Three Words

We're back and I popped awake before the crack of dawn (despite the lack of roosters) as we had been doing throughout our stay in Guatemala. At our last dinner in Antigua, I asked each person to give the first three words (mas o menos) that came to mind when they thought of their experience on this trip. Here they are:

BVUUF Folks--
ALY: Children, life-changing, relationships
ANGIE: Sonrisas (smiles), hard work for a goal, coloche (Quiche for curly hair)
CAMILLE: Community, family, unconditional
CHARLIE: Dirt, tired, shopping (too much :-)
CINDY: Joyful, bonding, concrete results
COURTNEY: Bonding, rewarding, dirt
DIANNE: Blood sweat & tears, community, covenant
GAIL: Brotherhood of man, underprivileged, love
LARA: No, boom, Dramamine
LUCAS: Satisfying, revelatory, humbling
KATY: Bonding, hard work, reflection
REESE: Different, humbling, caked
RENE: Dirt, beauty, gratitude
RICH: Resourceful, adorable, dusty
SHERI: Blood sweat & tears, friendship, fun
SKY: Culture shock, wholesome, gratitude
STEPHEN: Wow!, fun, "Puerto!Puerto!" (this is how it sounded to Stephen when he was swarmed by los ninos asking him to "take my photo!" ... the portable printer that Stephen could attach to his printer right at the village was a HUGE hit)

Sienna Project Folks--
DEREK (Martin's son and general foreman): Bust ass, hard core, thanks
LAURA (Derek's wife): Alegria (happy, joyful), seguridad (security), buena experiencia (good experience
MARTIN (founder of Sienna Project): Thank you, Kids Were Great (surprised how easy they were to deal with), Made A Difference (maybe more than any other community)

David - are you there? You were not with us at our last meal ... what are your three words? Best of luck to you and Betsy on your school this week!

Home

Thanks to everyone that met us at the airport.  What a fantastic surprise!  There are so many images and experiences that will take a while to process.   I certainly feel happy to home, but sad that the trip is done.  We worked hard and we accomplished so much.  Good job everyone.

Arrived in Houston one hour late. Now to sprint through immigrations.

Sad to leave, happy to be going home

Some of us woke up early this morning and had a delicious breakfast at a bakery. I had the Huevos Rancheros, but regretted it as soon as I got to taste Camille's french toast. The bread was baked fresh that morning. I'm not saying my eggs were bad, just that the french toast was divine. :)

After breakfast, I wandered around town and did a little more photography. I suck at architecture photography, so nothing really turned out well, but I got some exercise in before getting to sit still in an airplane for many hours. We leave in 20 minutes for the airport. I think everyone in the project is feeling sad to leave, but happy to be going home to loved ones. I know I am.

Thank you all for following this blog - it's been lots of fun trying to keep it up to date.

Antigua

We have arrived in Antigua and it is an entirely different experience from Chichicastenanga. Antigua is very touristy and caters to American and European tourists. Prices are higher here, and I hear that property prices here are higher than in Boulder!

We've wandered around the town and been in the permanent market. I'm feeling pretty much done with touristing, and I've only been here less than a day! This would be more fun if my family were here.

Yesterday was awesome - except for the multi-hour traffic jam of course. I came to Guatemala to build a school, and I've done that and so much more. Our Sienna project has been different from other projects in part because we were so many, but also because this village had lost *everything*. Other than the school we built, the only other permanent structure was the church. While we and our donors helped pay for the school and we did get to do some construction and painting of the school, we were also able to help so many others by creating the foundation for them to build their homes on and get past this devestating hurricane. And we have made such an impact in these children's lives. The kids were so eager to move in to their new school. I hope that these children will remember us for the rest of their lives - I know that I shall remember them.

And in this past week I have grown so much closer to my fellow Siennas. I'm so glad I had this opportunity!

Reporting from Antigua

We left Chichicatanango about 8:30am and arrived in Antigua 10:30, checked into a beautiful hotel with a lush, cool courtyard. From the roof of the hotel we could see the nearby volcanoe. We´re all dispersed now as we explore before regrouping for lunch and then I want to wander around the market.

