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I stumbled upon these kids going to their marching band practice and asked if I could take a picture because I noticed they didn’t seemed too enthusiastic to be carrying their instruments to rehearsal. They agreed and I took three shots, this I believe shows clearly what I sensed from them. What do you think?
This photo was taken around the basket ball court of the public school of San Juan del Obispo shown a few days ago in AntiguaDailyPhoto.
At the University of Michigan I came across this summary of why PE is so important:
It is a known fact that physical activity improves overall health. Not only does it improve circulation, increase blood flow to the brain, and raise endorphin levels, which all help to reduce stress, improve mood and attitude, and calm children, physically active students may also achieve more academically.
I would also add the fun factor which is probably the only thing one cares about physical education in school, wouldn’t you agree?
As I have mentioned before, Guatemala’s school year begins in January and end in October. So even though in many places of the world right now is summer vacation, in Guatemala we’re about 70% into the school year. Yesterday there was a break in Antigua Guatemala because on 25th of July, antigüeños celebrate their patron’s saint day, Día de Santiago, Saint James Day.
Another interesting fact about Guatemala’s educational system is the fact that after 12 years of schooling, 14 if you include pre-school, graduates receive a vocational or junior career diploma such as primary school teacher, junior accountant, et cetera.
What other junior career diplomas are given after 12 years of education?
Here’s another day trip away from regular school day. Boy, when I was a kid anything to get me away from a regular school day, especially if it was for a theater play, concerto, or philharmonic recital, even visits to museums were good. So I guess a visit to a church is just as good when you’re a kid, even if it isn’t politically correct for the adults.
Just like the separation of State and Church is not an issue in Antigua Guatemala, taking students from a public school to visit a church for mass service is not an issue either.
To be honest, it’s quite difficult to separate religious rituals and festivities from culture in Guatemala. Often times the boundaries that separate religion and culture, traditions and identity are very fuzzy, out of focus really (pun intended). I believe even atheists participate in some religious rituals and feasts like Cuaresma (Lent), Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Navidad/Noche Buena (Christmas/Christmas Eve). In fact, I remember reading the chronicle of an atheist and leftist poet and author who had became a cucurucho (float bearer) for Lent along with some of this friends.
What do you think about taking students from a public school to mass service inside a church?
As I mentioned yesterday, more often Antigua Guatemala is becoming a gathering venue. Any excuse is good enough to form a crowd with similar interests. Some people I know organize a geek squad lunch meeting spontaneously with a few tweets and sms texts. Others use a school bus stop to update each other about their recent life events; no Facebook is required to stay up-to-date either. 
I want to say how much I appreciate your blog! I lived in Guatemala for a year (in 2007) and I miss it a lot. My husband and I lived about an hour from Puerto Barrios and there was not much to do in the town we spent the majority of our time in. Every time we had a chance to get to Antigua, we were there! It really became our hometown in Guatemala. Once in a while, when I’m really wishing I could be there again, I find my way back to your blog and spend an hour or so looking through posts and feeling very nostalgic. It’s nice to be able to have a little insight into what’s currently going on in Antigua and around Guatemala. So, thanks! —Sarah Hiltz
