Hi!

I've never blogged before, so I apologize if I ramble or am boring. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to write about or what is interesting to other people that are reading, but I'll do my best!

Right now I am still home in Sudbury, Massachusetts. I have been working at Mahoney's Gardening Store - which is silly since I know nothing about gardening and killed my house plant after a month. I have been working everyday, which is great since I need the extra cash for my trip, but stressful and tiring at the moment. I took a few days off this weekend for a mini-road trip to Amherst with the lovely gnomies (Morgan, Rachel and Nika). It was so much fun and beautiful out and a great weekend with my girls before we all venture out to different corners of the world. It's so crazy that so many of my friends are having such amazing adventures this summer, and I cannot wait to follow along with their travels!

I am starting to realize that there are a lot of preparations I need to work on that I have neglected, and it's making me a little nervous. However, I'm sure it will all get done, as these things always do. I am volunteering at Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee next week, and will only have a few days home before I leave - one of which is my birthday! I am for the most part nervous, with bursts of overwhelming excitement and giggles. I'm not sure why  this is, perhaps because I cannot comprehend the experience I am going to have, so I'm generally anxious about getting everything squared away before I leave.  I also worry that I won't have enough time to spend with my family and friends before I go.



A little background on my trip: I will be living in a home-stay in Xela (pronounced shay-la). I have an internship with Primeros Pasos, a health clinic in the rural village of Palajunoj Valley, outside of Xela. I am working in the Children's Program, which I interpret as me playing with little kids and teaching them to wash their hands all day. Probably not accurate, but that is my fantasy. I will also be taking classes everyday in the afternoon with Pop Wuj, who set up my homestay. 


5 things I know about Guatemala and Xela:
1. Xela is less touristy than Antigua or Guatemala City, and teeming with internationals and Americans that came for study abroad or volunteering and never left.
2. I will get robbed or pick-pocketed everywhere all the time, day or night, especially because I am a little white girl. 
3. I can look forward to amazing volcanoes and Mayan ruins in the Highlands, along with markets and zip-lining =)
4. I can take Salsa classes and Facebook at Internet Cafes
5. All I will eat is rice and beans. I'm hoping there will be some yummy fruits and veggies too.



Countdown 17 days until Guatemala!! More to come.