Later,

Our last day in Nuevo Victoria

Today was our last day working in the village. It was an incredible experience for the last four days to be there with the Mayans and the other Sienna Project volunteers. We worked very hard helping to build the school, clearing land for new homes to be built, and I also taught some classes to third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders.

These people will remain in my heart even though I may never see them again. They are so happy, fun to be with, hardworking, and friendly! They worked beside us in everything we did and truly took responsibility for their new school. The children are beautiful, very open to learning and full of vitality and curiosity. The families seem close and supportive. I will miss them and am glad to have had the opportunity to get to know them and share their lives, if even for a short time.

Grande Finale

We did it! The school may not have a roof yet, but all walls are up, banos built, leveling fill material dug up from elsewhere and hauled into the three classrooms before the concrete floor is poured, and it is painted outside (lilac with yellow trim ... almost LSU colours!). We also did a LOT of site preparation work for 4 new casas ... the easiest of which might have been about one foot elevation difference to level up to the toughest site which was about a four foot elevation difference. BUt enough with the engineering talk ´:)

Probably forty kids came out with hand made quetzals mounted on Guatemala banderas as thank you gifts and their handsome teacher thanked us from their hearts for our work. Tears flowed. We left to a cacaphony of fireworks.

This has been an amazing experience to be in the space and place of our fellow humans of whose lives we knew nothing about. We not only built a school but bridges too. We are so proud of the kids on this trip as they worked steadily on all sorts of jobs and also really engaged with the village ninos.

I´m off to now to pizza and cerveza back at the hotel as restaurant plans were scrapped due to our three hour standstill in traffic returning to Chichi tonight.

All is well. Life is good!

Three hour traffic jam

Today was our last day at the work site. We actually left earlier today than we have previously but got home much much later than ever because of a multi-hour traffic jam.
We have scrapped our previous dinner plans in favor of pizza at the hotel. Every one else is back at the hotel showering etc.
I just wanted to drop a quick line to let everyone know that we're ok and we had a great time today, including getting some gifts from the children who were so happy to get a new school.  Photos and more updates tomorrow (I hope - but we have to go with the Guatemalan flow here)

Boatloads of photos

Another amazing day. We continued work on Tomás' plot of land and we were working side-by-side with Tomás and his daughters.
Prior to going to Guatemala, we were told that the division of labor was very clear in Guatemala - the men worked in the fields and the women worked with cooking, sewing, etc. The women most definitely did not work in the fields.
When we started working on Tomás' plot, he said that he would otherwise have to move all this dirt himself. We asked "with your family?" as the three daughters were standing nearby. His reply was "no, by myself - my son is only two years old".
Well, we swung into action with our usual gusto, and our young women (not kids anymore - not after this trip) were right in there in the middle of it. It took some time, but after a while Tomás daughters started working there right beside us. It was cool!

Anyway, I've finally gotten through the photos from the first three days at the village and I've uploaded 40 of them to the "photostream" link above. Or you can just click here. I wanted to focus on getting photos of our young adults up there so that the parents at home could see how hard they are working. All the adults on the trip are so proud of how hard the kids are working - as well as making time to play with the village children and teach them new games or how to jump rope.

Enjoy the photos!!

On a tight schedule so this will be short. Great day again. Still on 4th house excavation - about 75% done - a heck of a lot dirt moving are we! Some fabulous local cuisine for lunches at the village - a concoction in banana leaves today. And the family whose house site we are leveling gave us some local fruit in alittle baggies with a brown sweet sauce.

Hi All,

This is my first attempt at blogging with the help of several compadres. If I thought I was computer-challenged in the US, you should see me dealing with everything in Spanish & a different keyboard.

Everything has been absolutely awesome here beginning with boarding our flight @ DIA. Much of this reminds me of trekking in Peru & Morocco. The villagers we are working with are totally delightful & VERY hard working. I cannot imagine what they have gone through this last year. Together we are making progress & friends.

Another really neat thing is getting to actually know all the other Siennas. It has been an unexpected reward.

