By Sarina R., guest blogger volunteering in Guatemala

A new routine began this week that I am enjoying immensely. Sure, there are plenty of awesome bars, cafes and coffee shops in Antigua to occupy the out of class hours. But after two weeks of cafe-hopping, I was starting to get the itch for a busier schedule.

Here in Antigua, and across Guatemela, it seems like everyone is a volunteer. There are literally thousands of organizations doing a variety of work in the community — everything from providing expertise at hospitals or homeless shelters, to assisting teachers at schools, or tackling environmental issues such as deforestation. For those interested in basing themselves in Antigua for at least a few weeks, quality volunteer opportunities are extremely easy to come by. Schools can set up your volunteer work as well, but I opted for the friend-of-a-friend route, instead.

While I was in Monterrico, I met a woman liaising with an organization called Nuestros Ahijados — a group based in the states that coordinates several projects (as they are called here) in Guatemala. Since I am interested in working on criminal justice issues back home, I was extremely excited to hook up with this group, as they run a school intended for kids at risk of becoming involved with gangs. I went last week to check out the school, called Centro Scheel, and began volunteer work this Tuesday.

For now, Im assisting the social worker at the school. He runs afternoon programming for the parents of the students, and other various after school classes focusing on life skills for the kids and the community. He also accompanies special need students to their appointments with doctors and specialists.

Im sure that Ill have more on this in the upcoming posts, but I can say off the bat that I am so, so glad that I started volunteering this week. Not only has it been good for the bank account (lets be honest, coffee and beer arent free!), but I can already see the vast improvement in my speaking when I am forced to use Spanish in the afternoon. And, perhaps most importantly, Im gaining exposure to a side of Gautemala tough to find in the center of Antigua. I met a girl today who couldnt attend school this week because she had neither clean clothes, nor the requisite 2 quetzales (25 cents or so), of bus fair. Living so close to families facing issues like this is a reminder of why Im learning this skill in the first place, and what I hope to do with it in the future.

Final word…spend some time volunteering during your stay in Antigua.

Read all of Sarina's blogs from Antigua

Find out more about AmeriSpan's Antigua Spanish school

Guest blogger Lynne R. guides us through four weeks of immersion at our Antigua Spanish school

When taking a trip so far outside of your known universe you can’t help but wonder what to expect. So as my driver wound his way through Antigua’s labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets I couldn’t help but think, “God, I hope he knows where he’s going.” Moments later, though, I had my answer when he pulled into a stonewalled dead-end and a sweet-faced woman came rushing down the dizzying steps that led to her home. The driver smiled and informed me, “Su nueva madre”.

My new mother is Ana Maria. Clearly she’s done this before. I could see it in her eyes; the look of compassion, the enthusiasm, and the knowing smile that told me everything will be okay. But I don’t believe it. Not really. Oh no. This will be awkward, I tell myself. The kind of awkward that comes then you show up at the doorstep of a perfect stranger, move in for a month, take up their closet space, and try to construct dinner conversation using the only twelve words you know in Spanish. Oh yes. This will be awkward. Of that I am certain.

I kill the first fifteen minutes with the busyness of settling in. Easy enough. I don’t understand exactly what Ana Maria is saying but I can figure it out by the way she’s gesturing. Bedroom is here. Clothes go here. Bathroom is here. Then we take a quick tour of her home. It takes five minutes. It’s modest, but lovely. And my god, it’s immaculate. I’m glad she’ll never see my closet- it would probably kill her.

And then the moment I dread arrives. The moment when all the busyness is over and it is just she and I. Sitting on the couch. Looking at one another. Oh god. It’s about to get awkward. Here it comes!

Fast-forward thirty minutes later. I’m sitting in the living room, laughing with Ana Maria Caceres De Reyes, her husband Mario, another student boarder, and the handful of relatives who just happened to swing by. And something wonderful happens. They give me a gift. One that far outshines the photo frame and throw blanket I brought them.

