EIL Intercultural Learning

I've been back on home turf nearly three weeks now and have well and truely slotted back into my life here; albeit with a new sense of self, a fresh perspective on situations and circumstances, and a whirlwind of memories of Guatemala accompanying me as I go. My first few days back in Ireland were filled with mixed feelings. It was lovely to see friends and family again, to be in familiar surroundings where I know how most things work and to be able to communicate in my native tongue and articulate whatever I wanted to say without the challenge of a foreign langauge.

We pray for children
who love to laugh and be tickled,
who stomp in puddles wearing new wellies,
who enjoy a sweet from grandma's special jar,
who sit on father's knee and listen to a story.

We pray for those
who stare blankly at a confused world,
who never play 'pirates' or 'donkey' or 'count potatoes',
who never skip or have fun...
too captured by the hurt and pain around them.

Well its been a while! Its very very overwhelming sitting here right now trying to think how on earth I am ever going to be able to explain my experiences of Guatemala and please know that it is simply impossible for me to say all that has happened here, even if I spent the whole night writing! To explain all the cultural differences that I have come across during my experiences here would take a book in itself, as would to explain the emotional cycles I have been through.

Once again, apologies for the delay in getting my blog updated!

Ok where to begin and what to say. There is much gong on here every that it is simply impossible for me to even touch on everything! Anyhows here goes my attempt!...

¡Hola de Guatemala!