The last few weeks have been non-stop and the next few will most likely follow suite. The presentation to the Ministry of Health went really well. It was great to hear all the different things the other Healthy Homes volunteers are doing in their sites, definitely a good reminder of the flexibility of our program and how much can be done. I have to remind myself now to keep pushing to find new ways to reach out in the communities where I work. Before I didn't feel that I was working enough so it was more logical to push for more work but now I need to find better ways to do what I'm doing and that takes a bit more mental effort, which is hard to give sometimes when it seems like there is only enough time to get done things that are already planned.
I'm hoping to gather myself a bit this week in terms of plans for the promoter groups already started and ones that I hope to start in the communities that have groups but no promoters. I should have time, if I manage to overcome the debilitating stupor that a terrible head/chest cold has put me in, to get organized and do some materials preparation.
Last week was a lovely break from the in-site routine. I signed up for a week of Spanish classes along with all the ladies from my training town. We took full advantage of all the opportunities of the week: a photo exhibit at the cooperativa española documenting the war and changes within the country since the 1996 peace accords, lots of lattes and bagels, a much clearer and confident grasp of the many uses of the subjunctive and a weekend at Earth Lodge. The Spanish classes were meant to be individualized but there were more students than teachers so some of us were paired off. I ended up working with my friend Elizabeth, which was perfect because we are the same level and have similar approaches to learning and practice. Our teacher was someone we hadn't worked with during training but quickly picked up on our learning style and had the rare ability of presenting several hours of grammar exercises without making us mutiny.
We spent the week meeting at the Peace Corps office but friday as a reward for a good week we met at a crepes shop in Antigua. We ate breakfast, played banana grams in Spanish and then walked over to the photo exhibit which was impacting and thought provoking.
The weekend at Earth Lodge was amazing. It was the first time I had stayed anywhere but one of the cheapest hostel options, so not finding cockroaches or broken sinks made me feel instantly spoiled. We spent the weekend chatting, listening to music, reading, playing bananagrams and eating good food. Saturday I was in a hammock most of the day reading "The Man in the Iron Mask," drinking coffee in the morning and gin and tonics as evening approched. It was heavenly.
Now I am back in-site, missing the lattes and my friends but without the funding or free time to keep that going. Once I've kicked this cough/cold I'll be feeling happy to be back, now I'm just feeling hazy and happy to be back in my bed. I'm also watching my friend's dog while she travels a bit with friends who are here to visit, so I'll end this post with a cute picture of him. His name is Mojito.