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ALEC Abroad

The Influence of Gender Roles in Preserving the Maya Culture

8Apr

The ten days I recently spent in Guatemala have given me a deeper appreciation for the role of “family” in the Maya culture. The first observation I made while in-country were the holding of hands among the indigenous populations. When one thinks of holding hands, it often serves as reference between a woman and a man. However, I interpreted this symbolism in Guatemala as a representation of their value for each member of the family. This is a country in which half of its population lives in poverty, and the agriculture sector employs half of all Guatemalans. So the role of each family member, whether male or female, is necessary for survival of the entire household.

For example, women are expected to maintain their domestic responsibilities, whereas men are expected to work out in the fields. These culturally appropriate, gender roles became apparent during our visits to indigenous villages such as Zaculeu and Jaibalito; in the Panajachel region of Guatemala. Although these indigenous men and women continuously face hardships, they still maintain their value for each other and demonstrate pride in both their work and cultural beliefs.

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While working on soil conservation projects with a pea-farmer’s cooperative in Zaculeu, I found it enlightening that the farmers were genuinely fulfilled with the minimal acreage they owned.

The first remark that struck me was when Don Eńildo, leading member of the pea-cooperative, stated in Spanish, “Si estás en contra de la tierra, entonces usted está en contra de Dios.”

When translated to English the statement reads, “If you are against the land, then you are against God.”

As a member of the Kaqchikel Maya Tribe, Don Eńildo exemplified his cultural beliefs in both maintaining and respecting the land provided to him and the cooperative members. And it is through this value system that both the land and farmers whom are beneficiaries will continue to progress.

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Another observation I made while in-country were Maya women’s role as preservers of culture. Not only were these indigenous women expected to fulfill their role in the family, but they were also expected to maintain their cultural identity dependent on their Maya Tribe. While visiting the artisan market in Jaibalito, it became apparent these indigenous women took pride in their craftsmanship, and even more in telling the story of their tribe through the textiles. I couldn’t tell you if I enjoyed more looking at these colorful huipil designs, or speaking with the indigenous women who shared their stories with me. When I would explain that I am of Mexican descent, nearly every woman I spoke with would express how important it is for me to know my native language.

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A member of the K’iche Maya Tribe, Dońa Catalina, explained to me that although her people endured genocide during the 36 year Civil War in Guatemala; the government of the country was unable to eradicate the 21 recognized Mayan languages of this largely indigenous population.

She stated in Spanish, “Los guerrilleros pueden haber tomado nuestra tierra y sus seres queridos, pero eran incapaces de tomar nuestra identidad y el lenguaje. Es a través de nuestra fe que hemos surgido de tales injustice, y es a través de nuestra lengua y cultura que vamos a seguir compartiendo nuestras historias.”

When translated to English the statement reads, “The guerrillas may have taken our land and loved ones, but they were unable to take our identity and language. It is through our faith that we have arisen from such injustice, and it is through our language and culture that we will continue to share our stories.”

In retrospect, I have gained further understanding of gender roles inclined by the Maya culture, and how both men and women serve as integral parts in the development of this indigenous value system. Given my Mexican heritage is a remnant of an indigenous population, I have a newfound respect for the preservation of culture among the Mayans. I empathize with both Don Eńildo and Dońa Catalina, and agree that their cultural beliefs will enable their Maya Tribes to flourish. My only hope is that I can return to Guatemala in my future career as a Foreign Service Officer and learn new stories from these dedicated, Mayan story-tellers.

Having Faith in Hard Times

21Mar

Guatemala has been through so much in its history, and struggles with a large amount of food insecurity and poverty throughout the country. Close to 50% of the country is considered malnourished, and that number only gets higher in rural areas. I have been to Guatemala on two different study abroad trips now.

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A Picture of Chajul, Guatemala

In 2014, we spent eight days in Chajul, a small town in the Western Highlands that has a very large population living under the poverty line of two dollars a day. During our time in Chajul, we worked with two different non-governmental organizations to build a community vegetable garden. Doing this enabled us to get to know many of the families in Chajul, and learn about their everyday lives.

In 2015, we visited many different rural towns in the Central Highlands such as Zacaleu and Patzun. We met with some smallholder farmers as well as visited a primary school and local health center. Even though these two study aboard trips were completely different, I have noticed something similar on broth trips; Guatemalans (especially in rural areas) have a huge amount of faith.

