A Turn of Events

Late last night we learned that due to increased violence in Guatemala City we would not be permitted to visit the project today (Wednesday).  Reading the newspapers and watching the somewhat limited Guatemalan television news, it appears that there has been a wave of attacks on urban bus drivers, with between two and three deaths, depending on which source you believe.  Though the students who attend Safe Passage live in the immediate area and arrive on foot, the employees (Guatemalan nationals) take urban buses to work every day.  Because of the attacks, bus service in the capital has been affected, and the directors of Safe Passage decided to close the project for one day.  While this decision will keep employees safe, it also means that there are students who may not eat today.  I don't envy the Safe Passage administration who have to make this agonizing decision.  As for our volunteer team, since we travel in private shuttle we are not impacted in the same way.  However, there is talk that there may be mass street protests against the violence in the capital, which could very well snarl traffic for hours and hours.  I am sad to not be able to volunteer at Safe Passage today; on the other hand, we are going to visit a local indigenous village that specializes in beautiful weavings and later today we will hike a volcano and watch the sunset from the summit.  There is a rumor that we will even be roasting marshmallows in the lava, so stay tuned for updates!

I would like to thank the many AEA teachers and students who have so kindly followed this blog and posted comments and questions.  Since the internet service here is so spotty, I am hurrying to today to post this and include photos; I will attempt to answer individual questions in the next day or so, as well as address the lists of questions that were submitted to me in advance by students.  I have not ignored your questions and truly value your interest in this endeavor. 

 

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

The photos in this post show some classroom activities we did with students yesterday, as well as the oasis quality of the Safe Passage site (note the beauty of the gardens, etc.)  I also included some photos from the streets of Guatemala City.

I hope to post more soon....tonight's hike should provide some interesting images.

Abrazos desde Guatemala.

DS