this is the road & these are the hands

Days until Guatemala:  6

Marlo, UP's adorable country coordinator, emailed my Guatemala itinerary last week.  Sweetly entitled "CatherineLyss" (they still haven't fully grasped the idea behind nicknames), the document carefully outlines a healthy balance of school, volunteer work, Guatemalan culture, and old-fashioned fun.  Despite the eager start time of 7 AM, I find myself looking forward to the structured days of an elementary school-esque lifestyle.  The weekdays look deliciously satisfying (and perhaps a tad exhausting), full of helping and learning, while the weekends can only be described as inspirational.

Due to my limited language skills & my experience working with children, I chose to volunteer with NuevosHorizontes, an organization that provides a temporary haven for women & children survivors of domestic violence.  It was my father who really highlighted the significance of the task at hand when he said, "Isn't it interesting to find an organization that supports and encourages women in a country that isn't America?  You probably don't realize it, but most countries still treat their women as inferior human beings."  He couldn't be more right.  When I googled women's rights in Guatemala, I found articles depicting an epidemic of "femicide" and an oppressive culture that has done little to stop it.  The mere existence of an abused women's shelter in Guatemala is a monumental step in a new direction.

With that being said, I'm also going to Guatemala for some very selfish reasons.  The country is known for its unique (and successful) approach to teaching Spanish to non-native speakers, and UP has organized a shlew of cultural activities that range from Salsa dance lessons to cooking classes to field trips to museums, local artisan markets & other cool places.  Four days after I arrive in Xela, Marlo has scheduled an overnight hike up VolcánTajumulco.  At 13,845 feet, Volcan Tajumulco is the tallest volcano in Central America, and the 24th highest peak in the world (thank you, Wikipedia).  If it's anything like our 10 mile hike through Parque Nacional El Impossible in El Salvador, let's hope I make it home. 

Lastly, I love a good adventure (especially the kind where cell phone service is non-existent and internet connection is sparse), which most likely stems from the reason I love whiskey... "suck it up and knock it down cause it strengthens bones & impresses boys."  Great advice, Ma.  :-)

love,

lyss

"When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore.  Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory" - Alan Alda 

(dad, Hawkeye only speaks the truth)