Part 1 - 29.04.13
This
morning I started my day, stomach full of pancakes and mango, walking up a hill
(huffing slightly), smiling. “¡Buenos
días!” I’d been waiting 10 weeks to say that again. Once again, we have
moved back to Magdalena Milpas Altas, which means that, once again, it is
culturally acceptable – and encouraged – to greet everyone in passing. It’s
something totally unique to pueblo
culture and I love it.
So
yes, we’ve moved back to Magdalena. But what happened in the last several
weeks? Bastante. I’ve done some
traveling, finished classes, encountered some more incredible people, and
started once again working at Hermano Pedro. However, to me it would make more
sense to describe it all Star Wars style. For those of you less nerdy folks,
I’m going to start farther toward the beginning, sequentially, and work my way
back.
Yesterday,
after a six-hour bus ride back from Río Dulce (more to come about that in later
blogs), we finished up our packing. After hugging our host mom goodbye, taking
a final picture of the palomias (insectos
tan feos) sharing my bed, and trying to shove ridiculously full suit-cases
into the van, we made our way up the winding curves from Antigua to Magdalena. It
was definitely a bitter/sweet moment – I’ve enjoyed the freedom and access and
comfort we’ve had in Antigua, but I’ve been looking forward to being part of
the family again. Throughout the whole ride, I could feel my stomach churning.
It was more than just the pizza eaten hours before. I was nervous. I couldn’t
tell you why because as soon as we arrived in the home, I instantly felt
relief.
 |
| Myself, Doña Patrícia (our Antigua host-mom), and Anna |
Estella
and Lizbeth (my same host-mom and sister we stayed with before) met us at el cruz – the cross centered next to the
pillas at the heart of Magdalena. From here we rolled down and then up, ending
in our same room. After a brief conversation with the family – hoping my
improvement in español was made
evident – and listening to our dad give the same sentiments about being
welcomed into the family, Anna and I unpacked and prepared our things for the
next three weeks.
The
next morning I woke up early, read my Bible, and got ready. I was amazed how
easy it was to fall back into a routine. At 7:30 we made our way to breakfast
and talked with our host-mom. From there, we walked down and then up to Mario’s
house – the pastor who has given us the use of his roof. Here we held worship
with the other people in the group and the Students International staff,
singing a couple of songs and drinking our coffee.
On
the way out we grabbed our packed lunches and everybody went off to their
sites. Today was a lucky day because we were able to get a ride to Antigua and
only had to take the bus one time. A little less interesting, but definitely
more comfortable.
Finally
arriving at Hermano Pedro, it was an incredible day. I simply cannot believe
the joy the residents there have given me. I can’t escape the cheesy way of
saying it, but they’ve given me so much. For the morning we wandered around the
school session – where the residents have various projects – and talked with
several of the patients. In so many ways I felt honored. People remembered me,
shared their stories with me, drew pictures with me, made jokes with me. The
love that some of the people at Hermano Pedro have taught me has put so many of
my previous experiences and actions to shame.
 |
| Nineth, Amanda, Myself, and Anita - my incredible group mates! |
After
eating our lunch in the office (we stopped to by 10 cent avocados to add to our
sandwiches – no big deal), we went back for a little over an hour to spend some
time with the ladies, painting nails and talking. With a little extra time we
made a run to one of the many miraculous panaderias
(like a bakery, but better) for milojas
– one of the tastiest treats ever.
We
then waited for the bus and walked up the hill from the bus stop to where we
live higher up in Magda. After a delicious dinner with our family, Anna and I
studied a little for our test on Thursday, watched some Mentalist, and are now
in the process of going to bed.
Mientras escribir esto, mi corazón es tan
lleno. I am content and feel wonderfully filled. I feel so blessed to be in
such a place and cannot wait to see what the next three weeks brings me.
 |
| The fountain from Central Park in Antigua |
Part Two coming soon!
