by Caroline Black

As Caroline Black enjoys her “cultural appreciation” at the beautiful Lake Atitlan, she reflects on her final day of service in the Ixil region.  Below are her thoughts.

Thursday marked our final day of service in Guatemala. Our crew spent the morning at a school in Batzul (outside of Chajul). We played games with the students all morning, reviewing basic plant names and parts taught last week during our two visits. Additionally, to further explain why we made organic pesticides last week, we played a game where we (Aggies and the Batzul kids) were all divided into three teams: Plants, Pesticides, & Insects. Depending on your assigned roll, the “plants” were protected by the “pesticides.” If tagged by an “insect” the “plant” died (squatted then stood up again), but if the “pesticide” tagged the “insect” while protecting the “plant” the “insect” had to run back to a base and start over again… I was a “plant” and I must brag on my “pesticide” Victor… he did an awesome job keeping me alive!

After playing our games, the students made mini lombricomposturas in dixie cups, for the students to take home to their families. I hope at least one kid will teach his or her parents the information we shared with them…That would be awesome!

During the morning’s activities, I met a little girl. Her name: Elda.

Elda quickly became my friend and wanted multiple pictures taken. She handed me her workbook and had me write my name down for her. She also showed me the las gatas (cats) she had drawn… my response, “iMuy bonita!”

Before we left the school, I heard someone yell “Carolina, Carolina” and it was Elda. She reached out her hand and presented me a little plastic nob — her gift to me. I was startled by her act of kindness and immediately asked “for me?” Her answer was a grin that read “yes.” I wish I had had something to give to her in return, but all I had was a hug and we took another picture together.

 A plastic nob — maybe a piece from an old hair pin? I’m not sure — but she willingly gave. It was pretty humbling, if you ask me.

Elda serves as one of many examples of the culture we’ve been a part of over the last 20 days. It’s the individuals like Elda who have made this trip priceless.

These people have given all that they have to welcome us into their homes, schools, offices, and even futbol games to share their smiles, friendship, love, life…and culture.

I’m very thankful for the Elda’s of Chajul. I only hope I gave half of what they have each given to me…

 Tantiuxh Elda, Tantiuxh!

(Tantiuxh is “thank you” in Ixil)

by Poleth Robledo

Friday morning in Chajul! We woke up with a bittersweet feeling. It was the last full day in Chajul, and our group was heading out to AGROS, a coffee farm on the edge of Nebaj in Rio Azul.

For the trip, the girls decided to take a little extra time to get dolled up, after spending two weeks in T-shirts and dirty jeans.

Ready for the coffee farm, the gang loaded up in a microbus with Reynaldo, our driver for the past two weeks who has gotten us safely to our destinations.

It was a short ride to the coffee farm, where our team was under the impression that we were having lunch, but that changed upon arrival. Thank goodness we packed our flexibility!

Jake, our group leader, saved the day by setting up a reservation in Nebaj for us. After a fun-filled tour through AGROS, the team was ready for a delicious and most definitely filling lunch in town.

Next, we headed back to the Limitless Horizons Ixil office for a heart-warming goodbye party with the staff.

We shared our last feelings among the group, and a game of musical chairs proceeded to get the real party started. Dancing around with the LHI students, with whom we have spent most of our time in Chajul, filled the room with excitement and joy.

Cake completed the festivities, and off to the Posada we headed to pack and spend our last night with the wonderful staff who have dealt with us for the past two weeks.

Once again, that bittersweet feeling rose and filled the Posada as our team packed and cleaned up what we called home for two weeks.

Hasta luego, Chajul, the small town in Quiché that touched all of our hearts!

by Gary Wingenbach

At some point in life, we all have the same nagging doubt, “if only I knew then what I know now, it would’ve been much different.” I could’ve acted differently. I would’ve, or wouldn’t have, said what I said. Damn it all, if only I had known that time was running out!

We seldom get the chance to purposefully plan our thoughts, actions, and deeds when we know the imminent end of something is near. But, that shouldn’t keep us from purposefully planning our future thoughts, actions, and deeds for living a different life because of our most recent experience.

That is how we find ourselves, 10 Aggies, three ALEC faculty members, and one future Aggie, preparing to leave Chajul, Guatemala this morning. Our time here was too short, but we vow to live our lives differently because of the changes Chajul has made in us.

Ironic, we came to Chajul to collaborate with the Philanthropiece Foundation and Limitless Horizons Ixil in service-learning projects that would change lives in several mountainous villages. Chajul and her villages of Visuchuj, Batzul, and Ixla, changed us!

Now we are more open-minded about rural development. We are more tolerant and accepting of each other. Certainly, after many “it’s just a short hike” warnings, we’re more in shape now than when we arrived. Probably most of all, we are less naive about the necessities of life.

We could not help but be changed by the thousands of warm smiles, waves, and greetings every place we visited. We could not help but be changed by Jake Matlak and Laura Myers, our ever positive, upbeat, and energetic cultural program leaders. Thank you Jake and Laura! Thank you so much for understanding that the transition from a U.S. cultural perspective to what you now see from our group is an arduous undertaking. Thank you for your infinite patience.

A little more than two weeks ago, we all knew this ending would occur today. Yet, I don’t think any of us realized just how difficult it is to say goodbye. Through the many heart-felt conversations yesterday and last night, through the hugs and the tears with our Guatemalan collaborators, these Aggies have dedicated themselves to take their experience back to Aggieland, to share it widely with family and friends, to make a difference elsewhere in life.

