Title: Stove Building Completed

Bienvenidos,

Below is a report on the stove building project we completed:

10 Stoves Finished in San Jose Calderas

After meeting with the local women of this village in August, buying all the materials, and building stoves we have completed one phase of our work in the relief efforts from Pacaya Volcano's eruption in May.

We tried really hard to have community involvement in the project, stressing that this is not a free gift. They had to provide labor, food, some of the materials, and attend a workshop on "how to use the stoves"

Through the donations we provided the majority of the materials: cinderblocks, bricks, iron casted stove, chimney tubes, chimney hat, and cement.

They were required to provide dirt, sand, volcanic rock, clay, building materials, one or two assistants from the family to be trained, and food for the day.

The basic construction of these stoves consists of a 3-cinderblock high structure. The base was then filled with dirt and volcanic rock before we layed the bricks. Once the bricks were layed (with clay) we placed on the iron-casted stove, installed the chimney, and put on the finishing touches. 15 days later after everything was dried the women were able to begin cooking on their stove.

Some of the boys in the family cutting bricks to form the oven-portion (where you'd place the firewood)

Laying the bricks with clay, forming an area to place the stove

Initially, there was hesitation. But once they tested their stoves and noticed a healthy kitchen free of smoke they were eager to continue to use it. After a week, realizing the amount of firewood they were saving on a daily basis they were very grateful for the project. The men of the family were thankful for reducing the amount of firewood they would have to be hauling in.

You might be thinking, wait they're still going to be cutting down trees!!! This is true, but over ten years this stove will be saving thousands of trees. And for families who live on $2/day they can't afford a $15 tank of natural gas every two months. If they're forced to use wood, find a way to reduce their footprint. That was our goal.

However most importantly, these women will be reducing the amount of eye infections, skin infections, and sparing their lungs the daily intake of smoke. I always say "Imagine standing over a campfire for 6 hours". That's about as accurate a comparison to their daily lives. I would return from their houses after a day of work and the bill of my cap would be charred black, my nose stuffy and black, and my face dusty. And these people have been doing this for their entire lives. And to think, there are roughly 40 more families in just this village who continue to fight this battle everyday.

Hopefully the pictures can give you justice to how dire this situation is on a daily basis. I've attached a link to the pictures - Stove Pictures

As I mentioned in the email, the remaining funds through the NGO will be used towards educational projects focused on the environment. This lake is entering it's final years if a serious conservation effort isn't undertaken. If not, we will be dealing with much bigger problems in this community in the future - Their access to water.

Thanks for reading, and for those who donated -- Thanks again!!!

Title: Happy Holidays

You might think from this post that I've taken up photography as a hobby. I'd give more credit to the amazing views and less to the point-and-click camera

"So the volcano erupts and everyone is trying to move down the hill. You choose to move up." - My Peace Corps buddies

Since my return back to Guatemala in October, it's been a whirlwind...lots going on. I'm happy to say moving up to one of the villages was one of several good decisions I've made lately. And don't worry I'm completely safe.

I've realized that my time in this town of mine is coming to a close, so I need to enjoy and spend more time with these people who have been so hospitable to me. My (new) host family talked about cutting coffee together over a year ago. Saturday I delivered on that promise. Just the little things that let them know I'm still here...

In my new house, it's a downsize. I have incredible views from my front door and bedroom window. 

Yes this is a glimpse of my evenings after work. Fully aware that these are all the same photos, but every night it's something new:

This shot is awesome, the smoke looks like cuernos de un toro. I'll let you look that up

So my new house has a view of my volcano to the east, and two towering volcanoes to the West. More conversations about maiz, frijol, and cafe (corn, beans, and coffee) and less politics. Speaking of coffee, as I enjoy an amazing cup of Joe I look out to miles and miles of coffee trees and avocado plantations. Tonight I will fall asleep to the birds instead of the drunks and sound of motorcycles.

Basically - my town of 8,000 was too big for me...and life in the village is much more tranquilo. Plus, I am now smack dab in the middle of my 2 offices, the municipal office and the volcano. Yes my office is a volcano...

This is not a dig on my old house or the town in which I've roamed my last year and 8 months. I truly had a great setup and an awesome landlord who taught me more than I can imagine about agriculture. The ambiance of San Vicente will never be topped, walking through the Park at night and hanging out with buddies on street corners, the dances (almost) every weekend, the basketball games every Saturday night. The quick trip to the store to buy a tomato that took one hour. This move came with a lot of consideration but I feel it's the best thing for me at the moment.

My last few months I want to be up in the hills. Closer to the villages where I want to focus my work. Every afternoon I have to be walking outdoors to get to where I need to go, clearing my head. I have access to hundreds of more great running trails. I have to haul my fruits and vegetables up a hill for 20-minutes through the coffee fields. So far, as I've said, all smiles. Some pictures:

So you saw my photos at sunset - this is what I take in every morning

This is my house, and my little front patio 

My house one day after move-in. Don't worry I keep it in better conditionLastly, it had been awhile since I hung out with my good friends that I came into country with almost 2 years ago. 

We spent an awesome week together for the Thanksgiving festivities with a Turkey Day football game and a massive feast. Two days later we embarked on a cold, yet awesome night camping on Central America's highest point - Volcano Tajamulco at 4,200 meters (13,776ft.). Ps, we won the football game.

Be careful, these pictures might make you quit your job...

Look to the right of the sunrise...you can see the same volcano peaks that I have from my front patio...and that gives you an idea of how high we really are.

Ah si! Don Miguel signing off....enjoy those hot showers

Title: A lo profundo

A lo profundo....no no no no nooooooooo

That would be your famous Spanish home run call courtesy of ESPN deportes. My buddy from Monterey and I were constantly sending that text message back and forth every time the Giants hit a home run. It would translate to "Going deep....no". World Series Champions. Of the 2 years I choose to be on sabbatical from the Bay, they pull it off.  Incredible

To Guatemala...

