Tamales

There are many different variations of tamales. The 2 most common here in Guatemala are either made out of corn (maiz) or potatoes (papas). The ones made out of papas here are called: paches. We had a class at my school making tamales out of papas.  

First, our teacher explained about the leaves we would use. These are really similar to banana leaves, but not the same. They are sold in the local market.  

1. We cooked the potatoes & the tomatoes jalapeño concoction.

2. Then we peeled the HOT potatoes & mashed them up. 

3. We added the puree mixture with some matzah & several large pinches of salt. 

4. We used prunes for the vegetarians or we added chicken & peppers on all the others. 

Finally, we put them in a big pot with water & cooked them for about an hour.

I brought an extra one home for Momma Sandra & Kim which was devoured. 

The other type of tamale that is really common is the more traditional one made out of corn. Here in Guatemala, it mostly has a small portion of chicken in it & is a lot thicker than the ones we have back in Texas. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS GREEN SAUCE. It is pretty hot but doesn't mask the flavor of the food with anything other than heat. 

Stay tuned for plenty more good food...

1Co 10: 31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

San Pedro Volcán

This is the view from the balcony of mi familia: el Volcán San Pedro. I literally walked out of their house all the way up to the beginning of the parque del Volcán. (That alone was about an hour hike.)

La vista del mirador (about 1/3rd of the way up.) 

Vale la pena (It was worth it)

These women were amazing regalos (gifts.) The Andrea,girl on the left, has climbed Mt. Everest 3 times! She is the first sponsored professional female climber in Guatemala and is the jefe of a health company in Guatemala city which is also uncommon. 

,,

On the hike down I was captivated by the crater. (I didn't even try to take a photo because it wouldn't have turned out.) The cosa that really captured my attention was how lush & green everything was on this dormant volcano. Then a light bulb went off: 

Even in death there is always life.

They cycles of nature require death to keep the soil fertile to promote more life.

This year my last-living, feisty, abuela passed away. Right after that, we had another beautiful baby boy born to our family. 

  

JN: 11:25-26: ..."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die..." 

Venga Conmigo

Come fly away with me para una adventura to learn Spanish in San Pedro, Guatemala.  

1. My School/ District gave me a sabbatical for a year in order to learn Spanish. 

2. Hopefully, in 2017, our district will be rolling out dual language programs (assuming this proposed program will be passed by the board.)

3. The trip feels so much different than my last world trek for many reasons: I have a signed contract in Austin, Spanish is my biggest priority, I know the village, family, & teacher I will be studying with. 



4. I plan to be in San Pedro from August - November. Then, after Kate's wedding & the holidays, I will plan to return somewhere in Central America to pursue more Spanish. I want to leave this year as open-ended as possible knowing that the open road has a way of dominating whatever "plan" we create. 

5. Some of my other personal goals: to read the bible in it's entirety, scuba diving & surfing throughout all of Central America, and dancing in Columbia - thank you for inspiration Bomba Estereo: