Blame Roe. She made me find my password so I could blog again. So here I am! Back in Quetzaltenango with my beloved clowns, this time juggling a full-time job (¡que telecommute!) and designing promotional material for a super duper 10-day Teatro del Oprimido event in January, and their new calendario and…and…I’d like to build another stove or two while I’m here. And hike up volcán Santaguito. And do a 4-day trek to Nebaj. And visit a few Mayan ruins. And go to the beach.
I’ve been here almost a week and I may as well just be home. It feels that easy and comfortable…I did think I was going to have trouble getting up to Xela. Right before I arrived, Guatemala apparently had 15 days straight of torrential rain. Roads were closed, and travel north was reportedly not possible. Roads were definitely closed and there were mudslides and detours galore, but I wasn’t stuck for more than a day in Antigua. And I bet if I tried real hard, I could have gotten here last Tuesday night.
But instead I chilled in Antigua for a day. Caught up on work from home, met Stef’s friend Cristophe who has a cute little hotel called Chez Cristophe right off el parque. Had some nice conversations in Spanish with drivers, waiters, porters. I was using all sorts of tenses and chatting easily about all sorts of subjects, which gave me a false sense of confidence in my Spanish-speaking abilities. Up until the moment William (my most successful conversation!) dropped me off in front of mi casa from Cuatro Caminos, I was really optimistic that I learned so much last year and that a year of not practicing much didn’t do that much damage. But when I was out the other night I had a real hard time following normal conversation. And I’m pretty sure I told Fernando (a musician I know from here, who transported calendars to NYC last year) to have a good trip to somewhere he wasn’t traveling to. Twice.
Maybe I can only speak service-industry Spanish. And maybe I can only really understand children, Spanish teachers and very patient young tour guide operators.
Hoping to blog a few times a week, but have a heavy workload and would really like to spend weekends exploring…but I do have 24-hour access to hi-speed internet…and I can upload pics from the house this year so watch out…día de los muertos is just around the corner! Okay, I think there’s a glass of wine in the kitchen with my name on it…mas mañana.
Yay! I’m so happy that you are going to try to blog! I didn’t realize that you had gone already. I just spent the night sculpting un payaso for you and I come on here and see you are back there already! It’s meant to be!
I am, I had to get here fast to be back by Thanksgiving. It’s not going to be the same as last year since I’m pretty much working full time here the way I would if I were home in my treehouse. But weekends…well, I’m sure I’ll find some photo ops and chances to butcher the Spanish language. And dia de los muertos is right around the corner! Can’t wait!
Tu sculpted un payaso para mi? Wow! Muchas gracias…me envias un foto por favor!!!
xxoo
It’s drying! Then I have to paint it! It’s taking so long to dry, you may be back already!!! I hope that you can put some pics up but I am so happy that you are able to have both work that you love and the ability to pursue your passions. I am so happy for you. <3
Muchas gracias mi prima del sol xx
Have a great trip, my friend!! Glad u got there safe! And its always nice to go back to a place that is familiar with lots to discover and rediscover! I was wondering if u were going to BLOG again! 🙂 love u!
Thanks honey! It is great, and I really love this group, they are so welcoming and affectionate and fun and happy and huggy…I hug anyone who hugs me, it’s great!
I have to try and get on Facebook a little more while I’m here to feel more connected to home…I am on the computer like 12 hours a day with job work and clown work…I need to try and fit in some FUN computer stuff.
I’m hoping for a dia de los muertos adventure, but I don’t think I can top last year in drunk town.
Love you xxxooo
OK, NOW I AM HAPPY. WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHERE U R AND WHAT U R DOING. AM I THE ONLY CRAZY PERSON?
No, mama Karsay is also a crazy person…and now she has a phone number where she can call me and even leave a message so now I’ll have no excuse for not keeping in touch! I think I’m going to take a walk to the market and buy some chicken, or some broccoli. Or I might just go out and find some Chinese food, or Indian food tonight.
Lotsa hugs xx
No! I am too! 🙂
Should I give you my skype phone number…it’s like calling me in the Bronx! Hahahaha…do you have a camera on your computer, cuz now I can show you where I live. It’s great having my laptop!! xx
I think that I’m going to get one this weekend! I’m so excited to see you for real in person almost!!!
Hooray!! Tomorrow there will be lotsa clowns en casa, if you got your camera maybe we can skype or gmail video chat!
Yay for Roe!!!
Now you don’t seem so far away.
xxxxxoooooo
I’m never that far away…only in miles!! xxxooo
ok, it’s time to hear from you
Hahaha, okay, okay, will write something now…