I would like to wish my daughter, Kyra a ginormous HAPPY 13th. BIRTHDAY on Friday. This is in case I do not make it back here to the cyber place before you leave for your weekend snow-shoeing to the yurt in Northrn CO. If there is a bunch of extraneous stuff at the bottom of this blog it is cuz all the keys are in different places.

Finally, thanks to my family for this wonderful experience. I hope yall get to do something like this someday!

love,
sheri

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-challengede

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LARA IS ALIVE!

Today was eventful, I was nausious at breakfast again, so we decided to keep me out of the bumpy and swervy van for another day.  They are setting up for market all over the town, I think it is going to happen tomorrow.  The street vendors keep telling me I should buy things for my enemies, dunno why I would be giving them gifts.  They also mention how I should send things to my boyfriends, I am kind of flattered that I seem that popular ROFLCOPTER!  My mom and I got to go on more adventures today, we found a sign that pointed to ´´Jesus and the Fountain of Life¨´.  We searched and searched, but the path lead to a dead end.  There were a bunch of little velociraptors playing on some stairs, but other than that, no fountains or Jesus.  Later we found Jesus in a store window, next to the Angelitos brand diapers, so I feel accomplished.  We got some pictures of him (along with some great pictures of Aly from earlier), but my mom and I are so technilogically challenged that we cannot get them off the camera.
No matter what I will go to the village tomorrow!  Hopefully this will be accomplished without vommiting. 

Camille's post brought tears of love and pride to my eyes. I could visualize all of those happenings. Thanks! Question we talked about a while ago was water....can you please tell us what's new with the water situation and how the village is gettting on with that? xo, Jan

Could not be prouder

Love and compassion, sweat and truth, energy and connection...it is happening in bucket loads here in Nueva Victoria. The youth are working together, moving mountains of earth with the adults to create level foundations for this absolutely amazing community.

With a swollen heart and tears in my eyes, I confess my overwhelm. Sweet children playing patty cake games with each of us. Aly teaching double dutch jumproping. Lara sitting in a circle with Dianne and 10 children playing duck, duck, goose. Kids running and giggling arounds us. Cindy and Gail sitting with village women as they weave the most intricate, beautiful cloth. Stephen setting up photo shoots and printing out portraits of families, teens and smiling children for th em to take home to their parents (yes giggling and hooting all the way!) Charlie and Reese alternating pick axing to remove 1, no 2...3...4 tree stumps!!! Sheri distributing chocolate bars to exhausted workers only to receive a big hip hip hurrah! Dianne taught a class of elementary kids today! Sky, Angie and Lucas are fluently speaking and making connections for everyone. Little hands inside theirs in awe and appreciate. Reese s hair is magical to the children here...los of ooooohs and ahhhhhs when he shakes it for them to their applause. Courtney swinging a pick axe, hauling a hoe and pushing a shovel endlessly proving that 8th grade girls rock! Katy plays soccer with the kids daily running up and down the dirt field. Gail and Rich have adopted the children bearing gifts of pencils and small notebooks songs and smiling faces.

There is more...Dave hovering over plans with the village men constructing a playground. Yes that school is over half built in two days. We ve leveled 4 foundations for homes to the tune of 12 hours multiplied by 18 hard working Sienna Project members. Our faces peek through dirt at the end of the day. Flashing white teeth.

Our thoughts today have been on Lara and Rene who have fallen ill but are pulling through with no concerns. Please light a candle for them in your hearts. Send healthy energy!

As for me, I feel as though my cup is full, every day with the privelege of my life. To see the 17 cohorts of mine toiling, frolicking and sharing their love has brought me to a state of completeness.

Thank you Sienna Project, thank you Katie Covey, thank you Marty and Derek Lavanhar...and thank you Lara Lavanhar for the delcious food. We are being taken care of as we in turn share our care.

Tons of love being sent back to you in the US from each and everyone of us and each villager!
Buenos Noches!!

Awesome two days

I haven't been able to update the blog for a couple days - yesterday I was just too darn tired, and the day before I got to the internet cafe too late.

