Happy Birthday to my beautiful son! I love you and miss you so much! I hope you had a wonderful day today. You are the most wonderful son any mom could hope for!
Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. Thanksgiving isn't celebrated by Belizeans but all the Peace Corps volunteers gathered together on the Wednesday before. It was a wonderful dinner but have to admit that I had some trouble on that day missing Ashley, Bobby, and Aubrey and of course the nieces that usually get together for Thanksgiving. It just wasn't the same. I miss you.
I will be going back to San Miguel tomorrow and move into my 'cursed' house. So, if you don't hear from me for awhile you might want to call the Peace Corps office to make sure I'm still alive. Of course, we joke but if you could get the 'FEEL' of the Mayan K'ekchi people this is no joke. This past week was spent trying to get things ready. I had to dig a hole for the latrine so Aubrey will have a place to 'go' when she gets here. Then I put in two walls for a shower and ran pvc piping inside so I can have an inside shower It's actually one of the nicest homes in the village but no one would live there...except me!
With the house near readiness, I will be able to dive head first in a number of projects within San Miguel. I had anticipated that my Peace Corps experience would be projects involving hard labor (which I'm always up for). Instead, there are three major goals of Peace Corps. The first is to go to countries that want us there with help in training, technology, health issues,etc. The second and third goal involve the exchange of cultures--both directions. Now I'm supposed to assess what it is that my village wants...NOT what I want to do FOR them. So obviously, there are still questions in my mind where to begin. One thing that I notice is that there is no recreation in the village. The K'ekchi are such hard working and disciplined people with little or no time for anything else. They are staunch in maintaining their culture that they fear is slipping away. Of course there is the disappearance of the ancient Mayan civilization so they are desperately clutching to retain their heritage. I have heard that there are only 7000 K'ekchi people on the planet...most in Belize and some that are still in Guatemala. So you can imagine their trepidation about their youth becoming more 'worldly' aware. They fear the youth will marry outside their ethnicity and the inevitable disappearance of the their ancestry. Personally, I think this is happening right now. It's sad. They are such proud people. So...I wandered completely away from my train of thought (me????) but my point is I wish they had some form of recreation in San Miguel...a playground, a basketball court, a swing, a park bench---ANYTHING that doesn't involve work or school. Perhaps my first project...???
I miss you all. And, God bless us all...love, tracy
We could clear a field and make a baseball park :) if we build mom, they will come... Love u :)
ReplyDeletetracy, maybe you should do some research and see if they have a game or sport that is "their's", and do something with that.i had the most amazing camping trip this thanksgiving. it didn't start out very good. but got real good as it went along. i'll write you a letter and tell you about it. everyone misses you,
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Hey Tracy!! Good luck on the transition to your new home. Why is it considered "cursed"? I wanted to tell you I have a group of people collecting seeds so should be sending you a package in late Dec. I also plan to put $$ into your account soon for the scholarship or whatever. Best to you and all the PCV's! Karla :0)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're making great progress! Maybe you can paint the WC blue and orange in honor of the Gators, so Aubrey feels right at home when she arrives.
ReplyDeleteGot the stuff up to Aubrey and I'm working on a christmas care package next.
Hope you're staying healthy,
Katrin
tracy, i checked it out, and there is a game called "mayan ball game". it all depends on how much space you have to work with. if you google it it will tell you all about it. this is my last month at mike's, i'm moving into a place that will be closer to work, and better all the way around. i think the girls will like it better too. i give the girl's hugs & kisses from you every day. hope your new house is good. let me know if you need anything.
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tracy, it's called "mayan ball game",you need about a football field, it's like basketball, but you don't use your hands, feet, or forearms. the baskets are 29', and it used to involve human sacrafice, but i don't think they do that anymore. you should be the referee, just to make sure. how's the "cursed" house? how's the cold? don't let that get the best of you. want me to send some aleave or something? this is my last month at mike's. i got a place closer to work, and i think the girls will like it better to.i give them hugs and kisses from you every day,
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