Chajul Feria

Okay here we go…2014, bring it on!

There are lots of exciting things coming up this year. After my trip of trips to the states, I feel rejuvenated and ready for part two of Peace Corps Guatemala.  In one short month, I will celebrate my one-year anniversary of being “in country”.  I will have the honor to share it with my parents and my brother Sean, who will be visiting me.  I will be accompanied by at least one family member for three weeks in total, 10 of those days being with all three visitors.  I’m looking forward to sharing my Guatemalan community with them, teaching them some phrases in Ixil (the local Mayan language), and showing them how to eat with their hands.

A glimpse of all the women on the staircase.  

Since I returned back to site last week, I’ve spent a lot of time enjoying the SUN and the temperate weather.  I’m not saying that its sunny every day (it still rains now and then) but it is nowhere near the below zero temperatures that I left Chicago in.  When I stepped out of the airport in Guatemala City, I took a breath of fresh air and I basked in the mild temperatures that required a light jacket, if that.  I couldn’t believe how much the weather had affected my mood.  I had to ask myself why anybody would CHOOSE to live in freezing temperatures when a glorious alternative is available.  Just some food for thought.

Discussing technique with Doña Nila.

On Monday I celebrated the Chajul fair.  Chajul is a neighboring town to Nebaj and home to a two wonderful Peace Corps volunteers and soon to be home to one more (hurry up Eric!!).  It has a certain charm that I fell in love with from day one.  I have adopted the traditional earrings they wear.  When I was home for Christmas I got a lot of confused looks when people noticed my earrings. “wait is that your hair?” “how did you get it through your ear.” 

Here are the answers:

1) No it is not my hair (I had a navy blue color in during Christmas). 

2)You take a broom bristle and fold it in half.  Then you take a long layered piece of thread (the more colorful, the better) and place it at the fold of the broom bristle.  Thread through some traditional Chajul “fichas” (beads) then put the bristle through your ear.  Tie a knot up to your ear lobe, and cut to desired length.  VOU LA.  Now you’re practically a local.

My favorite part of the Chajul fair was seeing all of the women sitting on the large staircase in front of the church.  Their traditional dress top (guipil) is by far one of my favorites in all of Guatemala.  I wore my Chajul guipil for the occasion, the Chajuligans loved it.

Allie and her "tucaya" or her name twin!
Aka the baby was partially named after her! 

PCVs at the Chajul church.