Living the Not So Simple Life in Guatemala
People told me that I`d never survive, that I would be mugged, raped or just get sick and tired and turn around. They placed bets on how long this shy, homeschooled girl who had never done anything remarkable in her life, would last in Central America. Six months was the most popular guess. Seven years later, I`m still here!!
No, I didn`t make it to Brazil . . . heck, I didn`t even get very far past Mexico. But one thing I know for sure, my life changed the day I stepped out of my home for the last time and headed south.
Now I live the life of an expat on the side of a volcano in Guatemala, along with two small boys and a Guatemalan guy that I love to bits, working from home as a freelance writer and enjoying a lifestyle that most of my friends and family back in Canada couldn`t even dream of.
How I Got Here from There
Most people I encounter ask, "Why Guatemala?" and that`s a pretty valid question, considering the history of this place! But to really understand, you have to go back to the beginning . . . back to the country I was born in.I knew I wanted to go through Central America, so I bought the guidebook. It started with Guatemala and went down to Panama. Mexico wasn`t included, so I figured I`d wing it. Everyone said that everyone spoke English in Mexico anyway. Little did I know the reason they said that was because they`d only been to places like Cancun!
Needless to say, I didn`t meet anyone who spoke English in Mexico, except other travelers. Somehow, I managed to bumble my way down the Baja by bus, only to realize when I reached La Paz that this was a dead end! So, with another traveler, a guy from England and some fellows from Israel that we met in the ticket line, I boarded a barge headed for Mazatlan and got myself back to the mainland. By the time I hit Guadalajara, I was exhausted, sick of not understanding ANYTHING and wondering how the heck I was going to get down to Guatemala.
I had 0 interest in staying in Mexico for any length of time. My guidebook told me where to stay in Guatemala and where to find Spanish schools (which I realized I needed desperately!), so that is where I was headed. It took me nearly two weeks to get there, including about 70 hours on buses or in bus stations, plenty of vomiting and a bout of dehydration, but finally I arrived in Guatemala.
By that point, I was ready to stop for a bit. My money was running out already, thanks to not understanding how to find cheaper buses in Mexico, and I needed to look for work as well as learn Spanish, which is why I stopped. I figured I`d stick around for 6 months to a year in Guatemala and then continue my travels . . . but that didn`t take into account finding the man of my dreams!
Working in a Foreign Country
Unless you have a work visa, you aren`t supposed to work in Guatemala, but from the time I arrived, it was obvious that rule wasn`t well followed! Gringos worked in just about every bar and restaurant in Antigua.Teaching English
It didn`t take long for me to find employment at a small English school teach, of all people, Koreans English. I had no experience, but it really didn`t take long to pick up. Basically, if you can talk, you can teach English. I was paid a grand total of $3.50 an hour, which paid my rent and let me eat pretty well.
Later, I left the school and taught privately, but this was something that I fell back on for years. In fact, for a year before my son was born, I even taught in a private school as their English professor.
Cooking
In Guatemala, most restaurants hire Guatemalans to cook, but for some reason, I got a job at a place called the Bagel Barn, right off the central park in Antigua. My job was to take orders and cook them . . . which was a lot of fun, really. However, after several missed paychecks, I started looking for employment elsewhere.
Bartending
Ah, the staple of travelers . . . working in a bar. I spent three weekends working in a friend`s bar but once he realized I was there to work, not to flirt, he canned me. No worries, though, I walked into Reilly`s Irish Tavern and the owner at the time, Robert (one of the originals, it`s changed hands many times since then) didn`t even interview me, just asked if I could start at 6 that night!
Bartending was a great job while I lived in Antigua. I ended up staying for over a year, longer than any other bartender and made my way up to basically managing the place. It was a fun place to meet people and chat with new travelers, as well as locals. It only paid $1 an hour, but the tips could be awesome.
Since moving up the volcano and having kids, I`ve turned to freelance writing to make a living. It`s a good way to earn money from home so I can stay with my family, plus I earn in dollars, which go further than quetzales.
Love: It Ruins All Our Plans!
While I learned his name (Irving), it turned out that I was not on his radar. I was a gringa, he had been badly burned before and had pretty much no interest in dating someone (or even talking to!) who would most likely be leaving soon. So that was that. We had nothing to do with each other until one night I went out with my housemate to a nightclub and the guys were there. Irving had been drinking enough that he actually talked to me and after that . . . well, we pretty much were never apart again!
Irving lived with me for a bit in the shared house where I stayed, in Antigua, but after his grandmother died, he suggested we move up the volcano to his home pueblo. And the die was cast! I had to make a huge decision . . . would I stay in the country for love or continue with my travel plans? Obviously I decided to stay and here I am still!
