic development can occur. But in order to do this, he said that Guatemala must develop a system where the taxes will go back to the people.
So get this -- Guatemala´s main, number one, source of income is from Family Remittances; number two is Tourism. By 1990 100,000 Guatemalans were in the US because of the sky-rocketing unemployment in Guatemala.
The man stated blatantly that "radical change" is needed and that personal development must happen first so that democratic development can occur. But in order to do this, he said that Guatemala must develop a system where the taxes will go back to the people.
El lago Atitlán
A few compañeros and I just got back a bit ago from checking out Ícara, which is a place that sets people up with some awesome treks, kayaking, etc.
So this weekend seven of us will probably be going on a two-day hike that will take us to Lake Atitlán, which is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala. We will potentially be leaving Friday afternoon where we will drive for an hour or so and then hike until 10 or 11 pm. At the site we´ll arrive at, we´ll eat a late dinner and then stay with a family (in a more rural moutainous area). The next day we´ll get up early and set out hiking until lunch time. After quickly eating we´ll get going again until night and then either camp out or stay with another family. Basically, along the way we will pass rivers, volcanos, and other Guatemalan breath-taking sights... The hike is moderate and doesn´t have extremely inclines, but it will be two days and I am excited!!!!
Once we get to the lake we´ll have the night and the next morning. There, we´ve heard, there are different pueblos that are dedicated to certain things... for example, there is a yoga community and a meditation community. I think we will be hitting up the yoga area!
Until then, hikers---
So this weekend seven of us will probably be going on a two-day hike that will take us to Lake Atitlán, which is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala. We will potentially be leaving Friday afternoon where we will drive for an hour or so and then hike until 10 or 11 pm. At the site we´ll arrive at, we´ll eat a late dinner and then stay with a family (in a more rural moutainous area). The next day we´ll get up early and set out hiking until lunch time. After quickly eating we´ll get going again until night and then either camp out or stay with another family. Basically, along the way we will pass rivers, volcanos, and other Guatemalan breath-taking sights... The hike is moderate and doesn´t have extremely inclines, but it will be two days and I am excited!!!!
Once we get to the lake we´ll have the night and the next morning. There, we´ve heard, there are different pueblos that are dedicated to certain things... for example, there is a yoga community and a meditation community. I think we will be hitting up the yoga area!
Until then, hikers---
Chichi
Chichicastenango was greaaat!!!
Last weekend was prime time to take a relaxing visit to this pueblo that is only about 3 hrs away from Xela. Classes had drained everyone out the first week and we definitely were excited to see more of Guatemala... Favorite things: going to an indigenous womens´community and seeing their artisan work, busying around in the mercado (it´s said that it´s the largest one in CA!), chatting with the girls at a "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant and sitting on the balcony ...
Last weekend was prime time to take a relaxing visit to this pueblo that is only about 3 hrs away from Xela. Classes had drained everyone out the first week and we definitely were excited to see more of Guatemala... Favorite things: going to an indigenous womens´community and seeing their artisan work, busying around in the mercado (it´s said that it´s the largest one in CA!), chatting with the girls at a "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant and sitting on the balcony ...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
I´m trying to get better
Yesterday was a bit difficult with the stomach. The thing I am working on is being more direct with my host mom, and all people in total, about not eating when I really am not hungry.
I don´t know if it is the passivity inside me or if it is just that I am trying to be respectful; but all in all, it is really not worth it to feel so uncomfortable.
Alright, we´ll see how today goes with this!
:)
I don´t know if it is the passivity inside me or if it is just that I am trying to be respectful; but all in all, it is really not worth it to feel so uncomfortable.
Alright, we´ll see how today goes with this!
:)
PLQ
Proyecto Lingüístico de Quetzaltenango is great!(if you couldn´t tell from my last email)... Yesterday we were just informed of all the activities that will be going on this week. Tomorrow they will be showing "Mortorcycle Diaries" in Spanish, as well as accomodating us with the unique Guatemalan hot chocolate and popcorn.
