Huelgas and Piojos

Living in Guatemala, there are some things that will inevitably happen. One, there will be strikes. One thing that other countries use much more often than the States are these strikes. They grab the attention of everyone, as most people can´t get to work because of the crowds in the streets, and the issues are brought to the attention of the public. So today the buses are striking about higher wages, less working hours, safer roads, etc. Thus, there was no school today, as many of the teachers could not arrive at work in the buses or get through the streets in their cars. So, there was no English class for my students today.

Secondly, there is something inevitable about working at NPH. The kids often have piojos - that is to say lice. Therefore, if one spends time with kids - hugging them, playing with them, sitting with them to do homework - there is a very likly chance that you TOO will get lice. It took me 2.5 months. First it began with a slight itch, this was Tuesday. Then, Wednesday, a little more."Dry scalp?" I think... no, not just a dry scalp. Yes, for the first time in my life I had lice. Luckily I caught it right away and went to war on them. I had to wash all my clothes and blankets and even my pillow. While they were in the washer and dryer I washed my own hair with special shampoo twice and left the shampoo in for a few hours with a plastic bag over my head. By Friday, I was happy to announce myself as Lice-Free. I used to think it was only for people who were very dirty and never bathed. But now, as a daily bather and hair-washer, I know that it can happen to anyone who comes into contact with it. And you know what? It was worth it to have it if that is the price for spending quality time with the kids.

Land of Eternal Spring

One always hears of the magical beauty of Guatemala – it is a storybook country full of ancient customs and culture, a land where one can go from the delicious tropical summer air of pristine beaches to the crisp beauty of the highlands where Guatemalans celebrate and continue in the traditions of their wise ancestors the Mayans. The bounty of colors in a single garment worn by a Mayan woman rivals that of a beautiful peacock in full fanning of feathers. To say it is beautiful is an understatement. One must see them to fully appreciate the beauty, though watching them being made in the tedious process has me marveling at the patience and creativity of each artist, for that is what each weaver is.



As a volunteer in Guatemala, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and see the marvels of this country. Parramos is located between two important cities: Antigua with its beauty and elaborate tourist facilities, and Chimaltenango, an industrial city along the Pan-American Highway with bus connections to most any place one would want to go. This past weekend I took advantage of my proximity to Chimal to take the “Chicken Bus” to Quetzaltenango, a city in the Western Highlands. On Friday afternoon some friends and I headed out from the orphanage to hop on the 20 minute bus ride from Parramos to Chimal. Hopping out of the bus on the busy corner of the Pan American Highway we were immediately confronted by the honking of horns, standstill traffic, police officers blowing whistles, and bus drivers shouting out their destinations. Once we found our bus (not hard, as all the drivers wanted to get the business of six more passengers), we entered the completely full old school bus. Climbing up the stairs of these buses shows one why they are called “chicken buses” – they transport everybody with all the things they bring along with them – including chickens tucked under arms. In the United States these buses have a capacity of 66 persons – however in just my row at one time we had nine passengers.

Arriving in Xela (as Quetzaltenango is known), I called my friend Maddie whom I worked with last year (see last years entries to see pictures of her and read stories of adventures together) and whom is currently in Guatemala seeing if there is need for another Manna Project site here in Guatemala. I am so glad that she is here, as we frequently call one another during the day. But I digress. Maddie quickly came to find me in the park and we commenced our weekend. Saturday my friends from NPH and I went to Fuentes Georginas, hot springs located about a half hour from Xela in the mountains. It was breathtakingly beautiful – tropical foliage dripping in emerald green and pools of steaming hot water filled with weekend visitors seeking refuge from the chilly mountain air. After lounging in our bathing suits in the water for two hours we returned to Xela where I spent another marvelous night with Maddie and two other friends from Manna Project – Lori and Chris.



Sunday led to another adventure on the camionetas – Chicken Buses – as I had to return to Parramos for another wonderful week of work. I’m not sure what it is about the bus drivers here, but all of them are secret F1 race car drivers stuck in gigantic school buses. They take the mountain passes at breakneck speeds and the word “breaks” only applies once or twice in a 3-hour period. Watching them I feel that I may have missed my calling in life.