And Then There Were Three
After three miscarriages and basically giving up on ever having children, I discovered that I was pregnant again. This time it stuck and our son, Dorian was born in December of 2005. He was born in the public hospital, which was quite the experience in and of itself and it was discovered within minutes that he had an imperforated anus . . . essentially, no anus at all.Dorian was whisked away to a hospital in the capital to have surgery, the first of three he would need. You can read more about Dorian`s journey here. It was a difficult time for us, with bills and a new baby who came home at 8 days with a colostomy. But we finally had our little family, we were building a home and life was good.
Along Came Dante
Just 16 months after Dorian arrived, his baby brother, Dante showed up. It was pretty stressful, dealing with two small children at the same time, but we survived! I was building my freelance writing business at that point . . . we finally had internet at the house, so I could work from home.Dante proved to be the total opposite of his brother . . . at least for the first three months! He was calm and laid back and a total little doll. Course, he`s outgrown that and is now our little Destroyer. :) But we love him to bits and pieces.
Expat Mom
The blog where I write about life in Guatemala, freelancing and mostly my boys.
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My Bubs
What the Folks Back Home Think
Jimmie asked in the guestbook about what my family back in Canada thought about my staying in Guatemala. Good question and one I`m very willing to answer.My parents, like any parents, would love it if I lived closer, particularly since they are now grandparents and my sons are their only grandkids. I`m sure they worry, too . . . early on in my stay here, my father called frantically to the house where I was living because they had just flashed an erupting volcano on the news and said that it was in Guatemala. Not knowing if it was near me or not, he got very worried! My roomie was able to reassure him though.
Of course, everything you see on television about Guatemala is bad in the North. So, I know my parents are worried every time they hear about these things. I try to make sure to let them know that I`m fine whenever a hurricane makes it`s way through here or an earthquake or if there is a big riot or other nasty news that might make the news up in Canada.
Out of all my family (3 sisters and my parents) only one sister has made it down to see me and that was over two years ago. Another sister plans to travel down here this Christmas. And I haven`t been back up to Canada for assorted reasons, so it`s mostly a long distance relationship!
However, that being said, we do make sure to stay in touch. I email my parents on a daily basis and we use Skype video to let them chat with the boys "face to face". My older son, Dorian, dictates emails to them from time to time, as well and my mom sends the kids postcards and little things in the mail, which they absolutely love. My sons know who their grandparents are, as well as their aunts and even their great grandparents!
Just One Reason I Love Guatemala
Fresh fruits and veggies abound . . . all year round. Since I absolutely love to cook, this is paradise for me! I can pick out perfectly fresh ingredients from the market at any time.
Guatemala
Guatemala (, ) is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. Its size is just under 110,000 km² with an estimated population of 14,000,000.
A representative democracy, its capital is Guatemala City. Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contribute to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hot...
What Do You Think?
Go ahead, talk to me! I love hearing from people interested in expat life, travelers and moms, as well as anyone else who cares to drop by.
Cari_Kay wrote...
Been an expat myself (on the island of Trinidad)! Thanks for sharing your story. Your family is beautiful.
Posted June 13, 2009
CCGAL wrote...
Great Story!!! I've never been out of the USA except for one short trip across the border into Tijuana, but it fascinates me to hear about how others have chosen life in other places. Your babies are beautiful and look very happy! 5* and a Fav.
Posted June 08, 2009
California_Dreamin wrote...
I really enjoyed your lens and can relate to it. I'm an expat too, but I left my home in California and finally ended up in Japan. Even though we live in very different countries, my story is similar to yours in that I decided to stay here for my wife and family.
By the way, great lens.
Posted May 06, 2009
EverythingMouse wrote...
What a great story. I am an expat but only moved from the UK to the US and that was enough of a journey. What a great thing to follow your dreams. Great lens well> Squid Angel Blessings to you
Posted May 03, 2009
poutine wrote...
What an adventurous girl you are!
You have beautiful sons and a handsome husband.
Wishing you all the best in your new country.
Posted April 28, 2009
OhMe wrote...
I loved reading your wonderful story. It is amazing and your children are precious. Great lens.
Posted April 28, 2009
tandemonimom wrote...
What an amazing life story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Posted April 27, 2009
TwinsMama wrote...
Very interesting lens - I loved learning about your trip and your life. Your children are beautiful. I've always dreamed of moving to another country, but I haven't mustered up the guts yet.
Posted April 26, 2009
24websurf wrote...
What an awesome adventure and it truly makes me wish I were more like you! Great lens and a beautiful family! 5*s
Posted April 25, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Yours is a beautiful story.
Congratulations on following your dreams
and
on a very well done lens!
Blessed by an Angel.
Posted April 23, 2009
alteredkat wrote...
What a great story! 5* just for bravery alone! I've barely left my backyard...
I really enjoyed your family photos too...thanks for sharing!
Posted April 22, 2009
by athomemomblog
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