For those of you wondering who this amazing family is of people who have cared for me in Guatemala, I give you pictures. I love seeing how happy everyone is:

Mama Carlotta, the head of the family, celebrating her 61st birthday

Mama Carlotta and Pancho dancing

Mordida! (Take a bite)David, the other birthday boyKids and cake, the same in every country

More dancing

Dylan's first time dancingA kid who talks about cows every day, wants to herd them when he grows up, now looks like one and drinks????...milk

Enjoying the album book from my Mom

Adios

Title: Agosto in the BooksTues, Sep 7, 2010

This post is dedicated to John Robert Carrick, may you all keep him in your thoughts.

Lots to update on - as I wait the turning/closing of a century. This last year has been spent from Day 1 to Day 365 as a 24 year old in this beautiful country of Guatemala (minus a few days for Anthony K.F.´s wedding). And thinking of all the successess (few), frustrations (many), relationships made, and places visited, I´ve come to the conclusion of how great it´s been.

The other morning (630am) my landlord popped his head into my house. To paint the picture - I was swaying in a hammock, cup of Guatemalan Pacaya coffee in hand, ukulele on one side (no advancement there to report), and Noam Chomsky´s ¨Hegemony or Survival¨ in my hands. He said to me ¨Que vida Miguel¨(What a life...) And then he dropped off a root of 20 fresh yellow bananas he had just cut from my (our) backyard. As he walked out, I sat there in amazement. This is my life. I realized - take a step back and just think where you are. Not always will I be in this position, nor will we always be here. Relax, enjoy, and be thankful.

Last month I got to visit two of my best buddies here in Peace Corps. Jamie, fellow Californian and single most eligible bachelor in Guatemala. As he calls this, it was ¨The Most Funnest Trip Ever¨. I would like to enforce that no we have not completely lost our English

Don Jamie Grapas (Staples)

Yes we put the camera on timer

Yours truly in front of the waterfall

Trying to swim...

At the end of the month, I went with my sitemate to learn how to build stoves. We also got to see my buddy who, to the loyal followers of my blog, is best known for enduring the electricity-water-less life we all dream about but would never want to do - Don Oliver Cunningham.

Don Oliver´s life in the jungle. Can you see the electricity wires arriving to his house? Ya neither can I...

Hiking through the jungle to find civilization...ok not really, leaving the house where we built the new stove headed for Oliver´s village

Sitemate Brianna and I making stoves

Other random shots from up on the volcano:

This has alot of meanings. Anyone who has ever seen Guatemalans in photos will understand this. They refuse to smile, touch their loved ones, and like to pose as a pencil stick. Us impersonating them, kind of hard to keep from laughing

Judy and I, probably looking at...nothingIt´s nice to have such amazing people in my life who go out of their way to make me feel at home. Unfortunately, due to heavy rains I wasn´t able to make it out to enjoy this amazing looking cake. But it´s the thought that counts.

Have a fantastic day, week, month. See you soon. Enjoy those hot showers. Paz del Italiano

Title: The Rain Continues

After getting hit by Tropical Storm Agatha in May, the rains continue to fall out here. We've received so much rain that the country still remains so vulnerable to landslides. And these aren't even Tropical Storms or Hurricanes. Interesting I have been able to see the two extremes - The worst drought in 30 years (2009) and now record rainfall numbers. And this should last until November.

You get the opportunity to see firsthand the devastation of climate change here in Guatemala. Think it's time for some lifestyle changes?? Maybe...

BBC Article

BBC Photo Gallery

Title: Work in the Villages Pt. II Stoves

The conditions of these villager's kitchens

So just got back from a training on stove-building. This is such a great project.

When we originally had solicited help from the NGO Hug it Forward the thought was to repair the roofs or rent land for farming. However, we realized that these are responsibilities of the government and their governmental institutions. What purpose would it serve if we were duplicating the efforts...for example -- we repair 20 sheets of tin for someone's roof, yet the following day the government comes in with 20 more. Now they have 40, and end up selling our donation. Wait, wait, wait....this was our motto.

Now that the majority of help has passed we have been doing regular visits in the community of San Jose Calderas (the worst affected village) to find out where the needs really are. Since the roofs and food issues have been solved we heard the idea of building wood-burning clean stoves. A local leader and the president of a women's group really got behind the idea -- with the goal of providing 10 stoves to some of the neediest families.

Some of the mothers who will be receiving clean-burning stoves

This ladies house is made of old corn stalks (as you can see on the right)

This poor ladies house was unbearable to be in

We liked the idea because they are projects nobody else wanted to focus on. For example, projects that often get passed over because they don't bring IMMEDIATE benefits. We want long-term.

There's several reasons this is a great project, but here's the most obvious. Now that the forest has been torched by the eruption (even though it should come back to life soon) the lack of firewood is obvious. People cooking on open-fire stoves (picture 4 cinderblocks and your s'more-roasting campfire) have to use more wood because their stove does not trap as much heat. By building wood-burning clean stoves they will save more wood, have a controlled stove fire all day, and best of all - NOT HAVE TO CUT DOWN SO MANY TREES! So this does it's part for the environment.

What is the #1 cause of deaths in Guatemala? Respiratory disease. And considering so many poor families cook their tortillas and meals in tiny confined tin shacks, this contributes alot to the problem. Ask any Peace Corps volunteer over 6 feet tall, you can't stand more than 10 seconds in these shacks without your eyes watering. And imagine inhaling that day after day. Santa climbed down the...? Chimney...That's our goal

Talking with one of the ladies of the village

That's all for now. Don Miguel signing off

Title: Work in the Villages Pt. I

My godson

Good morning to everybody. So as promised, a little update on some of the work we have been trying to do with the money that was raised. Talking with the NGO Hug it Forward, we have decided to focus on some aspects that have been overlooked in the relief efforts.

