"This" is really about "That"

You know the asparagus season is coming to a close when:

- I’ve been collecting my Vitamin D by basking in the late afternoon sun.
- I convert potential purchases into the hours of hard work it took to earn the money
- More Days off; I'm debating whether I will miss my job, after I have come to enjoy it.
- Work days outside of the pack house become our work (three cheers for hoeing! seriously, I love it!)

With the end of the asparagus season in loom, the reality of heading off to Guatemala becomes the forefront again. The next portion of the program is quite different, yet all much of the same picture – the business of Sandy Shore Farms helps makes the reality for the village of Tizate a different story – a story of love, hope and development. Two families have made their business, service and lives very holistic. Something I want my life to become. Although the two portions of this program are different, this portion is really about that portion.

This is really about that.
(Thanks Rob Bell, “Sex God” – a thought provoking read)

This past Wednesday, we had a “Guatemalan Night”. It was a night where we found out which family in Tizate I would be staying with. I am on my own, staying with an older couple – Marianna y Factor - and their grandchildren. I am nervous as I do not feel confident in my Spanish yet (looking forward to moments of awkward silence), but excited to be fully immersed in the language and really get to know “mi familia”. Apparently one of my neighbours practices witchcraft while the other is a devout Christian.

This coming week, there will be a lot of meetings in regards to our two month stay in Guatemala. It looks like a majority of my service will stem from the construction project – providing a home for three families (all inter-connected) and teaching an advanced ESL class. I’m sure there will be a few local games of “futbal” thrown in there as well.

Hasta luego mis amigos! (See you later my friends)

Andreas

Note: The picture is me and my friend Tina, overlooking Lake Erie (It is the part of Lakeshore Rd. that is no longer safe to drive on due to the erosion)

Hicks on Big 'Crick'

Two Sundays back, part of the group decided to enjoy our day off by going on a canoe trip down Big Creek (The hick pronounciation would be "crick". This lead into a discussion on what defines a hick - those that drink lots of beer, and say "crick"...but then that would have lead to a whole debate on stereotypes and the negative images it places on others...so we will just leave it at that).

Between the two canoes, rivalries started with a few splashes and John decided to fire a mud ball at our canoe. After this, we decided to band together to retaliate through Operation "Revenge Mud". We paddled quickly ahead and started gathering mud sludge ammunition in our canoe . When the perfect opportunity to throw mud came, our canoe turned side ways to face our enemies; after Kat and I fired one mud ball each, John, Steph, Cam and Dale all leaned to the right side and their canoe capsized! Success! Although, when Dan, Kat and I frantically paddled away from the potential retaliation, our canoe capsized in the moment of panic! This proceeded to the next rational step: A FULL OUT MUD WAR! It was great. Unfortunately, photos cannot capture such a memorable event.

Recently, someone came to speak to us about this Essential Oil concoction called Parafree. These all-natural pills help provide us the immunity to fight off potential parasites, while also cleansing potential parasites already living in our bodies (perhaps the ones we picked up in Big Crick). The statistic was that 85% of North Americans already have some form of a parasite. One family that visited Tizate and our team leader Kris have used Parafree and it not only has prevented them from acquiring a parasite, but has even helped in keeping them regular (seriously, the "no traveller's diarrhea" idea sold me). So, my body is now at war against parasites. Each week the dosage is increased until I reach the 4 pills each morning and 4 pills each evening routine. It will mean over the next 4 months I will pop about 600 pills!

Last but not least, the war for the Golden Raja. John and I have deemed the yellow hand jack to be the best to drag the massive asparagus skids around the pack house. John named it the "Golden Raja", and we strive to make sure that this hand jack does not leave our sight. It is the only one of its kind and when others take it from us, this means war. Well not really, but I try to rescue the Golden Raja from their care.

Finally, work has been going well. The normal day now seems to be 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., which allows me to relax and feel like I have time to read, be social and enjoy life outside of work.

Sincerely from your pacifist,
Andrew

Andrew's favourite way to eat asparagus this week - eat it with some parmesan cheese and pepper.