So Karsten and i are here in guatemala once more! Well, its karsten´s first time, but i am finally back to my second hooooome!!!! :)
a few updates:
after flying into el salvador, we are finally safe in guate!
we are dancing salsa everyday for an hour or more with my friends and alex, my first teacher. (and ex novio jaja)
karsten likes frijoles and tortillas. beans. nobody who comes to guatemala likes beans. well i do. but this is rare.
karsten´s spanish is improving! she can now form phrases like ¨i. go. to. market?¨
jajajajja
i am helping her though! and the teachers at Celas maya are teaching us a lot.
for now, we are off to dance more salsa.
but if anyone still follows this, we will write later!
love to all.
especially you mom.
hope you are recovering quickly and well!!
love
b
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Último miércoles en Xela
Hoy es nuestro último miércoles en Xela. Estoy muy triste. Hoy en la noche tenemos graduación de Celas Maya, nuestra escuela de español. Todos vamos a vestir formal y tenemos una canción para los maestros de Celas Maya! Es una canción popular ahorita en Guatemala, y cambiamos las palabras para que son sobre Celas Maya y los maestros :) También hoy es el último día en la rumba...mi otro casa. Vamos a bailar toda la noche! El papá de Alex (el dueño de la rumba) va a tener una pastel y camisetas para todos! Estoy emocionada a bailar toda la noche :) Pero ahora tengo que almorzar muy rapido! Más mas tarde. Ciao!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Honduras Pictures
The beach view from the scuba boat
--if you click on the pictures, they will open up a large window view
Beautiful Hondurian sunsets
Our scuba dive center
--if you click on the pictures, they will open up a large window view
Beautiful Hondurian sunsets
Our scuba dive center
Stacey, Shannon, me, Jenna in our cabin!
Applebee's in Honduras!
Traveling in Latin America
As the four of us girls who went to Honduras were standing in line yesterday at a bus company, waiting for yet ANOTHER bus to connect us by chance back to Guatemala, we realized that this trip has taught us a lot about traveling. After missing the bus we needed by about 10 minutes, we came up with a list of things we learned about traveling in Latin America. Here is what we came up with:
1) Everything takes more time than you plan for. In fact, everything takes about double as much time as you think it will. Lines are long, ferries are slow, people are slow, and often the shuttle you need you JUST missed by 15 minutes because of timing.
2) Make friends. Talk to people. We randomly would just talk with people, especially other travelers who were clearly from the U.S., and made a lot of friends. One family even piled us into the back of their car to take us to the mall while we waited for the ferry! This is something I haven’t done in the past, because Dad always has had everything planned out when we travel. But traveling with 4 girls, and with a LOT of extra time waiting around for things, we chatted with a lot of random nice people, which ended up turning out in our favor more than once.
3) Take advantage of the knowledge of the locals. We were helped SO many times on this trip by Latinos who went out of their way to help us simply because they were genuinely nice. After getting off one bus ride, we just walked up to the nearest taxi, got in, and asked him where to go to get the next bus we needed. We realized that instead of trying to fend for ourselves, its better just to use the knowledge of the locals because they know SO much more. This saved us so many times, because if we would have done things our way, we would still be traveling.
4) Plan in advance. We came up with this to add to the list, but it’s not really that possible, so I don’t know why we put it on here. What we did is bus jumped our way back to Guatemala, with no reservations, which is why it took us so long. However, it is almost impossible to plan ahead, because when you call weeks in advance to make bus reservations, or email the website, they NEVER RETURN YOUR CALLS OR CONTACT YOU IN THE LEAST. So. We decided that it is necessary to plan in advance to avoid a LOT of stress and cut out a lot of time, but it is not very possible or cheap to do so.
5) The last thing we came up with was: speak the language. I cannot emphasize enough how much this helped us. When we saw people with absolutely no Spanish knowledge trying to talk to hotel clerks and taxi drivers and etc, it was so ridiculous how much of a difference our Spanish knowledge made. We help other people whenever we can, of course, but it was really shocking for us how easily we understood compared to normal English speakers. Since we are around Spanish all the time now, we don’t realize how much we know. We have almost reached the point of fluency. It really is cool. I am to the point where I think in Spanish. I form phrases in my head in Spanish. I speak without stopping to think first. Anyways, fluency aside, without understanding Spanish in our travels, we would have 1) been seriously gypped, and 2) been frustrated about 85% of the time. So it’s a good thing to travel in Latin America with someone who speaks Spanish! Just the travel advice of 4 girls who trekked cross country to spend five days in the sun!