Often times, people donate to attend to immediate needs, in our case - bags of food, repairing roofs, and water. This is great and extremely necessary but unfortunately the help ends there. There is no long-term investment in projects for the community. This is one of the reasons that we decided to wait. See where more of the needs are. The roofs were repaired by the government and the food crisis by the Ministry of Agriculture. We have decided to focus on 3 aspects that are very important:

EducationHealthEnvironment

This will consist mainly of building clean-burning wood stoves and doing projects with the kids in the schools. The first thing that we did with our donations was provide school materials (workbooks, crayons, pencils, glue, erasers, scissors) to kids in one of the village's schools. All of their teaching/learning materials were destroyed when their roof's caved in.The next post will talk about our project with the clean wood-burning stoves which is great for the environment and of course brings incredible health benefits. Enjoy the photos.

Dividing the materials up by classroom

Teachers delivering the materials to the kids

Arts and Crafts Project

These kids were very appreciative!! Including the girl on the far right haha

That's all, next post will be on Stoves. Enjoy your hot showers.

Title: Ups and DownsAugust 6, 2010

That used to be my volcano...

Good day to all, it's been awhile but I'm dedicating a blog here on the latest happening with me, and this weekend getting up my blog post on the latest in the recovery efforts of the May 27 eruption.

Since the week of hell in May when little Tahoe died, I spent 3 days in the hospital, and my volcano erupted I have been having the ups and downs that accompany any volunteer's service. Being that we were not allowed in our town for security concerns because of the volcanic eruption and the Tropical Storm Agatha, re-integrating into work and figuring out my role was tough. I was getting pulled from several angles, to help with the tourism needs while also wanting to help with the recovery efforts. It was a rough month, but luckily when I needed a break there was the amazing array of World cup games to keep my interest.

Cows on top of a volcano? Believe it

The most frustrating part of everything was the overall disorganization of recovery efforts. You can cross off any chance at a career with the Red Cross.

Anyways, on an upbeat note - the month of July allowed me to get a much needed break from the work environment. I realized that since my parents had left, from April 20 - July 4 I hadn't taken a weekend for myself to do some traveling. So I took advantage of July with a new desire to appreciate this country and take advantage of the many amazing sights it has to offer. Here´s my recap of July activities:

The icon of Guatemala, Tikal's famous temple

The 4th of July party, the only time when all the volunteers get together, was an incredible time once again. Got to participate in the Departmental Basketball Tournament, which we did not fare well in. As the old Danville Little League saying goes, "2 and a 'cue"...or to make it easier: 2 games, 2 losses, and time for a bbq. I also got to display my Spanish Carlos Puyol antics (long hair, heading the ball at every chance, throwing my body recklessly) playing defense for the Volunteer soccer squad against Peace Corps staff.

To watch the World Cup final, we headed out to Xela, a big city, to watch the grand finale in a big atmosphere which was a great time. I also took advantage being on that side of the country to climb another volcano Santa Maria (my 3rd Volcano conquered). Here are some of the pictures of the trip:

On top of the summit, above the clouds - 3,772m (11,920ft.)

Hiking up with fellow volunteers and Guatemalans

Trying fresh raspberries on the trail

The following weekend I had my cousin Jordan (from Rhode Island) come out to visit. While it was a short visit, he and I were able to hit Guatemala's number 1 tourist spot - Tikal - the famous Mayan city up in the Peten jungle. We stayed at a chill hammock-swaying hostel on this lake and relaxed and enjoyed some time off. He also was able to see my town and wine and dine with the Pineda family and the famous Mama Carlotta. Here are some pictures:

First night in Antigua waiting for a bus

Planning our Tikal trip in the hostel over breakfast

On top of the tallest temple at Tikal at sunrise

Overlooking the forest canopy from a temple

Monkey

Overlooking the central plaza of the famous Mayan city

That's the latest. I think after the madness that was the month of May/June I've come to the realization that my time here is short and I need to start seeing the things in this country that I've had on my to-do list for so long. I can't believe it's August and I have about 8 months left. Time is going way too quickly.

That's all for now, enjoy your hot showers. Don Miguelito Yankee signing off...

Still hanging in there...

Greetings to all.

So how do you possibly explain sucking at blogging? You don´t. I realize my faults, but I´m gonna keep on going on with this thing. Now that I´ve had a string of visitors to the Guatebuena, maybe it´s a little more clear:

¨I do not live in the jungle, sway from a hammock day to day, with a book in hand.¨ I am busy, hence the lack of blogs....

It´s time for pictures from the 3 fabulous vacations. From the 9th of Feb to the 19th of April I had (I counted because I can) 7 nights without having a visitor. Crazy. Here we go...

Trip 1. The month of February had my friend from college Nicole come visit. We went up to the jungle, off the gringo trail, tubed through caves, jumped off a 20ft. waterfall, and climbed the volcano. Here are the shots:

My new FB Profile Pic

Me swimming in front of the waterfallJungle Relaxing in a Hammock. Questioning the merits of Che Guevarra with one of my best boys Oliver

Nicole and I in the caves

At the start of our cave tour on innertube

Trip 2. After February wrapped up I had 2 of my buddies from Cal Poly show up, Alex and Collin. This was the 3rd time travelling with Alex (my former roommate at SLO) and my 2nd time with Collin (never a roommate but pretty much was).

Beware - these photos are quite amazing...

The 3 amigos on Pacaya, looking out at the volcanoes at sunset

My girlfriend and I, TahoeAgainAn amazing shot of Alex jumping in mid-airGetting ready to swing out over the riverMe on the rope swing...yes the water is that turquoise. It´s also perfect temperature. Jealous?Collin doing a flip over me at Semuc Champey. This place is limestone pools where you swim down from one to the other.Collin getting propelled off the rope swing

Just because this picture is too funnyTrip 3. The family came and visited. Every single one of them, the parents, Tony and G$ and Tim. Here they are:

Dad and I at lunch in AntiguaThe hairy Festa´s (minus Tim)In front of the craterA cool shotAt one of the rest stops on the hikeI have a thing with jumping off cliffsTony, Greta, and I at the lake

Hammock time on the lake

Mom and I on the boatGotta love Len Bob´s hat with Pancho

The long awaited dinner with the whole families

My godson Arnold and I with the godmother as well. We chose sailor theme

The families...Ones big (in size) and the other´s big (in height)That´s all people. Lots of pictures. Enjoy those hot showers!

