This is one of many (hopefully) editions featuring aspects of daily life here in Guatemala... in writing these, I hope to share funny things, ironic things, and things I admire and I want to share them not as a form of judgment... in ANY way... but in a form of telling a story... with that being said... here's information about pools!
I like pools. And swimming. So much.
Ever since college, I have intentionally surrounded myself by people who have the scent of chlorine whether this be through teaching lessons, coaching, or just inviting my friends in Guatemala to join me at the waterpark for my birthday (and then subsequently getting too sick to get out of bed so rescheduling it for next weekend... )= ). I definitely have missed the team aspect, though. There's something to be said for having a person tell you what to do in the water and having other people to join you in the yardage endeavor.
I never thought I would find a swim team in Guatemala, but evidently, I have. Quetzaltenango has the, what I understand to be, Guatemalan equivalent of the Olympic Training Center, and I have befriended the pool and triathlon coach. (Although YAV doesn't want me to do a triathlon because the drivers are wacky (read the other daily life blogs for more information on that), so I'm just swimming with them...)... justified reasons that I'm okay with).
It's a really impressive pool measuring at 25m with eight good-sized lanes and an almost constant 4.5ishft depth (probably shouldn't be any deeper knowing the height and skill level of many people in this country). There's a laminate roof so you roughly know what the weather is like outside, serving a function similar to the windows at Whitman. However, it has more than just the windows to make you feel like you're swimming outside; the laminate makes enough space for them to come in and make the pool their humble abode. Not being from a land flourishing with outdoor pools, this is the first time I've been able to birdwatch during a kickset.
Then, there's the coach. Mario and I seem to get along pretty well. We have a bit of a language barrier, and I'm pretty sure that at times he thinks I'm a complete idiot because I do things like stop in the middle of the pool during a sprint set because I hear him say, "Lista, Para!" (Ready, Stop!) and can't get my adrenaline to stop until I'm already committed to looking stupid. Evidently, he sends people off using the words, "Lista, Afuera" (Ready, Out!) That makes more sense. We have it figured out now. Then, there's explaining things like how far. Unfortunately, 50 and 500 sometimes sound similar when people are talking really really fast and I have water in my ears. But, all in all, my athletic vocabulary is growing and I really appreciate the opportunity to work with him.
Finally, there's the team. Swimming with a team is awesome! (To all those who I have coached in the past or who are swimming now, don't take it for granted). We're small enough where we can all split the lanes and swim shoulder to shoulder pushing each other (until I mishear 50 for 500 and find myself stuck by myself after stopping at the wall). They are pretty forgiving for my Spanish and, although we don't talk a ton (we are swimming afterall) and I don't know any of their names and I can only come late on Wednesdays and sometimes Mondays because of my silly work schedule, it's fun to practice with them.
Finally, there are the schools that have PE at the same time we swim. SO FUNNY! It's a gaggle of girls. Girls are the same in ever culture; scared of being seen in a swimsuit, not a fan of cold water, and scared of putting their heads under the water. Much of swim class for them is spent clinging onto the laneline for dear life (while standing up) and having their nose touch the water. It's fun to watch them... =)
To retain whatever appearance of not being totally strange that I have, I have abstained from taking pictures of the beautiful piscina, so my apologies... however, thanks for joining me on the legend of my pool adventures!
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