We’ve just returned from a sticker factory, where we alll designed MAYA 2013 logos to represent our group. As we sat “ohhing” and “ahhing” over the designs and wondering which ones would turn out the best, we were reflecting on each student and thought you all might like a little update on who exactly is forming this wonderful little group. So without further ado, here are Jessica and Brent’s updates on each of the fantastic students on this trip:
Ricky is a joy and light and friend to all; it is an understatement to say that he is an all around positive addition to the group. His smile and laugh lighten up most situations. Despite busting his head open while salsa dancing a few weeks ago (from which he is healing up completely fine), he has enthusiastically danced, doodled, and smiled his way around Xela, making friends with locals, families, and group members alike.
Quintin (aka Qui’n) is not afraid to dive right into conversing in Spanish, maximizing any and all new words he is learning. His light hearted approach makes everyone appreciate his presence. His juggling was a highlight of the group performance we did for the locals in Pasac.
Jared (aka Har-red) isn’t shy to branch out and spend time with new people he meets and tends to end up with interesting stories from his host families and other locals and travelers. as our resident “foodie,” aka red enjoys sharing his local dives both with the group and with his host families, most especially his host grandmother, who adores him.
During our cross-cultural activities, we occasionally find ourselves in an awkward silence with the groups we are working with. During these times, it is not uncommon for someone to say “Shane, do a back flip!” That generally breaks the ice and we can continue working on our Spanish skills. When it comes to salsa dancing, Shane has been showing us a thing or two.
Any questions that arise about wilderness skills are quickly met by Lizza. She has also made sure that everyone is prepared by teaching a self defense class for the group. Despite not speaking very much Spanish, Lizza has also connected with her host families, and performed a little dance along with Shane and her host sister in Pasac.
Lisa did not disappoint during her week as El Capitan, she can rally everyone and always brings an element of fun to the group (most specifically on the dance floor). When Jess and Brent’s brains are fried from translation, Lisa easily steps in with her incredible Spanish skills. Also, she’s hilarious. And that girl can SING.
Leigha is a founding member of the Maya 2013 Running Club. Several of the girls (Including Jessica, Ellen, and Lisa) have been getting up early and running together. At one point during our time in the Mayan village of Pasac we were challenged to a game of soccer. It was after a big rain so the field was quite muddy. Leigha won the “slip and slide” award by a landslide, by the end of the game she was covered head to toe in mud.
Sophia’s easy going style melds well with the group. Her attitude and smile directly impact the atmosphere in the group no matter how tired or uncomfortable we may be. Her ability to go from laughter to poker face in .5 seconds constantly has the group cracking up. Also, she designed the most incredible Maya group logo and has a knack for finding sweet vintage clothes both in tiendas and on the calles of Xela.
As far as we can tell Tess (aka Tazz) blends well with her home stays. As evidence she left her first home stay mother in tears asking when Tess would come back for a visit.Tess was the star player during our kickball game with some kids, hitting several home runs.
Ellen clearly enjoys engaging with people and culture whenever possible. She has also been a helpful addition when it comes to language and cross cultural communication. Her serious side is complemented by her seriously silly side, as she regularly leaps, runs, and laughs around in circles whenever something particularly joyful happens.
Every time we find ourselves near children Katie automatically finds herself with a group of kids around her. She tends to connect with the kids and they all seem to love her for it. Katie also has us in joyous tears when entertaining us with her stories.
Maya is quite thoughtful about the groups engagements and has a positive impact the group decision making process. She thrived as the “Fun Committee” member our first week in Xela, happily providing us with a slew of awesome activities to do during the week we have been here.
And what about us? Well, Jess has been thrilled to show us around her old stomping grounds in Xela, despite having a mild case of gastrointestinal amoebas/parasites/who knows what for the past 8 days. She loves to tell jokes (most of them horrible), she loves to tell stories (most of the adventurous), and most of all, loves chatting with students about life over coffee, during a run, or on a sweet hike.
Brent has enjoyed sharing his knowledge and insights on cultural and international development with the group throughout each of the places we have traveled. In Pasac, we visited a coffee cooperative, and Brent shared an incredible video about the coffee trade around the world, and in Xela, he has enjoyed facilitating in depth conversations on the impacts of the tourism industry in Guatemala. Brent can tear it up on the dance floor, impresses us with his acro-yoga, and has a knack for finding the best and cheapest street stall food everywhere we go.
We are having a great time. Everyone in the group is mature and thoughtful about interactions with each other and with the communities we are engaging with. We feel lucky to have such a great group of students and look forward to everything that we will be learning from each other over the course of the next couple of months.
Thank you for all your thoughts,
Brent and Jessica
Shane does a backflip.