Merry Christmas from Guatemala!!

Two months and three days ago I arrived in the land of spitting volcanos and endless adventures.

I have been meaning to update for weeks...But somehow I have gotten sucked into this crazy thing called the work life and time has slipped by. Although I´m not sure I can call the work life work.

Its more like, talking to people, answering questions, entertaining, serving...fun. And getting paid for it.

I have settled into a routine, splitting my time between the hostel, the restaurant, and friends, and practicing my salsa dancing on my days off. But here come the holidays and the free days fill up and I can´t remember the last time I had free time and I absolutely love it.

The hostel is a little haven of Ozzies and a little kitty named Koalita.

(And Beth. Beths the coolest!)

Doozy Koala is open and sunny and people spend the days drinking a cerveza from the bar, eating the to-die-for food made right here, or chilling in the hammocks.

At night the calm transforms to a party with loud music and dancing travelers. My days are spent checking in and out guests, answering questions, giving directions, booking shuttles, and selling tours.

The people are the greatest. The hostel is a family and we have family dinners and events and games and its just the right amount of chill and crazy and just enough people stay around long enough to become friends as the rest come and go, traveling and returning and traveling again.

After a 7-3 shift at Doozy I walk home, past the volcanos, the arch, tripping on the cobble stone streets, and turning down the endless lines of vendors to grab a quick nap before heading to my second job, hanging out with the coolest in Reillys from 6-2.

I have never worked at such a fun, high energy place. My coworkers are the best and a perfect mix of class and sass.

Christmas in Guatemala is the most festivities I have ever experienced in my life. I swear that the whole month of December has been a mix of fireworks and music and vendors in the park and lights and parades and floats and decorations and pine needles...and I can only catch little glimpses here and there as I walk to and from my house and work.

Here, the culture is a bit different than at home. Christmas eve is for party. At midnight, everyone sets off fireworks, says Feliz Navidad, and clinks their glasses of beer. It is kind of a precursor to the fiestas of New Years, and part of me is thankful I am scheduled to work so  I don't have to deal with the masses of people. Even so, what joy. The vibe on Christmas is so happy, joyous...Why cant it feel that beautiful every day?

I´ve gotten this great taste of real life in Guatemala though, and its not all sunshine and roses. (Really, it rained one day!)

I used to walk home at night from work, either at 11 pm or 2 am, depending on my shifts. But little by little I´ve been learning how dangerous this town actually is in the dark hours of the morning. Even though it has become normal for all the locals, I witnessed a couple guys absolutely pummeling another a few weeks ago.  Even though its normal here, its normal in movies, its...normal...A small town girl from Wisconsin where everyone is love and everyone helps everyone can´t quite wrap her mind around the fact that here, you mind your own business. If you see someone getting beat up, you walk away, or become a target as well. It changed something in me and...ubers are my new best friend. Although tourists are rarely targeted for violent crimes, muggings are common, and I guess my life and phone are worth the $2 uber ride.

After my last weekend at the beach (The one with the turtles...and this time a cow!!)

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Scorpion. He had decided to travel home in my backpack, and didn´t like it when I reached in to grab something. After the initial shock of what I thought was a shard of glass being shoved up the side of my hand, he crawled out and tried to give me a heart attack.

No joke. Worst. Pain. Ever. The pain radiated up my arm, through my shoulder and arm pit. My roomie contacted his doctor friend who said I needed a few injections, so he took me on his motorcycle to a nearby clinic where the heartless nurses stabbed me and injected who knows what, the injections hurting nearly as bad as the sting. I spent a good three days pay, and went to work with a numb hand....then later everyone told me that the "alacran" is actually harmless, though painful, but more like a bee sting than a poisonous snake bite. No injections required. I guess I'll remember that for next time!!

