Day: June 28, 2018

I’ve been home for a day, and already I’ve craved refried black beans and plantains three separate times. I tried to sleep in, but woke up at 7am out of habit. The coffee here already tastes… bleh. And I keep forgetting that I can throw toilet paper actually in the toilet. It’s been an abrupt change from my life in Antigua and my life in Belize to my life in the US; I really was surprised when I realized I had stopped sweating everywhere I went. As thrilled as I am to see my friends, my family, and my dogs, I can’t help but miss Antigua, Tikal, Lake Atitlan and Caye Caulker. We had a beyond incredible month doing everything you could possibly think of and more, and I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. I want the next group of students to have a FANTASTIC time on this study abroad, just like I did. So let me make a few suggestions:

1. Stuffed fried jacks in Caye Caulker. A must. It’s the perfect breakfast AND midday snack.
2. Choco Museo is worth your time!!! Say hi to Orlando at the Choco Museo by the arch for me. He’s super enthusiastic, and a great teacher.
3. Bring an extra suitcase. I came home with my whole suitcase full of wonderful things I had bought and all my clothes in a laundry bag.
4. Ask your host mother to teach you how to make fried plantains!
5. Eat all the tortillas you can.
6. Snorkel in Caye Caulker, even if you aren’t a great swimmer. Marine wildlife is the most fascinating to observe in its natural habitat, or at least I think so. Put sunscreen on your butt.
7. When you go to Tikal, go back into the ruins after your first hike. Take time to explore them on your own, get a little lost in a palace. Who knows when you’ll go back!
8. Go see the seahorses at the marine reserve in Caye Caulker! They’re endangered, and might be gone soon.
9. Hike Pacaya. It’s really not that hard. If you think you can’t do it, take a horse up. Very little compares to the view you get from the top.
10. Monterrico is a perfect place to practice body surfing. The waves are gigantic and not to be missed!
11. Never say ‘no’ because you’re tired. You can sleep when you’re dead in America, or wherever you call home. Don’t lose a second in Guatemala or Belize that you won’t be able to get back!

I won’t say that this trip *changed* me, because that’s cliche. But I will say that I’ve never been somewhere that I’ve been itching to return to from the second that I got home. Antigua, I love you!

I’ve talked a lot with some others in the program about how weird time feels while on this trip. The trip somehow simultaneously felt so short and so long. It flew by because we were doing so much every day. But I also can’t believe that everything that just happened, happened in the span of only four weeks. I feel like I lived in a whole other reality for a month.

My favorite part about this trip was, undoubtedly, the people.

The people in my homestay, who gave me a home away from home.
My host parents, Lucky and Jose, who emanate joy, and benefit the lives of all of their guests. I’ll miss Jose’s jokes, and Lucky’s expressiveness. The others in my homestay, who made it all the more lively. We would stay at the dinner table long after finishing our food, filling the kitchen with laughter. And of course, Monika, Scilla, and Andres, who became my little family.

The people of Antigua, who gave me a sense of familiarity.
The baristas at the coffee shop down the street, who I got to know even if only for a short time. I felt more like a “regular” there than I do in Austin. The people who lived on the same avenida as us, who would always wave or make conversation. The friendly De La Gente coffee brewing guide who shared his stories and thoughts with us and who we now all follow on instagram.

The Maya people, who generously shared their lives with us.
Delfina, who told us about how weaving was about far more than just money, and so many others, who showed us how much they cared about maintaining their heritage. Dolores, who candidly recounted the struggles of the civil war. Kawok, who allowed us to be a part of a ceremony, and freely shared his opinions about site access laws with me.

And lastly, the people on this trip with me, who I’ve now shared so many incredible experiences with.

From homestay dinners, to coffee tastings, to sleeping in a treehouse, to boat rides, to beautiful views, to archaeological sites, to workshops, to FOOD, to deep talks, to the jungle, to the beach, to snorkeling with sharks, this trip was full of moments I’ll never forget.

Whelp, it’s over now. Today, the first full day I’ve had in the United States in a month, has been really weird. Last night, I fell asleep in the clothes I wore on the plane and this morning I woke up extremely early to the sun just like I did in Caye Caulker (there it was at 5:30 in the morning). I also have to take a bunch of new antibiotics because I got sick on the last day of the trip, yay me!

But still, I wouldn’t trade any part of the last month for the world. I got to meet the best people and I’m confident we’ll remain friends because we’ve been snapping each other updates since we got home all day. I have a bunch of souvenirs and reminders that I’m excited to decorate my apartment with when I get back to Austin. Most importantly, I feel like I have a better understanding of the world and a better perspective on life from all the things I experienced while abroad.

It’s hard to pick a favorite memory, but a few that stick in my mind are 1. the food. I never considered myself a foodie or anything like that, and especially not much of a drinker, but the food and night life in Antigua are like, so much better than what I’m used to eating fast food all the time here in the States.