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Amazing Catholic Church in Antigua, Guatemala

Whether it be faith in the indigenous Mayan religions, Catholicism, or Protestantism, most of the people in Guatemala take their faith very seriously. Even in times of hardship, I have noticed that the people here rejoice in whatever faith they believe in. We were told that in Guatemala, there are “fiestas” for almost everything that the churches believe should be celebrated. These gatherings build a sense of community for the people and give them something to look forward to, especially if their families are going through hard times.

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The Set Up of A Ferris Wheel for the “Feria”

In Chajul during the week we were in Guatemala, there was a week long “feria” celebrating a saint in the Catholic Church. Thousands of people from neighboring towns made the trip to participate, and it was a time of fun and celebration for everyone in the town. I had the opportunity to attend mass in Chajul, and was able to see how involved many of the community is in their church. Chajul is a town that suffers with large numbers of food insecure people. It was amazing to me that people can still be joyful and have faith in these hard times. I think that sometimes we take for granted everything that we have.

This year, we have had the opportunity to visit multiple churches, and learn a little bit more about the Mayan religions of the indigenous people. During the civil war in Guatemala, lasting from the 1970s to 1996, many of the Mayan religions were persecuted. Mayan people figured out that they could still practice their religion through the Catholic Church by hiding their beliefs but still attending mass. I found it interesting, that the indigenous people were willing to risk their lives to keep practicing their religion because of their strong faith in their God.

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A Mayan Ritual Site in the Iximche Ruins

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Mayan Religious Ritual Being Performed

 

 

 

 

 

 

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School Children in a Parade for St. Joseph

During one of the days we worked with a Peace Corps volunteer, Alexa, we were given the opportunity to pass by one of the local Anglican churches, which was having a local party. The whole community got together to celebrate the occasion and have a meal together. It looked like they were having a great time! We were also able to see a local school in Antigua have a small parade in honor of St. Joseph. The children seemed to be having a great time and you could tell that they really cared about what they were celebrating.

My take home message from both of my experiences in Guatemala, is that even in times of hardship, faith can really get you through anything, no matter what you believe in. It is amazing to me that so many of the people in Guatemala living in poverty and hunger get such a large amount of strength in their faith. I hope that I can learn from them in any of my hard times to come.

 

No Mountain Too Steep (Guatemalan Agriculture)

21Mar

IMG_2982 Guatemala is a country rich in culture, from village fairs to traditional clothing. It is a country full of natural wonders such as Lake Atitlan and volcanoes such as St. Pedro and the active Fuego which is constantly emitting black smoke from its peak. Most of the country is mountainous terrain with steep slopes. These very slopes are where we have found some of the country’s agriculture.

Agriculture is a major part of Guatemala’s economy and livelihood of many Guatemalans. We visited the town of Zaculeu with a population around 1,500 people and home to one of IMG_2950many cooperatives in the country. The cooperative contains 150 members made up of the local farmers. We worked with Alexa, a Peace Corps Volunteer assigned to assist local farmers with soil conservation and more efficient ways of farming. We had the privilege to work with Alexa and the cooperative on their farm plots. We measured contour lines with A-frames (see picture) that we constructed prior to going into the fields. The farmers constructed live barriers where we had placed the contour lines to help stop soil erosion.

I was shocked by the sheer mountainous

IMG_7580 slopes on which these farmers worked. I am from Weslaco, a town in south Texas where we have a family farm: I am used to almost perfectly level fields. So, to see farmers surviving, thriving, and making a living on mountains slopes, is quite amazing in my eyes. They do all work by hand, whether plowing, planting, spraying, or harvesting. There are no tractors or machines because of the terrain. Farmers not only walk, but carry all their equipment to the fields.

Guatemala agriculture is like none other. The unique landscape makes agriculture much more difficult than it already is. Through my observations, I would easily conclude Guatemalans have taken agriculture to an extreme occupation!

Accessibility of Information

20Mar

IMG_1994The popular perception is that Guatemala is a thieving, dangerous, and extremely poor country. Turns out that a tourist will have a great experience, as long as you have an experienced guide, stay in a group, and you are careful without being just plain stupid. I didn’t know how hard it would be to get information, research, and/or evidence in Guatemala, but I found out that it was surprisingly easy. For the most part, there are translators and meetings that are already set up for us by our guide to address questions or concerns. The culture and people are also very friendly and patient with you when you have a question or if you are just trying to communicate.

