Seasons

here begins a series of blogs that are scheduled out (because the wonderfulness of blogger allows me to do that!) and are the result of plenty of time for contemplation (aka recovery... aka house arrest).  there's arguably a bit of rambling, a bit of abuel@ inherited wisdom, and a bit of fun... I think that's how life should be! 

I have spent the past 9 months trying to figure out the names of the seasons here... it's more complicated than you would think. When I was a kid, I was taught that north of the equator has summer June-August and winter November-February.  Here, that line isn't as profound.  When I have my student teachers for music class (they come with a wealth of stories for another time), I sit with the kids and often read their text books.  In first grade, they seem to be taught that invierno (winter) is June-August (aka now). In third grade, the books change their mind and June-August suddenly becomes verano (summer).   No wonder everyone gives me different answers or looks at me like I'm a dork for asking!   We're all given mixed messages!  Anyways, here is the case for each: I haven't, and will not, ask about spring and fall... that sounds a bit intimidating.

Right now is Verano (Summer) - That's what the US science books say!  The sun is technically closer to Guatemala during this time so therefore it's summer.  Other reasons:  It's a big farming time (the corn is growing) just like the farming time in the US, it's warm the few hours in the morning when it's not raining, we have tropical storms (not yet... knock on wood), the thunder and lightening is definitely like thunder and lightening storms in the summer in the US, and I am only going to bed with two layers of clothes, my ski hat, and 6 blankets, not 3 layers, my hat, my fleece mittens, and 7 blankets.  Also:  when it rains, I hear you sometimes get to use boats to get to the bus on the other side of the Rotunda!  I associate boats with summer!

Right now is Invierno (Winter) - It rains.  Just like Seattle (oh wait, it rains all the time in Seattle).  It's windy and you don't have nearly as many opportunities for outdoor recreation as you do in "verano" (our winter).  During the day, you're cold and you wear a lot more clothes and rain clothes.  The weather changes really unexpectedly (like Colorado!), there's lots of fog (so much that you sometimes can't find the potty....), and it's what people commonly say....

What do you think?

The other morning...