2. Being in nature. I lost count of how many different environments we were in over just 4 and a half weeks. We made it all the way from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic in that time and I also got a tan, lost a shoe in the ocean, got extremely itchy from mosquito bites, jumped over snakes in the jungle, and got frustratingly tangled hair from the wind on all the boat rides. But there were also so many opportunities to become acquainted with forms of nature I’d never seen before and think about how people (not me) can survive and thrive in all these environments.

That brings me to 3. the people. Our homestay family was made up of some of the most caring and generous people I’ve ever met. We couldn’t understand each other very well but always made every effort to listen and learn from each other. I made a list in my journal of all the cool people we met along the way as a way to remember them all. They were all so accommodating in their own special ways.

This trip is especially sentimental for me because I just graduated so it’s really my last experience with UT, at least for a while. I’m so glad that I made so many new friends when I’m leaving so much behind as I move on to the next chapter in my life. Peace n love to all you guys.

I’m exhausted. These past four weeks have completely drained me, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy every minute of it. Some of my most memorable experiences have come from this trip. From hiking Pacaya and going to the black sand beaches of Monterrico with practically strangers, to coming back home having snorkeled with people I can call friends.

Not only have I made great friends during this program, but I’ve also come away with three great mentors: Catherine, Alex, and of course, Astrid. This program was only so enjoyable because we had such great faculty to facilitate it.

This trip is hopefully only the beginning of my study abroad experiences. I hope to spend my next two summers being a part something as amazing as this program!

So… we have concluded our travels through Central America and have safely returned back to the states. I must say that it feels as though I was just home a few days ago. I cannot believe I have been gone for a MONTH now! Within that month, I have done so many things I never thought I would get an opportunity to do. From hiking an active Guatemalan volcano, to spending the night on the black sand beach that same day.

I have witnessed lively waters of Lake Atitlan, taken wet and wild boat rides, and met some of the amazing and strong people of Guatemala. I have learned the magic of chocolate, coffee, jade, textiles, ceramics, Maya spirituality & architecture, and music, and even got to test my own hand at these crafts (and was the best at grinding the creamiest cacao beans according to Orlando, our Choco Museo tour guide, might I add!)

Little ol’ me has even hiked through the lowland jungles of Guatemala to visit Ancient Maya Archaeological sites and have reached the top of several of these magnificent structures!

And oh, don’t get me started on Belize! The sunsets, beaches, and creole accents of every local Belizean I came in contact with had me falling in love with the country more and more every day. I never wanted the dream to end and I couldn’t believe I had been ignorant of such a beautiful country for so long. I cannot WAIT to come back!

I have found a home in my host family, made some amazing friends (whom I will DEFINITELY be catching up with back in Austin), and gained a whole new knowledge and appreciation for the people, and culture of the Maya, Guatemalans, and Belizeans during my short time learning through them. Having this experience come to an end still seems unreal and I cannot belize we had to conclude our adventures to come back home (womp womp). Although I am gone, I will never forget the memories I have made through this Maymester.

Coming into the program I was excited to be joining and felt that it would be the best fit for my degree plan but also wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Having reached the end of the program I am certain that everything I have seen and done has far exceeded any expectations I could have had. We came to see first hand the ancient Maya history we had studied in class and observe the present of the Maya descendants. Guatemala and Belize became our classroom and the hands-on and in-person experience cannot be rivaled.

As a group we were able to experience so much in such a relatively short amount of time. We ate the local foods and sometimes were able to participate in the making of it. There was a lot of walking and climbing on our excursions that definitely payed off. We were able to see and hear a number of cultures coming together, both in Guatemala and Belize. Like the Maya, we were able to witness the Earth as a living thing. For me personally, even the smallest interactions with the people made for great memories.

Leaving was bittersweet, having come to think of these people and places as family and home while also looking forward to being back to my actual home. There was comfort in thinking that it can be I would come back someday and it will not be a permanent goodbye. I am thankful to the many people who welcomed us into their homes and work spaces and allowed us to see and participate in their way of life while sharing their knowledge. I am also grateful to Astrid, Alex, Catherine, and Mily for making this trip possible and enjoyable for everyone and having so much patience with these excited college students. The program was a life-changing and eye-opening experience that I could not recommend enough.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/155629884@N04/29184357808/in/dateposted/

I have been back home for a day now and it feels so strange to be back to “normal” life. I had so many amazing experiences while in Guatemala and Belize, especially during the past few days in Caye Caulker!

However my favorite experiences were the ones I shared with the people I met along the way. I loved eating meals with my homestay family and getting to know them over delicious, homecooked food. Doña Lucky and Don Jose are some of the kindest and most loving people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.

