"Welcome Back," Guatemala said!

Back in my favorite cafe, writing this blog! I wish you all could experience this incredible place with me!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."


Well, I'm here. It was a long hard trip but I finally made it in Wednesday night. I will try to describe my trip but I don't think I could ever do it justice. There is one thing that is for sure, Guatemala greeted me in fashion!

I started out in DC Wednesday morning at the airport at 5:45am. I had my backpack packed and I was ready to start this adventure. I checked in and headed to my gate. My first flight was wonderful. I slept most of the way and woke up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I had about an hour before my flight left for Guatemala City so I made a few last minute phone calls to say 'see ya later' and headed to my gate. I was immediately reminded of Guatemala because instead of forming a nice line and being orderly, everyone was standing very close to each other in a big herd. We were boarding by zones and I was in Zone One. I was quick to remember that I needed to push my way through the herd, otherwise, I wouldn't get through. So, as I pushed my way to the front with many 'perdons' and 'lo seintos', my heart was awakened once more to these beautiful people (it helps that I could see all of them since I'm a head taller than most of them!) I found my seat and conveniently stored my carry on in the compartment above me and settled in for the 2 1/2 hour flight. As we were pushing away from the gate, my stomach suddenly growled. I had forgotten to eat. In most situations, this would be fine. I could pick something up at the airport, on the plane, or on the way to my next destination. Well, the Guatemala airport doesn't have the best food selection. The airlines charge for all drinks and food (at least Spirit Air does) and since I'm being thrifty, I'm not going to spend 3 dollars on a bag of chips. And I had to get to the bus station as quickly as possible when I had passed immigration and customs. So, I was out of luck. I was sitting next to a pair of sisters and they were heading down for a mission trip and had lots of breakfast bars and they gave me one (thank God!). I eagerly ate it and fell asleep.

As we approached Guate, I could see 3 volcanoes and the mountain range was so green. I could tell that the rainy season was good to Central America. We landed at 11:35am and I jumped up out of my seat and walked briskly to immigration. I was happy to see that I was one of the first ones there and didn't have to wait. Everything was looking great for me to make the 12:30 bus to Xela. I would arrive around 5 and I could see everyone, have dinner, and play a game of cards. Well, that was the plan, and as most of you know that have been following my journey over the last year, my plans don't always work.

I didn't get my back until 12:15 and I still needed to get cash. I decided to give up on the early bus and just take a 2:30 bus. My friends were expecting me but I figured I would arrive in Guatemalan fashion and be a few hours late.

Well, the bus did leave at 2:30 but it wasn't totally full so the driver proceeded to drive around the City until the bus was full. My head was started to hurt due to not having my daily diet coke (yes, I've become one of those, dang it!) so I figured the best way to fight it off was to try to sleep. We finally filled the bus and headed out on the Guatemalan portion of the Pan-American highway. We were cruising along nicely (and by nicely I mean, we were taking corners at a speed that I wouldn't travel in my Honda Accord, and we were in a big charter bus!) and making good time. I was feeling okay by this time (thanks to the motion sickness patch that is ever so faithful!) and I could see the improvements that had been made on the highway. We passed beautiful fields that were growing huge vegetables in very straight rows. We passed land slides that had been cleaned up and we continued to pick people up and drop them off along this mountainous road. At five o'clock, we had made it far enough on the road that the pavement had run out and we were now on a dirt road. The traffic in front of us was stopped. I was okay with this for the first 20-30 minutes. You can always expect this to happen because of the construction. But when this turned into an hour, I was starting to get restless. We had traveled 1/2 mile in an hour. I was tempted to get my backpack, and start walking. I was starting to feel sick but was trying to fight it off due to the lack of bathroom on this bus. We continued this way for a total of 2 1/2 hours. The only way I can describe it is like this, A dirt road+burning rubber+violent brakes+Charter buses acting like off road vehicles+crazy driving+an ambulance or two+chicken buses cutting people off+Liz getting carsick=trip from hell.

I finally arrived in Xela at 9:30pm. I was close enough to walk to Michael's house (where I was suppose to meet everyone at 5) so I headed there to check in. I'm sure I had a nice greenish tint to my face when I got there but I was still fighting off getting sick (you know, to avoid the whole, hey, it's great to see you, can I go puke in your bathroom?) I ended up heading down to the girls' apartment and ran into a friend on the way down the hill (again, afraid that I was going to get sick in front of him, on the street, like all the drunks often do) and quickly headed on my way. I got to the girls house and was introduced to all the new girls and quickly headed to bed. I changed clothes, arranged my stuff, and brushed my teeth. I couldn't hold out any longer. I finally got sick and immediately felt so much better. I figured it was the perfect way to end this 'perfect' day. This is the same way that I arrived in Xela last January so I felt it was appropriate and even though I felt horrible, it was somewhat familiar.