Trying to summarize these past two days will be difficult - it has been an incredible experience. We come to the village as the unskilled labor, so while the Mayans are building the school - getting everything level and putting the walls in place - we're moving dirt. And we're all loving it!

So when we were planning on coming down here, we were only focused on the school - and we have made that happen even if our part of construction is limited. But so far, we have leveled the earth to create the foundation for five families. The feeling of having a direct impact on those five families is indescribable.

Highpoints of today included working side-by-side with the Mayans whose houses we're helping build and a spontaneous photo-shoot of a hoard of teenage girls who all wanted their photo taken. Since I brought a portable printer, I was able to directly give them their photos. :)

Hi Sienna's,
Love hearing all about what's happening. The photo's are great! Wonder if someone could post one of Aly at some point...want to see how long she's gone without a shower:) Would love to hear more about the jumproping and to hear more from the youth on the trip. Lara's doing an awesome job providing that perspective and would like to hear from others as well. Thanks for sharing all that's happening with us state-side gringo's.
Hugs to all,
Jan

First Day at the Job Site

We left Chichi after breakfast and arrived at the village about one and one-half hours later.  The last part of the drive was a twisting dirt road that left many feeling carsick.  Once in the village, the people greeted us with fireworks and a very touching ceremony.  The highlight for me was the juxtaposition of modern with what is obviously an old tradition.  The master of ceremony built a fire in an area that was covered in fresh pine needles.  He said prayers and burnt candles that he tipped into the fire.  He then poured a 1 liter bottle of Pepsi around and into the fire.  I wish I could understand the Mayan language so I could tell you what he was chanting.  After he was done with the fire, he moved over to a marimba and began to play a song.  While he was playing, his assitant recieved a phone call on her cell--and she answered the call.  I couldn't help but smile at the modern world incorporated into the life of people so removed from everything.

The village reminds me of what I imagine the wild west once was.  The existing structures are temporary, but the men are busy making cement blocks (one at a time) so they can erect permanent houses.  We moved cement panels at the school construction site and then cleared a site for a new permenant house.  I laughed hard while I was rolling a huge stumps off the site with my fellow traveler, Sheri, and two small Mayan women.  By the end of the day we were filthy and tired.  The Mayan villagers are very welcoming and the children are a delight.  Our youth played games, jumped rope and entertained by their presence all of the village children.

Today, Lara was ill so we stayed back in Chichi while the others have gone back to work.  I, like you, can't wait to hear the stories of the day.  What a fabulous life we lead that allows us to be here.  ;]

From Lara, All is well (mostly)

Well it has certainly been an interesting last 2 days, I feel like I am starting to get the hang of this keyboard (finally).  We got to go to the Sunday market and I worked on my bartering skills, its really great to be able to finally use my Spanish skills in a place where the people do not speak English.  The youth in Chichi speak English better than me!  I met 2 of teen vendors named Kevin and Izaih and had good conversations with them, all the while insisting I do not want a bookmark.  People here are very persistent, I would say {no lo quiero} and they would reply {Si lo quiere}, this would go on and on until it desintegrated into no, yes,  no yes noyesnoyesnoyes.... 
We went to the village and help build the school.  It was very dusty and I was not well for most of the day, so mostly I watched.  Even my Spanish did not help us communicate there, most of the people only spoke Mayan (which reminds me a lot of the Ewok language from Star Wars).  Even without speaking, we managed to be helpful, leveling fields and moving stumps and panels.  I got to cut roots with a machete!  Sadly, I have become the first person to get sick, so last night was not fun for me.  That is why I am not with the rest of the group working right now.  Hopefully I will get better tomorrow. 
Less than three, Lara

Market Pictures

Amazing morning at market look at the colors!!

We are all loaded up with goodies!

Delicious breakfast full of color and fresh pine needle floor!