Our last week here we will go to the natural hot springs (which are around 30 minutes away.
I look so forward to this Wednesday, though, because we will be meeting with a member of Guatemala´s army (who also held his or her position during Guatemala´s civil war); so it will be very interesting and powerful to hear the other side of things (because we are usually getting views from the L).
Our last week here we will go to the natural hot springs (which are around 30 minutes away.
I look so forward to this Wednesday, though, because we will be meeting with a member of Guatemala´s army (who also held his or her position during Guatemala´s civil war); so it will be very interesting and powerful to hear the other side of things (because we are usually getting views from the L).
XelaWhooo
Hola de Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (que también está llamada Xela\Xelaju)...
Estamos pasandolo muy bien y además, muy únicamente aquí. Todavía estoy intentando acostumbrarme a la vida guatemalteca porque me hace extrañar México bastante, especialmente en los primeros días.
Pero ya hemos visitado un barrio en La Ciudad de Guatemala donde se pone casí toda la basura de la ciudad. Hay muchas casas alrededor y la pobreza y discriminación son tan fuertes sin duda. La gente que vive allí es bastante opresada por lo demás; se dice que todos de esta zona son "asasinados," "ladrones," etc. pero en realidad no les dan las oportunidades normales y justos para la educación, para los trabajos, para la seguridad...
Allí visitamos a una escuela que también es un centro recreativo para la juventud que vive por allí.
La escuela empezó hace 20 años. Soló tenía 15 estudiantes y ya tiene 400. Fue inspirada porque había tantos niños y niñas que estaban recogiendo la basura para ganar un poquito de dinero (para ayudar a sus papás y toda la familia); pues por eso los niños y niñas no estaban recibiendo una educación porque trabajaban por todos los días. Ahora hay cuatro maestras que ofrecen el apoyo (emocional, mental, familiar, etc), una buena educación, y un sitio recreativo por esta juventud. Hay casos cuando hay niñas embarazadas o niñas\niños que no tienen casas o eran abandonados por sus papás, o por ejemplo hay otros que tienen 17 años pero nunca han asistido a la primaria y ya pueden tomar las clases de esa nivel,... ---Pues todos esos casos y mas son apoyados, ayudados, e inspirados por este sistema tan progresivo en este barrio. Es monumental*
La cosa es que estos niñas\niños pueden hacer sus trabajos todavía, pero solamente por un parte del día. Entonces el otra parte tienen que venir a las clases. Si los estudiantes siguen en este camino, el sistema les ofrezca trabajos cuando se graduan. Los trabajos generalmente son con los jardínes (incluyendo jardínes vegetales) de la ciudad. También hay estudiantes que se van para la universidad! No puedo expresarlo bastante, pero esto es absolutamente INCREÍBLE por este barrio que está tan polarizado por las comunidades de la ciudad.
Eso es solo un ejemplo de lo que hemos visto en estos días... Hemos aprendido mucho sobre las guerras civiles de Latinoamérica y Centro America. La política aquí es tan tan fuerte y es obvio el legado\impacto de la violencia, los desafíos, y la corrupción que siguen aquí. Los movimientos indígenas y el URNG son absolutamente IMPRESIONANTES. La persecuccíon de tales grupos es inexplicable. Todavía uno se tiene que tener cuidado si se involucra con cosas revolucionarias o en total, cosas que desafían al gobierno (corrupto).
Hoy llegamos a nuestra escuela que se llama el Proyecto Lingüístico de Quetzaltenango. Fue fundado por algunos revoluccionarios muy importantes de los años finales de la guerra civil de Guatemala. Durante ese tiempo La Universidad de San Carlos (que era muy revoluccionaria en su mismo) era tan perseguido por el gobierno\el ejército de Guatemala. Muchos estudiantes y maestros de esta universidad eran matados porque el gobierno estaba intimidado de ellos y lo que podrían hacer. Pues ya esta escuela es el legado de esos revoluccionarios!!!! Así que nos va a involucrar en unos iniciativos políticos, sociales, y ambientales... que buenísimo!!!!
