My Visit to Guate - (April 24. - May 02. 2006)

I cried in the plane when I left Guatemala. And this I guess is the best way I can start this post about my visit to this awesome country, then it has been the only country where I actually after some time did not feel like leaving, at all. Many people that I told asked me why? what was so special in Guatemala, and the answer is difficult but easy at the same time: EVERYTHING, I love everything, but specially ITS PEOPLE.


De Guate para el mundo

Since there are so many things I love about Guate, I will write this post in a different way, than the way I have described my other visits so far! Chapines, I am sorry that I took so long to mail this post, I owe it to you! So here we go:

TOP 10 REASONS WHY GUATEMALA ROCKS

REASON 1: AIESEC in Guatemala organizational culture. AIESEC in Guate has been one of the most inspiring AIESEC countries I have ever interacted with. Open minded AIESECers, will to learn, ability to 'walk the talk', simple AIESEC yet well focused, A NEW GENERATION, lots, lots of motivation, nice office, frienship, hard work, joy, optimism.

Gabi (MCP 05 06), Renee (MCP 06 07) and myself

REASON 2: These boys ... I love all members of AIESEC in Guatemala, all of you. But there was a group of guys that were JUST HILARIOUS. Funny, intelligent, lovers of life, pure potential: Luis Mario, Tito, Christian, Niño (Edgar), Amit ... I actually think I connected very well to these "muchachos" since some of them also graduated from a german school as myself, but anyways also because they are crazy and I needed a lot of fun by that time. Thanks for singing songs at the closing of the LDS, for being so attentive, for such good parties and specially for meaning so much for your MC and LC.


Pic 1: Niño, Ahmid, me. Pic 2: Tito, Christian, Luis Mario.

REASON 3: AIESEC in Guatemala MC. Workoholics, at least the time I was there. Sweet people, yet straight forward. Caring. Streteching. Never tired. ALWAYS TAKING NOTES. Always asking. Always candid. Action oriented.


MC girls (a mix between MC 05 06 and 06 07)

REASON 4: THE HOST. Thanks Luis Ma for hosting me in your house! Comfortable bed, single room (isn't this luxury for a director on country visit?), awesome internet conection (when you are a director on travels oh this is important), awesome trou around Guatemala city, extremely caring person, more hospitality is just imposible.

REASON 5: THE LDS. My very last AIESEC conference as a member on a leadership role. I was chairing and facilitating. Chaordic conference. Passion. A new beginning. Interesting Externals. New members getting its full membership status


AIESEC in Guatemala

REASON 6: The social life. For those who know me, I am not a party animal at all. Believe it or not, I mad a record in Guate. I went to bed at 5 a.m. one of the days of the conference. Why? Because even if it was aprty, it was such a chill out and authentic atmosphere. It's about people playing games, playing the guitar, conversing, nobody absolutely being "pasado or pesado" (as you would say in spanish, nobody really drunk until a point that is annoying, pure enjoyment, was nice ... and so all social spaces, relaxed, people really wanting to get to know each other.

REASON 7: ANTIGUA GUATEMALA. One of the most amazing colonial cities I've ever been. Meeting with indigenous cultures. Impressive architecture. Culture. Great food.

REASON 8: MODERN GUATEMALA CITY. Clean. High sense of urbanism. Perfect climate. Organized. Practical. Green. Beautiful at day, beutiful at night.

REASON 9: THE CLOTHING. Simple, fresh, yet always calling attention given its colours. Sold and done by indigenous people. The market is a place weher you can lose send of time. It's a travel into textures, arts and an amazing culture.




REASON 10: My favourite guatemalan expressions (some of them I was saying naturally): Va! , CABAL!, De Plano!

Thanks so much guys for such amazing week. I will NEVER forget and I promise to come back to Guate, there still so much more to discover. I bring you all in my heart. Keep changing the world.