This is a serious hike up, and we know the pictures just don't do it justice or capture the steepness of the climb. And our friends from Tierra Linda do this all day, every day. It's humbling to consider how lazy our ordinary lives are in Abbotsford (drive to work, sit in office, drive to store, drive home). Compare that to walk down mountain, farm onions, walk to market to buy food, walk up mountain again.
We're learning that the people of Tierra Linda are virtually all farmers, who look after the fields below the village. Very few are involved in the local fabric industry, tourism, or other related occupations. Some are involved in construction, but many of them work in the onion fields or dig gravel in the riverbed.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Hiking up to Tierra Linda
This morning, after we said good-bye to Dave's parents and sent them on their way home, we had a fantastic adventure. Our friend Adele said she would show us the trail up the mountain to Tierra Linda. We hiked for 3 hours, and it was hard mountain hiking, but it was so fun. I felt like I was on a stair climber for a good hour. It was really tough! The views were so beautiful. It was absolutely amazing to see that the people have used as much of the mountainside as possible to farm. We saw terraces and fields of onions, beans, swiss chard, herbs, and I'm sure other things that I don't know about. We tried to capture it for you, but the camera just doesn't do it justice. It is really quite steep.
In this picture you can see down into the gravel river bed where we began our hike, all the onion fields alongside the river, and then the terraced and steep fields on the mountain side.
If we can find a way to secure the computers up in the village, we will potentially do this hike a couple times a week to teach in the village. The kids only take 30 minutes to climb up, and 15-20 to come down. We're planning to try the Grouse Grind when we come home to compare the difficulty!
This morning, after we said good-bye to Dave's parents and sent them on their way home, we had a fantastic adventure. Our friend Adele said she would show us the trail up the mountain to Tierra Linda. We hiked for 3 hours, and it was hard mountain hiking, but it was so fun. I felt like I was on a stair climber for a good hour. It was really tough! The views were so beautiful. It was absolutely amazing to see that the people have used as much of the mountainside as possible to farm. We saw terraces and fields of onions, beans, swiss chard, herbs, and I'm sure other things that I don't know about. We tried to capture it for you, but the camera just doesn't do it justice. It is really quite steep.
In this picture you can see down into the gravel river bed where we began our hike, all the onion fields alongside the river, and then the terraced and steep fields on the mountain side.
If we can find a way to secure the computers up in the village, we will potentially do this hike a couple times a week to teach in the village. The kids only take 30 minutes to climb up, and 15-20 to come down. We're planning to try the Grouse Grind when we come home to compare the difficulty!
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Some of our students
On the way up the mountain we ran into one of our students and her mom and brother. They were heading down into town or to the fields. Notice how they are carrying their things. It has become common for us to see this, because it is how all the Mayan people carry things. The little girl is carrying a small load in the sling of material that is around her head.
On the way up the mountain we ran into one of our students and her mom and brother. They were heading down into town or to the fields. Notice how they are carrying their things. It has become common for us to see this, because it is how all the Mayan people carry things. The little girl is carrying a small load in the sling of material that is around her head.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Here is a makeshift shade shelter. These two kids are two of our students. They were pretty wide-eyed to see us hiking. We ran into a number of our students and their families today, since everyone is out working on Saturday. That was probably the most fun part of it all.
Here is a makeshift shade shelter. These two kids are two of our students. They were pretty wide-eyed to see us hiking. We ran into a number of our students and their families today, since everyone is out working on Saturday. That was probably the most fun part of it all.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Zane's activity table
Here is Zane in our living room. He has come to love coloring in recent days. He has taken over our coffee table for his coloring and trucks. He also now loves stickers, and has been learning how to stick them on a desired spot on a page.
Here is Zane in our living room. He has come to love coloring in recent days. He has taken over our coffee table for his coloring and trucks. He also now loves stickers, and has been learning how to stick them on a desired spot on a page.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Last Supper
Mom and Dad leave in the morning, so we celebrated with a pepperoni-and-pineapple pizza. We'll sure miss having them around.
