Earthquake Help

Hello all.

This blog will be a bit different than most because I am asking for your help. As you may know, Guatemala was struck with a 7.4 earthquake yesterday morning. Because Guatemala is such a small, third world country, it often does not get the exposure that others do. This quake has brought many homes down and turned pueblos into rubble.

(Pictures taken from CONRED and Nuestro Diario Facebook pages)

I was at school when the quake hit (I was actually using the restroom but that is a totally different story!) The school is in order and all buildings are structurally sound. Our teachers did a wonderful job with keeping calm and leading the students in the correct manner. I couldn't have asked for a better situation while being responsible for 180 children! Luckily, when I returned home, I have found all of my belongings safe and sound. However, just 40 miles away, San Marcos had major damage (see images above). I have done a bit of research and I have found that there are a few places that are collecting items to be donated to people in need. 

I am planning on going and buying some of these things to donate this weekend. That's where you come in. If you would like to help out as well, please send me an email (liz.cromwell@gmail.com) and let me know how much you would like to donate and I will go buy that amount of goods. To make this easy, once you email me, I will send you an address in the states and I will be able to deposit the money into my account that way. I know this isn't the best way to go about it but I figured I would see if any of you would be interested in helping the people of Guatemala out as well. Please keep in mind that even $5.00 would be a huge help. Money goes much further here than in the states!

More than anything, please keep Guatemala and it's people in your prayers! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Liz

A morning at El Baul

"You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know." - Rene Daumal

Successful Sunday?

I think so!

Fall

"In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October, when the trees are bare to the mild heavens, and the red leaves bestrew the road, and you can feel the breath of winter, morning and evening -- no days so calm, so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air." 

-Alexander Smith

I miss the fall. It is true. 

October. 

Leaves changing color. 

Oklahoma Football (BOOMER SOONER). 

Pumpkin Spice Lattes. 

Changing temperatures. 

Bond Fires. 

It's just not the same in Guatemala.

Colombian Tribal Dancing

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.”
― Rumi

Anyone want to go to Colombia and learn some tribal dancing? It was the most impressive dance I have ever seen. These people can MOVE!

Rain, rain, GO AWAY!

I have been back from Cartagena for almost two weeks now and I feel like I need my scuba gear here more than I needed it there. There has not been one day that it has not rained (and I mean really rained) and I'm just about sick of it. I have decided that I will never live in the Pacific Northwest and if I am ever talking about moving there, just remind me of October 2012.

On another note, Colombia was beautiful and I learned so much. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to go and meet so many wonderful educators from this part of the world. And, it doesn't hurt when you are in a place like this...

Playa Blanca, Isla Baru, Colombia

One good thing about this rainy weather is the fact that I have a little companion that likes to snuggle up to keep warm. I have donated one of my old soccer jerseys to him to help him stay warm. It just goes to show he is truly a Guatemalan!

I will try to remember to check in again soon and put a few more pictures up from Colombia. I hope all is well with everyone!



Playlist
Wordsworth Ridge by Sufjan Stevens
She's Everything by Brad Paisley
Let's Go by The Cars
Your Smiling Face by James Taylor

Cartagena

Hello there, I just wanted to take a moment and share my reality with you.

I'm in Cartagena, Colombia for a conference. I had the opportunity to come in a couple days early to see the sights and go diving. I won't be able to upload pictures while I am here but I may try to tell a few stories. Stay posted!