Lara on Rene account

Heh, the keyboards here are so different that I can´t sign into my account.  Anyways, I have been enjoying my experience in Guatemala, its a little odd having people stare at me all the time when I walk down the street, but that is what I get for having this blonde hair.  I got to ride in the back of a pickup truck through the mountains, that was quite the adventure.  The climate here is nice, so are the people.  The nice kids here in the internet cafe in Chichicastenango have helped me many times with this crazy keyboard, there are tons of nice little velociraptors.  Lots of people selling things on the side of the road too, from trinkets to sodas to peaches. 
Tomorrow we get to go the market, I will get to practice more of my spanish.  Being in Spanish 5 has definetly helped me out here.  For now, goodbye reader people, I will write again later.  Less than three, Lara

Bellies full

After an amazing day of trave and observation we are learning a lot about each other. Sky and Lara ROCK the spanish language. Lucas is everywhere with his video, nicely done L! The youth are explorers to say the least. Excellent energy here. The people are friendly and curious. Cobblestone streets are an understatement, careful stepping in ChiChi. Derek and Laura are treating us with such a great hospitality.

Hotel is beautiful...will post pictures tomorrow!
Signing off from the Hooks.

ROFLCOPTER

We have been eating wonderful food and seeing some beautiful country.  This afternoon we saw a wedding celebration that included firecrackers and loud singing.  Tomorrow we will walk through the Sunday market in Chichicastenango. 

We have arrived in Chichicastenango!

We left Guatemala City this am at about 10:30. We drove through some beautiful countryside and arrived at a great restaurant where we had some fantastic food. Some of our troop did some shopping there - there were some stands where they sold fabric and purses etc. Me, I'm waiting for Market Day tomorrow. :)
After the fantastic lunch (wow, I didn't know tortilla bread could taste that good!) we drove to the first school that the Sienna project completed in Agua Viva. I've posted photos below.

We then drove for a bit and got to see two volcanoes. It was a bit cloudy, so we couldn't see much.

Now, we've checked in to our hotel and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be much more rural. It's actually a very nice hotel.

We've arrived!

We've all arrived safely in Guatemala City and checked in to the hotel. Since we arrived in the evening, we checked into a hotel near the airport - a Howard Johnson's. Tomorrow we take a long drive and head for Chichicastenago and some touristing. Sunday is market day with more touristing, and on Monday we start work.

We have landed in Houston. Almost there!!

At the gate

We've all checked in and we're at the gate. Boarding starts in 10 minutes!
The only excitement we've had so far was that Katy got singled out for a "empty everything out of your carefully packed backpack for no apparent reason" search. #ilovetsa

I've packed & unpacked. Now down to fewer items. Didn't eliminate the snacks however. I'll catch ya' @ the 'port.

Oh, the pic of me is Morocco, July 2010.

Adios,
sheri

Headed out (soon)

All my bags are downstairs ready to head out the door (with me). Is this really happening finally? WOOT!

Whew

Just got home from a wacko busy day at work. Now off to meet parents and sister for a farewell dinner. Tomorrow I'm taking the day off to get Sky, Reese, and my collective acts together. Organized piles are forming (well piles of paper and swingset parts anyway) but haven't figured out what to pack yet. I echo Camille's statement on how graciously we take this opportunity and responsibility as we go out to do some good representing the BVUUF community.

2 days and counting

Passports, birth certificates, medicines, small TSA bottles, confirmation numbers, contacts, insurance...well it's easy to get overwhelmed. But each of those words are aligned with privilege.
The kids and I are feeling honored and thrilled about jumping on the bus to the airport on Friday.

Thank you to all who have supported this project. We hope to prove humble and hardworking ambassadors!

The Hooks!

Woot!

I just got back from a youth con earlier today, so I am a little zonked from staying up all night. Rene wanted me to write something, so here it is...

4 days till we leave for Guatemala! I can't believe its finally time! Well, I gotta go pack now, byebye!

Packing

I'm struggling to get my packing done, but I must say that packing has helped calm my nerves about this trip. However, what with bringing the computer (for photo download and blogging), the portable printer (for giving prints of photos to the people we photograph) and my camera, my carry-on luggage weighs more than my checked bags! :)

We're Ready!

We have our tickets, our plans and a bunch of excitement as we count down the days until we fly.  I hope this blog will give you a window into our trip.