First day of Easter or Holy Week break started out like any other day-I felt that I was in for a day of mind numbing boredom with no travel plans, no friends in town, chores to do, a bored puppy.....I thought I would take a hike on the mountain but not entirely enthusiastic about the idea, i decided to stall by taking care of the pile of dishes in the sink and dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

The sky was cloudy, as it had been the past few days, and which my counterpart accounted to burning sugar cane on the coast...I was a little doubtful about that theory, holding out high hopes for some rain. I'll be singing a different tune come mid-rainy season, but the dry season (mid-november and on) has turned my town into a dustbowl-the likeness to an old western movie lost its rustic appeal quickly. Non-weather sealed doors + living next to the dirt soccer field = a lopsided battle against dust in my house.

Where was I? oh yes, I had decided to do chores. Now, since my host family moved to xela, taking their washer machine with them, I have been handwashing clothes more often than not-it is, in fact, easier than hauling them down to xela to the laundromat. Not being my favorite task, it only happens once or twice a month, and inevitably invokes a little shower. But today, as I was hanging my first socks out to dry, it began to sprinkle. Thunderclouds rolled in, i finished up with the laundry, and took the hint to curl up inside with a book all day so far. Have successfully only left the house to buy ingredients for Tomato Dumpling Soup and take Bella to stretch her legs. She's got rainy day puppy syndrome, but for the moment is curled up happily in my reading chair.

So a mediocre day has turned into a great, cozy, rainy day with fantastic thunder and lightning, which for me never gets old. With the power flickering on and off, I may even get to read by candlelight tonight. Willie Nelson on the stereo, some hot chocolate, and warm soup on the stove. Does life GET any better?

T-minus one year

So i've hit and passed the one-year-left mark in my service in a whirlwind- last few days of my parents' visit, 24th birthday celebration, and now heading to mid-service conference. The month of april holds all the craziness involving Semana Santa, or holy week-which in Guatemala, a country renowned worlwide for its Holy Week (easter) processions and celebrations, is basically a two week long hiatus from work and school for practically everyone (unless you sell food or fireworks, or have won the lottery and get the honor of carrying the giant altar/diorama type things down the street, which for those noncatholics out there is a form of penance i guess) ... What does that mean for me? A lull in school and library activity which will hopefully give me a chance to get on my feet after vacation-and allow me to hit the ground running with renewed gusto (!) after Holy Week..

So, since I've hit the big one year mark in service, I suppose I should like, reflect on my Peace Corps Experience thus far, answer the big questions, something like that? And renew my commitment to blogging for the family, perhaps? Ok here goes a little self-interview to shed some light on peace corps and me:

Is Peace Corps what you expected?

Let me first say that I tried very hard to go into this whole thing without big expectations because i think that's the easiest way to ruin these experiences for yourself. Each and every peace corps country, program, and individual site and project is different-and comes with its own ups and downs, perks and let downs. So no, it hasn't been what i expected in the respect that i'm not in a village (population 200) with thatch roofs, dirt floors, and the only water source a well a mile down the road.....I think that's what everyone pictures automatically when you say peace corps, right? So my advice, for potential peace corps applicants or anyone considering a dramatic change in their life, is to try really hard to keep an open mind about it.

Would you do it again, knowing what you know now?

A thousand times yes. Becoming versed in another culture and language alone is an experience that you can't buy or gain in two weeks time on vacation. Of course there are good times and bad times in your service-but this is true of life in general. I've tried to remember that in the past year-things are always changing and they can't always be good. But i've had more than enough good times to be worth it. Interacting with the women and children in my town has been infinitely rewarding, as well as the people that i meet every now and then who really understand what i'm saying when I talk about environmental issues, conservation, trash management, etc. I've learned so much that I couldn't have learned in a classroom (no offense Cal Poly)...or in a job in the states.

Working in a developing country tests you constantly on a whole other level-you're constantly blindsided and surprised by the issues you encounter in your job. I've learned, above all, to have PATIENCE...it's so important here. And I have definitely surprised myself by what I am capable of, that has been very empowering. So for those of you 'thinking about' joining peace corps or any other organization working outside of the states, i say go for it. its not for everyone, but at least you'll know you've tried.

What do you hope to accomplish in the year ahead?