Several Aggies now have plans to assist the Philanthropiece Foundation and Limitless Horizons Ixil with their artisan projects, agricultural science curriculum development, and sponsorship of a LHI scholar. I am not surprised by this outcome because the Aggie spirit and work ethic knows no bounds to the challenges of life.

I am very proud to have shared this experience with Annalee Antoon, Caroline Black, Julie Brod, Kesley Fraley, Joshua Hardcastle, Daniel Haywood, Jenna Howell, Cristina Palomino, Poleth Robledo, Cera Southerland, Lori Moore, Landry Lockett, and most of all, with Sydney Wingenbach!

And so, our Guatemala Study Abroad 2012 is nearing its end. A mere four days from this writing will find us checking monitors in the Guatemala City airport, anticipating our return to a very hot and humid Texas.

I will miss this cool, spring-like climate. I will miss these mountains. And until 2013, I will surely miss you, Chajul!

by Landry Lockett

Everyone in our group has experienced culture shock in varying degrees since arriving in Guatemala.  Sometimes it has felt like we’ve stepped back in time, with dirt-floor homes full of smoke from open-fire stoves; to farmers completing tasks with the original horse power.

Other times it feels like we’re on a different planet; complete with languages we have never heard, plants we have never seen, and food we have never tasted.

Many differences have been drastic; however, it has been interesting to observe facets of life that are the same both in the U.S.A. and Guatemala.  Just a few examples are as follows:

The power of a smile

The force of thunder and lightning

Momma’s fried chicken

Giggling girls

Boys throwing rocks and playing ball

The song from the ice cream truck that can be heard throughout town

Running to beat the rain

Young lovers and private conversations

The sweet sounds of birds singing

Pride in country

The carrying on of traditions

Flowers in bloom

The universal language of laughter

Mischievous students

Weeds in the garden

Fussy babies

Curious babies

Hard work and stinky bodies

Holding hands

Little girls modeling mom’s behavior

Little boys building things

Parents providing as best they can

Church bells ringing

The desire to be successful

The desire to be happy

Faith, Hope, and Love

These things remind me that there are universal, unifying themes found in the hearts of mankind scattered around the world.  Our differences add spice and tell amazing stories.  Our similarities bind our hearts together.

I am forever, positively changed by the differences and similarities discovered on this trip.

by Cera Southerland

For the first time in almost a week, we were able to sleep in this morning! ¡Es solo un hora, pero que magnifico esta!

Despite the minimal water pressure in the showers that kept us from being able to shower, we had a hearty breakfast of pancakes, watermelon, and pineapple (by far, my favorite fruit here)!

We returned to Batzul to teach the students the importance of their organic pesticides, vermiculture compost, and the different vegetables in their garden.  We started off playing fruit basket turnover.  After a couple minutes of trying to play and the kids giggling and smiling, the teacher re-explained the game in Quiché (their native language) for all the kids to fully understand.  After that, they all got involved in the game and had a blast.  We followed that up with a game of Pesticide Tag, which Daniel made up, and the kids loved it! All the kids that were pesticides protected the plant kids from the pests with such enthusiasm! 

Being able to watch the students at these different schools enjoy such simple games and toys is a blessing and an experience that I wish everyone could get to see!  We constantly have cute girls run up to you just wanting to hold your hands while you play any game!

We came prepared with activities for the kids to learn from so we could further educate them on the importance of their new vermiculture compost and organic pesticides, and their vegetables.  We started off quizzing them on what goes into their vermiculture box and why each component was important.  Then we had them make a mini compostura in a plastic cup so they could put the components in themselves.

Next, we went over the different vegetables they have in their garden and what they are called in English.  It’s amazing how these kids answer questions in unison! We gave the kids a matching game so they could match the Spanish name and picture of each vegetable to the English word.  The kids retained the English word so well and were thrilled when they matched the cards correctly! 

We passed out zoo animal stickers to the kids as prizes or gifts for participating in class.  I ended up with a monkey sticker and showed a few boys what monkeys do and the noise they make, oo-ing and aah-ing while I scratched my underarms.  They giggled at the crazy gringa, but started to do the same thing back to me!

We finished up our time at Batzul simply playing with the kids and taking pictures with them.  I sat with one little boy wearing plaid overalls and showed him different hand games and how to bump fists and make them explode.  We repeated the same handshake over and over, and every time our fists hit he flashed the biggest smile with the cutest dimples a kid could have.  I took pictures of him and showed them to him after; he seemed so intrigued to see himself on a camera and smiled every time.

Before we left, we got a picture with all the kids and teachers with our Aggie flag.  We topped off our visit at Batzul with the Aggie War Hymn! They all loved it, and kids from the village gathered around the fence of the school while we sang. It was definitely a memorable way to end our time at the Batzul School!

We traveled back into Chajul to have lunch at a LHI employee’s house.  Her mother, the best cook in Chajul according to Laura and Jake, cooked us the most amazing fried chicken and rice meal we’ve had all trip!!

We returned to La Posada for some classic Texas A&M class time and later some delicious chicken fajitas for dinner.  It’s definitely nice to have a piece of Tex-Mex here in Guatemala every now and then!

We all spent our nights working on homework and relaxing with each other (if that’s even possible with those two together)!  We are all truly bonding, like a family of our own here in Guatemala.  It’s amazing how close you become with people that you didn’t even know before the trip started. With all the projects we’ve completed and people we’ve met, we are all growing closer together, and I’m excited to see where this trip takes us in the end as a group and individually.