Art.

Ever since coming to Guatemala, one of my goals has been to work on my Art, About three weeks ago I finally got the chance to begin on one of my Art Pieces. I am lucky to have a really cool Landlord. Sergio recently came back from the states, and when he returned last year around this time, I was scared he was going to want his house and was going to kick me out. Sergio had gone to the states at the age of 15 and returned on his own after the economy faltered. He is now 28 years old. When he first came in to check out the fruits of his hard American labor, he told me that I could stay in house until the end of my PC service, I was so relieved. Not only that, After telling him I was an Artist, he also told me I could go crazy with my work all over his house...I was like word?!! So here I am almost a month into this piece I took from a ceramic piece I fell in love with and took a pic of in Antigua. It is a Conquistador fighting a Mayan Warrior which I consider to be the legendary Tecun Uman, The Conquistador is Pedro de Alvarado. In the middle is a Quetzal. The characters are almost life size so u can imagine how Big the piece is. I still have much to finish so here's a taste.

The Life and Times of...

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or talks. It kills millions of people each year in underdeveloped countries and it is known to be one of the top 5 killers. I should know all of this because I have it, Yes I contracted TB, How? Im still trying to figure that one out, could have been anywhere in Guatemala, on a bus, a micro bus, or maybe from just chatting it up with someone who was infected, SABER?! All I know is that As of August 30th Ive been taking INH or Isoniazid , and I have to take this for 9 Months. Along with the medicine, I am restricted to eat certain foods, including avocadoes, bananas, figs, (not that I regularly eat any of this stuff) what kills me is that I cant drink Coffee or I am limited to it, and Absolutelly I am banned from Drinking Alcohol, this includes beer, Dammn TB!

At first I was a bit depressed when I was diagnosed with it, which was done through a regurlar TB skin test, I tested positive and I felt defeated, I have learned to Adjust and deal with what it is, and I am taking it as a challenge, Dont worry people, I am not going to die, The meds will do well and I will be TB free by May of 2010. For the mean time I have dedicated these nine months for reflection, cleansing, my art, studying for the GRE's, work, my community and other things.

Oh on a side note, I have bought a Turkey with site mate Phil, He's a Big Boy and were planing on having him over (to fill our bellies) for Thanksgiving/my birthday. Cant Wait.

Peace Out Yall!


Fly Loving.

More Vagabonding...

I have just passed my one year mark of Peace Corps Service. I have reached the time in my service where I need to start thinking about what to do after post Peace Corps, and up to this moment I havent got a clue! I have definatelly toyed around with the thought of Grad School through hopefully a fellowship provided by the Peace Corps, Working for the Peace Corps in the States, or maybe just maybe extending to another country for a year or serving in the Peace Corps Response in another country for less time. Then there´s the question of where should I move to in the States? NY or FL? those are the 2 choices.

But sure it will work itself out.

On another note I got to meet the U.S Ambassador to Guatemala Stephen McFarland this past weekend July 25th at a press conf in Momostenango Totonicapan. Four of us PCV´s were invited by the Peace Corps to meet him and have lunch with him, it was really cool, he is Learning the indigenous Dialect K´iche like I am and gave a brief speech in the dialect at the Press Conference. He seems very Fond of Peace Corps and also supports The PC and its Cause.

Dammn!, life in the Peace Corps can be tough!

Really, not only do you have to have a strong stomach for all the tropical intestinal diseases you acquire during your service, but you also need the patience of a saint and the mental capacity not to go insane, really.