As I observed, the activities in the day went by very slow because of their culture. This was very relaxing and less stressful, which was a sweet reminder of my lifestyle in the Texas country when living at my ranch. Both are very similar in the pace of the day. Everything takes time, and half of the day will be just visiting with others. This is extremely helpful when doing a project or study in Guatemala. If directions or questions are needed, then the other person will immediately stop whatever they are doing and give you their undivided attention, including a complete answer. They do not get impatient if you are struggling to communicate in Spanish, but they will also work with you in order that both parties reach an understanding. In the end, both parties are smiling and feel a sense of achievement.

IMG_3072In Guatemala, everything is about building relationships and working with others. If you are able to build a relationship or connection with someone, you can easily get connected with many others. For example, our amazing driver on the “Juancho Expedicion” got us connected with a boat driver, and he also participated in helping us ask questions to key individuals such as the head persons of the urban water development team.

Lastly, Guatemalans are very open and honest to answer your questions, or help point you in the right direction. They are totally fine with us taking pictures, though it is polite to ask ahead.

During my experience in Guatemala, not one of my questions was not answered! They are very hospitable and will let you see and inspect the things of interest in your project. My team was able to inspect latrines and water supply of a school with nothing hidden or tidied up. This brings a thorough research and hard evidence of what is actually in place and going on. Successfully, we made a last-minute appointment with the head governmental official in charge of the water development and contamination in the Lake Atitlan.

I am blown away by the hospitality and cooperation that the Guatemalans have shown. I am very excited about the rest of the time my team has in Guatemala and for those who will come in the future! It is a wonderful experience that comes very rarely. Thanks and Gig’em!

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Written by:

Charlie Hurdt (formally known as Carlos)

El Tranquilo de Guatemala

18Mar

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Hola readers, I am sitting at the edge of lake Atitlan simply enjoying the moment. Guatemala is most certainly the land of eternal spring. Today, I want to convey my opinions on life in Guatemala. What I mean is that time in Guatemala is vastly different from America. I will try my best to describe it, but you just might have to be here to believe it.

To begin I’ll start with my current life in Texas. My day begins with a workout at 6:00 every morning, followed by a quick breakfast at 7:30. Shortly after breakfast, I attend classes from 8 to 11. After class, my workday begins, which generally goes through lunch. Following work, I train in the Corp of Cadets until 7:00 at night, and I’ll study until 11:00. IMG_3082Repeat that five times a week and that is my life. The corps’ lifestyle is like warp speed compared to Guatemala. Let’s convert my day into Guatemala time. First, take that 15-20 minute breakfast and multiply it by five, maybe six times. If you think that is long, dinner can start at 7:30 and end at 10:00; there is no rush here. It is certainly a lifestyle I could get use to. You may chalk that up to a vacation-like atmosphere that a tourist might attract, but from my observations that could not be farther from the truth.

The moment I discovered that truth, the moment I was convinced that it wasn’t just a façade, was when working with Don Enildo and Alexa. Don Enildo is a pea farmer in the Zacaleau cooperative. Alexa is a Peace Corps Volunteer assigned to help increase production at this post. When we showed up, Alexa had created a work plan while we visited. Alexa, an American working in Central America for a couple of years, miscalculated the time it would take eight motivated Aggies to finish the job. With not even a year in country, she was functioning in Guatemalan time. I would say in a total of six hours we had built five A-frame levels, set contour lines in Don EniIMG_2953ldo’s farm, made compost piles on-site, and were able to pick an entire field of peas. We were there for two days folks and only did six hours of work, and a whole bunch of talking. As a side note, we also made a little pizza for lunch (10 pizzas actually).

That night, I realized life here in Guatemala has a different frame; most are content with the speed of their universe and have no desire to speed it up. I could give you a million examples of the slow tranquil Guatemalan lifestyle I haveIMG_2966 observed. I would rather enjoy it for as long as I can and it’s something I believe you must experience to truly appreciate what I’ve discovered.

 

Humans are Social Creatures

2Jun

When was the last time you held your sister’s or your mother’s hand? When was the last time you wrapped your arm around your brother’s or your dad’s shoulders? Was it during a time of sadness, comfort, or despair? In American culture it is quite common to leave a bubble of personal space around us nearly all the time. We may hug our relatives in greeting or departure if the time apart will be great; we may break the personal bubble to comfort one another. I want to know why we leave physical contact to these bleak, passing moments. While walking the streets of Guatemala, I consistently saw women of all ages holding hands with their family or friends walking next to them and frequently saw men walking with arms around each other in affable embrace.

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pic3 Chajulense women holding hands while walking down the street.