My head peeks through in the back, next to the dude with the glasses...

Hillary Clinton extended her hand to Peace Corps Volunteer Jesse Festa. He responded with the following:

A. Obama biotch!

B. No thanks, I voted for Nader

C. How´s Billy Boy?

D. Is that change we can xerox?

E. None of the above

Ya no, we didn´t shake hands. Apparently I´m not feisty enough to wiggle my way with the political folk. I´ll take that as a good thing

All jokes aside, this was an awesome moment of my PC service. She personally gave a shot out to Peace Corps and a thanks for all the work we do (wait, we work?). And I found her speech very fitting and appropriate. It was pretty special to be able to attend this event.

I´ll give you an update later...Peace

2/4/10

Something that really gets me going in Guatemala. They introduce themselves as your server, su servidor. Hi I´m Miguel Festa, para servirle. ¨To serve you¨...What the...?

So I know it´s been awhile...but I promise to make this a goodie. Hopefully this video loads of me doing a zipline back in December. Shows your ¨server¨ in action doing a zipline superman style, acting like an idiot, showing great views of the famous Lake Atitlan, and showcasing why I have never nor will ever take a video production class. My cameraman skills are not exactly Scorcese-esque...Enjoy, and even more incentive...You come, we can do that...Your heart will be out your chest!

So to update you all on the last few months. Spending the first Christmas away from the family was an experience, and honestly I had a blast. They celebrate Noche Buena (The Good Night) which is Xmas Eve with dancing, tamales, and more dancing. Let´s just say your servidor was shaking his dreads (?) until 4am on a street corner with friends and (new) family. Speaking of my new family, they have truly integrated me as a part of theirs, and it made the Holiday celebration quite amazing. Then we wrapped up the month of January with our town festival. The dancing continued...

Before the Holiday season I hiked one of the Volcanoes that I have actually already done (however this time to camp). I went with my family and a few friends, namely this newest addition to my family, little Tahoe: The trip was incredible, cold, and the pictures at sunrise were mind-blowing. Enjoy:Me at sunrise on the top of the volcano -- looking down on MY volcano, Pacaya

Sunrise

Me and the family

Standing at the summit

So the last month of January was quite a hoot. I have been working pretty hard, and things are getting better and better as I start to gain more and more trust with my co-workers and more of a grasp of the local language. The main projects that I am going to be focusing on for the rest of my service will/might/should/could be the following:1. Reforestation: Remember when your server couldn´t wait to transfer from Forestry at Cal Poly to Recreation and Tourism. Well, it´s all come full circle because...let´s say it ¨I´ve become a tree hugger¨. Not a hippy wearing, dreadlock rasta dancing with my hackeysack kind of tree hugger. More so, an environmentalist who loves trees. I guess I´ve just become fascinated working in the tree nursery we have and seeing the whole process a tree takes. So this last year we planted over 23,000 trees...and I´m proud to say I helped plant, organize, maintain, and kiss/hug every single one of these trees. Ok, I´m over exaggerating a little.

But I am trying to double our tree production with the opening of a new tree nursery and we´re focusing on Cypress, Pine, Oak, Cedar, Jacaranda, Mahogany, and several other native species...My host sister Polly planting a Cypress tree on one of our hikes in the Park2. Environmental Education: I don´t see anything more important than this in my service. Teaching the kids the importance of the environment -- to what triggers a hurricane, what is deforestation, how to recycle, why we need to conserve our water sources.Basically you step foot in my Guatemalan pueblo you will see trash everywhere, waste water just flowing through the streets on their way to your wonderful rivers and then oceans, and farmers carrying loads of fresh cut wood for their fires. This is a HUGE project, and it won´t happen overnight, in 2 years, or in 5 years. But attack the problem at it´s root..THE KIDS! Wish me luck3. Guides: The tour guides in the Park are some of the most sustainable workers we have. I can train all the Park staff, but if this mayor loses re-election they all get canned...and return to their corn fields. So that´s a big challenge, especially since we are such a popular National Park, their treatment of tourists is VERY important. But working with the guides, as that is my passion, is very important. Guiding with them, helping them improve their tours, and yes (reluctantly) teaching them English. It´s time Miguel swallows his pride (teaching English sucks) and just focus on expanding their vocabulary past ¨Youlike?¨ and ¨Izz ok?¨Me guiding middle school kids up the volcano

4. Youth Group: This project is my baby. So let me explain it to y´all because I´m sure none of you care. We have this HUGE hill (made of volcanic sand) and everytime I take tourists (fellow volunteers) up here we storm down running as fast as you can. If ya fall, you get dirty, but not bloody. So it´s fun to fall. Here´s the catch...in Nicaragua, Peru, and Chile they have Volcano Boarding Projects (like sandboarding) that have been very successful and charge alot of money. Yet Guatemala doesn´t have one?? Hmm...So me and a good buddy of mine have designed and built a wooden board (kind of like a sled) and we are in the works to design more of a sand board prodigy to get this project off the ground. Many political boundaries to cross but I'll let you know how it works out...

My work life does not come close to ending there, as I am constantly helping out my counterpart (the Administrator of the Park) in running the Park staff...I compare it to managing hissy fits with 5 year old kids (he said/she said). I also throw a helping hand in swinging my machete with the campesinos, cut coffee, help with English homework, plant vegetables (I have chard, onions, and basil), work in the tree nursery, promote the following phrase to everyone I meet "necesita ir a la escuela", teach people how to recycle, teach people how to compost, and oh yeah hike the volcano at least once a week. So what´s a day in the life of Miguel Festa. There ya go people...Come see for yourself if you´d like...Oh and I play with my dog alot. This picture worked out perfect that my buddy Pancho shot in front of the Che mural in my house. Notice Tahoe biting my hand

I think that´s enough from my end...Love ya, enjoy your hot showers, get off Obama´s ass, and stay warm.