And, thanks to street fruit that I was told not to eat (I´ve never followed the rules...) I got the pleasure of finding out what it is like to have parasites. I will spare you the gory details, but, easy fix. While in the states it would require an appointment, doctor visit, prescription, and lotsandlots of money (Once I looked into it and it would cost $2000 for one pill) Here, no problem...I walked to the pharmacy, told them my issue, they gave me the meds, I paid $4 (Yes. FOUR.) And wah-lah. No more street fruit for me....

But, speaking of cheap prices, no need for street fruit in bags, because I can stock up on a weeks worth of food for about $20.

I went to the local market (All fresh food!!) and bought a bunch of veggies for a total of $5...I was running through in my mind how much this would cost me in the US, and I could get Spinach and tomatoes for $5.

Here, I got spinach, lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, five avocados (Five for the price of one in the US, and 100X better ;)...all for $5.  I´m loving this place more every day.

Feliz Navidad and Happy New Year lovilies. xoxo

Today.

I think the scariest thing is that the excitement might wear off. It hasn't yet, and I pray it never does, but even so, the things I used to be so fascinated by are now so close to normal.

But I still can't believe I am here. I still can't believe I get to call Antigua home. I still feel overwhelming joy and love for this place when I look at the volcanoes surrounded by wisps of clouds and the colorful architecture and every time I trip on a cobblestone in the bumpy streets.

I'm on a rickety chicken bus that is playing bachata quietly in the front. I'm sitting besides a well dressed man with a young boy on his lap. A flew minutes into our journey, his sweet wife in front of us handed back a baby. The baby looks at me with huge, dark eyes and smiles, revealing his two tiny teeth on the bottom.

I engage in conversation, the babe is right months old and named Armadeo. He grabs my finger and his mama looks back at me and smiles. My heart melts. And this is a normal bus ride. Always sitting besides sweet people. Always engaging in conversation. Always melting.

Two gringas are sitting nearby and they take countless selfies. The way they take pictures and talk and stare out the window I can tell this is still new to them. Part of me misses when it was new. Part of me loves that even though it's not new, it's still just as wonderful.

Today is my day off, and thanks be to God I got a good 12 hours of sleep last night, in my new house that feels like home and makes me so happy. I have two awesome roomies, an open garden, and volcanoes painted on my walls. And the landlord, who also lives in the house, just finished building a rock climbing wall. I have a rock climbing wall in my house. If anyone is wondering, rent is 1,300Q a month - roughly $125. Everything included. Wifi, laundry, cable, water. Everything. And it's pretty much central Antigua.

As of yesterday, I am working two jobs. I started in a hostel, working reception at the Doozy Koala, owned by the coolest Australians I have ever met, being trained by a sweet Tico that never stops saying Pura Vida. 😁🤗 So many times he said he was so happy I was there because the day was so crazy, and he hopes I stay awhile.

Earlier this week one of my best friends here said his manager needed maseros (Waiters) at the Irish bar and grill, and I should talk to him. I figured why not, walked in, the manager filled me in and said I start Monday. Alrighty then.

Best. Job. Ever. It's a more classy place, specializing in fancy cocktails and delicious nachos and fajitas. After the second day, my manager said he was impressed I remembered the cocktails and loves how I engage with customers. He said I don't seem like I'm still in training and to keep it up. Thank you daddy and farm life for teaching me how to work, and mama for teaching me how to communicate and love people. ❤

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I was sad, missing home, feeling lonely. As I was getting ready to go to the gym, I felt the Lord whisper, "Go run to the cross". I used to run to the cross, but since I moved into my apartment, its pretty far and I opt for the gym. But I went. I ran up, passed two sweet ladies who commented on my stamina running up the hill. I laughed, reached the top, ran back down...and felt the need to run it again. I never, ever run the hill twice. But I did. and about the time I reached those two ladies, I was dying, so after they said, " Oh goodness, God bless you lady." I stopped and started to talk.

And after a good half hour of blessed conversation, they invited me to their thanksgiving dinner with their mission group at a church that is a block from my house. A block. I went to dinner, met the coolest people, and felt blessed. Blessings follow obedience. Always.

