Update

It's been about a month and a half since I've been here in Xela. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by! So, here is a general update of how things are going, what I'm doing and all those small things that often don't get recorded.

For the moment, I'm still volunteering at Primeros Pasos. We haven't started to go to the schools yet, as there aren't enough Health Educators to do the daily work in the clinic and go to the schools. One class of 20-40 students comes to the clinic each day where they have a doctor's visit and have a 30-45min workshop, facilitated by us Health Educators. Depending on the age of the class, different topics are covered. Topics include nutrition, hygiene (washing fruits and vegetables, hands, brushing teeth, etc...) and puberty. It has been interesting to teach these classes and work at the clinic. I've learned about the Guatemalan Health Care System in general, talk to Guatemalan medical students and see some of the major illnesses and health problems in this region. I think I'll work with them for one or two more weeks, and then pursue some other, more reproductive health focused, opportunities that I've been looking into. Also, my spanish is slowly getting better and I'm getting more comfortable with it. It's easy to speak lots of english here, but I'm actively trying to find more opportunities to speak only Spanish and teaching the classes does help. I should be starting with a language partner this week that will hopefully help. You might also find me back in language classes in a month or two if my language isn't at the level i'd like for it to be.

I've rented a room at the Posada San Andres, and really love both the community and the Posada. (pictures on my flikr account: http://flickr.com/gp/35669856@N05/q82661) It's a spanish style house, so there is a main courtyard with all the rooms surrounding it. This means that to go anywhere (kitchen, bathroom) you have to go outside. I both love this, because it has a rustic and homey feel, and dread it in the middle of the night when I have to go to the bathroom or in the morning when i need to take a shower. Regardless, the hammock and couch on the patio make up for it. There are 8 of us who live here total, and surprisingly you never really have to wait to cook dinner. There is also a cat who lives here, Kitty. She is taken care of by one of my house mates and therefore is safe and clean. She is a little spastic, but I love being around a cat again.

Unfortunately, at the moment I have fleas. We went to the beach last weekend, which is where I think i picked them up. They are kind of like lice or bedbugs and a pain to get rid of. I have washed everything and put my mattress out in the sun for hours to try and kill them. It hasn't worked yet so I might have to give it a second go later this week. One of the med students at Primeros Pasos told me that eventually everyone who stays long enough in Guatemala gets them. I was hoping that it wouldn't happen to me!