A bit out of order since we shot with Jackie a couple months ago, but who’s keeping track? Jackie is actually a senior this year and decided it wouldn’t be right to graduate high school without a few images of herself that she was fond of. We were happy to oblige!

The monks pestered us to explain our jobs to them.  When they found out we were theater types, they wanted to see some proof.  Rita gave a little performance: a Two Minute Monologue* (which Matt later had to translate into Spanish).
Location: Resurrection Priory in Coban, Guatemala downstairs from where we stayed
Prop: Mop
Prep time: Zero

[ Javascript required to view QuickTime movie, please turn it on and refresh this page ]

*Our friend Jill is famous for her mad improvisational skillz.  We saw her Two Minute Monologue and it got stuck in our collective brain.  Hers is rated R for language and T for tattoo parlor.

And we’re back. You might get one more post out of our fantastic Guatemala experience, but we couldn’t wait to share this shoot from yesterday.
Meet Claire.
She’s a dancer and our first official senior of the summer. Welcome, Class of 2010. By all indications, you’re going to be gorgeous.

We were outside in the strongest heat of the day, but the light by the river was perfection. Nom nom nom.  Check the lines and the dancer arms in this one on the right below.  *Kessfave.

We also got to meet Claire’s sister, Erin, who is an Equestrian Debater. Cool, right? I maybe covet those tortoiseshell glasses a little.

And now, a message and photos from Katie Workinger.

Buenos dias! Today is our second full day in Coban, Guatemala. I absolutely love it here! This is my second year coming on the trip and it feels so good to be back. I didn’t realize how much I missed the people, monastery and city until we arrived.  Coban is a beautiful, colorful, small city. There is graffiti, bright colored walls, alleys, exposed wires, mountains, small shops, etc. Allowing plenty of photo opportunities for me! Here are some images I’ve shot so far…

The Guatemalans I have met this year and last year are some of the most trusting, friendly, loving and hospitable people I have ever met. I have been to different parts all over the world and never met people like this. The best part is… it’s genuine. For example, yesterday we went to an hour and a half morning mass that was entirely spoken in Q’eqchí (one of the Mayan languages spoken in some Guatemala communities). We all obviously stuck out like a sore thumb. It wasn’t even our skin color that gave us away as much as our Western clothing and the unbelievable height difference. Monica (who is about 5′1” on a good day) is tall compared to most Guatemalans… so you can only imagine the stares we got from being a group of 9 average height Americans plus one giant Blum. As we walked into the church, there were glances and whispers but I never got the feeling that I was being judged; it was more so out of intrigue. And anytime we noticed their glances and our eyes met, they would blush and give us a shy smile. I especially noticed two teenage Guatemalans (a boy and a girl) that kept glancing in our direction. As soon as it was time to say peace, they immediately scurried over to our pews and hugged and kissed every one of us. I try to think back to when I was 15 and I could never imagine not only willingly going to mass without my parents (they were by themselves) but going out of my way to greet foreigners.

Oh, another cool/interesting thing about the mass was that there was an earthquake. I lived in California for 4 years and never experienced one. Although, the earthquake was so small, I didn’t know until last night that it was one. I felt the floors and walls vibrate but since the mass was in another language and they were singing loudly, I was confused and thought people were stomping for effect… smart kid.

I’m not sure what the rest of the trip has in store for us but the cool thing about Guat is you just go with the flow. It feels so good to be back and I look forward to the rest of the week! Ciao!

Here is our group, taking advantage of a rainshower under a tin roof cover.

We’re down here representing St. Patrick’s Church this week, visiting the monks at their priory in Coban, Guatemala.  We eat and pray and work with them.  We awake at 6 am, to the sound of roosters and church bells, with a little help from our cell phone alarms.  We listen to their stories, with help from our group’s translator (see also: Matt Blum), and at night, we sing.

My ears are still ringing from the festival last night, which included a greeting in the loudest English possible: “EXCUSE ME.  EXCUSE ME.  WELCOME TO…  MY HOME.” The man of the house shouted over the full band: “TODAY IS A FESTIVAL AND WE CELEBRATE SAINT ANTHONY.”

The fireworks pictured below are from just after dusk.  We lined the street with our hands to our ears bracing for each blast, while the rest of the celebrants turned to stare.  Except for the two year olds.  They totally understood where we were coming from.