I have arrived, and am continuously amazed by the friendliness and hospitality of everyone here. I am staying with the director of FAPE for this week, after which I will be moving to the seminary. He has a wife, who he only refers to as his amor, and a two year old son. You know how sometimes kids are hard to understand while they are learning to talk? Well, it’s near impossible to hear anything other than jibberish when they are learning to talk in another language.
Today, I went to the organization’s office, and was intorduced to loads of people, from the loan officers, to the accountants, the secretaries, and everyone else. Except for the people who get loans. Tomorrow, I am going to San Martin to see this and collect some payments. Also today, I discussed how to better use Kiva, and how everything works in the office. On the way home, I drove a diesel pick-up truck through the streets of Guatemala City. In order to change lanes, the turn signal and hand wave out the window are both requirements. It was a little nerve racking, but all things considered not too bad. Sorry I don’t have any pictures or video, the day was too packed. Hopefully later this week I will have them.
At the end of every meal we say, “gracias,” to which someone responds “buen provecho.” To you all, I say gracias and good night.
Wonderful sense of how your first day was. Great writing! OMG, driving on your first day there.Ten cuidado and buena suerte.Look forward to hearing about your meetings in San Martin and your impressions of people, city and the surrounding communities.
I know exactly what you mean about the kids…it’s tough because I’m normally so good with kids, but when I’m speaking Spanish with them it can be SO difficult to understand what they are saying.