1) Everything takes more time than you plan for. In fact, everything takes about double as much time as you think it will. Lines are long, ferries are slow, people are slow, and often the shuttle you need you JUST missed by 15 minutes because of timing.
2) Make friends. Talk to people. We randomly would just talk with people, especially other travelers who were clearly from the U.S., and made a lot of friends. One family even piled us into the back of their car to take us to the mall while we waited for the ferry! This is something I haven’t done in the past, because Dad always has had everything planned out when we travel. But traveling with 4 girls, and with a LOT of extra time waiting around for things, we chatted with a lot of random nice people, which ended up turning out in our favor more than once.
3) Take advantage of the knowledge of the locals. We were helped SO many times on this trip by Latinos who went out of their way to help us simply because they were genuinely nice. After getting off one bus ride, we just walked up to the nearest taxi, got in, and asked him where to go to get the next bus we needed. We realized that instead of trying to fend for ourselves, its better just to use the knowledge of the locals because they know SO much more. This saved us so many times, because if we would have done things our way, we would still be traveling.
4) Plan in advance. We came up with this to add to the list, but it’s not really that possible, so I don’t know why we put it on here. What we did is bus jumped our way back to Guatemala, with no reservations, which is why it took us so long. However, it is almost impossible to plan ahead, because when you call weeks in advance to make bus reservations, or email the website, they NEVER RETURN YOUR CALLS OR CONTACT YOU IN THE LEAST. So. We decided that it is necessary to plan in advance to avoid a LOT of stress and cut out a lot of time, but it is not very possible or cheap to do so.
5) The last thing we came up with was: speak the language. I cannot emphasize enough how much this helped us. When we saw people with absolutely no Spanish knowledge trying to talk to hotel clerks and taxi drivers and etc, it was so ridiculous how much of a difference our Spanish knowledge made. We help other people whenever we can, of course, but it was really shocking for us how easily we understood compared to normal English speakers. Since we are around Spanish all the time now, we don’t realize how much we know. We have almost reached the point of fluency. It really is cool. I am to the point where I think in Spanish. I form phrases in my head in Spanish. I speak without stopping to think first. Anyways, fluency aside, without understanding Spanish in our travels, we would have 1) been seriously gypped, and 2) been frustrated about 85% of the time. So it’s a good thing to travel in Latin America with someone who speaks Spanish! Just the travel advice of 4 girls who trekked cross country to spend five days in the sun!
Honduras!!
Today we got back from our Spring Break, which Shannon, Jenna, Stacey and I spent in the islands of Honduras in the Carribbean. It was by far the place that most resembled paradise that I have ever been to. (Does that sentence make sense? I couldn’t figure out how to word it) (I struggle with English more and more as my Spanish progresses) But the point is, it was paradise. Observe the pictures. Roatan, one of the bay islands of Honduras, is the coolest place I have ever been to. Sandy white beaches, turquoise water, palm trees, blue skies, boats, people, scuba diving, swimming…what more could you ask for? We went to Honduras with our objective being to become certified to scuba dive. The coral reefs off the coast of the island are the second most beautiful in the world, and the islands are one of the cheapest places to get certified. Yes it did cost $300, but here’s how we looked at it: When else are we going to have the opportunity to become scuba certified and dive in one of the most beautiful reefs in the world? And in just 3 days of intense training and diving, we are now certified for the rest of our lives. How many people can say that they have been deep-sea diving? It was one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life. But more about that next. Aside from spending three days (from 8 to 4) diving, we managed to celebrate my 21st birthday with the islanders, eat at some beachside restaurants, soak in some sun, and spend our time relaxing. It was girl heaven. Literally. Anyone besides 4 college girls would’ve been bored or annoyed, because our only objective was to relax and get tan. Typical day: Every morning we were up and at ‘em at 6:30 to run on the beach, come back for breakfast on our deck before putting on our suits for 8:30 scuba. 8:30-10:30 shallow water diving skills class. 11:00 first deep water dive of the day. 12:30 to 1:30 eat sandwiches on the beach while tanning. 2:00 second dive of the day. 4:00 return to the beach exhausted and ready to relax and people watch until the sun went down. (Usually between 6 and 6:30) After the sun went down, we showered, walked down the beach for dinner, and then came back for relaxation. Every night (minus 2 that we went out) we stayed in the cabin, did back massages, Shannon gave us those half braids (observe photos, she is professional!) we made popcorn, watched movies, took crazy pictures, laid around talking, and went to bed early when we were tired. It was so relaxing. It was also fun because we had a little kitchen, so we were able to buy groceries and make our own breakfasts and lunches. (Basically just sandwiches, because we were out on the water all day) and dinners we usually ate out. It was the perfect arrangement for us. We were able to relax and do whatever we wanted. Which was an amazing feeling. Needless to say, nobody wanted to leave the island.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Quick Guide to Briannas Life
Here is the shortcut to finding out everything you need to know that has happened in the last few weeks, since I havent had any time to blog!
