For some of you your trip to Guatemala might feel like a distant dream, something you still can’t believe actually happened and for others the trip in Guatemala is very present everyday in your lives, constantly reflecting and moving forward in being the best global citizen you can be. Our trip to Guatemala was absolutely incredible and the bonds that we shared with one another are the true champions of the experience! Nobody else can understand our time in Xela like we do and I’m so glad that I got to spend my GLA summer with you all, learning, growing and laughing along the way!
My favorite memories come from my conversations with you, getting to know you all and helping you conquer some serious fears-from zip-lining , to ‘extreme bathroom usage’ at the weaver’s house in Momostenango, to confronting the awful realities of the girls in the ‘hogar’. I’m so proud of each and everyone of you who stared difference right in the face and just rolled with it, even when our own life experiences, ideas and opinions were very different from those around us. You ladies are a 10/10, picture of greatness!
I LOW-KEY learned a ton from each and every one of you and just want to tell you, you’re A-1 students. Nayo still wears his GOAT t-shirt and is working hard to maintain great relationships with the school, Pacaja, so that GLA can continue to work there on future projects! The newly painted green desks are a showstopper in the classrooms and the kids continue to study hard without having to look at those poorly chosen words etched into the tops. The newly painted kitchen caught the eyes of the teachers and the classroom that you helped plaster is nearly complete! Hopefully we’ll have paint and desks in there soon!
Brian continues to wear his ‘jorts’ and socks with flip-flops, in true dad fashion but laughs anytime someone mentions it since you ladies loved to tease him on that! Ana continues to insert random Spanish words into her speeches, because you know, nothing is complete with a random “bien” thrown in there! Nicole has left her nursing duties but her time with GLA has definitely given her some new medical experience!
Some amazing memories:
-Temblor!!!! (AKA mini earthquake)
-zip-lining over a waterfall, and getting eaten by all the mosquitos there…that’s ok, worth it!
-The wedding ceremony on our first day-there’s no better first day bonding than that!
-10/10 picture of health
-drinking the suero (hydration packets) even if we didn’t want to
-random dance party in the living room!
-playing with the kids at the daycare center and singing songs while in the classrooms teaching
-Wal-mart shopping, where the ladies went crazy and bought almost everything in sight.
We all hope that you are doing well and adjusting to your new schedules, school, jobs, classes or whatever it may be. Do good, continue with community service at home and remember that Guatemala loves you!
We appreciate you,
-Nicole, Ana, Brian + GLA Guatemala Staff
Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our new destinations for Summer 2018, or enroll now.