Our American personal space is a negative one: it is put there to keep people out and to keep our distance from everyone, even the people we love. The Guatemalan personal space is a positive one: it is inviting, welcoming and forthcoming with love and acceptance. When seeing a Guatemalan woman again after our first meeting, I would be immediately welcomed with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The children whom I could not even communicate with because they spoke only Ixil would still huddle around me, holding onto my arm, grasping my hand, tugging on my shirt, because they were not afraid to be in my so-called personal space and did not feel uncomfortable by having me in theirs. They were simply trusting, and they just wanted to be friends. Why is that so hard for us Americans to wrap our heads around?

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Two boys, either brothers or friends, posing for my camera.

Although I could not expect everyone who reads this to try to make personal changes based on my experience in Guatemala, I do hope that everyone takes a moment to open their minds to the possibility of being a little less selfish with our personal space. The Guatemalan culture is very people and relationship based and as such is a very happy, friendly, genuine culture. As a light-skinned foreigner in the land of Mayan descendants, I was welcomed nearly everywhere I went. I was welcomed with greetings of “Hola!” from the children, with curious smiles from the women, and with the occasional wolf whistle and “como te llamas” from the men. If you were to see a traditionally-dressed, Guatemalan family walking down the street in America would you welcome them as warmly? Would you acknowledge them at all? The only places I’ve been to in America that were that open and friendly to strangers were small towns, and they are a quickly-dying breed.

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Children of a family who lives about a 2-hour hike into the mountains outside Chajul.

If I have learned nothing else from my experience in Guatemala, I hope I am able to teach to others and incorporate into my own life the openness and friendliness of the Guatemalan people. After all, strangers are friends you just have not met yet, so why not start meeting a few more? I would say one of the reasons we shy from talking to strangers is part of a defense mechanism to keep us safe from bad people, but the reality of the matter is that the vast majority of people are good and would reciprocate friendliness if given the chance. Humans are social creatures, and social interaction is meant to be organic, not technologic. Thus, I challenge you to put down your phone, put away your laptops and iPads, and speak to the person next to you. Give someone a compliment and make their day. What have you got to lose?

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Me with two sisters after our story time art activity where we had them draw their families.

All pictures credit to Hannah Boyer, taken with a Canon EOS Rebel T1i.

25 Things I’ve Learned From Guatemala

1Jun

1) Always pack your flexibility. And toilet paper

2) Never take anything for granted, especially the simplest things. Even warm showers are a luxury.

3) There is nothing like standing in front of a raging waterfall and feeling fearless

4) The longest, hardest, toughest hikes lead to the most beautiful places

5) Never pass up the chance to learn something new. Not everyone has that opportunity

6) People are going to notice your differences. Give them something else to remember you by

7) You can wear dirty clothes a lot longer than you think

8) Make the most of your day, every day. It’s how you make the best memories

9) Someone always has it worse than you

10) Always take the time to explore. You never know what you’ll find

11) You’re stronger than you think you are. A lot stronger. You can do anything if you believe it

12) Go ahead and dance, even though you’re not good at it

13) Work for a good cause, and it won’t feel like work

14) No one has all the answers. Always ask questions, even stupid ones.

15) Be kind and sincere to others, and you’ll receive the same in return. A smile goes a long way

16) It’s always a good time for fireworks, but earthquakes are best left as surprises

17) There is beauty all around you. You just have to open your eyes and see it

18) The electricity goes out sometimes, but the show must go on

19) A little rain never hurt anyone

20) Marching bands practice at 4 in the morning and roosters crow all the time. You’ll get used to it

21) Learn the local language. It’s fun

22) Always help others. Even just being there can make a difference

23) Talk to people. You’ll be surprised how much they’ll share with you

24) Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. That applies to worms, cow poop, and paint as well

25) Home is where your heart is, friends are the family you chose, and life is what you make of it

Can you see what I see?

29May

Just another Saturday in Aggieland

Just another Saturday in Aggieland

Kyle Field. Those two simple words in their own right bring an incredible image to mind that many Aggies are proud to be a part of, as well as many memories of attending games and other events. To us it does not seem like that BIG of a deal other than a place that encompasses tradition, unity among our alumni, a roaring sound so loud that it can be heard all over town, and just an all-around amazing thing to witness. “From the outside looking in you can’t understand it, and from the inside looking out you can’t explain it.” This quote suddenly took on a different meaning for me when we were showing a slideshow of Kyle Field at Texas A&M to the students at Philanthropies in Chajul. Not only did you hear a gasp from everyone in the room looking at how massive our Kyle Field is, but also that each deck and section was covered in a sea of maroon colors.