Mom and Dad leave in the morning, so we celebrated with a pepperoni-and-pineapple pizza. We'll sure miss having them around.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Coffee Bags
Danaya and Zane were helping Kasia stick the stickers on the coffee bags. You wouldn't believe how many bags of coffee pass through this place.
Danaya and Zane were helping Kasia stick the stickers on the coffee bags. You wouldn't believe how many bags of coffee pass through this place.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Crossroads Cafe
Our friends Mike and Adele run Crossroads Cafe, which serves the best coffee in the world. Really. That's Mike behind the counter.
Our friends Mike and Adele run Crossroads Cafe, which serves the best coffee in the world. Really. That's Mike behind the counter.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Tuc Tuc Train
You know, when you need a tuc tuc, they are nowhere to be found. When you don't need one...
You know, when you need a tuc tuc, they are nowhere to be found. When you don't need one...
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Chicken Bus
These are called "chicken buses", supposedly because people put their live chickens on top of the bus. It's local transit, and they get you where you need to go...fast. Sometimes too fast.
These are called "chicken buses", supposedly because people put their live chickens on top of the bus. It's local transit, and they get you where you need to go...fast. Sometimes too fast.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Futbol (soccer!)
Dad was thrilled to have a chance to watch some live Guatemalan soccer, even if it was only Dave playing with some locals on the carpet field. It was a great game with our friends. The skill level of the Guatemalans is amazing.
Swimming in Lake Atitlan
This is our first swim in the lake. It's polluted in other parts of the lake, so we hope it was clean here. We don't have any unusual tumours yet.
This is our first swim in the lake. It's polluted in other parts of the lake, so we hope it was clean here. We don't have any unusual tumours yet.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Walking on Water
Dave was walking so well on the surface for the first four steps, and then lost faith.
Dave was walking so well on the surface for the first four steps, and then lost faith.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Casa Del Mundo
This is at a hotel owned by our landlady. You can go and have breakfast at the restaurant, swim off their docks, and enjoy the flowers. It's at www.lacasadelmundo.com.
This is at a hotel owned by our landlady. You can go and have breakfast at the restaurant, swim off their docks, and enjoy the flowers. It's at www.lacasadelmundo.com.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
A Lancha (Boat)
This morning, we took a lancha (boat) out on Lake Atitlan. We took one of the boats for the local people, not the tourists. They're actually at two separate docks.
This morning, we took a lancha (boat) out on Lake Atitlan. We took one of the boats for the local people, not the tourists. They're actually at two separate docks.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Zane and Jada
This is Jada, the daughter of Massimo, our friend who makes silver jewelry here. He supports nutrition programs in nine villages with his efforts.
This is Jada, the daughter of Massimo, our friend who makes silver jewelry here. He supports nutrition programs in nine villages with his efforts.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Yummy lunch!
We made fresh guacamole for lunch today with Mike and Adele and their girls. Fresh garlic, fresh cilantro, and fresh limes added yummy flavor. The watermelon here is also fantastic. Every one I've bought so far has been bursting open when I cut it. We are continuing our quest to figure out how to buy a perfectly ripe avocado. It's still a bit of a mystery, but we win more than we lose.
We made fresh guacamole for lunch today with Mike and Adele and their girls. Fresh garlic, fresh cilantro, and fresh limes added yummy flavor. The watermelon here is also fantastic. Every one I've bought so far has been bursting open when I cut it. We are continuing our quest to figure out how to buy a perfectly ripe avocado. It's still a bit of a mystery, but we win more than we lose.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Language education
We have figured out that we have an extra opportunity to pour into these kids' lives. We assumed that the teachers would be providing homework for those students who are waiting their turn on the computers, but many days there is no homework, and they just waste time. Because Marvin and Ursula are here and it gives us a few extra hands, we were able to start teaching some English today.
It all started when the guy with the key to our teaching house was 30 minutes late to open up, and everyone was waiting. Dave and Ursula ingeniously made up some flashcards with Spanish and English. The kids were eating it up! They were saying "good morning" for the next three hours!