Man, that's a tough one...I feel like i've finally got the ball rolling on various projects-i've started working very strongly with the community library so there is a ton of potential there. I've seen the most rewards from working with the youth here on environmental education and awareness about the dire environmental problems that guatemala is facing right now. A fun way i've found of doing that is doing recycled art projects-they are so creative here and they really love new ideas for art projects-especially ones that make use of what would otherwise be trash. This saves on costs for schools and craft hour at the library, while also making use of items that would otherwise end up in the dump (which is basically a ravine...).

So to return to the question-I would like to work with more schools on environmental education, continue to work with women and young girls on gender development, self esteem and leadership, continue to develop the park project i've been working on, start a cultural tourism project with the artesan cheesemakers here, start work on HIV/AIDS education with the youth....... In short, i have a lot to do, and little time to do it in. Only time will tell....

What about your long distance relationship?

Well.... I don't want to jinx us, but its going really great. I'm only writing about this for those potential peace corps applicants wondering to do about their current boyfriend or girlfriend. I literally Googled "peace corps long distance relationship?" before deciding to come here.

I guess my best advice is not to duck out on a Big Dream like Peace Corps because of your significant other....because i think in the end it leads to resentment. I've been extremely lucky thus far because things are working out as well as they could between my boyfriend and i. Long distance sucks, but if its the right person, you'll find a way to make it work. Thats all.

What do you miss most about the States?

Honestly, my family and friends there. And good microbrews... the rest of it I can live without. I mean, I do have most modern luxuries here anyways-internet, hot shower.... i do miss central heating too i guess. But i love the crazy, organized chaos that is central america and wouldn't mind just staying here. Well not here (no offense Sija)...somewhere warmer, where i can swim every day and hopefully snorkeling *cough* did someone say CARIBBEAN COAST?! but seriously guys, once you speak the language, most of the time central america's pretty cool. Now if only the guys here could learn that catcalling is not an acceptable social behavior..... maybe if i got brown contacts and dyed my hair?

What bugs you most about Guatemala?

The noise...its a really loud culture. Funny story though; I went to Tikal with the 'rents last week and the guide showed us how the central plaza had been constructed to produce amazing acoustics (read: lots of noise), which just show how far back the need for noise goes here in Guatemala (back to like 900 BC or something).

But the revving engines, roosters, loudspeakers driving slowly through the streets selling Zeta Ga-as, ice cream, soap, or just talking for the sake of talking, air compressor ( i live right above a mechanic shop)....well you get the picture. it wears on you after a while. Ear plugs are indispensible if you are headed to central america. lets just leave it at that.

What do you love most about Guatemala?

Had to follow up the negative with a positive...and seeing the country this past week through new eyes (my mom and dad) gave me a whole new-or at least refreshing-perspective on this country and its vibrant culture and tradition and rich history that has made Guatemala what it is today. Its mayan culture and historical value combined with a natural beauty and biodiversity-the northern peten region is virtually untouched jungle and known as one of the major "lungs" of the world... astound repeatedly.

Apparently on my birthday i gave a heartwarming, whiskey fueled speech on how much i love Guatemala.... It has a lot to offer. It's hard to choose just one thing.... Its natural beauty, the warmth and hospitality of its people, the chicken buses, diversity of landscape and culture, the food.... I can't pick just one thing-there's too much. To wrap up this lengthy reflective literary feat...i'd just like to say that its been a crazy, awesome, surprising, memorable 15 months and I can't wait to see what the next 12 months hold.

To everyone back home, stay safe and try not to be TOO jealous ;)

xoxo amber

The Branskes do Guatemala

Arriving in my site this is the hill I walk down to get to my house... it is the two level beige house right above my head.

The chicken buses in the bus station in Xela


The spice market, pumpkin and squash seeds, chili powder, sesame seeds, dried beans, and other unidentified spices.

The market in Xela where i occasionally pick up super cheap fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, and most importantly the newest blockbuster movies!


In El Cuartito, a cute little cafe and bar in Xela where we had breakfast


First bar in Guatemala!


Beautiful church front bordering the Central Park in Xela, Guatemalas second largest city. The church was constructed by Spanish conquistadores in 1538 (?), but now only the facade in front remains.

In the lobby of the hotel where my parents stayed their first nights in Xela...

