A Quick Profile of Guatemala

More info for the knowledge-hungry:

Fast Facts

-Capital:  Guatemala City

-President:  Alvaro Colom Caballeros

-Size:  108, 889 sq km (slightly smaller than Tennessee)

-Population:  13,550,440

-Life expectancy:  70.59 years

-Languages:  60% Spanish, 40% Amerindian

-Currency:  Quetzal (8 quetzales to 1 $US)

-Terrain:  Mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau

-Climate:  Hot and humid in lowlands, cooler in highlands

-GDP:  $37.66 billion

-Exports:  Coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom


*Information kindly provided by the CIA World Factbook

The Gringa What?

For any interested in the meaning of my blog's title, I thought I'd say a few words about it.  The title literally translates to "The Guatemalan Foreign Girl."  The background behind the word "gringa" is rather complicated, as it can have different meanings in different places.  The word "gringo" ("gringa" is the feminine version) was purportedly first documented in a 1786 Castillian dictionary by Terreros y Pando, which reads, "'Gringos' is what they call foreigners who have any kind of accent which prevents them from speaking easy and natural Castillian."  Fundamentally, the word refers to a foreigner, and often carries the connotation of "American."  In some places, like Mexico, it is usually used as a derogatory term, although in many other countries, such as Guatemala, it is not.  Sometimes it is used to describe someone of light skin and hair, and other times it simply means someone who does not speak the language.  "Gringo" is often used by foreigners as an almost humorous term to refer to themselves as people who can try, but will never quite fit in.  And that is me, as I strive to learn new things each day about being "guatemalteca," yet will always be a little bit of a "gringa loca."

Bienvenidos a mi blog!

This is a place where I will be sharing my experiences with friends and family back home while teaching in Juan Calvino Elementary School in Santo Domingo, Guatemala.  This is my fourth trip to this town, as I have traveled here three times before with a mission group from Covenant Presbyterian Church (Madison, WI).  Now, I am blessed with the opportunity to stay for six months to teach elementary music and computers, tutor various subjects, explore a new country, and simply be present with my Guatemalan friends.  In addition, I will be active in the local Presbyterian church and volunteer in health clinics.  I will do my best to update you all with pictures and stories as I embark on this adventure!