The last few weeks have been a time to relax, get used to a new routine without Bryce, and mostly enjoy the company of friends in Xela. Not much news...just happy to have the support of good friends during a time of personal transition. Also, I cut and colored my hair. A whole new look for a whole new chapter! I can`t wait for my upcoming visits from friends! Over the next few weeks 2 of my best friends are coming to visit, Seth and Julianne!
the new do!
me, Laura, Lauren, James
Lauren and Laura being goofy
James cooking French Onion Soup. Lauren trying to look useful. It was so gourmet! And he made key lime pie for dessert!
Thanks to James being a cool engineer-ecologist we got to attend a BBQ at the AIDG house. AIDG is an environmentally conscious group of engineers that develops appropriate, green technologies in Guatemala and Haiti. Check them out! http://www.aidg.org/. They also happen to have a very cool house with chickens and a bread oven!
chickens!!
bread oven
bread oven!
MMMM...delicious homemade bread!
me, Laura, Lauren
just so you can get another shot of the new hair
It`s Carnaval! Let`s Throw Shit!
A couple weeks ago was Carnaval, a holiday that originated in Brazil, of which I know very little about. As soon as the Carnaval street fair ended a new fair was set up just outside my apartment, in Central Park. Now begins the 6 weeks of festivals leading up to Easter. I love Latin America!
The Origins of Carnaval (Compliments of Wikipedia):
The Brazilian Carnival, properly spelled Carnaval, is an annual festival in Brazil held four days before Ash Wednesday, the day of fasting and repentance that marks the beginning of Lent. On certain days of Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians traditionally abstained from the consumption of meat and poultry -- hence the term "carnival," from carnelevare, "to remove (literally, "raise") meat." Carnival celebrations are believed to have roots in the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which, adapted to Christianity, became a farewell to certain pleasures of the flesh in a season of religious discipline to practice repentance and prepare for Christ's death and resurrection.
Observations of Carnaval in Guatemala (Compliments of Jillian):
A large street fair (photos follow). An entire week dedicated to throwing things at people. Most commonly thrown object: hollowed out eggs, covered in paper machet, filled with confetti and glitter. I went to visit a school on behalf of the clinic and walked into a very lively Carnaval party. Needless to say, I left the school covered in glitter and confetti. Other objects you can throw during Carnaval: real eggs with the yoke still inside and flour.
Photos of the Carnaval Street Fair
popcorn balls?
sugar cane! They also sell it in little sticks, already shaved. So delicious!
peanuts...lots of peaunuts
choco frutas! you can get almost any kind of fruit covered in chocolate, here. My personal favorite: chocobananos!
dried fish...the smell is indescribable.
huipiles, the traditional shirt worn by indigenous women in Guatemala
I buy all my DVDs at little stands like this that burn movies illegally. Copyright laws, not such a big deal here. 
Women selling the traditional bread/cracker of Xela. They look like giant Cheerios.
crocodile!!
Cheveres! Hot dogs! These stands are everywhere throughout the city. I used to be addicted but decided I was done taking risks with my weak, American stomach. 
1 comment:
WOW! your hair looks great! and carnival sounds so fun...I want to be there and throw eggs and flour at random people in the streets! I'd do it here...but I'd probably be arrested or some lame American thing like that.
xoxo
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