Travel Journal:

Peevees' Big Adventure - Update, with new photos.


Update, with new photos.
 
Hi everyone,
We went to a really cool Guatemalan traditional festival on Wednesday (in our part of the world this is known as "El Dia de la Muerte" (Day of the Dead). Kinda a greenbelly version of memorial day, but much more of a big deal for families here.

Anyway, in a nearby town, they make these beautiful kites, some of which are up to 60 ft across, and attempt to fly them. They are rich in color and symbolism. Most are made by the indigenous Maya. Some, by the Spanish speaking folks. The idea of this holiday is to send these kites in the sky to be close to the Gods and to "communicate" with loved ones that have passed on. It is said that the loved ones spirits return on this day only, every year.

We were struck by the negative tone displayed by the text on most of the Mayan kites. They speak volumes of massive suffering, discrimination, child abuse, and other unpleasantries. The underlying message: Guatemalan life SUCKS and continues to do so (if you're indigenous).

When we backed away to see all the kites from a distance, the sheer magnitude of these creations and the multitude of vibrant colors was almost overwhelmingly beautiful. Lisa was moved to tears. That they continue to have such a strong culture, working closely together every year despite the adversity, was indeed touching.

Hopefully you can get at least a sense of the beauty from the photos I took with my cell phone (didn't dare bring the good camera cuz there are allegedly MANY thieves at the festival). The colors were obviously much richer. Anyway, enjoy!

We have started our volunteer work in earnest, and it's really going great. Lisa worked directly with "la doctora", while another woman (a doctor) from the US wored with "la enfermera (nurse)". The clinic screens people so that they are specifically working with the poorest of the poor, though Lisa says it's pretty hard to see any distinction.

She spend the day interviewing new patients, drawing up medications, and conferring with the doctor. All in Spanish!!! Good thing she has malpractice insurance!

Alan has chosen an easier path, working with (guess!) a comYooter. At least, the warning messages are in spanish so he has to use his brain a bit. The computer he is working on is powered by a 1970 hamster and has more viruses than all of Africa and Haiti combined. So, in his own way, he gets to play doctor as well. And no bodily fluids! Stay tuned for more on how his little project turns out.

Tune in next time, when we'll have uploaded pictures from our Halloween (with costumes), and some amazing shots of our nighttime hike to an active volcanoe!
 
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