They give me the one thing I needed; the realization that everything is going to be okay. And this time I believe it. Really. In fact, it will be more than okay. It will be fantastic.

It already is.

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By Sarina R., guest blogger studying Spanish at AmeriSpan's Antigua Spanish school

Today, a bit on packing and general safety for travel in Guatemala.

In preparation for the trip, I scoured Lonely Planet, Moon, the internet, etc. for packing tips in the rainy season. Yet despite my research, I found specific and useful information hard to come by. As a result, I went the ¨pack a little bit of everything¨ route, and it ended up being a pretty good decision. A few pearls of wisdom..

Clothes: Since the climate here in Guatemala varies so significantly by location (for instance it could be chilly in Antigua, but muggy and hot on the Pacific coast), clothing choice in particular presents a bit of a challenge. I came with two pairs of jeans, one pair of ¨hiking pants,¨ and a few skirts. A few weeks later, I´m wishing I had one more pair of jeans in exchange for those hiking pants, and perhaps a pair of shorts or two. While Antigua can get very hot during the day, once the rain begins in the afternoon or evening, the temperature drops significantly. In addition, as is the case with other places I´ve traveled, locals here tend to dress more conservatively than the tourists. For girls wishing to attract as little whistling as possible on the street, I highly recommend pants or a long skirt any time of day. This isn´t to say that female students I know don´t break out those jean shorts every now and then, but be forewarned that they attract lots of attention. Finally, for us ladies, pockets are extremely handy in the evening, when it´s not advised to carry a purse to the bars (ie a target for theft). I´m wearing my skinny jeans with pockets out to the bone here, because they have pockets and don´t drag on the ground when its raining (which often occurs during the bar hopping hours). As for trips out of Antigua, a pair of shorts, a bathing suit or two, and a long sleeve shirt for the evening will do. So far, I've been to Monterrico on the Pacific Coast and Copan, Honduras, and both have been extremely warm. Final word – conservative dress for the day, with a few items you enjoy wearing to casual bars for the evening.  

Other stuff: Let´s be honest, Antigua hosts a subway, a large market, and dozens of English speaking bars. So it´s no surprise that it´s pretty easy to find almost anything you need, even for the most basic Spanish speaker. That said, there are a few essentials that I would highly recommend bringing from your home base.

• Insect repellent with DEET — While Antigua experiences less of a mosquito issue than I was  expecting, let´s just say that limbs absolutely covered in bites are a souvenir you should expect on most weekend excursions. I´ve been using repellents with 25 and 40 DEET, and get absolutely demolished at night outside the city if I´m not completely covered in spray. I´m sure you can repellent in Antigua, but I imagine it´s more expensive (and you´ll want it from day 1).
• Shoes for walking — Roads here are bumpy and school can be a 10 or 15 minute walk from home. I´ve been wearing my Toms every day (literally) and have so far avoided an embarrassing nose dive. I have not seen other decent walking shoes for sale, thus far.
• A bag with a zipper — School provides books for homework. You´ll want a small bookbag or a large purse (or messenger bar) that zips to prevent theft and rain damage. Another larger bag for weekend trips outside Antigua is also useful. I have a large tote for that and love the fact that my gigantic backpack stays home.
• Allergy medicine – I´ve asked around, and apparently my issue with allergies here is the norm. If you have dust, mold or pollen allergies, I recommend plenty of medicine.
• Traveler´s Checks – I´ve been taking my chances with ATM thus far, but I´ve heard several stories of theft occurring at the ATM. Guatemala is having an issue with a problem referred to as skimming, where people will steal pins and bank account information from the ATMs. It´s also possible to take money out of the bank directly, but travelers checks are a good idea in the event that you do become a victim of skimming, and need some money to tide you over until you can get your new card. Banks here do accept travelers checks to exchange for dollars or the local currency.
• Smart phone or laptop — I chose not to go this route, but many students bring their smart phone or laptop since wifi is plentiful. Most hostels, many bars and restaurants, and some homestays have wifi for use. It´s also possible to use internet cafes (I do every day), but particularly during travel on the weekends, access to email at your hostel can be a boon. That said, theft is always a possibility.
• Expensive jewelry — Leave it at home.

