I'm writing the first blog from the trip. Please excuse my typing... I'm writing from a laptop in a room only lit by one small lamp. Currently, we are drinking orange Fantas while Matt is playing the guitar and and we are all singing. The monks are teaching us Guatemalan songs while we are teaching them songs such as "Light the Fire" (I insisted after being shot down a couple times), "Piano Man" and "Brown Eyed Girl."

I've never felt so out of place yet so welcome at the same time. It is only the first day but I feel somewhat overwhelmed, uncomfortable and lost. Yet all of those emotions do not bother me. The people here are so eager, loving and just want to be around you. And we all feel the same way. Tonight at dinner, there was a constant roar of laughter coming from the dining room. Although, not many of the monks speak English and only one person in our group is fluent in Spanish, we did not let the language barrier stop us from having a great night.

I have no expectations for this trip other than to step outside of my box and try to fully submerge myself in the Guatemalan culture. I look forward to seeing what we can bring to this monastery and for all that they can teach us.

                                                                             - Katie