Postcrossing Favorites for March

This month's favorite postcards received via Postcrossing.com are:

From England: "Bygone London - The Strand & Charing Cross"

From Finland: "To See You Better" by Reetta Isotupa-Siltanen

From Finland: A new comic strip featuring "The Swearing Hedgehog" ordering a pizza with earthworms and tadpoles.

From Russia: The sender cited Tolstoy: "Love is life. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love."

To learn more about Postcrossing.com, go to: http://myturntodayyourstomorrow-cheryl.blogspot.com/2010/07/postcrossing.html 

GivePrayLove

"Michelle's Excellent Adventure" continues on a separate blog that I recently set up for her. I'll be posting for her on that blog until she's able to take it over herself. To read more about Michelle's experiences in Guatemala, go to http://givepraylove-michelle.blogspot.com


Tomorrow, I will resume posts on this blog (Hodie mihi, cras tibi) about my little Idaho life.

Part 35 "Textiles of Guatemala"

Michelle writes: 

Textiles are by far the most common handcraft in Guatemala. They are woven on back strap or floor looms and then sewn together to create width for hammocks, curtains, and bedspreads.

I purchased a shawl with the Santiago pattern. While I was watching the Lenten procession, two people came up to me and stroked my shawl, which was wrapped over my arm. Then, they stroked their own shawls, then mine again. I understood this as a way of exhibiting  a connection to their Mayan culture and their expression of appreciation. This was followed by the cheek-to-cheek embrace so common here. No language was needed in order to connect on this spiritual plane.


Cheryl's note: This is the final post on this blog about "Michelle's Excellent Adventure." I'll continue to post her photos and information on a separate blog that I recently set up for her. To continue reading about Michelle's experiences in Guatemala, please go to http://givepraylove-michelle.blogspot.com

Beginning April 1, I'll return to my own posts on this blog (Hodie mihi, cras tibi).

Part 34 "Pottery Shop"

Michelle writes:

We visited a pottery shop in San Antonio Palopo. Here, we watched the craftsmen hand paint the designs. Birds and flowers, often in blues, dominate the intricate combinations. This pottery may be an additional product  for "Sharing the Dream."

Part 33 "Getting From Here to There"

Cayuco, a flat-bottomed wooden canoe

One of the many firewood gatherers. Loads can weigh 150 pounds. It's rare to see a dog on a lease, as most are skinny and wandering the streets.

Women frequently carry many pounds of "cargo" on their heads.

An elder appreciates his walker.

Tuk-tuks here are decorated with bold colors.

Part 32 "Young Beaders"

Michelle writes:
I'm getting an education about fair trade products. Fair trade is defined as products from third world countries where the people are paid a fair wage for their work. Fair trade is often calculated by the time spent in making the product and materials used, based on the daily wage of the region. 
There are no regulations as to what is truly fair trade, and many products are sold with that labeling but were bought at the markets with haggling and desperate vendors involved. 
     Many of the street vendors here will keep dropping their price in hopes of a sale. Often you realize they can't pay for their supplies and time selling at the low prices they are willing to take, but the economic reality is such that they need some cash to take home after a day of attempting to sell to the few tourists. The tourism industry has been hit hard since 9-11 and the recent housing slump.

These are the young beaders who make necklaces and bracelets (shown below) to sell in the US as fair trade products.

The young beaders who work for "Sharing the Dream" are delighted to have a job where the beads are supplied and they are paid for each piece created, not having to wait until after the sale. A couple of the girls had previously sold their products to a local shop. They found that after they were paid, the money received would only cover the purchase of new supplies. They had not received anything for their time.

Part 31 "Adisa"

Michelle writes:

Hola! Recently, Lana from Sioux Falls was here in Santiago. She teaches in the physical therapy department at the University of South Dakota, and over the years, has brought many students to Guatemala for a global experience. I was able to accompany Lana to Adisa, a school for special needs children. 

Adisa was started by a woman named Argentina who had a special needs child. This lovely, clean, and cheery school provides therapy and classes for infants and school-aged children.

The school provides services for children from several villages. We met a mother whose daughter has cerebral palsy. She lives in San Lucas and the pickup ride costs 3Q each way. The expense makes it prohibitive to attend more than two days a week.

Adisa is a model program in Guatemala empowering families to care for their disabled children. Learn more about Adisa at:  www.adisagt.org

Adisa also has a workshop in Santiago where products made from newspaper provide an income for the adults. 

Four-inch strips of newspaper are rolled, then flattened, then spiraled. I purchased a beautiful 14" bowl.

Napkin holders made from folded newspaper

These handcrafts have been featured in National Geographic.

We also visited the hospital, a new building that had its grand opening in 2010. An addtional wing is still under construction. Here, we were given a tour by a med student from Virginia, who is volunteering for six weeks. The hospital has a director and three other doctors on staff, with volunteers coming and going throughout the year, each for a one-month minimum commitment.  

Emergency Room

Operating Room

Radiology had the basic x-ray equipment, but no MRI or CAT scan. ER, surgery, pediatrics, labor and delivery have three beds for overnight stays and a beautiful garden for the mothers to walk in while laboring.

This dental office equipment is just waiting for a dentist.

 Not UPS, but GuatEX for safe and timely deliveries

Lana brings students to Santiago to fit wheelchairs, work with the children of Adisa, and provide foot care to the elders at the center. There are many areas of need, so whatever your talents, there are places to volunteer. Learn more about the hospital at: www.hospitalitoatitlan.org

Part 30 "International Women's Day Celebrations"

International Women's Day (IWD) did not go uncelebrated in Guatemala. Women and men took to the streets with music, marching, dancing, and speeches. 

Michelle sent these pictures of the festivities, both public and private.

The focus of the celebrations in different countries ranges from a general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration of women's economic, political, and social achievements. 

In many countries, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations prevails, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are examined in a hopeful manner.

For the 2011 International Women's Day, the International Committee of the Red Cross called on States and other entities to not relent in their efforts to prevent rape and other forms of sexual violence that harm the lives and dignity of countless women in conflict zones around the world.

The women at the hostel celebrated, too: 

Lana, Ginnie, Felipa and Kat

The celebration dinner featured all local produce.

May peace and hope be with women everywhere.