The trip over was certainly eventful. I was reminded just how small the world really is when I found out that a former teammate and fellow Washingtonian, Lisa Tilson, was on my same flight from Dallas to Guatemala. We lived in the same city for two years and were from the same county in Washington but yet we reunite in Central America? Man, I love being a Jayhawk… you can find them everywhere!
I was also on the same flight with Elisa from BC who is teaching grade 1 in Guatemala. She was recently married to another teacher named Graeme who will be coming to Guate in three weeks when he is finished with his Master’s degree program. It was such a relief to be on the plane with Elisa as we encouraged one another through customs (which ended up being hilariously easy, ex: “Do you have medicine? No? Okay go ahead”).
There are eleven new hires and almost all of us are living in the same apartments in Zona 15. Oh wait, did I say apartments? I meant suites. Seriously, these apartments are huge. Aubrey (my super awesome roomie from Wisconsin who will be teaching second grade) and I live in a three bedroom, two bathroom, fully furnished, washer/dryer included, fourth floor apartment. Though I am more than grateful with the living situation, my heart breaks a little when I look out my window and see entire families living in tin roof homes the size of my living room. It doesn’t feel right being a guest in this country and living so well but I guess this will just have to motivate me to get out there and do something about it.
Today we went to the supermarket to get some essentials for the apartments and then headed to our Directors home for lunch. The Director, Carl, is new to Colegio Interamericano (we call it Inter) this year as well and is super pumped about the upcoming year. He is incredibly passionate about educating and is honored to be a role model in the lives of students. And he is a total kick in the pants! I can’t stop cracking up at his antics. His wife is equally awesome and hilarious and I can tell they have big plans for the school.
Tomorrow we are going to take a tour of the school and then head to a different shopping area to get more odds and ends for our places. We don’t have internet access or cell phones (which, to be honest, is kind of freeing!) so we are borrowing the internet at the school whenever we have the chance. As soon as our apartments get hooked up with internet I’m planning on updating more and hopefully getting on skype frequently. In the meantime, know that I am learning A LOT and really loving it. I appreciate all the support and well wishes I’ve received from everyone while I chase this crazy dream.
Smile for me!
-Hannah
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