Never once since attending A&M have I had to attempt to explain any of the traditions ofour great college to anyone from another country, and I certainly did not think I would meet people that had never heard of Aggieland. After speaking with the students for just a minute I realized that they were not taken a back by the maroon shirts that filled the stands or the perfectly snapped pictures of our campus. They were fascinated with how extremely large and nice our stadium was. I am sure this is because they have never seen this many people in one place, ever; let alone seeing a gathering this large just for some Saturday football.

Kyle Field

While I could go on to say how this lead me to some sort of personal soul searching to ultimately realize how fortunate I am; I believe that the most powerful realization I came to is that I was able to share just a small piece of my life with a group of students who have never seen or heard of such a thing. While it may not seem like a big deal in comparison to giving the students my time, money or wisdom I feel that sharing with them something as amazing as Kyle Field showed them that there are so many more things out there in the world to see. I hope that one day they are able to travel somewhere and experience many of the great cultures that the world has to offer; as well as share their unique perspective on life with others, and not feel as though they are stuck in their current living situations.

 

Rose-colored glasses

29May

A few mornings ago, I cried because I am currently ineligible to order my Aggie ring due to my pending grades for this abroad trip. I was under the impression that I would be late to register for a time slot for Aggie Ring Day. A late slot time meant the absence of my mom and family on my Ring Day. I continued to express my dilemma with my professor and host guides. They couldn’t understand why it was such a big deal. In their perspective, the situation was out of my control, so no need in crying over spilled milk and it is only a ring. To me it was like the end of the world (in that moment).
I later found out that registration for time slots isn’t until a few months from now. The deadlines I’m faced with only concern sizing my ring and making the payment for it. I was instantly overjoyed. Then I sat there for a moment and realized how crazy I was. I began to think about why I cried and what everything meant on a greater scale.
Whether I got, what I perceived as, a good time slot or not, I was still getting my ring. Yes, it would be unfortunate if my mother couldn’t make it, but I knew deep down that she would make a way, so why was I crying. I was crying more so because I felt inconvenienced. “How prissy is that!” I thought. I had fallen victim to the ring obsession, not focusing on what the ring symbolizes, or what it is the precursor to. Graduating is the goal. Education is the bigger picture. I’m at least fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pursue and receive my education.
I think back to my encounters with the children of Chajul and the many children who cannot afford to go to school, but desperately want to seek an education. They are heartbroken because they have a thirst for knowledge that cannot be quenched due to various circumstances, but more so the fact that it is not easily accessible. I’m humbled.
I now place caution on what I take and place value on. I have to make a conscious effort to not worry so much, because often times I’m worried about the wrong thing. This time spent away in a different culture has helped me learn about myself and opened my eyes to focus on the bigger issues in life. We often times get caught up in the material things. It is part of our culture as Americans to need more; it is no longer a want for things, things that are not necessities in life. We are a task driven nation and we want to be efficient and effective at all times. We have no time for inconvenience. This experience has brought many things to my attention and I am so grateful to see things in a new light.

What Do You Think of Us?

29May

Something that very much interests me is the Guatemalans’ perceptions of the United States. Of course, we came to Guatemala with many preconceived notions about what the country was going to be like, which is inevitable. Although, we got our expectations from classes, books, the Internet, etc. Many Guatemalans, especially those in rural areas, do not have access to any of these resources, so their perceptions may come solely from what they hear from others, or see from travellers

Lizzie Baliozian got the opportunity to speak to one man about what he thought America was like. He explained America to be a place of the future, a place he could never imagine to be real. When asked to describe it in one word, he chose “incredible” – hearing that, gave me the chills. He said he would love the opportunity to go to America simply to see if it really exists.

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This perspective is vastly different from the women we spoke to last week at the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute. One woman heard that the United States is who supplied the guns that killed many people during the Guatemalan civil war. She also knows that in the United States people have a freedom to marry and divorce. She almostseemed a bit resentful of this, because of how unfaithful herhusband was, but she also disagreed with our customs, because of her religion. She wanted to make it very clear though that she does have a lot of respect for us. It is truly amazing, yet slightly concerning, how these two are on such different sides of the spectrum.

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Today, I also spoke with a Limitless Horizons Ixil worker who actually visited America. I asked her what came as the most shock to her and I have to admit, her answer was not the first one I was expeting. I come to Guatemala and the first thing I notice is the difference in living conditions and the poverty. To her, it was the family dynamic. She was shocked to see couples that did not have any children. What a perfect example of how relationship-oriented people truly are here.

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