This is one girl I was working with, and she was teaching me some of her Mayan language (Kakchiquel) in return.
We have figured out that we have an extra opportunity to pour into these kids' lives. We assumed that the teachers would be providing homework for those students who are waiting their turn on the computers, but many days there is no homework, and they just waste time. Because Marvin and Ursula are here and it gives us a few extra hands, we were able to start teaching some English today.
It all started when the guy with the key to our teaching house was 30 minutes late to open up, and everyone was waiting. Dave and Ursula ingeniously made up some flashcards with Spanish and English. The kids were eating it up! They were saying "good morning" for the next three hours!
This is one girl I was working with, and she was teaching me some of her Mayan language (Kakchiquel) in return.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Ursula worked on the Canada puzzle again today, and they finished it in plenty of time. We're learning as we go, and did a much better job today of explaining what the picture was, and where we lived.
Ursula worked on the Canada puzzle again today, and they finished it in plenty of time. We're learning as we go, and did a much better job today of explaining what the picture was, and where we lived.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
These boys were my prize pupils today. They couldn't get enough English. They wanted to keep practicing and keep learning more. We practiced numbers 1 - 20, and basic phrases such as: hello, good-bye, my name is, please, thank you, you're welcome, good morning, boy, girl, man, woman, and a few more. The boy on the right looking down is Victor, and his pronunciation was perfect. I will forever have, "my name is Victor" ringing in my ears. It was such a fantastic morning!
These boys were my prize pupils today. They couldn't get enough English. They wanted to keep practicing and keep learning more. We practiced numbers 1 - 20, and basic phrases such as: hello, good-bye, my name is, please, thank you, you're welcome, good morning, boy, girl, man, woman, and a few more. The boy on the right looking down is Victor, and his pronunciation was perfect. I will forever have, "my name is Victor" ringing in my ears. It was such a fantastic morning!
Posted via Pixelpipe.
I found these great flashcards at a local variety store. They have both the Spanish and English spelling of the numbers on the back.
If anyone finds any good supplies, or has other great ideas for educational activities we can do with the students, please share them. There is so much potential, but the language barrier is quite large. Many of them speak very basic Spanish. Any ideas that transcend language, or provide basic language education would be great.
We have started to collect some good children's books in Spanish, and will start to read to them. Reading is not really a common thing to be passionate about or do here. We are hoping to show them what it is like to be passionate about reading. One of our long term goals is to put in a library in this little village.
I found these great flashcards at a local variety store. They have both the Spanish and English spelling of the numbers on the back.
If anyone finds any good supplies, or has other great ideas for educational activities we can do with the students, please share them. There is so much potential, but the language barrier is quite large. Many of them speak very basic Spanish. Any ideas that transcend language, or provide basic language education would be great.
We have started to collect some good children's books in Spanish, and will start to read to them. Reading is not really a common thing to be passionate about or do here. We are hoping to show them what it is like to be passionate about reading. One of our long term goals is to put in a library in this little village.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Ursula was so patient with these kids -- especially since she only knows a few Spanish words! It was so great to have her help with the puzzle activity. And it was so great to have Marvin's help with Zane so that Danaya could participate a little more than usual.
Ursula was so patient with these kids -- especially since she only knows a few Spanish words! It was so great to have her help with the puzzle activity. And it was so great to have Marvin's help with Zane so that Danaya could participate a little more than usual.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Jose Chan!
This little boy's name is Jose, but the first day Dave saw him, Dave immediately thought he looked like Jackie Chan. Today Jose ended up using Danaya's computer, and it was connected to the internet. Dave searched for Jackie Chan's picture, and it was the joke of the day! It was really funny, and I think it made Jose's day. We wrote on the top of his picture, "my brother is Jackie Chan."