Speaking of Haiti, I will throw in this blurb. Check out what Partners in Health has done in Haiti and continues to do. They are one of the most sustainable development agencies in the world because they train locals and leave them in charge of running the project (in this case public health). The Director Paul Farmer presented a very interesting case to the US Congress about how to seriously and honestly rebuild this country. Click the link if you´re interestedAnd if you´re thinking of donating...this would be the best organization to donate to. Have a fantastic day...

Happy Birthday Tony...

I'm getting to the point in my service where I am constantly getting the: "Si Miguel, vamos a hacer esta, no tenga pena"...Translation "Yes Mike, we are going to do this, don't worry"

Basically people make promises...and do you think they come true??? Nope

So here's what I got to say to you all, those loyal followers of my blog. I am going on year 1 in Guatemala and many of you are acting, well, Guatemalan. Making promises, not fulfilling. I don't want to hear any excuses about the economy (it's getting better) or Tony/Greta weddings (that's in the past). I want actions, not palabras. So, as a motivator for someone, anyone, to come visit this 165lb. toothpick, I give you a video (if it works) of what I live beneath. And if that doesn't look cool...well then, go back to your daily Oprah watching, ipod shuffling, twittering lives.

I'm still having fun, I just thought it'd be cool to call out you "people-who-say-you're-coming-yet-never-will-step-foot-in-Guatemala..."

Have a fantastic day...

11/3

Back updating this thing...this one should be short.

Let´s start with a bang. Name of my blog...Pretty sure there are no bears here. WRONG! There was a bear sighting in my Park. I just can´t seem to escape these things. Explanation:

Tuesday 10/27. I run into this dude just ¨happening¨ to be filming a documentary in my park. Any guesses, he´s got the headphones on in the front seat???

It is kind of hard, because the director wouldn´t let me get a good picture of him, cuz he´s like famous duuude. So famous he sits in a helicopter while everyone else stands...Any guesses?

Yeah, you still can´t tell.

Shoot...Well, it´s....Bear Gryll´s -- Man v. Wild. Happened to run into him shooting scenes for an episode in my park (they were actually lost go figure) of Man v. Wild Guatemala which will air in January. Sweeet! My Guatemalan co-workers were more excited about the helicopter than seeing a dude who´s drank his own urine. Weak... And no, this show ain´t hardcore. Homeboy left in a fancy helicopter.

To normal stuff -- I have been back now for about 2 weeks in Guatemala, and it´s been very refreshing. I will admit, it was very nice to get back to the comforts of Cali, and I had an absolute blast at the wedding. I will, however, note that I regret not being able to talk to many people that night. I guess that is typical of weddings though. If I didn´t speak with you, I´m sorry.

Some stuff I have been doing since I got back....

Threw a killer surprise birthday party at my house for my buddy Pancho. Here´s a picture when we tossed his head in the cake.

Us lighting off fireworks at his doorstep at 5am, a Guatemalan tradition

Saw this little fella in my park the other day

A cool shot of the former Park director cutting wood for our BBQ the day we saw a Bear.

Also climbed a tree covered in moss, that´s all of us standing in a hundred+ year old tree

Still continue to guide volunteers up the volcano...COME!...yes those are volcanoes in the background

Helped a group of students construct a fence in an elementary school so kids don´t fall about 15 feet down to the concrete.

Me cutting metal for the fence

I felt like Greg Mortenson in 3 Cups of Tea, riding into the school in the back of a pickup with 6 Guatemalans and materials to build a school, only the school was built and we just built a fence and planted some flowers...oh well

...And lastly I got a dog, or better yet a puppy. A pure Siberian husky, white with eyes as blue as Lake Tahoe. How romantic. So what did I name it? You got it...Tahoe.

Remember how Jesse (or Yessy) got turned into Yessica. My poor little dog has been around for a week and these little kids are already saying TACO...Fantastic.

That´s a wrap. Enjoy those hot showers.

Some awesome shots of where I work/what I see every day

Ok, no excuses, play like a champion (cliche)...this blog has gone 2 months without an update...

Here’s a few excuses: -I have been very busy moving into my new house and buying stuff (true) -Celebrating the 4th of July (which was a blast) -The internet has been down for 2 months (that’s true) -I went on vacation to Nicaragua the beginning of August -I’m busy chasing the beautiful women of this country (that’s a lie) …These are all some bad excuses, so I’m gonna come out and say it. My bad. No excuses, play like a champion (cliché). However, I now have a computer, I now have peace and quiet in my house (refer back to my last post), and I want to get better at this whole blogging thing. Plus I have a lot to update everybody on, so instead of dwelling on me being bad at this, let’s move forward with the promise that I will keep y’all in the loop. Done…Where have we left off? Most importantly, I’m in my new house. 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, dormitory (that’s where the bed goes), and a room with way too much space. Cool thing I did do -- I bought a ton of paint for some of my buddies “the jovenes” (teenagers, 20 year olds) and told them to get creative with my walls. Here’s some pictures of me setting up my house: Here’s the good parts of my house: -There are no kids under the age of 10 living here -I can sleep in -I have a terrace (patio) out front with a hammock (as much a necessity as rice and tortillas) -No more of the following for breakfast: hot dogs and fried tomatoes, ham-mayo-ketchup sandwiches, and sugar drowned coffee. -I don’t have to swat flies away from my food every 10 seconds -My bowel movements suddenly feel a lot smoother (or solider) if you know what I mean…sorry, but once you go through it every day, it’s a lot easier to talk about. My apologies Here’s the bad parts: -I live on the corner of the bus stop, beginning at 430am the buses feel the need to honk their horns

-The last house had a designated showering spot, albeit a cold bucket. This house, the shower doesn’t exist. I am out back of my house, bucket of cold water in one hand, hot steaming pot in the other, and showering behind a cornstalk (no joke, that{s my shower below). If anyone walks around back, well…

-There’s a lot of holes in my roof. A storm comes and I’m frantically running around the house planting buckets. I’ve got the points of attack identified, good system going That’s about it. Time to brag. I had some roommates for the first month living here. Nice, fat pigs in my backyard, and that was awesome (besides the smell). The owner sold them (i.e. butchered them). Before you butcher them, ya gotta weigh em. This is a great shot I woke up to one morning. So because the pig sties have become vacant, the owner of my house and I have devised a scheme to start a huge lombricompost (compost pile) in our backyard. Since he grows coffee, and I’m a hippy from California and the son of compost extraordinare Robert L. Festa, we’ve got a pretty good team. So we´ve got worms, and we’re gonna produce the best coffee in my town, just watch. Speaking of coffee, let’s get to what I’ve got growing in my backyard and what is mine to take. All of it. Ya ready? I have roughly 25 huge plants of coffee, 3 banana trees that are about a month away from picking (jeep not included)2 avocado trees, 2 orange trees, 3 peach trees, limes, mandarins, guayabas, corn (of course), raspberries, misperos (which are like apricots), some other type of corn, and whiskil (which is not whiskey unfortunately, but a very good vegetable). So the other day I made some oatmeal and went into my backyard and picked some ripe raspberries and peaches and tossed them in with my oatmeal. It keeps going…Since my landlord has 3 other huge plots of land, this coffee is all mine to try the whole roasting/growing process...i.e. ya boy is gonna grow his own coffee. I will try to ship some out to you guys when it’s all done but it’s going to suck.

Let’s be honest. I have no idea what I’m doing, but this will be a trial run. Once I have mastered it down, done my experiment, have my killer compost pile in full swing, and am ready to get it going for Festa Agricultural Productions 2010, the next crop in November-December 2010 should be pretty good. No excuses, be a champion (cliché).Oh and I am working here in Guatemala....Proof

The amazing Lagoon which we have in our National Park… Only problem, people are washing their clothes and contaminating it… Project for trash in the Park, me and my counterparts examining the work… Me and the vice-mayor standing at a Peace Corps function, he’s the gordo on the far right and one of the only politicians I’ve met who knows what he’s doing (and that says A LOT)

My life, in the back of a pickup truck My life, pushing cars out of ditches due to drunk Guatemalans My life, guiding government people up the volcano And the new group of Peace Corps trainees got a tour from yours truly… So that’s the biggest news from lately. On a semi-serious note I’m slowly getting more and more accustomed to life here. I realized the other day it’s been over 3 months since I have used a toilet with a flusher. Just the little things you wouldn’t understand, but can only see for yourself down here. So come visit. Lastly, I am enjoying the complete simplicity of life although it can get frustrating (from a work standpoint, how slow things move). Oh and yes, how could I forget there’s an amazingly popular volcano 10 minutes up the dirt road. And last week, I successfully reached the crater where lava was shooting out. So like I said…COME VISIT

So there you have it, blog update done, promises to make them more frequent, and Miguel going about his daily life. Just returning from a visit to my old stomping grounds in Nicaragua, will fill you in on the next post. Enjoy the hot summer, Tahoe, bachelor parties and of course…your hot showers.

Don Miguel signing off…

Uno, dos, tres, cuat. I know you want me, you know I want you. The song of Guatemala, not sure if it´s made it to your shores...

I know it´s been awhile sorry. I´m still gonna subscribe to the theory that mixing in pictures with my words are more exciting. I really like these shots from a recent visit to a coffee farm near my town.

Oh and I like the colors in this picture, from a recent trip to Antigua...

So to begin -- congrats to my brother Antonio and Greta on getting engaged last month. Very excited for the both of you, the wedding, and the fact that I won´t be there to deal with all the pre-wedding stress. Love it, just thinking of getting everyone together from both coasts for a California wedding sounds awesome.Some of you have been asking what I miss. Obviously the basics -- friends, family, El Balazo, and Pete´s Brass Rail. But to be honest, and this is true I just completed my 5th dream in 5 months about Tahoe. Even I am amazed at how many times I´ve found myself missing this place. It´s crazy, but for those of you who are close enough - go enjoy that place and make me jealous. This time last year I was graduating and getting ready to head up there. How quickly time flies. Speaking of graduating, congrats to Sam Martino. So some shots of everyday life in my town San Vicente Pacaya, kind of like a mini Tahoe minus the lake. See the resemblance?? Sarcasm...Alright let´s get to the exciting stuff. As promised in my last post, MY HOUSE. If you can call it that. Hopefully this brings a few laughs, because I´m laughing just thinking how I´ve got to go back there tonight and sleep (or try to).

So I am fully immersed (wedged) into a tiny house made of lamina (tin?) with some of the wildest people I´ve ever met. These people scream at each other, the kids run around wild with butcher knives, the chicken is my sidekick for meals, and I have swatted at least a thousand flies (no joke) off my arm in over a month. My 4 wall bedroom has only 3 that are actually walls. The oh-so important wall blocking the noise from these crazy animals is made of cardboard. Gotten some good sleep these last 2 months as you can imagine. Here´s little Valentina in my room, notice the cardboard wall (yeah the red and white stripes aren´t the US flag bro!)...

And I always make comments about showers. Before they were cold coming out of a normal shower head. Now it´s this...

I´ve gotten a good technique down. I bend down, dump the first bucket of COLD, FREEZING water over my head and yell ¨Oliver¨ (more on this in a bit). Since the bathroom is made of lamina and my naked body is easily seen over this (remember we gringos are like Yao Ming in this country) the family can see/hear every ¨ooh and ahh¨ as I bathe myself every morning. And the rainy season´s coming so it ain´t getting any warmer my friends. So go on, enjoy those hot showers. To be honest, I´ve gotten used to it...it´s more comical that this is really my life right now.

So to the bigger question: Why would I voluntarily choose this? Here´s a little story that stems back to March 27th, my first day in site. On this day I passed up a house where I could cook what I want, have hot water, a room with 4 walls, and a washing machine believe it or not. Instead, I opted for the family which I got a better vibe from (which was correct). And I wanted the personal challenge of ¨roughing it.¨ Oliver would be shaking his head at me (more on this in a second).

