It's been an exciting week in Guatemala! Tuesday November 1st was Dia de los Santos. My host niece, Rosita, has been staying with us (school vacation! wootwoot). She and I headed out to check the cemetary in Almolonga. Each family buys tons of flowers to adorn the graves of their loved ones, candles, messages, whatever. I've never been one who likes cementaries, but this tradition hit me as beautifully connected. Children learn about their ancestors, and the family line has so many stories, so many secrets, that seem to resurface the first of November.

The market leading up to Nov. 1st was busting with all different types of flowers. Almolongans bought them and took them to other markets to sell... They prefer buying flowers for their own relatives that come from other places (mainly the coast).

And of course, KITE FLYING! It is magical (even on top of tombs). Hundreds and hundreds of kites... Reminded me of the kite festival in DC. (and yes, of course Rosita and I flew our own).

Recycling! smile...

The cementary in Almolonga is up on a hill overlooking the valley. Great view, but made me a little scared during the heavy rains that one day it was all just going to slide down the mountainside.

My host parents set up an alter in the house for their parents too...

This week I also started teaching English to two groups of teachers. It's a six week course, that has two sections that each meet twice a week. It was lots of fun, jumping around, getting to know a different side of people that I've known since I got here. The idea of the class is that teachers feel more comfortable teaching English in their own classrooms. The national curriculum of Guatemala demands English classes for kids in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. But the thing is that the kids LOVE learning English. They pay attention and ask millions of questions. Teachers really want to tap into that to get the kids more interested in other subjects. The teachers already know a ton of vocabulary, the pronouciation is what were going to be working on mostly.

Last Sunday was my host sister, Elisa's, birthday (the big 2-8)! We went to one of the many pools in Almolonga and had a cookout and swam and sprawled out in the sun like lazy cats. It was glorious, and made me feel like summer vacation (sun burn and all)...

Yesterday was the presidential election. Much more calm than the previous election. When they announced the winner (surprisingly early, around 7:15 pm), it was an explosion of fireworks all over Almolonga. The whole family went up to the balcony patio and it was like fourth of july. Bright lights reminding you that there's still hope for happiness in the future...