The parents finally arrived this thursday after much anticipation. So far we have had incredible luck (knocking on wood) traveling and made some unforgettable memories. They have, in the three and a half days that they have been in Guatemala,
1. ridden on not one, but two chicken buses, a boat, an inner city microbus...and survived
2. met my adopted family here, dog, best friend, counterpart, and half the city
3. experienced the guatemalan Inauguration custom when they opened the new Muni (city hall) building
4. hiked the trail in the park i work in
5. seen my house (and did a little cleaning and fixing up while there, they couldnt help themselves!)
6. wined and dined me.....lots......

and now we find ourselves in the GORGEOUS Casa del Mundo hotel on Lake Atitlan, which Aldous Huxley once called the most beautiful lake in the world. The view is stunning, and more pictures to come. but right now i have to run.....theyre about to serve some grub up in the dining area. I should mention that the dining experience alone is an unforgettable one here, as everyone sits down to eat and greet, as it were, together in a dining area overlooking the lake and its bordering volcanoes. tonight were having grilled chicken with chimichurri as a thunderstorm rolls in across the lake.

ttfn,

your favorite peace corps volunteer

The longer I wait to write, the harder it is to decide exactly what to write about. I just got back from 2 whole weeks away from site =( and found myself thinking "i want to go home!" and by home, I meant my site here in Guatemala. They say home is where your heart is, or maybe where your dog is?

Or, maybe home is where your stove is....

After two days of sleeping, trying to organize and clean house, and just enjoying being by myself, I got busy in the kitchen. I havent gotten to pick what i was going to eat, much less cook, in the past two weeks, and wanted to assure those of you back at home (mom and dad ) that I am eating healthy at least some of the time. I bought a head of cabbage for cabbage soup. It turns out one head of cabbage yields a ton of shredded cabbage-enough for a huge pot of soup ill be eating all week and a bag of cabbage salad with one quarter of the thing still left!

I needed something to dip in my soup so I busted out some jalapeno cornbread in my toaster oven.

And I just wanted to thank Lori again from Spice of Life (www.pasospices.com) for the awesome care package. I am now spice rich and this whole dinner would've been a little lackluster without the spice blends. I put "Misty Bay" in the cabbage soup, "Cajun Sensation" in the cornbread, and enjoyed her Green Tea with some whole Anise Seed thrown in for fun. Yummm

Speaking of home...or hearts....? Some of you know I joined my college labmates and also the boyfriend (in the photo) for a vacation/field work in the Cayos Cochinos in Honduras. You can read about the specifics of the project on my advisor Dr. Emily Taylor's blog (snakeymama.blogspot.com).

What can I say about the island? it was like a movie, exactly what you would picture when someone says 'remote caribbean island'. Our group of 8 and another class of 10 from wisconsin were the only people on the island aside from staff. Our days consisted of scouring the island for boas, and our afternoons were spent laying in the sun, or snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear, warm caribbean waters.

A word about snorkeling: it is my new goal in life to go where I can snorkel, free dive, scuba (thinking about getting my certification while i'm here) as much as possible. It was my first time and the reef around the island was like a clip from Discovery Channel. I worked in an aquarium store for about a year in SLO and so I saw and maintained aquariums with the miniature recreations of reef. But I NEVER dreamed I would get to see them all in the wild. It was incredible.

The trip ended way too soon, as most good things do. I left La Ceiba, the port city in Honduras, at 5:15 am on Sunday to travel for 17 hours on a bus to arrive in Antigua, Guatemala where I grabbed a few hours of sleep before having to get up at 5 am again in order to be at our In-Service Training for Peace Corps....

The last week i spent in Training Sessions and another workshop and returned home full of great memories and new ideas and motivation for this Second Year of my Peace Corps Service...

Camp Out!

So, the much anticipated campout on the mountain finally arrived. We set out on sunday afternoon, eight strong and ready for adventure. The kids showed up with plastic nylon bags stuffed with all their gear, and it became apparent that we weren't going to make the hour and a half ascent easily or quickly. Luckily, one of the kids' dads sent his delivery driver to take us halfway up in a pickup truck. I missed that photo opportunity, but the eight of us together with all of our stuff riding up the mountain definitely drew some looks. I optimistically brought my puppy along for her very first camping trip (!), as if I didn't have enough on my hands bringing six newbie campers on a backpacking trip....

We arrived at the top of the mountain, found a sweet campsite under the pine trees, and set about gathering firewood, throwing up tents, and getting a fire going..
Simplicity was the name of the game for dinner, i brought like 20 hot dogs, buns, and a bottle of ketchup and had the kids find good roasting sticks, and we actually roasted hot dogs on sticks over the open fire. Sometimes simplicity is key.
For dessert i had to initiate the kids with S'mores, hershey chocolate and everything. (marshmallows also roasted on sticks) There were big smiles all around the campfire.