I loved meeting the guides and locals throughout the trip. It was incredibly powerful to learn about the work of the women at the Casa Flor Ixcaco and San Antonio Village co-ops. They are all dedicated and knowledgeable about the work they do, from dyeing thread to making tortillas! It was also incredibly meaningful to learn about stories or traditions I would have otherwise never have known, such as how the Civil War affected the town of Santiago Atitlan as well as all of Guatemala. It is very humbling to hear about the lives of people from another place/culture and I am very grateful to all of them for being willing to share their stories with us

This was my last class as a UT student and it was the perfect end to my undergraduate career. I encourage everyone, including graduating seniors, to study abroad! I know I will look back at my time in Guatemala and Belize with profound happiness. I am so glad I’ll be able to start life as a Texas Ex with more understanding and empathy towards the people and world around me.

Well, in my first blog post I wrote about being nervous and not knowing what to expect from my first time living in another country, and that insecurity quickly grew into an admiration and respect for the country of Guatemala and later Belize.

Our trip was filled with amazing, unique experiences and lessons we couldn’t have done or seen anywhere else. Before this, I have to admit, I never knew anything about either of these countries, their people, heritage, or culture, but I am so grateful to be able to have educated myself and learn about them first-hand. The Maya culture was especially eye-opening; I was so glad to see their culture, which we have seen before through the distorted lens of western media, for what it truly was and how it was still being practiced and kept alive. Of course, all the people from these countries, Maya, Guatemalan, or Belizean, were incredibly humble, kind, and generous, especially all of our homestay families who so graciously took us in as part of their own families.

Late Squad and the incredible, fabulous, loving Doña Ana!

Throughout the trip we took so many excursions and did so many things I never even thought I would ever experience. We toured and climbed up ancient Maya sites, climbed a volcano, experienced first-hand the consequences of volcanic eruptions, learned about the processes of chocolate, coffee, and jade production, saw the work of creating authentic ceramics and cotton clothing, rode through lakes and rivers, made tortillas and pottery, and scuba dived with sharks and sting rays. Lastly, but just as important, I made incredible friends along the way that I know will stay with me beyond this trip.

If that doesn’t convince you to try your hand at studying abroad, I’m not sure what else would! But I do know this, this trip opened my eyes to so many things I didn’t know before, and it will stay with me forever, and I am incredibly glad and grateful that I was able to do it in the first place and have the amazing instructors that I did.

So, to Astrid, Catherine, Mily, and Alex, thank you for all your hard work and dedication and making this program an unforgettable one.

A quick recap since Atitlan:

guat’s up!

We were on the lake for 3 days and, as I wrote about briefly in my “comedic” blog post with Alan a couple weeks ago, the Mayan Ken ceramics workshop had been my favorite excursion to date. While it’s still up there on my list, we have done SO many amazing things since then.

To start…..I got salmonella! That was a bummer (not amazing). Catherine (our wonderful amazing TA) and Mily (the sweetest amazing on-site coordinator at Casa Herrera) took Hayley (another sickie) and I to the doctor together one morning, and aside from getting blood tests, trying not to throw up, and talking about our stool, we had a pretty ok time! I got my prescription and started feeling better so fast! By the next day I was well enough to travel with the group to Guatemala City. I was so glad I was able to go to the National Museum after learning so much about the San Bartolo Murals and talking about them with our very own Astrid, David Stuart, and Heather Hurst. We were so lucky that our program coincided with the opening of this exhibition and the accompanying reception at the Casa.

Leaving Antigua was bittersweet: we all quickly became very attached to our homestay families and had become comfortable and familiar with the city. I’ve been missing it since we left and continue to now that I’m back home in Austin! On our last day, Kawok performed a Maya ceremony with us to send us off with well wishes and safe travels. It was the perfect way to leave such a beautiful place and to learn about our personalized nawales from an actual day keeper.

After a couple days of buses and plane rides, we made it to The Jungle. Lots of bugs, very sweaty, but my favorite part of the trip. I got to wear Scilla’s cool red bandana (thanks Scilla!) so I wouldn’t get bot flies in my hair! We spent the morning at Tikal exploring the grounds and climbing Temple IV, the tallest of the temples at Tikal. But after lunch was actually my favorite part: a smaller group of us went back out with Astrid and Alex so we got more time to have conversations about where we were, what types of buildings we were standing in/on, and how the Maya would’ve interacted in the exact places we were standing in. And to top it all off, we climbed to the top of Mundo Perdido to see the almost sunset (although we’re lucky we got to see anything at all after the guard told us we weren’t allowed onto the platform after our strenuous hike up). Even though this 4-sided ceremonial complex looked relatively small from the top of Temple IV, I felt like I could see everything from the top. Totally worth the steep climb.

From there we went to Belize. I could talk forever about everything we did but I won’t. I’ll just say that I had a great time on all the boat rides! And… I got sick again, but enjoyed every minute of this trip regardless. I have made lasting friendships, and can’t wait for the day that I can return to even one of the fascinating places I was able to travel to in this past month that felt like a life time.

byelize!

xoxo KB