And, finally, safety.
I was concerned about the safety situation here before I left. And, while there certainly are safety concerns, smart packing (ie a good secure bag, pants for carrying cash and your cell phone, travelers checks just in case) and common sense go a long way. It´s generally accepted here that women in particular should never walk alone at night after 9 pm. After bars close at midnight, anyone should take a cab. Other than that, general city precautions such as not flashing wads of cash, wearing expensive jewelry, or carrying a camera in your hands, should suffice. Luckily, the school goes over safety concerns on your first day, and homestay families are more than happy to answer questions about specific areas of the city and country.

Photos: I was glad about my last minute decision to pack my Kindle, since Guatemala hosts many tranquillo travel spots perfect for a good book, or two…or three. During my weekend in Monterrico (on the Pacific), it got a lot of use!

Read all of Sarina's blogs from Antigua

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Learn Spanish in Antigua

Guest blogger Lynne R. guides us through four weeks of immersion at our Antigua Spanish school

There are so many things to worry about when planning to spend a month of your life in a foreign country. I'd like to say that I'm walking around with a skip in my step and a song in my heart, cool as a cucumber, carefree and ready for come what may. But I'm not. And I'm a little embarrassed to admit it. Now, I consider myself to be fairly well-seasoned by life, mind you. I'm no coward. I've been a performer at Walt Disney World for nearly ten years. Not a job for the faint of heart.

You know how tourists can be. You've been one.

I've been to Colombia. I've driven in Ireland. I'll turn forty-five this year. Again, not for the timid.

So what has me so worried about spending a month in Antigua, Guatemala? Well…

First, there's the homestay. Will the family like me? Will I like them? Those of you who have undertaken this venture before have no doubt asked yourself the same question. 

Then, there's mother nature. I'm a Floridian, so hurricanes don't scare me. Bring it, lady. But earthquakes? Uhhhh…..what? I suddenly wish I had grown up in California and watched grainy instructional videos in the 3rd grade about how to duck and cover, or stop drop and roll, or whatever it is you're supposed to do. I hope running out of the house screaming in terror is an earthquake survival technique. Cuz that's my plan.

And lastly, there's the litany of garden-variety fears. Will I like the food? Will I get sick? Will I make an idiot of myself? Will I learn anything? Will I have fun? Will I miss my plane? 

All these fears, both rational and irrational, have crossed my mind. Most are of my own creation, but some are the courtesy of helpful friends and family. "You're going where?!? Isn't there Dengue Fever in Guatemala?" Thanks. Hadn't thought about that.

Well, I'm here to say that despite the plague of worries, big and small, it does not dampen the genuine excitement I feel as the date approaches to leave home and embark on this adventure. It heightens it. And it doesn't make my smile any less genuine when friends and coworkers remark how courageous they think I am for doing this. Because they're right. Sure. Not "rescue a bus-load of children" courageous, but in its own way, it is.  After all, what is an act of courage? It isn't acting without fear. Courage is acting in spite of your fear.

They have no idea.

So it is with a heart full of wonder, anticipation and uncertainty that I say, before I have even left my home, everyone should undertake this kind of adventure. Just because it IS a little scary.

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By Sarina R., guest blogger studying Spanish at AmeriSpan's Antigua Spanish school

 It’s been roughly two weeks since I arrived here in Antigua. I´m starting to get a feel for life here as a Spanish student, and the ways in which I prepared effectively (or, not) for the experience. As it turns out, I packed my bags well, but perhaps neglected to pack my brain with a sufficient amount of Spanish to fully launch my learning from day one.