Also brought pork chops, roasted over the open fire-Yum!

Bella was hilarious when we finally got to bed around midnight-having never been camping before she nevertheless recognized instantly what the sleeping bag was all about and burrowed herself in before i could even finish zipping it up. I think shes going to like this 'camping' thing after all.

Bright and early, we were up with the sun.

Apparently didnt get enough of the hot dogs and marshmallows the night before and had another go at it for breakfast.

Then it was time to pack up and head out-we hiked down to the "Chivaretto" letters-large Hollywood style metal letters spelling the county name on the side of the hill overlooking Chivaretto county-before heading home.

All in all-a great trip. Initiated five kids, plus my counterpart to the joy of camping, which for me is a success in itself. When we got down the hill this morning, before parting ways, they only had one question-When are we going again??

Almost there..

At the top of Volcano Santa Maria.



New snake in my park! (Rhadinea sp. still not sure...)

You can eat this one!

Here we are, halfway through november. All I can think about is going to honduras a week from now for a week of romance, snake catching, and rum drinking with my man, and my favorite professor and grad students from cal poly! Since my last post, I climbed my first volcano with friend Emily who lives in an aldea close to me, at 3722m or roughly 12,000 feet. Whew! now i want to climb the rest!

Also finished my youth group-almost. the campout is this sunday and im getting ready, hoping for the best, and crossing my fingers for no rain!

Youth group has gone alright-with attendance dwindling the second two meetings... I've learned that planning an activity for Monday morning at 8 am is probably not a good idea..even in the best of circumstances. I am, however, not working in the best of circumstances-im working in Guatemala.... which presents unique work challenges; among them the famous hora chapina-which pretty much guarantees that you will be at least an hour behind in any activity you plan or show up for.

So next time I plan an activity like this, I think I will do it on a Tuesday...and we won't start until 9 am. which will work out better for all involved, I think. Other than that, not a whole lot to report. I'm sure i'll have an amusing tale for you after the campout Sunday.

sleepless in sija....

New photos, in no particular order.............

Which one is it??

Birdwatching......

Thirsty and adorable....and recycling.

Emerald green Sceloporus smaragdinus out enjoying the sun

Been doing a lot of this lately.

My summer camp group...reached the top!

ok more like restless, but i couldnt resist. And, not me restless, but my puppy (and yes, i think im just going to be one of these people that talks about her pet constantly in her blog...at least until the novelty wears off). And there is nothing worse than a restless puppy. Restless puppies try to hurl themselves up onto the kitchen table to get at the toaster oven baking your sweet potato fries, knock over all your clean dishes and the french press with old coffee grounds in it....

I have now been trying to start writing for about an hour and a half, after taking her for a short walk around town. But now, after her second dinner, she seems to have calmed down so its possible that she was just hungry. And now she's sleeping...phew.

Last week was the first meeting of the summer camp I started with some local kids. My idea was to offer an informal education/hiking activity weekly during their school vacation that will culminate with a campout on the last day of the camp. So far we've covered 'observation' and today birdwatching! They learned what a Townsend's Warbler and a Tufted flycatcher look like, how to find birds in the binoculars, and why we wear the strap around our neck when using the binoculars (mine got dropped and kind of broken...but i guess thats what i get for not pointing out the obvious....). I learned that 10-year-olds dont have the patience or stamina for a hardcore four hour long morning of birding...which is what i envisioned for some reason. But thats ok, i know when to throw in the towel so at some point i conceded the birding lecture and we hauled ass to the top of the hill to arrive at the letters of chivaretto, which are these giant metal letters, a la hollywood, that overlook the next county. All in all, a successful day, and a successful activity that I am really enjoying. Ideally another (guatemalan) adult would be collaborating with me so that i can pass the torch when i leave, but that can be a goal for next year. The park is such a great resource, so close to town, that it would be great to establish a program like this here and that is what i will work toward for the next year.

My challenge now is trying to scrounge up camping equipment for a group of 10-20 people (probably more) and put together that logistical nightmare, coordinating 10-12 kids and their respective parents/guardians and making sure everyone brings what they need for a night out in the woods. Am I ready for this, or just overly optimistic and blissfully unaware of what im getting myself into as usual?