This little boy's name is Jose, but the first day Dave saw him, Dave immediately thought he looked like Jackie Chan. Today Jose ended up using Danaya's computer, and it was connected to the internet. Dave searched for Jackie Chan's picture, and it was the joke of the day! It was really funny, and I think it made Jose's day. We wrote on the top of his picture, "my brother is Jackie Chan."
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Trying to learn names
We are trying our best to learn these kids' names. Danaya took pictures of everyone today in the hopes of memorizing them. It's so fun to get to know them, and watch the shyness disappear.
We are trying our best to learn these kids' names. Danaya took pictures of everyone today in the hopes of memorizing them. It's so fun to get to know them, and watch the shyness disappear.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Waiting for the key
We had a Guatemalan start to the day. The guy who had the key to open our teaching house was 30 minutes late. Dave and Ursula saved the day by getting the kids to sit down along the wall, and taught some English. It's so different than schools in Canada. Teachers here are definitely not as structured, as accountable, or as concerned about making the most of every minute.
We had a Guatemalan start to the day. The guy who had the key to open our teaching house was 30 minutes late. Dave and Ursula saved the day by getting the kids to sit down along the wall, and taught some English. It's so different than schools in Canada. Teachers here are definitely not as structured, as accountable, or as concerned about making the most of every minute.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Fini! Completo!
This is Delmi, a junior-high student who works with Mayan Families. She worked hard on the puzzle this morning too.
This is Delmi, a junior-high student who works with Mayan Families. She worked hard on the puzzle this morning too.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Una Rompecabeza (Puzzle)
A puzzle is a "rompecabeza", which translates literally as "head-breaker". The boy on the right in the beige shirt is Gamaliel, and he is Estulio's son. He's a pleasure to have in class, as you would expect.
A puzzle is a "rompecabeza", which translates literally as "head-breaker". The boy on the right in the beige shirt is Gamaliel, and he is Estulio's son. He's a pleasure to have in class, as you would expect.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Fifth-Graders
I don't know if you've worked with fifth-graders in Canada, but the attention span is far greater here. You should have seen them run to get in the door this morning, racing to be first on the computers.
I don't know if you've worked with fifth-graders in Canada, but the attention span is far greater here. You should have seen them run to get in the door this morning, racing to be first on the computers.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Hola? What? Hello?
Zane found an old phone in the corner of the classroom today.
Zane found an old phone in the corner of the classroom today.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
The Canada Puzzle
Mom brought one of our favourite puzzles from home - a map of Canada.
Mom brought one of our favourite puzzles from home - a map of Canada.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Out of Gas
Yes, the engine and gas tank are in the back of the tuc-tuc, in case you've wondered.
Yes, the engine and gas tank are in the back of the tuc-tuc, in case you've wondered.
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Out of Gas
Our friend Abel ran out of gas on his way to pick us up this morning, so he arrived in a friend's tuc-tuc. His friend then siphoned gas into a water bottle to get Abel's tuc-tuc going again.
Our friend Abel ran out of gas on his way to pick us up this morning, so he arrived in a friend's tuc-tuc. His friend then siphoned gas into a water bottle to get Abel's tuc-tuc going again.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sewing Class at the Community Centre
We stopped by the sewing class at the community centre in Tierra Linda as well, since it's just down the street from the school. These ladies meet 2-3 times per week to learn to use the machines, and are taught by Alberto, who works for Mayan Families.
We stopped by the sewing class at the community centre in Tierra Linda as well, since it's just down the street from the school. These ladies meet 2-3 times per week to learn to use the machines, and are taught by Alberto, who works for Mayan Families.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Sewing
The students learn to use the machines, and when they graduate from class, they are given the machine as a graduation gift. The combination of a new skill and equipment gives them a trade that they can use to support a family.
Conexions has helped provide sewing machines over the years, and they are greatly appreciated here.
The students learn to use the machines, and when they graduate from class, they are given the machine as a graduation gift. The combination of a new skill and equipment gives them a trade that they can use to support a family.
Conexions has helped provide sewing machines over the years, and they are greatly appreciated here.
Posted via Pixelpipe.
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