La Feria

I returned from the U.S. ready to dive into work, excited to see what fruits will come of the groundwork laid by my first year in Peace Corps. Naturally I was surprised when I returned on the 6th of January to find my town overtaken by carnival folk. ¨The Feria doesn’t start for another two weeks,¨ I thought to myself. How quickly I forget! Somehow my mind had eliminated the memory of the month-long celebration that was last years´ feria.

And so, it began…three weeks of crazy corn (more on that later), ferris wheels, dancing and general merrymaking. It was completely exhausting, but I enjoyed every last minute of it (okay, maybe not after I went on the ferris wheel 3 times in one night, interspersed with the partaking of street food, but you know what I mean.) Like I said before, one of the things I love about Guatemala is the strong emphasis on community, and town ferias are community at its best.


The creepy ticket booth for the ferris wheel


Churros! If you don't know...you should.


Watching my friend Lily play basketball (they won the inter-municipal championships!)


Kids dancing in traditional dress in one of the cultural events


The smoothie stand


A costumed dancer in a "convite"



Scariest ferris wheel. Ever.

Oh, Community!

I have this really vivid memory of getting to stay up really late as a kid in the small town where I grew up, of walking around Main Street, my brother asleep, seated on dad's shoulders. The occasion, the yearly Street Dance. All of the businesses would stay open well past midnight, and my neighbors would take to the streets in bright colors and dancing shoes. Of all the summer activities I participated in as a kid, those nights are some of my most clear memories, maybe because even then I loved to get down, but I think it's more likely because it was a rare glimpse of community spirit. In our fiercely individualistic American society, there aren't many opportunities to experience community. A few times a year for county fairs, fire-department fundraisers, or fireworks Americans let down their guard and soak in the richness of community.

Something I have consistently loved about Guatemala in the last 18 months is the incredible sense of community. It's the kind of community that gets in your business, brings you food unexpectedly, that makes you late for meetings because you have to greet everyone on your way. I love it. On any given night in my town there will be people at a taco stand or cheering on the local soccer teams, rubbing shoulders and swapping stories. I literally can't take 10 steps from my front door without being greeted by my neighbors. Sure, it has it's annoyances, like the fact that the gossip mill is quick and harsh, but in general the blessings outweigh the curses. Community has been a keyword in my life for the last few years and I expect it to be for many more. This time here has taught me a lot about community that I think I'll look back on and draw from in future community settings.

Admittedly a little cheesy

I am totally in love with my friends and family. This visit to the States solidified that fact. I packed my bags and headed north; in an airplane, much to the awe of my neighbors, many of whom have visited the US via rivers and deserts. I arrived in the motherland in time to enjoy the full breadth of the holiday celebrations- I lit the last advent candle at church, went snowboarding, saw Mt. Washington covered in powdered sugar snow, attended the multitude of family christmas events, celebrated birthdays and holidays with my high school pals (who remain some of the coolest people I've ever known) and saw all of the little cousins, who have grown up far to fast for my taste. To add icing to the already very yummy cake (I'd say it was carrot cake- delicious and good for me) I got to spend a few days in NY with the housemates from college and then a few more days in DC with the gang there. I am a lucky, lucky girl.