I went up to the school yesterday and saw the rest of the staff and my incredible kiddos! They have all grown so much and their English has improved tremendously. I couldn't believe it! When I first saw them in the morning, they were really shy and just stared at me, but as the day went on, they got used to the idea that I was back.

We went to dinner last night with my close friends (The Macy's, The Schyder's, Randi, and Tank) and it was great to catch up with everyone. Everyone but Tank was here last year ( I know him from camp) so it was fun hearing stories and looking back at last spring. After dinner, Tank and I walked around for a little bit in search of an open ATM and an open grocery store. It's amazing what you take for granted in the states. He walked me back to the house and I headed to bed. I decided not to get up and go to the school today. I wanted to fill everyone in on what was going on so far and I need to enroll in Spanish school. I have found a lady to live with for the next two weeks. Her daughter is getting married this weekend and she doesn't want to be lonely so I will have the whole upstairs to myself and I will be in the Democracia (the vegetable market). The house is only a 2 minute walk to McNabb's and The Macy's so I will be close to everyone!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween. There is a big gathering tonight so I'm sure I will have updates about that in a few days! Keep in touch!

Viva La Vida!

Liz

Playlist:
Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks
Crazy by Pat Green
Forgiven by Alanis Morissette
Piano Man by Elton John
All You Need Is Love by Lynden David Hall
Kiss Kiss by Chris Brown
Suffer By Among The Ashes
Stollen Car by Patty Griffin
Fireworks by Neighborhood
Summer Lovin' by Grease cast
Every Day by Rascal Flat
Yeah! by Usher
He Said She Said by Joe Purdy
High and Dry by Radiohead

Inspiration in the Capital

I left Oklahoma on Thursday. As this (obviously) is saddening, I have had a wonderful time in DC. The first morning I was here, we went to the Library of Congress and took a private tour. I wasn't too excited about getting up early the first morning of my vacation (especially after a long day traveling the day before) but I was pleasantly surprised at what awaited me in this national treasure! I learned that this library has two copies of every book that has been published in the USA. Yes, that's right, two of each! That's a lot of book! Anyway, as I was listening to our french tour guide, I got a little distracted and my mind started wandering (as it often does) and I came to the conclusion that all the knowledge in the USA is contained within these walls (twice over)! I was very impressed by this and I can't wait until I can go back and get my library card and go study in the most magnificent readying room I have ever seen (http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/reference_library/pix/library_of_congress_reading.jpg). I hope that you all get the chance to see this beautiful place sometime and will take the time to soak in all the details that have gone into it!


I have been to DC quite a bit in the last few years considering Emily and Charlie have been up here. I have seen the Smithsonian's and lounged on the national mall but there is something that we did today that I have never done. One of Emily's friends was running in the Marine Corps Marathon and since it was such a nice day, we thought we would go check out the run and cheer her on. We got there early and little did I know the impact that these runners would have on me. There were booths set up and the community had really come out to support these runners but all I could see were these people that were giving it their all. Each one of them had put so much time and energy into training and there was a reason and story behind each runner. People ran by with loved ones pictures, veterans carried flags and had names of their buddies on their shirts that hadn't made it home, couples ran by hand in hand, best friends encouraged each other, and one guy even came by on a skate board. He wasn't standing on the skate board, mind you, because he didn't have any legs. This man was sitting on the skate board and propelling himself forward by pushing off the cement with his hands...for 26.2 miles! These things brought tears to my eyes. We stayed and cheered for the runners for 2 hours and my family had to practically drag me away. I was totally tranfixed with the idea of helping and cheering for all these people who were totally vunerable to all of us in their blood, sweat and tears. The least I could do was yell for them and ring my handy cow bell!

We complain about being tired and busy but we have been given so much more than what we use. So, with this, I encourage you to do something today that you wouldn't normally do.

I have two more days in the US before I head out for Guatemala on Wednesday. I am looking forward to spending these days in DC exploring the city a little more but I am ready to get back down there. I have already been thinking about all the things that I have forgotten that I miss (ex. adventures on chicken buses, Perrito and all the other streets dogs, and my favorite street vendor, Pollo Tobi!) I will keep you up to date and you may even get one more blog before I leave the states! Keep in touch!

Viva La Vida,

Liz













(This was a squirrel we saw eating a pumpkin. I have never seen this before and I hope that this little guy doesn't share this knowledge with his squirrely friends...needless to say, I thought it was pretty funny and I hope you guys enjoy it as well!)

Storypeople.com story:

"We lay there & looked up at the night sky & she told me about stars called blue squares & red swirls & I told her I'd never heard of them. Of course not, she said, the really important stuff they never tell you. You have to imagine it on your own."

