Goodbye my Love

Mi familia Grande - Denia, Brenda, Oscar, Katie, Heydi, Mainor, Me, Marco, Lilian, Vinicio, Julia

Those were the words Uncle Oscar sang to me at dinner last night. He just repeats things he hears in English, having no idea what he´s saying. We were having one of our laughter-filled dinners during the serenade. I was laughing hysterically, thinking he knew what he was saying. Brenda asked me for a translation, and I told them it was like saying "adios, mi amor", which brought everyone to tears. I´m going to miss these people!

On Friday before the graduation dinner, I returned home to find that Lilian had finished the Nativity Scene in the living room. It´s so beautiful, and I asked if I could take a photo. Next thing I know, I´m in my bedroom with her, and she is dressing me in her traditional Guatemalan attire. My head is huge, and we struggled for a good 5 minutes pulling the top over it. Five minutes is a long time to get a shirt over your head. I was laughing so hard I was crying. We took some photos, then I had to run to graduation.

I did my Enrique song. The performance was not nearly as awesome as my HHK performance in NYC, but you can´t be a rock star all the time. It´s been a great four weeks, and I´m looking forward to the mountain school. I´m glad Hayley and Ethan are going to be there, and Tania will come next week. We´re going to have a blast.

Saturday morning we went to Concepcion, which is a town outside of Xela, to visit a community of midwives. The older midwives explained the birthing process, mother education, and the herbs and plants they use in place of modern medicine. They also run programs to teach women about their rights and self-worth. The goal is for everyone to learn that women aren´t just baby-making machines, but that they are human beings with feelings. It´s an amazing program, and they are currently educating the next generation of midwives, as many are getting older. They start training as young as 10, for a 2-year program. Imagine birthing babies at age 12?!

Xela has been amazing, and part of me wishes I found it later in my journey, as I´m not ready to stay put just yet. The other part of me knows i wouldn´t last long in this cold weather with the horrible air quality. There will be other places I´ll love more. I am looking forward to warmer weather, cleaner air, and some relaxation next week. 

Lilian, me, Brenda in front of the Nativity Scene  - isn´t it amazing?!

dance party graduation

cooking class