I may be overstating the family, the parents are fine. And I enjoy their company. My host grandpa Don Pancho is the jack of all trades, in bed at midnight and up when the sun rises. I´d love to acquire his work ethic...

Here he is cooking up his famous dulces ¨canillas de leche¨...and below is D.P. chopping some coconuts for the afternoon fresco.So back to the family...it´s not the parents as I´ve clarified. It´s the kids that are wild. Still trying to figure out who makes more noise in the house - little Erwin or his pet.I was walking down the street a few weeks back (around 10pm...normal time for sleeping) and the whole street was quiet and peaceful. Ah, what a nice Guatemalan night. And then I got to my house, it was chaos. The kids were playing tag, the TV blaring, the chicken eating lettuce on the floor, and the hammock swaying back and forth. It was then I convinced myself that this ain´t a Guatemalan thing, just a Reyes family thing. One more month to go...So back to why I did this. When we were about to receive our sites (homes for 2 years) back in March I heard about this place and lobbied for it. Here´s the details:96% indigenous (Q éqchi)

1,000 people (about 5 speak Spanish)Living in the pure jungleNo electricityNo running waterRiver rafting companyI heard about this and said -- This is the Peace Corps. I want that. Here comes in Oliver, one of my best buddies here, and the lucky fella to get that site. And the reason I shout his name every morning...because as much as I joke about my cold showers, homeboy uses the river (if and when he decides to shower).

I got the site with electricity, running water, and a National Park with tons of visitors. Two different worlds. When the electricity goes out in my town I enjoy it (because the CRAZY animals in my house have nothing to do) so it´s peace and quiet. But I always think of Oliver who does this every day. Living by the sun, what an experience. Ollie is learning a new language and dealing with tarantulas and scorpions every night before bed. And that could have been me. Wow.

So that´s why I opted for my housing situation. They didn´t give me the jungle, so I´m gonna bring it to me. And while I wanted to be out in the jungle with no gringos in sight, I pretty much got it - being that the closest volunteer is about 2 hours away. Although, on the contrary, if I wanted to speak English I could head up to the volcano with the other gringos. Something tells me that this isn´t the reason why I´m here. So in my town I stay, and pray for this volcano not to erupt. Oh and try and get some sleep...oh, and wait a month until I feel clean again.

The best perk of my family is the weekend flauta stand. They sell these flautas (wanna-be burritos) and I have gotten to learn how to tortear (make tortillas). I´m getting pretty good...

So if you make it to my town, you can come meet this wonderful group of people I call my family. They really are quite a kick to be around...

Lastly, the name switch to Miguel has backfired as they all call me Mike. Wait til I get on the basketball court next month for the league. They´ll be calling me Michael Jordan. Anything´s better than Jessica...

That´s all for the month, my closing line -- Enjoy your hot showers! Miguelito...

Feliz Semana Santa (Happy Easter) to everyone. Thanks again to the Hackett´s for their package. My new host brother holding up Hayley´s fine artwork in my room

Hope all is well in the States, I have been keeping very busy with everything here, they´re throwing me into the fire. One of the reasons this blog has been dormant. Sorry, but here´s the latest run-down:

I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer, we were sworn in on March 27 at the US Ambassador´s House. After the ceremony, we had a well-deserved and long anticipated weekend in Antigua with all 32. It was a great time, and yours truly was tearing up the dance floor. It was more that we were all so excited to finally be official.

Josh and I with are mustaches. No chance I can pull off the Len Festa stache. I mainly did it because as hideous I was bound to look, my redhead buddy would look even worse. Job well done!

There it is - swearing my allegiance to the US government. Thought you´d never see the day ehh?

Me and Rebecca, good friend who I met before leaving the States

The four of us in our training group (me, Kelly, Tony, and Morgan)

My four homeboys in the Eco-Tourism group (Oliver, Jamie, and Tony)

Jamie, me and Tony with our Technical Trainer David. We´re all laughing because instead of saying ¨Queso¨ we said his famous line in bad English ¨OK people¨. You had to be there

After our celebration we went our seperate ways and there´s been plenty going on. Since arriving to my site the volcano´s had an eruption, been having some amazing lava flows which we got up close to on a night hike

and last week started shooting out lava from the crater which I saw from my front porch.

Also, my good friend Hilary from Canada (some of you may remember from my last travels) and I met up. We originally met in Argentina in 2007 and have kept in touch, thanks to the internet. She came and visited for Semana Santa, and we had an awesome week together.

She´s on her way to Argentina to teach yoga, don´t worry I´m not running off with her as some might be thinking.

So the theme of my first month has been trying to get better at Spanish, since everyone here speaks so freaking fast. My counterpart is the worst, I tell him daily to pronounce -- I mean I don´t speak your language, so don´t make it harder on me. I have been meeting so many people and it´s tough because they either have the same names (Victor and Juan) or a name that makes no sense (Oseldo and Damaris). The town is awesome, very lively and everyones been very friendly. They´re putting it together that I´m the new gringo in town who preaches washing hands and recycling. Haha

The central plaza in my town, view from my office. Not too shabby with the Volcano in the distance

Me, Michelle (Doctor volunteering down here), and Carlos (the former volunteer I´m replacing). We´re sitting in the mayor´s truck waiting...waiting...waiting

So a lot of you have been asking what a typical day is like. Luckily, every day changes so that´s a hard question to answer. My next blog post (hopefully in a few weeks) will be explaining my housing situation which is oh-so comical. Just wait until you hear the stories. And I also plan on getting a blog up here actually explaining what I do (as a job).

Until then, continue to enjoy your hot showers. Do think of me when it´s steaming hot, because my previous cold showers with water pressure have become just cold with no water pressure. I´ll explain in the next post. From the land of corn, I´m out

...Back at it again. Please tell me you notice what the baby in my lap is doing.

