Comments for Jim and Emily's Guatemala » Jims Guatemala

Comment on Solicitud by Larry in Mazatlan

Larry in Mazatlan — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:05:35 +0000

I’m glad to see you guys haven’t forgotten us. Keep it coming when you have a chance.

Comment on Solicitud by Anne Lossing

Anne Lossing — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:10:26 +0000

Great to hear from you guys! Good luck with the farm … its definitely the way to go these days.

Comment on Goodbye by Jim

Jim — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:48:27 +0000

Update: The blog is now closed to comments and new registrations, to reduce hacking and spamming opportunities as well as the amount of fluff email I receive in my inbox. If you only just now got to this page and still want access to the book, you can email me directly to be added to the list, or if it’s sometime in late 2011 of after, you can try searching for “Fanjoy” on Amazon.com.

Thank you, all. I miss you already.

Comment on Goodbye by Gay Bumpas

Gay Bumpas — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:36:48 +0000

Please add me to your list. I would love to know when your book is released. Barrett’s mom, Gay Bumpas

Comment on Goodbye by Karen

Karen — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:32:39 +0000

Nooo, say it isn’t so! I’ve been leaving these last posts in my google reader for weeks because I didn’t want your blog to end. I’m reading the new ones, but it’s just not the same. For sure let me know about your book, and if you’re ever passing through Champaign-Urbana on your travels you have a place to stay.

Comment on Goodbye by Larry in Mazatlan

Larry in Mazatlan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:12:19 +0000

I’m really going to miss you guys. Let us know how the agribusiness goes. If anybody can do it, it’s you! And please remember be on the book.

Take care and good luck

Larry Lambert

Comment on A friend is leaving the Peace Corps. by Steph

Steph — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:37:20 +0000

Hi Zach,

I know this is a late response, but I am a PCV in Guate currently learning Mam, and from what I’ve read and heard from my teacher, Xnula (the X should have two dots over it to indicate the ’sh’ sound) originally comes from the word “Xnul” which means “clean”, referring of

I know pitifully little about the history or evolution of the word from that point, though… for instance, why does it only apply to women, and “mos” (which no one I talk to knows the etymology or original meaning of) apply to men? Why would a word that seems to have a derogatory connotation against indigenas have been embraced by them, and how has it come to be a negative slur against Ladinas/Gringas?

That said I am fairly positive that the original etymology has nothing to do with females wearing pants, or kidnapping, both concepts that I believe came into play in indigena-Ladino-gringo relations far after the word first went into usage.

Steph

Comment on By the Numbers by Karen

Karen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:41:35 +0000

impressive!

Comment on The Fanjoy Forest by Karen

Karen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:39:21 +0000

Wow, I love the tree planting incentives. I thought that they did this thing with reversing first and last names, so Nas Palas could potentially have a child named Palas Nas (although I don’t think he does.) Did you guys learn any more about naming?

Comment on The Fanjoy Forest by Jim

Jim — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:36:21 +0000

Yeah, a “palo” is a little stick. But his is second name is “Palas”, which is the Q’anjob’al equivalent of “Francisco”. The Q’anjob’al names all have analogs in Spanish, so Nas Palas shows up as “Anastasio Francisco” on his cedula (state ID card). Although racism is now officially illegal, it persists in many subtle ways after centuries of oppression, and their Q’anjob’al (and therefore, true) names never appear on any official government documents.

Comment on The Fanjoy Forest by kathy

kathy — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 03:13:16 +0000

this is really lovely and one of your finest gestures. Congrats to Emily for the idea & to you both for carrying it out. And that Nas (palo? doesn’t it mean little stick?) continues to amaze!

Comment on Goodbye by SoniaBegonia

SoniaBegonia — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:05:55 +0000

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I will miss your regular updates. Count me in for a book!

Comment on Goodbye by Erin

Erin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:09:57 +0000

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I am going to miss reading about your experiences, perspectives, and service in Guatemala. I found this blog early in 2010, so I have some back reading to do. I would love to be added to your book list. Take care and best of luck to the both of you!

Comment on Goodbye by Jean

Jean — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:44:14 +0000

Thanks for your sharing yourselves with me through your blog. You can count on me to purchase a book or two. Please add me to the book list.

Comment on Goodbye by Karen

Karen — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:09:54 +0000

Thank you for your service to the people of Guatemala. My daughter is also from there and I appreciate your helping the Guatemalans in every way you did. Please add me for the book list – can’t wait!!

Comment on Goodbye by Devin

Devin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:45:10 +0000

Come visit me (and Kaying)! I will show you my pickup truck and you can help me build a new bathroom or a concrete floor in the basement

Comment on Goodbye by Beth in MN

Beth in MN — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:24:56 +0000

Add me to the book list please.

Thank you so much for sharing your PC journey with us.

You have a bed here any time.

Comment on Goodbye by Mercedes Brugh

Mercedes Brugh — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:00:49 +0000

Add me. And thanks for sharing your adventure. Good luck in your future, more private lives.

