Tonight the Guaté trip leaders are driving the blog to report on the progress of the cohort and individual students.
As we come to the end of our final day in San Lucas Toliman, we are completing the first part of our journey, our introduction to Guatemala through the investigation of permaculture. We spent the day at IMAP, the permaculture institute, learning more about innovative permacultural techniques that are redressing a host of challenges Guatemala faces (e.g., environmental degradation, waste management, health) and then engaging in hands-on work including plant bed design and composting. The investigation of permaculture has provided a unique way to understand relationships between Guatemalan society and the larger world of political, economic, and cultural phenomena. In meetings, lectures, and hikes with Spanish-speakers, the students have had many hours of practice listening, speaking, and translating Spanish.
As to our impressions of the group to date, here's what comes to our minds: We see the cohort as better able to both understand permacultural concepts and to articulate connections among different global phenomena such as the banana blight and monoculture. They are growing in confidence in their translation and interpreting work, eagerly practicing Spanish language and learning about Guatemalan culture. The group is even-keeled, egalitarian, warm, united, and bonded. We notice no obvious cliques or exclusiveness: they enjoy a transparent camaraderie, laugh easily and often, enjoy each other’s company, seeming to delight in their collective journey.
ALEXANDRE: Alex has been a high-level interpreter / translator for the group and often the main back-up support-translator for other students during our long lessons in Maya history, culture, permaculture, and during hikes with Spanish speaking guides, teachers, and lecturers. We noticed that after his initial reluctance to jump up on the transport truck because he had left his raincoat at home ( it was raining) he jumped aboard anyway: he really enjoys being part of the group.
SOPHIA: Sophia is our group’s history nerd, or perhaps just nerd in general, avid reader, fascinated with the history and politics of Guatemala. On several occasions she has graciously volunteered to translate for the group. We noticed that she patiently taught our cohort to count to ten in German and that she is conducting research on politics in Guaté for the Coat of Arms.
LINDSEY: Open, easy-going, and eager for adventure, Lindsey always seems to be smiling, even when she’s not. She’s enjoying learning about Guaté, surprised at the beauty she sees around her, the ingenuity she has witnessed at IMAP, and her time with the cohort. She’s a kind friend to everyone and a natural leader.
JASON: Jason has commented on the signs of mutual respect he’s seen in relationships he's he’s witnessed in Guaté. Understated and perceptive, Jason has a keen sense of humor: He came up with the following “X-factor” question one morning during check ins: if you could be the protagonist of any book, who would you be? Then, he added, to everyone’s laughter: But I really don’t read much. Also, on the drive to San Lucas Toliman, as a chicken crossed the road, he shouted after it Why’d you do it bro!? Today he won the Whoosh-bang competition due both to his ability and stunning hair -- ask him about this.
DYLAN: Dylan is a gentleman, a natural ambassador, and makes easy connections with people. He’s engaged in the Guaté curriculum and the life of the group. He commented today on the cemetery in San Lucas Toliman and how it is in the most colorful part of the town, making a connection between this and what it suggests about life and death in this community. We also noticed that he looks guilty going back for repeated helpings of tortillas and that he generously lent his rain jacket to another student, setting a trend that the others now follow.
BRYNN: Brynn is small stature, young in age, and big in heart. She was nominated by her peers to lead them and has been a frequent translator for the entire group on our hikes. We notice that she fearlessly guarded the Guatemalan "Steph Curry" in a pick-up game of basketball with the locals that the students organized during their free time.
TRENT: Trent has been a steady interpreter for the group and consistently focused during our daily activities and curricula. He is a natural ambassador, confident with locals, connecting them with the group. We notice that he’s always willing to help and seems to have found his love for tortillas and his food culture here. We appreciate that he willingly volunteers to carry the medical kit, something that is a genuine pain.
JULIA: Julia has been actively and consistently engaged. She was impressed by the economical use of resources she witnessed at IMAP and has demonstrated particular interest in the IMAP reforestation project (especially the reuse of plastic bags as planters and the strategic use of plastic waste bottles for various agricultural needs). She’s happily engaged in our activities and is enjoying her time with the cohort.
BELLA: Bella is the oldest student in the group, the only junior, and a natural leader, respected and well-liked by all. She is in her element here in Guaté and at IMAP, fascinated with permaculture, speaking with one of the permaculturalist for an extended time after the first lesson, which itself was several hours long. She has also enjoyed her interactions with local children and has spoken about her gratitude for this experience.
MAYA: Maya is engaged and interested in our activities and all aspects of the curriculum and trip. Highly social, and extroverted, she has a loving, accepting presence, and lights up when talking about many things, including her family and pets. She is keenly aware of group dynamics, and a friend to everyone. Shhh... the kids will be planning some kind of surprise for her upcoming birthday.
KAMRAN: Kamran enjoyed Quixaya, the diversity of plants he saw there, the close proximity of its various parts, and its natural beauty. He also relished the swimming pool. He tried interpreting today for the first time at the encouragement of his peers. Similarly, his peers admiringly watched him do 500 pushups.
PARINA: Parina is enjoying learning about permaculture and Guatemalan culture in general. She has asked good questions and shown particular interest in native fashions. We noticed that she has shown an active interest in the course, reading one of the recommended books on the plane, and -- once we were here in San Lucas Toliman -- jumping right into a conversation, using her Spanish, asking various sellers about traditional dress, and taking pains to act in culturally appropriate ways.
SUTTON: Sutton has become increasingly comfortable in the Guatemalan context, making connections and appearing motivated to make more. She loved the day she got to swim in the pool in the rain. We've enjoyed talking with her about her dogs and noticed that she made tangible connections between what she has been learning here in Guaté and life back in the USA, especially around working conditions and consumerism.
CAMILLE: Camille has been inspired by the beauty and ingenuity she has witnessed at IMAP, such as the clever design of the bathrooms -- she's challenged herself and a peer to build a compost pile when the group returns -- and eagerly diving into the composting activity. Usually equanimous and even-keeled, Camille is also eagerly engaged and loves to laugh: today she was laughing uproariously on several occasions. When asked why she replied, I find my own laughter funny.
ALICIA: Alicia has grown already a lot during this trip. Enjoying the lessons and the learning and her time in Guaté, she has risen to challenges continually: she was our first interpreter, our first scribe, and is also the cohort’s designated artist, sketching everyone’s portrait. Alicia excels at humility.
