Day One: Entering the World of the Mayans
Posted on: November 4, 2008
Here I am in Guatemala! What made me want to come here, and explore the very country that was once home to the Mayan Empire? Gustavo, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, attended our Denver DeafNation Expo last September and approached me, mentioning that he had been following me around the world. It was obvious what his first question would be: “Where I will go next?” In my mind, I thought “Guatemala.” Before I could answer, he suggested that I go to Guatemala and find some new stories there. I was shocked, and jokily asked if he was a mind-reader. He excitedly told me that there were many stories to be found there – real Deaf Mayans, Deaf workers at coffee farms, and other stories like these. I was thrilled to find out about the coffee farm workers – I’ve always wanted to do a story on Deaf people working at these farms, because I’m a big coffee drinker, and coffee is a big part of our mornings here in America. It would be a very interesting trip, going to the source of our “daily wake-up drink.”
I decided to check the tourism office for Guatemala, and other agencies. They preferred to speak Spanish rather than English, which was a very diverse experience for me. I had heard about Spanish VRS, and I always thought that I had to use Spanish sign language with an interpreter. So I tried Sorenson Español VRS, and wound up being surprised that I could use my ASL while the interpreter spoke Spanish. The hearing people to whom I spoke were shocked that I spoke beautiful Spanish (in ASL), and also by my written English (via email). I explained the concept of VRS to them, and we had a good conversation. From there, it was only a matter of getting everything ready for my trip to Guatemala. Gustavo introduced me to Alvaro de Leon, who would be a guide of sorts for me while in the country. Thanks to modern technology, we used a webcam to discuss the plans. And so with everything set, I took my long flight.
David Letkiewicz tagged along with me as my media crew, like he did with me in Greenland. David had to adjust to the sheer heat of the country, recalling the memory of how cold it was in Greenland. We arrived in Guatemala City to a gorgeous view, seeing many small houses alongside the mountains. Alvaro was there outside of the airport to greet us, and picked up the rental SUV for our assignment. He signed “Guatemala” with the flag, in his greeting. We grabbed a chance to stop by the Guatemala Tourism Office (www.visitguatemala.com), and do some media paperwork so we could go about the country with ease, especially Tikal Park. They were very excited about us bringing some sign language media down here, while at the same time bringing some more new Deaf experiences to our DeafNation viewers.
While there, I learned that Guatemala City is growing incredibly fast with over 1.2 million people, and I could tell from the busy scenery out there. There were so many people coming out from the mountains wearing guipils, a traditional form of Mayan dress, along with common clothes. Moving around the city, I soon found there that was a similarity between the city and America: the traffic was terrible, just like Los Angeles! A sure sign that this city is definitely getting bigger.
We stopped by a shopping mall to meet Gustavo’s sister, Brenda. I was stunned seeing an upscale shopping center in this city; I didn’t expect to see one around here. Dinnertime came around, so we grabbed a good dinner and had a great discussion about Deaf people living in Guatemala. I was so restless, and very excited to bring many great experiences to you through my video reports plus the online daily blog. We saw the sun going down, and began driving to Antigua, where Alvaro lives.
When we arrived in Antigua, I was napping and felt the car rumbling. It woke me up right away, thinking something was wrong. It turned out to be a cobble street, in the heart of Antigua! I felt very vigorous, so glad to be out here in the real Guatemala, away from the urban cities. It was very dark as we drove through the down, but we got a chance to see the famous Arco de Santa Catalina. With night upon us, we finally arrived at Alvaro’s home, and met his family. They welcomed us like as if we were really coming to our own homes. It was time for bed, but I couldn’t help but be very ready and excited for our real adventures to start tomorrow, beginning with the most active volcano in the world. Buenos Noches (means Good Night in Spanish)!
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November 5th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Hola todos sordos, que espero estes bien. estoy contento mucho en antigua muy bonito lugar alla. good night joel
November 5th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Joel we are so excited to read your blog. We have an adopted 3 year old son from Guatemala. His birth mother,grandfather and uncle are all Deaf living in the mountains there.. We are eager to read about your travels and experiences there!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:19 am
From Boston,I’ deaf. Thank you be at this time here in Guatemala, and the truth is very proud of you. and I wait that he likes it in old, it is the modern one. and has good day!!!!!
