Taking Off
Hellooo! My name is Jasmin Wall, and I am the newest member of the Seres team. I am an Early Childhood Teacher from Byron Bay, Australia, and like most who meet Corrina I was truly inspired by the work that she is doing, and the project that she has created. The first day that I met Corrina on 3rd of October 2009, I said to her “I am going to move over there and be your assistant!”…. And here I am, just over three months later, sitting across the desk from Corrina, writing my first blog from the Seres Headquarters in Antigua.
After a seemingly endless 40 hour journey from Australia, I arrived into busy bustling Guatemala City tired and loopy. Thankfully we left the city, and headed south to the picturesque UNESCO listed town of Antigua. The contrast of the crumbling architecture, and the volcanoes that surround the town is breathtaking!!
The volcanoes and churches of Antigua
Since I have been here I have experienced Project Seres in all its functional glory!! Sitting in coffee shops to get reliable internet connection for board meetings which connect Seres members around the world. Discussing permaculture ideas over the phone with the project leader in Malacatan using our giant whiteboard, then brainstorming new garden models on napkins in a restaurant. Scouring the markets for materials to create a worm farm experiment; then taking a trip to a worm farm outside of Antigua and exchanging ‘recipes’ for functional worm farms and foods to be applied to settings with variable available resources. Organizing fundraising dinners with the help of some local business people, and networking with the diverse selection of individuals in this town.
Aside from Seres work, I have two tasks that I intend to work on during my second week here: the first is to learn to speak Spanish! I did a beginners course before I left Australia, but all it has equipped me with is the ability to say hello, goodbye, and “Lo siento, me no hable espanol.” “I am sorry I dont speak spanish.” [which I have since come to learn is actually wrong!!]. So if I am to achieve my second task, I need to upgrade my vocabulary!
"Napkin" designing...all in the name of Seres
My second task is to get a job…. And so far I think I have a good chance at bar work [which shall force me to speak spanish regularly!] because most of the bars in Antigua cater for the tourists who all speak a version of english that shall get us all understood [I hope!]. I am actually excited about it because I have never done it before… and being here for me is all about new experiences and adventures!!
So far I am truly enjoying the culture shock. Admittedly it has been cushioned some what but having a guide who is practically a local, and can speak street-spanish with the best of them to get anything that she needs!! This week I have been a mere ‘gringa’ [silly white girl] following Corrina around and having things translated for me….. And having a fabulous time doing it! But I am confident that in no time at all I shall be entirely self sufficient in finding my way in this new home-away-from-home.
Within the next fortnight I have a facebook page to launch for Seres, a fundraiser to organise to buy a projector, a volunteer program to fine tune, and we have planned a trip to Malacatan to put into practice the horticultural masterpeice that we created on a napkin …. Truly exciting stuff!!
Corrina and Jaz
Until next I blog,
Keep checking out our website and our facebook page!!
Miss Jasmin.