A few days ago, I was walking home from salsa class and a young man approached me with a rose. He said, "Hey, you're really beautiful so I got you a rose." Take note, men. :)

Besides the work life and random happenings, my friends here fill my life with so much joy. There is no end to the love and adventures that we have, and I am so thankful for them all. But, I can't believe how much I miss home. The busy life keeps me from talking too much with friends and family at home, but I am learning how to balance. My heart hurts for Wisconsin the way it hurts for Guatemala when I am not here. It's so true once you've traveled, your heart will never be completely content again, because you're always missing people and places. But at the thought of moving back, my whole being balks.

So here I am to stay for awhile. And it's the absolute best.

The Beginning of Life

Isn't it funny how plans can change so quickly?

Exactly five years ago, I left the USA for my second backpacking trip. I arrived in Guatemala, fell in love, an swore someday I would live in Central America.

But how the heck do you do that?

Answer: You book a flight, pack a few belongings, and leave.

Five years and 30 countries later, I have arrived in my new home. I did not realize how hard leaving would be. Yeah, I'm a seasoned traveler. But I didn't realize how different it is to "travel" and "move" abroad. The last two weeks before I left were heart wrenching.

I cried more than I have since I broke up with my first boyfriend. I clung to my family and friends and valued every last second, while at the same time just wishing the transition was over.

Well, the transition is over, and 15 days later, Antigua feels like home.

Fifteen days!? How on earth have 15 days passed already since I left the USA?

I gave myself ten days. Ten days to relax, visit friends, enjoy my vacation, and get used to Guatemala again. (Things like not flushing toilet paper, holding the handle down for 10 seconds to ensure whatever is in there goes down, no traffic rules, $3 meals, speaking Spanish and learning palabras chapines (Guatemalan words), connecting with old friends...) 

Okay, in all reality, it took me a whopping five days to feel completely at home again.

But then, after the ten days I gave myself to just enjoy and relax, I began hardcore house and job searching. Five apartment viewings and three interviews later, I have a job, I have an apartment (the first I viewed, with awesome roomies!!) and have a second interview on Tuesday for MY DREAM JOB. A job I was never expecting to be considered for. A job I did not apply for. But sometimes God just does super cool things, and well...stay posted. I first have to ace this interview...in Spanish. :)

Home.

There's a beautiful madness within my soul.

Have you ever stepped into a new place and just felt with every part of your being that, "This is home."?

I arrived yesterday after nine months of preparing, praying, waiting, saving, working, wishing. 

And I'm here. I'm in the only place in the world that has captured my heart and locked it up in the colonial buildings of rainbow colors and three towering volcanos that are sleeping dragons but oh so peaceful in the morning sun.

I don't understand it. Because I love, love Wisconsin. I love, love the life I was raised in. The place I was born will always be my comfort and safety and a place I will cherish and run back to.

But arriving yesterday, within a minute I remembered my love for this place. Within an hour, I remembered why I think I want to live here. Within six hours, I was still in a strange space of not believing this is actually real after dreaming of coming back for so long, but clinging to the peace and love and happiness overflowing from my soul.

After three restless days preparing and traveling on little sleep, I was so ready to be here. I arrived, excitement growing as a good friend picked me up from the airport and drove me to Antigua. We played happy music and danced in our seats and complained about the traffic and caught up on all we've missed in the last nine months. 

I got settled in a hostel, wandered the streets, splurging on .75 cents worth of fruit that was a good sized snack and was treated to dinner by another great friend that I surprised with my presence. 

And I woke up and ran up the mountain to the cross looking down on the colorful town, the sun rising forcefully casting dreaming shadows and revealing the volcanos splendor.

I sat and watched in silence the town that was still sleeping and thought over and over, "This is home." I don't know why. I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't know if I can survive here. I have barely any money, no job, and just my backpacks full of clothes and supplements.

But right now that's not really important, because I am completely convinced that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

And for now, that is enough.