Kids, Blocks and the Philosophy of Life

by Joe Powers ’11, Cammie Norsworthy ’11 and Taylor Kaplan ’11
each of tonight’s writers represents one of the groups within the Guatemala Group. Joe’s working on House 1, Cammi on number two and Taylor on tres.



From Joe:

It’s day two of our trip in Guatemala and I’m beginning to notice two trends. First, there’s the obvious differences, the vast differences. The way everything looks, feels and smells is a big change- it’s all mind-blowing. But what’s hitting me a lot deeper than any of the contrasts is how much still the same as back home.

Lauren and Sonia are all smiles

Today, we gave the children of our family a first round of gifts: a teddy bear, affectionately renamed “Oso” and a doll. Their eyes lit up and we suddenly became like older siblings, especially Sarah Cordle who had an instant and dedicated connection with Jenifer and Alejandra. If there’s anything more exhausting than building a house, it’s playing with kids who just got new toys. No matter where you go, kids are kids, plain and simple.

Also, as we rode home from the worksite in the pick up trucks, waving at passers-by and sharing enough “holas” for everyone, we weren’t met with judging stares. Instead, everyone seems so amazingly happy to see us. I haven’t felt like an “outsider” once since I’ve been here, which is an amazing gift in comparison to distrusting stares one receives in most big-cities. Guatemala feels like it’s happy to have us, and it sure is great to be here.

From Cammie:

Today’s work was easier than yesterday’s. We were acclimated and knew more of what to expect. Our work consisted solely of stacking and cementing five rows of cinderblocks. It took longer than one would expect and by the end of the day we were tired and aching. Linda, the mother of the family that my group is building for, showed Sarah G. and I how to make tortillas. Like the stacking of cinderblocks, it was more difficult than it appeared to be. The secret was in the perfect balance of water to dough. Too much and the tortilla would emerge gooey and in pieces, too little and it would stick to your hands. Carter and I discussed the philosophy that this way of life is an art. The tortillas and the blocks aren’t merely mathematic calculations; there’s no exact formula. It takes a lot of attention and a delicate approach to yield the ideal results.

Sarah Grady and Linda working on tortillas

After leaving the site we showered quickly and rushed to Spanish school where we practiced with a partner from our group and a teacher. John and I learned vocabulary that pertained to our work here, about carpentry, building and the like. We had pizza and pasta at the restaurant next door before attending a salsa class in which we were taught some basic steps followed by a bit of a dance-off between our group and the dance teachers. We then enjoyed the rest of the night in Antigua, made perfect by a cone of mango ice cream. I look forward to our full day tomorrow, but I can´t wait to return to the house we’re building and see the family again, especially their youngest daughter, Sonia.

And from Taylor: Down at house #3, we joined Fernando and Poncho in continuing our build with five levels of cement blocks. That may sound like it wouldn’t take all day to accomplish, but we barely finished just in time to quickly shower and head off to our first day of Spanish school. We soon found out that today’s work would be very tedious when we were told to fill each small crack between each block with cement. Needless to say we were very proud when the last space between the blocks was filled.

Group 2 completes their five rows of blocks-upward!

The time spent shoveling cement flew by with the help from the four adorable little girls who gratefully watched us build their new home. The youngest of the four, Astrid Mariella, provided the music as she made a buzzing noise with her lips, and I soon joined in to create an amusing duet. After given the camera, the four girls went to town taking pictures of the things that were most important to them. The subject of their pictures ranged from group shots of the sisters to their beautiful view of the volcanoes and mountains to a toy Spiderman hanging up in their bedroom. The girls had so much fun, and I can’t wait to see them on Monday and the many pictures that they will have taken!

After Spanish school and a delicious dinner, we couldn’t resist the free Salsa lessons which were quickly followed by a dance party. The boys especially had fun when each one was beckoned to the middle of the dance floor by the woman instructor!

Joe getting jiggy with it at the Salsa lessons

We concluded our night with a walk through town, which was crowded with people enjoying the live bands and street food.

La Feria de Antigua, the town's fair, included this daredevil fire eater-wow!

Lucas and Harrison enjoying their evening in Parque Central, in front of the church

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