Comment on Goodbye by Deb

Deb — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:45:55 +0000

I wish you both all the best as you start the adventure of the rest of your lives. I hve throughly enjoyed reading your words here and you cna count me in for a book or 2 when you publish the book.

Many thanks for sharing your experience with all of us out here.

Love and hugs,
Deb

Comment on Goodbye by Kathi Thomas

Kathi Thomas — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:31:18 +0000

Ditto for Austin, we’ve just about always got room for more!
Kathi

Comment on Goodbye by barbara oppenheimer

barbara oppenheimer — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:28:09 +0000

I also have 2 kids adopted from Guatemala and am an RPCV, Gabon and Niger, many years ago. I was totally fascinated with following your experiences and really could identify with many of them. Please add me to your list also. If you are ever in the Tucson area please contact me and you always have a place to stay. It will take more than a year to adjust to life back in the states. I still don’t take ice for granted and am constantly annoyed by all of the choices we are bombarded with in grocery stores-30 years later!
Much luck to you both!

Comment on Goodbye by Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel

Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:20:45 +0000

Matyox qawe7. Yoj ch’o chik. Thank you very much. Talk to you later.

Comment on Goodbye by norm kwallek

norm kwallek — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:15:09 +0000

Add me to the book list and if your ever in fly over country, you have a place to stay.

Comment on Goodbye by Kathi Thomas

Kathi Thomas — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:43:04 +0000

Thank you for what you’ve done in Guatemala. Our daughter is from there, so I’m always interested in people who work to help folks in Guat. Reading your blog reminded me sometimes of the “lessons” from “Three Cups of Tea”- they’ve survived for so long the way they are, and, while they’re happy about improving their lives through things like clean water and schools, they don’t go about it quite the same way as someone from here. Hard lesson to learn sometimes, but yet a good one to understand.
I will look forward to your book, and hope you will keep our email addresses so you can let us know when it is out.
Best wishes in your new ventures. (I actually WOULD be interested in hearing about your agribusiness adventure.:)
Kathi in Austin

Comment on Gettin’ on a jetplane by Jim

Jim — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:17:57 +0000

Ironically, those are the NICEST shoes I still have, everything else was so worn out that we burned it all a few days before this picture was taken. The good news? Those are the boots I made myself, so I can just make a new pair when I get back to the US and have access to my tools again.

Comment on The Fanjoy Forest by Jim

Jim — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:13:25 +0000

Haha! Yeah, heaven forbid that there not be pino for the fiestas. I salute all PC foresters. Trees are awesome.

Comment on Gettin’ on a jetplane by Deb

Deb — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:07:34 +0000

I hope yu continue blog- at least through the transition back to life in the US. Happy travels and thanks for sharing our adventure with all us strangers out here.

Love and hugs,
Deb

Comment on Gettin’ on a jetplane by Devin

Devin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:09:01 +0000

From someone whose entire team wore custom made suits I must say those are A+. Had I only known I would have gotten one to match my botas

Comment on Gettin’ on a jetplane by Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel

Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:33:32 +0000

Jaime, you are going to have to do something about those grubby shoes.

Comment on Moria? by Chicken Brian

Chicken Brian — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:35:20 +0000

Wow, so much to comment on.

1st. Kendall is 3 Years old. She has been in at least 3 caves, including Tuckaleeche Caverns in TN LAST WEEK!. Glad you have opened up E’s eyes to this. Cool stuff hiding underground. Too bad you didn’t get home a few weeks earlier as we headed down I65 to TN last week.

2nd. I carry a Headlamp in my pack when I go for a 3 mile hike with the cubscouts on a sunny saturday morning. You didn’t bring a flashlight with you into a waterfilled cave in the jungle!! Yikes. Oh, do you hear that, BSA want’s their Eagle badge back. (Just kidding)

3rd. How do you know where the condoms are made? If you have enough time to read the wrapper, you’re not doing it right.

4th. That bat pic is awesome.

Looking forward to seeing you sometime soon.

Chicken Brian

Comment on Honduras by Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel

Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:14:37 +0000

Your last few posts have been fantastic!

Comment on The Fanjoy Forest by Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel

Mike Bosio a.k.a. Don Miguel — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:12:44 +0000

Your tree planting experience proves the point that our success is at times nothing more than planting the idea that something can be done. I’m not saying that Nas learned how to plant trees from a PCV, but it’s a pretty good bet that the technology for establishing tree nurseries, the development of local extension agents, and the love of planting and caring for trees was brought to Hue Hue and any other Highland province by a couple of decades of PC Foresters. Thirty years ago we were deeply concerned about the problems of deforestation. I would like to believe our effort has helped mitigate, somewhat, the scarcity of firewood, saw timber, and even Pino to cover the floors at fiesta time.

Comment on Honduras by Ma!

