The day to day.

So...
You know you are in Guatemala when...
# ?  (I forget what number we were on. Not important.)  You know you are in Guatemala when your host mom hacks down a tree in your veranda area by herself, using a machete.  Yup.  A machete.   No "garden shears" for her. 

As much as I'm looking forward to living in an apartment next year with teachers, I am going to miss the homestay.  They have been such a huge part of the experience. 

There is not much else of note to write about.  It has been a relatively uneventful week.  Which can sometimes be a good thing.

Oh, I forgot.  One of the local highschool bands started up their Saturday morning band practices again.  They did this in the fall, but since their school schedule is different (their "vacation" is from like October through January or something) they recently started back up again.  I'm not sure exactly where they practice, but it sounds as though it is right behind my house.  And it entails playing the same Linkin Park song hundreds of times in a row.  Hours.  Hours in a row.  On a Saturday morning.  They've got some skillz though. 

Also, this week is literacy week at school.  And I believe by the end of the week, my neighbors are going to think I have turned into a lunatic as they watch me walk to and from the bus stop.  This is because on Wednesday we are having a Word Parade.  Meaning the students (and teachers) choose a word  (noun, adjective, or verb) and dress up in a way that represents that word.  I don't have a wide "costume" selection at my disposal.  Nor the time or money to devote to creating a cool outfit.  But I wanted to participate.  So...I decided to be resourceful and am choosing the word  "mismatched".  And I plan to put together an outfit with the clothes I have in such a hideously "mismatched" and crazy way that, as I mentioned, the neighbors are sure to think I've lost my mind. 
And if that doesn't do it... Friday is a half-day in which the elementary is having a read-in.  Complete with coming to school in your pajamas.  And you can be sure I'm participating in that one too. 
These are the moments when you wish that Xela wasn't such a "walk everywhere you go" kind of place.  I wish I could discretely jump in my car in my crazy clothes and drive to school.  Well, actually, not really.   Because I'm almost positive I wouldn't make it, or would burst into tears.  The driving here is insane.  But you get my point.   We already get stared at-- can't imagine how the amount of staring will increase when I'm wearing ridiculous clothes.  Although, a possible perk... perhaps the creepy men won't whistle and cat call at us for once?
Joking aside, I think it should be a fun week.  I'm excited to see the kids' costumes.  Pictures to come.