I've gotten one too many Yessicas in the last week. It's official -- Miguel Festa for the next 2 years. It won out against Francisco or "Sisco", you know the "Thong Song" dude

(A whole heap of us after ziplining over the lake. That's my director on the right Flavio or Flava Flav, he's way cool. We named him that)

Anyways, the big news these days is I got my site assignment, i.e. my home for the next 2 years. The name of my town will be San Vicente Pacaya, at the base of Volcan de Pacaya. And this Pacaya Volcano happens to be the #2 most visited national park in the country. No pressure right? This is also one of the most active volcanoes in Central America (no I'm not near the Equator), and constantly spews lava (as you can see, although I hear it's way better than that)

I've got a laundry list of things to do, one of which will be training and accompanying guides up the volcano. Sweet. So, let's get this straight - I will be living/working where millions of tourists from all over the world come to visit (300/day) and get to hike every day. Rough life ehh?

Time to knock me down...The cold showers will continue, I will be dealing with LOTS of politics (the mayer rocks the half-stache and wears a cowboy hat), and my house for the next 3 months will most likely include me sleeping on the concrete floor or in a hammock if I'm lucky. Not so jealous now?

...And you can take a deep breath, this Pacaya Volcano doesn't erupt that much(at least I don't think). But I am 7km from the crater, so that should be assuring.

Umm, what else. Training comes to a close this Friday. Will be sad to say goodbye to all the good friends I've met, but all of a sudden I feel my wrists becoming looser and looser. Yeah, that's because the handcuffs are coming off! Training has been intense but the 10 year old treatment won't be missed by me.Pictures:

Baby Carla has taken her first steps. That was pretty cool to see, and I love this picture because of how hysterical my host mom is. Carla clearly doesn't like performing in front of the camera...

...Wait, we actually work? Me giving a charla (presentation) on how to be an "effective tour guide" since I was such a stellar one for the Resort at Squaw Creek (ya right)

Hiked a volcano (Agua - which means??? Water). But there was no water at the top. Boo. But it was sweet despite the fact that it was cloudy at the summit.Jamie, me, Sarah, Valerie, and Anthony. Followed by our view from the summit

On my visit to Pacaya, we get to run down this resbaladero, which is like a sand dune. I'm in the lead, for once a Festa was fast

Antigua is getting ready for Semana Santa, holy week, and from the looks of it (Kev, Jack, rest of the crew) this place goes off. They start getting ready 6 weeks before. Should be fun!!

We spent a week camping with our whole group, and on this we did the ziplining over Lake Atitlan (wanna be Tahoe). So this is what the superman-version of the zipline looks like. When you get out there, to the right is the view right below this picture

...and continue to enjoy your hot showers folks, that's all

Sorry to those who have been anxiously awaiting this blog (ie. my parents) but I´ve finally got the first post up.

So before we get into details, let me clear up a myth.

Because you're living in Guatemala means that you´re going to drink some of the best coffee in the world, right? VERY wrong. This coffee-rich country exports it´s best beans. You know, I´ve had my fair share of cup`o joes here and there and it´s either Folgers or Nescafe. So much for that for idea.

This picture is 25 of the 32 trainees that I'm here with in country. We went to roast mallows on the lava. (I'm in the back with my "I was attacked by a bear t-shirt") So...I am almost two months into training here in the Guate. I am living in a small community (10,000 people) in between the capital (Guatemala City) and the tourist hot spot (Antigua). Training has been very busy and continues until I'm sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer on March 27th and then sent off to whereabouts unknown. Should find out in a few weeks.

What will be I doing? Raincheck? No my title is "Sustainable Community Tourism Volunteer" so I'm being trained to do that. For the past few months we've been working on a well developed eco-tourism park trying to promote it to the general public. Here´s a picture of Tony (other Italian trainee in my group) and I working with one of the guides. This mirador looks out to the capital, Guatemala City. Pretty sweet

...And if we´re designing a marketing plan for it, we need to have a little fun too. This is me tearing up a rope swing:

So my host family is awesome. Every morning I wake up to ¨Buenos Dias Yessy¨...I am currently brainstorming for new names beginning the 27th of March. Not sure if Pancho will fly, maybe Lefty? Ideas are welcome...

Anyways, there´s two little girls in my family. Carmen is 4 (think Isabelle, who is now 5) and she´s great, although she stares at me ALOT. Think she´s still trying to figure out who this tall white dude is. Do I understand a word she says? No, but she´s great.

Not sure who nicknamed me Jesse Messy - however, there is someone who has me beaten. Carla, at barely 13 months. She receives her plate of food, dumps the plate on the table and will either plaster it from her forehead to her neck, or throw it at me. Love it. If you notice the shirt and table in the picture, you will understand. It´s hilarious every night. Oh and I got to see her take her first steps last week. Quite amazing!

Here's a good story...What do you do with young kids that speak another language? Your guess is as good as mine. I went with the whole "Let's put up my tent in my room". Backfired, they wouldn't leave. Ahh!

The older boy Bryand (13) is my host brother. I´ve been teaching him English (ie: doing his homework while he plays with my IPod, jk) My house is unreal, on a hill overlooking the whole town with a futbol field, more avocado trees than they know what to do with, and chickens running wild. Did I mention I live with all the sisters and brothers, meaning there's about 8 kids running around all day every day. Chickens and babies...No it's not Noah's Ark...

What else...I church it up every Sunday, its pretty funny since I cant understand the pastor, although I act like I know what I´m doing. Of the 32 volcanoes I plan to climb in Guatemala I have conquered 1 and a half thus far. I´ll let you know how this ambitious goal works out. Picture time...Volcano Pacaya Tony roasting marshmallows over the lava

me, Maria, Sara, and a friend of ours from Antigua My first Guatemalan birthday party, one of the host Mom´s in my community Tony and I with our teacher, Isabelle. She´s pretty tall as you can see. Backpack is on backwards so I don't get robbed. Doing well on that (so far)

Tony and I (the Italians we are) decided to cook an Italian dish for both of our families. That's my parents sitting across-next to me, with the 2 girlsAlso, since we are working ALOT we need some time to get to Antigua and enjoy a beer with the other trainee´s (me, Tony, and Josh from Ohio)

...And that´s all, til next time enjoy your hot showers