This is Life

So, I must apologize for my serious lack of posting lately. Ive settled into my new life here in my site and everything seems a whole lot like normal life now. I suppose Ive felt that since nothing has changed and nothing monumental has happened that I dont have anything to blog about. I think thats just a reflection on the fact that this is now my home (wow...weird!) and things are going to be pretty normal from here on out. So, with that in mind, let me fill you in on my normal everyday life in Huehuetenango.

Ive been here for 3 weeks now. I have a cute house on one of the main streets in town and on market days my house is full of noise and smells from the vendors that are parked less than a block from my front door. Im beginning to make friends; the wonderful thing about small rural towns is that everyone knows everyone else and because Im new people notice and invite me in for coffee! So Ive meet some pretty cool people that way. There are several families in town that I think Ill be hanging out with pretty frequently. In one family a baby was born a week before I arrived. We were talking the other day about how she will kind of be the marker of my time here. Ill get to see two of her birthdays, see her learn to walk and talk, get to teach her my name even! I like the sound of that kind of consistency.

Job stuff is going pretty well. Its a slow start, to be sure. Any job takes a lot of orientation and learning and throwing in cultural and language barriers only makes that harder. But my counterparts (the two local women who I work with) are very gracious and are teaching me lots. Im beginning to learn the local Mayan language: so far I can say whats up and safe travels! Next week we are beginning the process of creating our operating plan and budget for next year. Im excited to begin the process with them and to be here to see it through next year.

So yep, thats my life now. I speak a lot of Spanish:)