Playlist:

The Tree Song by Bebo Norman
Me and Mrs. Jones by Michael Buble
Your Smiling Face by James Taylor
Pearls on a String by Ryan Adams
First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
Sideways by Citizen Cope
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face by Coldplay

preparation

I would like to start by apologizing because after my last post, I realized that I had forgotten about my playlist so without saying anything else, the playlist has returned and I am currently listening to 'All My Ex's Live In Texas'...the full list will be at the bottom of the post.

Well, the preparation has started. I am starting to get 'my affairs in order' as some would say. I wouldn't put it that way because I think it sounds like I'm cheating on my husband (which I don't have) or being promiscuous or something (which I'm not being). But anyway, that's what I have been doing recently. I am starting to make the rounds to see my good friends for another round of 'see ya laters' and checking the travel websites one more time for travel advisories (yes, I am one of those that plays it safe). I have also been doing a little research as to what Spanish school I will attend. I have decided that I will stay in Xela for Spanish school due to rule of elimination. My choices were Xela, Antigua, San Pedro (Lago de Atitlan), or a small village. Antigua is the center of all that is tourist so I figured that wouldn't be good for the cultural experience. San Pedro is beautiful but supposedly, it is at one of those energy spots on earth so there are all sorts of new age things that go on. Emily (my sister) found this picture online and warned me that if I go to San Pedro, I may come home with a boyfriend that looks like this http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/brown/archives/JoeyIsrael.gif. You must understand, I have nothing against dreadlocks or bearded men but I would rather experience Guatemala for what it is worth. I can get all the dreads and beards in the USA. And for the village, I think it would be a great oppurtunity to have total and complete immersion but the thought of potentially being the only gringa around makes me a little nervous. Thus, I decided on staying in Xela. I am really happy about this. I will be able to see my friends that are down there a little more even though I am going to try to branch out some as well. I feel like Xela is the perfect combination of all the things I am looking for. I looked at a few schools today (http://www.xelapages.com/juansisay/ and http://www.sakribal.com/). The first one has a volunteer oppurtunity that looks especially inviting. If I bring some medical supplies as a donation, I will be able to stand in on a surgical procedure. Pretty cool, right? Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped about it. After reading that, however, it made me realize even more how much I DON'T want to have surgery in Guatemala so if you all could do me a favor and send up a prayer for my health while I am there, I would greatly appreciate it!

I would love to hear about what is going on with all of you so please don't hesitate to send an email (liz.cromwell@gmail.com) with an update of you and your family!

Vive La Vida!

Liz

P.S. I have a new favorite wedsite. It is www.storypeople.com. I am going to include a snipit from this website from now on when I think about it! Here's the first one:

"Leaning out as far as she can, hoping she'll fall soon, so she can stop worrying about whether it will happen or not."


Playlist:
All my ex's Live in Texas by George Straight
Jump (for my love) by The Pointer Sisters
Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
Something More by Jenny Owens
Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson
Train Under Water by Bright Eyes
Shake your Bon Bon by Ricky Martin
Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead

It's official!

Well, it's official! I have finally bought my ticket to return to Central America! My time in Enid has been wonderful and filled with many friends, great family, and extraordinary memories from the last four months but the time has come for me to return to Latin America! I will be heading out October 23 to spend some time with my sister in DC before I leave from there the 29th! At this point, I have only bought a one way ticket (this doesn't mean that I'm never coming back), so I'm not sure when I will return. I have a few different options so we will see how they play out. When I get down there, I am planning on going and visiting friends in Xela (this is where I spent the spring of 2008) and then attending Spanish school somewhere in Guatemala! I have a friend that will be joining me to travel for a few weeks in Guatemala so we will be together for Thanksgiving with the other teachers from IAS and then I am planning on heading to Costa Rica or South America. My plans are up in the air but that's the only way to do it down there because plans are going to change anyway. So, that's what's going on with me.

The time that I have been back in the states has been wonderful. I was able to visit my mom in Louisiana with some great friends. I was also able to see my Texas 'family' a couple times. I spent two weeks in DC with Emily and Charlie, and a week in Wyoming and Colorado. I have had time to process and to evaluate what I want to do and what I have been doing since I graduated in December of 2005. I didn't realize how I hadn't taken the time to slow down and look at my life. It has been so refreshing! I have even had time to get bored! In this bordem, I have started looking at what will be after my travels and as I discussed this issue with a friend, the advice that I received was figure it out when I'm in Guatemala! Ha! I don't know if I can do that or not but what I do know is that I will be moving to DC when I return and then to Wyoming after that! (More details on those moves later)

I hope that all of you are doing well! Please keep me updated with your lives and be looking for more updates more regularly now that I will be back on the road!

Liz