Host Family

Guatemala, Mi Amor (Day Two): Knocking on the Door

March 31, 2024April 5, 2024 First Person ForeignAbuelita

I hadn’t made it to my house when I saw a familiar face on the corner. She was holding a young hand, the eldest of Doña Cecilia and I couldn’t remember the father’s name. “Y mi[…]

Las montañas: Returning to Guatemala, 1

February 26, 2024 First Person ForeignBeauty

So, I booked a trip. I’ve been lucky to book so many before, but this one took some plotting. All of the layovers on the US dollar looked egregious: red eyes on opposite coasts, or[…]

Airplane Mode (3): Returning

July 17, 2021July 17, 2021 First Person ForeignAbuelita

“La mejor parte de estar roto es que encuentras a quienes son capaces de darte partes suyas para que tú vuelvas a estar completo.” -Alejandro Sequera, Mi Viaje Sin Ti Keep in mind, I am[…]

What I Miss (Bonus Post): Buen Provecho

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

I sat at a bar graduation party on a patio, my new roommate’s graduation party, and I didn’t know what to do with my hands. My new roommate has tattoos and a septum ring and[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Ringing That Bell

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

I’ve imagined the bell-ringing since the third week of service. An RPCV (return Peace Corps Volunteer) finished her service as we were starting ours, and she had a ceremony and she was kind enough to[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): Leaving Santa Clara La Laguna, My Home

April 7, 2019April 10, 2019 First Person ForeignAbuelita

The Wednesday before my departure was a dress rehearsal. I’ll explain what I mean by that. I had to go into the office for medical stuff, and for a meeting. I don’t recommend leaving site[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): The Last Santa Clara Day

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019 First Person ForeignAbuelita

I’ve called Santa Clara home since December 2, 2016. Abuelita, Clara and Rosario are all part of my story now, and me a part of theirs. And I know how hard it is going to[…]

T-minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): La(s) Despedida(s) in Santa Clara

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019 First Person ForeignBeauty

Sunday and Monday were despedida days. Despedir means: To say goodbye. What I love about the Spanish language is that there are verbs that sum-up an action in one word, like aprovechar, to take advantage,[…]

T-minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): The Wednesday Takes It All

March 24, 2019March 26, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

On Tuesday night, I couldn’t sleep. A mac track of tasks hit me: packing for a travel day the next day, packing for leaving forever, plus all the work I had to do tomorrow. All[…]

T-Minus Guatemala (Peace Corps Ending): A Double-Feature, My Last Work Monday and Tuesday

March 24, 2019March 24, 2019 First Person ForeignChanges

Dios Mío. There aren’t other words. But this is a blog, so there are. On my second-to-last Monday in site (the 18th) I got myself out of bed, showered, coffee-powered and out the door to[…]