Saturday, June 21st

First and foremost – Happy Birthday, Zach!! I know that you won’t see this on your birthday, but I did remember it, and I wanted to wish you a good one. I actually was planning on calling you, but forgot the notebook with your phone number recorded in it up at the school.

This weekend has brought a very welcome break from the occasionally tiresome environment of the school. I know, I know, I’ve only been there for a week, but I swear, it’s an atmosphere which requires my energy 24/7! I mean that literally! On Wednesday, for example, I was awake in bed for hours into then night, listening to the maintenance man banging and clanging on pipes, trying to fix the plumbing which had ceased to function earlier in the day. Resolving my forced insomnia with the thought of a brisk pick-me-up shower in the morning, I endured it. Sadly, upon arising at 6 am on Thursday, I was greeted by ineffective faucets once more.

Sheila had already suggested that I come down to Santo Tomas after my classes finished on Friday, and I was looking forward to it. I’ve only got 3 classes to teach on Fridays, and they get over around 3. I was planning on scooting out while it was still light out (it gets dark pretty early.) Instead, I was pressed into service stuffing and addressing envelopes, translating letters, and coordinating efforts for mailings to student sponsors at home. For four hours. While rain pounded down on the tin roof overhead. And the electricity functioned only intermittently. All while enduring a pounding headache. (The headache was a pre-existing condition, exacerbated by the circumstances. All combined, it didn’t exactly bring out the best in me.)

Finally, Sheila called around 7 to see where I was, and why I hadn’t gotten to the clinic yet (she thought my classes got out at 6.) I was very grateful, since it had already gotten dark, I was hungry, and above all I was sick of being there feeling cranky. (I’m pretty certain that Sheila’s an angel. She’s a sometimes-rum-drinking, reckless-driving, occasionally oblivious to her surroundings, Butte-born angel, but a halo’s a halo.)

She picked me up –despite endearing protests from the girls – and took me to town. Two couples representing the Libby, Montana Rotary International Club are here this week, setting up plans for a rural water distribution system. We all ate dinner together, I had a delightful time. They’re all very interesting, engaging, intelligent, and fun, and it was great to interact with them casually and freely after a week of being “profé.”

Sheila’s taken us all to Lago Atitlán today (Saturday), where I’m writing this now. We’ve spent the day here, taking in the sights, wandering the craft markets, visiting the lake, and enjoying great food and wonderful company. The weather has been perfect – none of the 1:30-8 pm torrential rains I’ve seen every day at the school thus far. We went to a beautiful mass with a great band in a fabulous old church, and enjoyed appetizers and drinks along the lakeside. (Margarita, anyone? How about a Mojito? I may or may not have had both.) (Author’s Note: The “not” in that last sentence is pronounced like the “p” in pterodactyl.)

All in all, it’s been a far cry from the Guatemala I’ve seen thus far. I’m already well aware that the “best foot forward” tourist venues of Latin America are no more than a façade, but I can’t help enjoying it a bit.

In all honesty, though, this “tiempo turistica” has really just helped me to value what I’m doing here all the more. Yes, this is all very nice and likeable, but it’s NOT Guatemala. If I traveled to all of the nation’s “hot spots” of tourist interest for an entire month, it would be totally possible to leave here without every understanding how literally over 95% of the population lives. As it is, my spot at the school, sparse as it may be by our standards, is actually luxury. This, in Panahachel (the town we’re staying in), is ultra-high class, and, ultimately, empty. It doesn’t show anything about the people or the country, or the way of life.

All in all, I’ve enjoyed this on multiple levels. The company has been great, the getaway is a relaxing break from the school, and I’ve been made just a bit more aware of the real value of what I’m doing here.

It was easy before I left to imagine this as a year full of days like today. Of course, I knew better all along, but why not imagine relaxation and ease? Really, my reason for being here is service to the poor. That’s what it’s always been about, since Father Hazelton came and spoke to my class early in the fall semester, and inspired me to seek a position here. Once I make an active point to bring that thought to the foreground, little sacrifices like cold showers and being lonely for easy communication are much more bearable. All said, a highly productive day.

PS: I finally figured out my phone number, if anyone (Mom, Dad…) is interested in trying to call me with a phone card.

The country code (I believe) is 502, and my number is 580 68 993. I’m not sure why, but I believe the series of numbers you’d need to dial would be 011 – 502 – 580 – 68 – 993. Maybe try googling “calling Guatemala” or “Guat