1) There was a spider with a body the size of a quarter in my bathroom the other night
2) I woke up a 1am to an earthquake that shook the whole house! But nothing fell
3) I have been spending all my time doing schoolwork lately and cannot WAIT for spring break!
4) For Spring break, since we have to be out of our families houses, me and 3 girlfriends are traveling to Honduras to get scuba-diving certified!! The second most beautiul reef in the world, the Carribbean Islands of Honduras. And the cheapest place in the world to get certified.
5) Last weekend, we were in Atitlan. The biggest and most beautiful mountain lake in Guatemala. It was heaven. And no Dad I did not set foot in the lake for one minute. Other people jumped off our boat, but I was smart. Everyone is ok though!
6) I did go kayaking in lake Atitlan, which has waves comparable to Lake Superior. It was amazing.
7) I do not ever want to leave Guatemala, but am so excited for American food in ONE MONTH!
8) Jenni asked me recently to be a bridesmaid in her wedding!!! :) Date set for May 2010. I cannot wait.
9) For those of you who dont know, I am now single and ready to conquer the world. I have learned that long distance relationships are sadly hard and not vale la pena. But thats what dating is for!
10) I spent 3 days last week with my kids at school and loved it. They have grown on me so fast. Now we have really special relationships and I absolutely adore those kids.
11) I cannot believe that I will be returning home in a month. Time has absoluely flown, and this is about the time that I start to reflect on my trip already. I think I reflect too much, actually. I still have one month left!
12) LOVE YOU ALL and hope to get pictures up on here before next weekend!
Love,
Brianna
1) There was a spider with a body the size of a quarter in my bathroom the other night
2) I woke up a 1am to an earthquake that shook the whole house! But nothing fell
3) I have been spending all my time doing schoolwork lately and cannot WAIT for spring break!
4) For Spring break, since we have to be out of our families houses, me and 3 girlfriends are traveling to Honduras to get scuba-diving certified!! The second most beautiul reef in the world, the Carribbean Islands of Honduras. And the cheapest place in the world to get certified.
5) Last weekend, we were in Atitlan. The biggest and most beautiful mountain lake in Guatemala. It was heaven. And no Dad I did not set foot in the lake for one minute. Other people jumped off our boat, but I was smart. Everyone is ok though!
6) I did go kayaking in lake Atitlan, which has waves comparable to Lake Superior. It was amazing.
7) I do not ever want to leave Guatemala, but am so excited for American food in ONE MONTH!
8) Jenni asked me recently to be a bridesmaid in her wedding!!! :) Date set for May 2010. I cannot wait.
9) For those of you who dont know, I am now single and ready to conquer the world. I have learned that long distance relationships are sadly hard and not vale la pena. But thats what dating is for!
10) I spent 3 days last week with my kids at school and loved it. They have grown on me so fast. Now we have really special relationships and I absolutely adore those kids.
11) I cannot believe that I will be returning home in a month. Time has absoluely flown, and this is about the time that I start to reflect on my trip already. I think I reflect too much, actually. I still have one month left!
12) LOVE YOU ALL and hope to get pictures up on here before next weekend!
Love,
Brianna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