November 6th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hey Joel, hello from California, hail to you in Guatemala! Nice seeing you actually setting foot in South America. Hope you come visit Venezuela one day where I once stayed for two months. I am curious to hear about all of your experiences! Tell me more! How’s the Guatemalean cuisine?
I guess we will all read about it…
November 6th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Lensegua (Lenguaje de señas Guatemalteco) is familiar with Guatemala. I was born in Guatemala. I live in America.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Alli donde bastate turista de los mundo y hermosa de la ciudad vieja en Antigua Guatemala y bonito en la calle con piedras y espero que Joel sigue viajando mostrando a los sordos y guipiles, alli donde vivia mi amigo viejo Alvaro De Leon y el sabe conoces bien bastante en la ciudad y el nacio y crecio en antigua y tambien sigue guiando con Joel…Dios te Bendiga
November 8th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Hello, Bienvenido a Guatemala aqui es nuestra patria linda, este lugar es una historia muy linda y varios recuerdos como fueron historia y alli varias turistas visitan en Antigua por que es un lugar muy lindo, por las casas antiguedades, y comida tipicas, etc.
Joel espero que te guste y puedes conocer a los sordos guatemaltecos y tambien puedes conocer los lugares y alguien vive en Guatemala sabe todo para ayudarte, te van a explicar como y te acompañe nunca se pierde, Dios esta preparado para usted por tu vida de saberlo sobre la cultura de Guatemala.
Que Dios te bendiga y siempre te acompañe en el viaje y bendiga tu camino.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Saludos a todos desde New Jesery, soy de Guatemala y me alegro y felicito a todo el grupo de SORENSON que pensaron en nuestro pais Guatemala, Muchas gracias!!!!
Esto es un buen desarrollo para nosotros los Sordos quienes podemos alcanzar nuestros sueñsos y metas con el apoyo de personas como ustedes que se preocupan por el bienestar de todas la personas sordas de todo el Mundo… una vez mas gracias por llegar a nuestro pais Dios les Bendiga y adelante.
Gerber Gómez
* Kesef *
November 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Joel and David enjoyed to walk around place Antigua, and keep memories as they were history there and several tourists visit in Old Antigua.
I am appreciate so much for you traveled to Guatemalan.
Right now, Im from Chicago, I grew up in Guatemala.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Joel y David:
Me sorprende bastante por estar aqui en Guatemala. y estamos muy orgulloso!!!!
Nunca habia visto este sitio web http://www.deafnation.com. Me conto de mi hermano Gustavo, ustedes son genial!!!! y la verdad quiero mostrarte a todos el mundo que nos representa el pais de Guatemala sobre indigenas mayas, culturas, comidas tipicas.
Joel Barish gracias por venir en Guatemala.
Buena suerte!!!!!!
Morenita
November 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hi Joel,
I, Kelsie and Sylvia really want to say to Joel. We have met you real in person from DeafNation Expo in Denver, Colorado and Worcester, Mass. We really want to appreciation that Joel is so amazing and famous person that He really interest travel all the world and support met all new friend Deaf What He got new learn and languages different. Let you know that I, Kelsie ’s husband name is Gustavo Fajardo came from his hometown Guatemala, also Sylvia’s husband Edgar Fajardo came from hometown Guatemala!!! We did flew there, in Guatemala City, Guatemala hometown, its was soooo amazing and there different cultures and Mayan.also, went to Antigua, Guatemala and Escuintla!!! I am so glad that Gustavo shared information tell you how to get there and planned set up Best for Joel experience life touch in the world and country. We hope that Joel had great time, fun and good moments experience!
December 1st, 2008 at 2:42 am
hi there
i was born in guatemala city, and my real parent live there but i cant remmy .. I was little girl much … so my stepparent adpotion me when i was 8 yrs old…. arrive to usa … so i have alittle memory in my mind in guatemala city but i never forget it… smiles i have 2 brother is hearing and one of sister born in guatemala city too .. so well .. i have vp too .. so i have experince life my whole longtimes …. before i was little girl there .. in guatemala city .. i am not know what kind of my real parent alive or dead but i am notknow.. smiles … so enjoy trip … gloria jensen