“What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

-Pedro Arrupe

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Guatemala Day (DOS)

Today was another great day. We woke up around 6:45 to go to mass at 7 and I was surprised to know most of what they were saying. Even the night before as Ms. Gasparka and a local man had a conversation I was pleased to discover that I can actually understand a lot more than I thought I could. "Yo comprendo espanol pero yo no hablo espanol," has been my new phrase. It was very interesting to be surrounded by the local people in their church and participate in their religion. It was even more interesting to be in a Catholic church and see what their service consist of.

Today we also went shopping and we got to ride on a boat to go to Santiago and Panajachel. When we went to Santiago we went to the church that Father Stan was assassinated. If you don't know who that is he was the priest of the parish in Santiago. He was killed because he confronted the army about their lies and was killed because of it. The church was in the middle of mass so we could not go in the room, but just being there was powerful. The town of Santiago was really crowded because it was market day, but we go to go shopping and interact with the locals. We then moved on to Panajachel where we ate and shopped some more. The food was amazing and cheap. The selling tactics are a little aggressive, but when that is there way of an income you can understand and feel a little sympathetic.

It was a long and eventful day, but it was a blast. Tomorrow we begin work so the service part will begin, but the exiting part is that we will continue to learn even more than we did today.
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5 comments:

  1. MegsMarch 13, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Echo,
    I am so proud of your exciting adventure and all of the experiences you're having and the lessons you're learning. What a great way to live your life to the fullest! I miss you so much and I am so proud of you! All my love!!! -Megan Rowe

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  2. rebeccaMarch 14, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    Good report for day 2. Anxious to hear about the work part of your trip. Love you Mom.

    Hi Quitney,

    It sounds like you are having an amazing time. What a great opportunity to help others and learn about a new culture. I hope you have a great time. I am loving my time in Hawaii. Sorry we will not get to see each other. Tina

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  3. UnknownMarch 14, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    QUITNEY!
    Oh my it sure does seem like you're having lots of fun. I'm so jealous that you got to go to GUATEMALA, among other things ;) It seems like such an amazing experience and I can't wait to hear how the service project goes!
    I MISS YOU
    <3 Tuscany :)

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  4. UnknownMarch 14, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Quit-

    Thanks for reports! I hope that everything continues to go great and that the service project goes well.

    Looking forward to seeing you in the 'ole USA.

    Aloha and love from Kona,
    Mr. Huitt

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  5. Mrs BiermanMarch 14, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Quitney:
    Aren't other languages fun? I bet you will be able to understand (and speak) a good deal more, even after this short trip!
    I also wanted to let you know, though you weren't in Stats for Pi(e) day, your presence was still felt-Danica brought popcorn =)

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