Hay fotos del Ché, Rigoberta Menchú, etc etc, otros murales políticos que llenan las paredes de la escuela!!! Anda"!!!!!:)))))
Ok ok gracias por leer y os agradezco TANTO*
Hasta muy pronto y un montón de mi amor....
Annika
Estamos pasandolo muy bien y además, muy únicamente aquí. Todavía estoy intentando acostumbrarme a la vida guatemalteca porque me hace extrañar México bastante, especialmente en los primeros días.
Pero ya hemos visitado un barrio en La Ciudad de Guatemala donde se pone casí toda la basura de la ciudad. Hay muchas casas alrededor y la pobreza y discriminación son tan fuertes sin duda. La gente que vive allí es bastante opresada por lo demás; se dice que todos de esta zona son "asasinados," "ladrones," etc. pero en realidad no les dan las oportunidades normales y justos para la educación, para los trabajos, para la seguridad...
Allí visitamos a una escuela que también es un centro recreativo para la juventud que vive por allí.
La escuela empezó hace 20 años. Soló tenía 15 estudiantes y ya tiene 400. Fue inspirada porque había tantos niños y niñas que estaban recogiendo la basura para ganar un poquito de dinero (para ayudar a sus papás y toda la familia); pues por eso los niños y niñas no estaban recibiendo una educación porque trabajaban por todos los días. Ahora hay cuatro maestras que ofrecen el apoyo (emocional, mental, familiar, etc), una buena educación, y un sitio recreativo por esta juventud. Hay casos cuando hay niñas embarazadas o niñas\niños que no tienen casas o eran abandonados por sus papás, o por ejemplo hay otros que tienen 17 años pero nunca han asistido a la primaria y ya pueden tomar las clases de esa nivel,... ---Pues todos esos casos y mas son apoyados, ayudados, e inspirados por este sistema tan progresivo en este barrio. Es monumental*
La cosa es que estos niñas\niños pueden hacer sus trabajos todavía, pero solamente por un parte del día. Entonces el otra parte tienen que venir a las clases. Si los estudiantes siguen en este camino, el sistema les ofrezca trabajos cuando se graduan. Los trabajos generalmente son con los jardínes (incluyendo jardínes vegetales) de la ciudad. También hay estudiantes que se van para la universidad! No puedo expresarlo bastante, pero esto es absolutamente INCREÍBLE por este barrio que está tan polarizado por las comunidades de la ciudad.
Eso es solo un ejemplo de lo que hemos visto en estos días... Hemos aprendido mucho sobre las guerras civiles de Latinoamérica y Centro America. La política aquí es tan tan fuerte y es obvio el legado\impacto de la violencia, los desafíos, y la corrupción que siguen aquí. Los movimientos indígenas y el URNG son absolutamente IMPRESIONANTES. La persecuccíon de tales grupos es inexplicable. Todavía uno se tiene que tener cuidado si se involucra con cosas revolucionarias o en total, cosas que desafían al gobierno (corrupto).
Hoy llegamos a nuestra escuela que se llama el Proyecto Lingüístico de Quetzaltenango. Fue fundado por algunos revoluccionarios muy importantes de los años finales de la guerra civil de Guatemala. Durante ese tiempo La Universidad de San Carlos (que era muy revoluccionaria en su mismo) era tan perseguido por el gobierno\el ejército de Guatemala. Muchos estudiantes y maestros de esta universidad eran matados porque el gobierno estaba intimidado de ellos y lo que podrían hacer. Pues ya esta escuela es el legado de esos revoluccionarios!!!! Así que nos va a involucrar en unos iniciativos políticos, sociales, y ambientales... que buenísimo!!!!
Hay fotos del Ché, Rigoberta Menchú, etc etc, otros murales políticos que llenan las paredes de la escuela!!! Anda"!!!!!:)))))
Ok ok gracias por leer y os agradezco TANTO*
Hasta muy pronto y un montón de mi amor....
Annika
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