Oranges and Goodbyes

We started working in the orchards with Leonidis. At maybe five feet, it is fun to work next to him. We figured out today that 6 mandrin oranges sell for 1 quetzal. 7.5 quetzals is a dollar, figure that out and you get about 5 cents each. I see why I am considered a volunteer now.

I had a tough week. I felt a little homesick and didn´t sleep well. Then to make matters worse the slaves left yesturday for home. I felt like I lost two of my 4 good friends. Many of them will be attending semenary school in Quetalzenango in Nov. Huge bummer though, becuase they were one of the best ways not only to learn Spanish, but to goof around. They will be missed, but they will also be replaced with new kids, sometime.

But everything gets better. We had a little fiesta last night with Guac (yes I found where the avos are!), chips, cheap booze and copius amounts of lemons from the orchard. And we found the mystery folder that Liam and Michael (the 1st volunteers here) left for us. It gave us a lot of ideas and seems like we will have a purpose with too many things to do instead of nothing as I initially thought. Tomorrow we are going for a hike with Leonidis and in the afternoon doing something with the IT guy´s friend (I am not sure what, when you don´t understand the language usually the best answer is ¨Sí¨ and a lot of times that means you don´t know what the hell you are getting into).

And the economic bailout plan included the renewable energy tax credit!! I was thinking about staying here with how shitty everything sounds like it is in the US, but finally something went right so I will be home in June.

Anyway, stay in touch. If you want a letter- send me a email with your address to taeggermont@gmail.com.