Ma! — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:29:37 +0000

For more gloom: read “Collapse” by Jared Diamond. He talks about societies that didn’t fix their resource problems, (including the Maya)and societies that did, so there is some hope.

Comment on Honduras by Kathi Thomas

Kathi Thomas — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:14:07 +0000

I keep hoping we’ll learn from the past, but there is so much intentional ignorance that I’m not sure we will. In our county, our groundwater conservation district was taken over in this last election by folks who think we should draw down our aquifer another 40 feet and is going to be giving a host of water well permits, when we’ve got a serious water problem here. Right now I’m not really too optimistic.

Comment on Honduras by Miss Trudy

Miss Trudy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:10:17 +0000

Beautiful pictures, as always. You have a great blog. However, I disagree on the accent thing. I find them vastly different, with Guatemalan accent more akin to Mexican, and Honduran and El Salvadorean accents closely related to Nicaraguan. General consensus is that there are some sort of linguistic reasons for this, which at this point I cannot recall. It makes some sort of Mesoamerican-Geographical-Social sense, I guess …

Comment on Despedidas by Karen

Karen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:52:13 +0000

I am going to miss hearing about Delmi. I hope there will be a way for you to keep in touch with her!

Comment on Moria? by norm kwallek

norm kwallek — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:29:23 +0000

We stayed down on the river when we went to Semuc Champey, the best room was 200Q, I think the dorm was under 40Q. The path up to the overlook almost killed me but the water was so nice when I got back to the river. That one lane road going into Semuc Champey is not for the faint of heart, I had to back up down hill, around hills while keeping my tires on the two cement tire paths that they use to control erosion of the road bed. Steve thinks that Semuc Champey is not going to last, it is a small place and it would not take very many more people visiting at once to overrun the site. It was a horseback ride to get there not so long ago.

Comment on By the Numbers by Jean

Jean — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:20:18 +0000

WOW!!!!

Comment on History Lesson by Jim

Jim — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:10:01 +0000

Or 14 or 15. No joke.

Comment on History Lesson by Jim

Jim — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:22:51 +0000

That is a really good insight. I feel silly I didn’t try that calculation. And, yeah, for every family that doesn’t have 8 kids, there’s one that has 10.

Comment on History Lesson by Karen

Karen — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:51:44 +0000

Glad you liked the book! This may be completely made-up, but doesn’t Joyom sound like jolom (head/village)? I wonder if it’s not an imitation of some kind of difference in pronunciation between the two languages (e.g. an imitation of how Todosanteros talk.)

I did some quick calculations and if women have kids at 15, that puts 5 generations between 1932 and today. If there were 85 people back then, and each couple had eight children, that alone would bring you pretty close to today’s population. Of course, back then they probably didn’t have enough resources to have eight children, but they sure do now.

Comment on Hospitality by Jim

Jim — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:26:04 +0000

And you would know! You too had to suffer through the horrors of Santa Eulalia hotels.

Comment on Hospitality by Karen

Karen — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:19:43 +0000

That is low, low, really low. Santa Eulalia hotels are a disaster and they could have had the most miserable days of their life. They could have easily paid you the whole hotel stipend or the whole food stipend and saved the rest.

Comment on Where did we go? by kathy

kathy — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:07:40 +0000

With a blog you can re-write–or at least reorder–history. I hope you are both enjoying a wonderful vacation and anniversary. Still contemplating the whole thing.

Congrats soon-to-be RPV’s!

Comment on History Lesson by kathy

kathy — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:04:19 +0000

Jim, your final photo in this post is quite wonderful. Eerie. Leaves me pondering, the past, progress, the mist…

Comment on Hospitality by Katy

Katy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:38:48 +0000

Puchica! That is so sad. You guys are always so hospitable (really, the most of anyone that I know). Also, I am sure that you were planning on leaving some stuff for her. You (two) are better ‘men’ than me. I would have given her a piece of my mind. The despedidas/inauguration sound amazing! Congrats on all of your wonderful work! I am going to miss reading your blog.

Comment on Hospitality by SoniaBegonia

SoniaBegonia — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:32:02 +0000

Wow, that is shocking. Especially since, in addition to providing good food and company, you saved them hotel expenses.

Perhaps they have no idea how scarce things like good coffee, wine, bacon and chocolate are in Guatemala?

It’s too bad that those measly Q25 will probably sour your memories of this time for years to come.

Comment on History Lesson by Mercedes B.

Mercedes B. — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:37:46 +0000

Yep, paper is a great investment.

Comment on History Lesson by norm kwallek

norm kwallek — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:43:30 +0000

All the more reason to make a hard copy of what you and your wife have blogged. The electronic storage is nice but it is hard to beat paper. Take it to Kinkos and have it bound and give it to your Peace Core headquarters in Antigua, they will keep it till it is history.

Comment on Despedidas by Belkar

Belkar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:51 +0000

Very good! Yea to Dick and your father-in-law! I remember the golden award ceremonies, as I won the golden spoon for baking…

Go Team Chaos!

Belkar