I have been in Guatemala 15 months and in my town of service for 1 year, and to me this is a big accomplishment. Havent posted in a while but I try my best, plus sometimes I feel none of my friends or family back home reads this stuff anyway (Except for the lovely person in PC whose Job it is to read all blogs for unwantedness, dont worry, only positiveness come out of this Blog, Promise). I have managed to remain on top of work and at the same time sane. Let me see, some of the latest... Had to be evacuated out of site because of an on-going rivalry between my town and a neighboring town, (all under control now). Celebrated 4th of July Peace Corps Style with a Volunteer departamental B-ball tourney, (which my department got third place in! GO ToTo!), Volunteer Vs. PC staff Soccer match , Which the U.S Ambasador to Guatemala participated in, Barbecue w/ Burgers, hot dogs, Music and beer, after parties gallore.
In addition I have also been on the grind with AIDS workshops in my town, everyone including their mother plus the Mayor of S. Vicente and his buddies.
Happy Happy, Joy Joy! I also have someone to share my solitude with. I will be getting a site mate who will be working at the town´s health center. She is cool and fun.
So its another year and counting... I will dedicate the next year to remaining Sane of course, and ameoba free. Maybe a trip to Belize is waranted?, cuz Honduras is off limits and Mexico has the Flu. Also have been trying to study for the GRE´s which I can take here in Guate. I have several books, but TV is a major distraction and even though I dont have cable, bootleg DVD´s are very accesible here in C.A and us PCV´s love to trade them, so I will be looking for someone to borrow my DVD player within the next month, (only after Im done with the new transformer´s movie and the Breaking Bad series I am currently addicted to). Also Researching Scholarships through Peace Corps or anyone who would like to pay for this boy´s Grad school after his service for his country (preferably International development, or Political Science).

Well with that I will leave u, Holla if you read this, show a brother love. As always, ¨Will teach english, Aids Awareness, life skills, counsel your kid, or just show you around my town for food! ¨ Silly Motto.

Peace Out.

F.G.

Some Pics...

Here are some snaps of Vicente fernandez concert 3-27-09 (right), plus
some more of a beauty paegant dia del carnaval in April, and some cute puppies my dog fathered.

A Hike up the mountain.

An hour hike up the mountain from my village gets you up here, over 3,000 meters above sea level, a waterfall, and a large rock they call the ¨cow¨ because of its resemblance. Not too mention also some beautiful views as far as Mexico, some volcanoes (Santa Maria, Tajamulco), and Mayan Alters that are scattered on the peaks of the highest points in my village. Yes Mayan religions known as Cosmovisiones are still practiced here by Mayans priests.

I usually like to hike these places by myself, but on this day I went with my Kiche teacher and his kids. We left one Friday morning at 6 AM and didnt return till 3 PM, It was sooo worth it, not too mention the glimpse of the Quetzal we saw on our way back. Yes, Quetzales do roam the woods of my site, Believe it or not!
I tried to snap a picture of the Quetzal but she left after it saw us. Bummer.

Xeq´ij ronojel, Utz awach? Which literally means good afternoon everyone, and how are you? in the local Mayan language of k´iche.

Ive decided to make my blog public again and Ive posted up some pictures. Although they are old, they are still good. The first two up top are of some of the kids in my school about one year ago doing a traditional dance. The third from top is from the fellas at a trip to Lake Atitlan last Oct. and the last one is of my house and my dog.

Lots has happened since lthe last months of 08, Obama is Pres, (Thank God). I ran a summer camp for the kids in my town the whole month of Nov and Dec. I painted my house and Ive started to work again. New year brings new dreams hopes and aspirations.

Id like to show a video of some really good friends of mine serving here in Gt. Their names are Joe and Katy. They´re a married couple who served at a town an hour N.W of me a couple of months back named Cabrican. They no longer serve there but when they were they made a really cool video of their project. Check it out.

Cabrican is very simiar to my site the only difference is that the Mayan population there speaks the dialect Mam.

PC Hiatus.

Whats up everybody, Just wanted to apologize for not posting anything for the past three months, but I have my reasons. as for me, I am still alive and still here. The past three months have passed by fast. Thank god I am still in one piece!!
Let me see, quick update, my girlfriend was here for Nov, my b'day fell on Thanksgiving and I got bit by a monster dog in Dec, not too mention I sprained my ankle for christmas. But what doesnt kill you makes you stronger.

I have started to work again at the schools and I feel much better. I will be heading to the states in May. Cant Wait.

Stay tuned, will be posting some pics.