Now that some points have been clarified a bit, I figured I’d share with you our security situation, which has been the hottest topic of conversation among volunteers. You may have seen some articles posted on Facebook, but I’ll try to outline everything more comprehensively.
Mid-December: we received a cryptic text message from the Peace Corps administration to check our email. As the texts go out in waves, I received 3 questioning calls from fellow volunteers without internet access before receiving the text. The big – and unexpected – news was that following recent security incidents (volunteers involved in bus crashes, bus hold-ups, etc.), the new training class (slated to arrive at the beginning of January) was canceled, in El Salvador as well. See the PC press release. Moreover, through the rumor mill but also via another press release, we learned that all volunteers in Honduras were being sent home in January until further notice. The NY Times picked up the story as well.
Beginning of January: another cryptic text announced a further development. This time, the email contained a letter from the PC Regional Director offering “any Volunteer who feels that they cannot continue their service in Guatemala the status of Interrupted Service. Interrupted Service is granted when a situation beyond your control prevents you from completing your full tour of service.” Hold up: what is preventing me from finishing my 2 years?? Cunen could not be a safer place (despite being located in the midst of 5 far less stable towns) AND I only have about 9 months left, so why would I leave now? Not to mention, there remained so much mystery about PC’s status here (would we end up like Honduras?) that it seemed impossible to make a decision without further information. Unless of course you were involved in the security incident and want to get the hell out of here, which I’ve heard some people are doing. The funny thing is that a little over a year ago, Noor and I offered to feed each other contaminated mud water with the hopes of contracting something serious enough to send us home…and now we’re offered a way out and we turn it down!
Mid-January: this was yet another standfast (standFEAST/[sit]DRUNK) weekend due to the inauguration of the new president and all new mayors. You know, Guatemalans get agitated easily and might have rioted against some of the corrupt politicians assuming power. Surprisingly, Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams came as the Head of Delegation of the U.S government representing the Obama administration…it’s like, sorry Señor Presidente, we know Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in attendance, but we’d rather spread a message of peace, cool? As part of his visit here, Director Williams met with some volunteers and assured them that Peace Corps is dedicated to continue supporting Guatemala, so I guess that means we’re not getting sent home. However, that doesn’t mean that the admin won’t make other security-related changes…
Inauguration Day in Cunen seemed to go fairly well. I was woken up this morning by fireworks and the marimba music in the municipal salon, a block from my house. It seems that the departing mayor did indeed show up for the change-over ceremony (word on the street was that he’d been missing for some weeks now), but he neglected to comment on the state of the town’s treasury (like if he’d stolen all the money or not). It’s incredible how everyone here passively accepts the fact that the treasury is completely looted every 4 years by the outgoing mayor. Rumor is that Los Conejos won’t be making reappearance at this year’s feria in 2 weeks, so the situation must be kind of bad.
Today was also the annual celebration of the black Jesus of Esquipulas (a town in the eastern part of the country), who has quite the following in Cunen! Kate, Melissa, and I were invited to lunch at Jenny’s house and then dinner at her friend’s house…aka yet another day of massive eating with that girl (last Sunday was lunch and learning to make chiles rellenos and Tuesday was lasagna…suffice it to say my stomach was punishing me for several days!). On the way home, we decided to stop by the mayor’s dance in the park, danced with some girl friends, and then got coerced into dancing with the mayor and members of his administration! Off to a great start…haha
My busy work schedule for the month has gotten significantly less busy as people keep canceling on me. On the bright side, I’ve had plenty of time to research grad schools lol. I’ve also been researching nutrition for babies and pregnant women, a group I’d like to start working with. Plus I scheduled cooking classes for this week with another women’s group, so there’s another day or so of work a month. Oh my, that Interrupted Service looks more and more enticing…just kidding :)
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