Post #2

I posted two today that I had written on my computer before I got the internet. Read below for the first one.

Today was a great day to get to know some people. There are 44 of us this year, compared to 33 last year. Many students are first-year students, so I've been trying to learn names and get to know them a little. There are actually a few people who look so much like other people I know. This one guy, Miguel looks so much like Chad Craig...just more Mexican. It's crazy! And there's one girl, Jessica who looks just like Nikki Francek. Another girl looks like Amanda Buschlen.

This morning we took the boat out on the lake to go to a small town, San Juan, Laguna. The ride was about 30 minutes long, and the view was incredible. The lake is literally surrounded by volcanoes. San Juan was very cute. We went to this weaving place, and this pretty little 16 yr. old girl explained to us the process of weaving. It's a crazy art. It takes so much patience. The people were so nice. It wasn't like in Mexico where the people bug you to try to get you to buy their stuff, and nobody asked for money. When you'd walk down the street, everybody said hi to you. Also, in all of these little pueblos around the lake, the women have their own unique clothing. It's very pretty.

We also went to an elementary school, and many of us brought stuff for the kids: candy, pencils, bracelets, etc. Someone probably should have thought of a more organized way to do it because the kids were attacking us. I had some candy in my purse, and once I gave a piece to one kid, a huge herd of them flocked to me saying, "Just one, please." Then when some started reaching into my purse, I had to say that there was nothing left (although I had plenty left). They were pushing into each other and into me with their hands out, and I didn't have enough for everybody. It was kind of like having a piece of bread in your hands with pigeons all around you....scary.

We got back on the boat and went to another larger town called Santiago, Atitlan. It was very different there, and much like Mexico with the vendors. They would actually follow you around with their stuff trying to get you to buy it. I didn't like this place so much....maybe it was because it was pouring rain the entire time there (the weather was fine before that) or maybe it was because there were older teenagers walking around carrying machetes. Anyway, we ate there and watched part of the Spain soccer game. By the time everyone got back on the boat, we were all soaking wet. My shoes and socks and the bottom of my jeans were soaked. I hope they all dry before we leave tomorrow. We'll be headed to Chichicastenango tomorrow, which is famous for it's market apparently. Well, 'tis all. Must get back to reading!