My decision to study here in Guatemala was influenced as much by price (aka, cheap) as it was by the reputation of this town as a hangout for similarly minded students. I had heard from friends that, while the heavy presence of foreigners can detract from the immersive experience, the active social scene here eases the transition from life at home to life in a foreign country. Since I was looking for a summer of both language study and vacation, it seemed like an obvious choice.

In retrospect, I should have taken this warning more seriously. While I am fully appreciating the social experience (and have already made several close friends in my short time here), it takes a concerted effort to speak Spanish throughout the day. While most Guatemalans I´ve encountered thus far speak little English, if any, the many foreigners at the bars, restaurants, coffee shops and schools tend to communicate in English. Great for socializing (particularly for a Spanish novice like me), but not so great for rapid learning. This isn´t to say that opportunities to speak Spanish outside of the classroom don´t exist. To the contrary, I speak Spanish with my homestay family, teachers, and with Guatemalans I encounter throughout my day as you would in any travel situation. However, as a Spanish beginner, it´s immediately clear to whoever I meet that I am a poor communicator in this language. As a result, people who know English (as the majority of travelers and students I´ve met do) tend to immediately switch over to that with me.

To be honest, I had not anticipated having this much difficultly making time to speak Spanish (since it´s also entirely my fault that I allow people to talk with me in English). Students with a better background in the language are certainly creating more opportunities to converse with locals and their homestay families. For beginner students considering Antigua, I would suggest gaining some familiarity with the language before you go. I practiced a bit on Rosetta Stone before I left, and, while I found my very basic knowledge invaluable on my first few days in order to merely get around the city, I see how a more serious commitment to learn prior to my departure would have opened so many more doors for conversation off the bat.

I´ll cover my packing for the trip, particularly in regards to travel during the rainy season, as well as safety tips, in my next entry. In the meantime, I´m going to hit the Spanish books so I can finally start talking…

Photos: An afternoon socializing at Earth Lodge with friends from the U.S. who are living and traveling in Guatemala. While I´ve thoroughly enjoyed afternoons like this, we converse in English (of course), detracting from opportunities for me to practice what I learn in the classroom. Earth Lodge is a lodge-bar-restaurant overlooking Antigua, and makes for an idyllic day trip or overnight from the city.

Read all of Sarina's blogs from Antigua

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By Sarina R., guest blogger studying Spanish at AmeriSpan's Antigua Spanish school

Welcome to my Antigua, Guatemala blog! My name is Sarina, and I will be here in Antigua studying Spanish for the next four weeks. I hope to provide the most honest assessment of my experience as possible, with a focus on hot tips for trip preparation, life in Antigua, and travel. While I've got a few travel experiences under my belt (in Egypt, Israel, Turkey and Jordan), this is my first time studying Spanish (in the States or abroad) and only my second time in Central America. So I´m sure we´re all in for a wild ride.

A bit about me: A native of Philadelphia (go Phillies!), I graduated with a degree in journalism at Northwestern University in 2008. Following graduation, I worked on an environmental campaign with the Public Interest Research Group in Chicago, and then directed a voter registration drive in Philadelphia leading up to the 2008 presidential elections. Since then, I´ve been working as a paralegal in New York City. While I had initially considered a career in law, I´ve opted instead to pursue my interest in public service, particularly in working with incarcerated populations. As you can imagine, Spanish language skills are extremely important in the non profit sector – unfortunately, my four years of Latin study will only get me so far. This summer, I´m kicking off my Spanish studies here in Antigua prior to the start of my graduate program in Public Administration (MPA) at George Washington University in Washington, DC. While these four weeks are only the start of what I hope will be years of practice and work in Spanish, I´m confident that by living the language this summer I´ll make up plenty of lost time. And, hopefully, enjoy some unique travel as well…
 
I arrived in Antigua about five days ago. Since then, I´ve had some time to explore some of the highlights of Antigua, get to know my homestay family (a single mom and two teenagers), and begin my Spanish study. In my next entry, I´ll discuss aspects of my trip preparation that I´ve found useful thus far, those I did not, and some recommendations for those of you considering study in Guatemala.

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