Only in Guatemala...

- Do I keep eggs in my room
- Do I drink hot water...not hot tea...not hot coffee...but straight hot water
- Do I have a large number of shoes made of plastic
- Do I use scented toilet paper
- Do I walk around with lichi fruits in my pockets because they cost about a penny each
- Do I wear socks with slip-on shoes
- Do I enter my room & find my belongings covered in dirt from a mini-dust storm of unknown origin
- Do I have the opportunity to buy live chickens in the market
- Do I sleep with socks, jeans, and a jacket because of the cold
- Do I spend more time in the bathroom than I do out
- Do I endure rainstorms on at least three separate occasions throughout the day
- Do I periodically have to bring my own water to flush the toilets


Sección Foto:

I went to a hot spring this week as well. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. This was the view from the pools. The heat source is the volcano you see in the picture. There were three pools with varying temperatures. I could only bear the pool with medium heat. The hottest literally burnt my feet. On the other hand, there were people diving into the hottest pool. How, I do not know. They came out as red as lobsters. I personally prefer to cook rather than be cooked. 

Again with the doors.

...and another.

The City 

I thought the pink was pretty.

I wish I could show you guys how beautiful the colors of this city are.

Un poco de graffiti. I think my Puerto Rican friends may appreciate this. 

Spices for sale.

New York Times

On to the update:

I have completed my first week here. It has been a very satisfying, trial of a time.

Some things I did this week:

Well, at the start of the week, I went for a bike ride. In the States, taking a “bike ride” has a very placid connotation. Some other descriptive words could include but are not limited to "pleasant", "peaceful", "relaxing"….  For this reason I chose to go on a Guatemalan “bike ride.” Let me inform you that I was sorely mistaken. I’ll share some appropriate descriptive words for a Guatemalan bike ride. "Difficult", "strenuous", "terrifying",  "legitimately dangerous", "makes-you-feel-like-you’re-going-to-die" (I know that's not a word, but it valid non-the-less)  It was pouring rain and mostly uphill...or more correctly put....upmountain. There were at times almost 6 inches of water to bike through. Tthere was thunder, lightening, and thick, sludgy mud. At one point I was biking uphill, barely able to breath (altitude) with a road almost completely filled with mud, being conscious of the huge rocks hidden under the soil, praying I didn't loose my traction and start rolling backwards. Perhaps this was not the stroll I had anticipated, but it was an an adventure just the same.

Other things,

This language stuff is so, so, so, much more difficult than I had anticipated. The more I learn, the more I am thoroughly convinced I know nothing. I may stay here for another week if it is possible to work out with my clinic (Salud y Paz). My first assignment is at a surgery clinic on August 7th in Panajachel We'll see how the next couple of weeks pan out, and I'll go from there.

I am switching host homes tomorrow after a morning hiking trip. The switch is not because things were going badly or anything like that. It is simply a matter of differing schedules and things of that nature. I will get a NEW family tomorrow, and I'll let you guys know how it goes as well. I am praying for a family that I will be able to serve and learn much from. I am also extremely grateful for the family I've had this week.

Tonight there is a graduation party at the school. I'm here now early so I can post this for you guys to read. I don't know when I'll be able to use the computer next.

Be praying about the next week, if you can. My body is having a super hard time adjusting to living in the mountains. I feel super sleepy for most of the day and my stomach is a bit perturbed as well. I also strongly desire a group of friends here, but it is a little difficult given the vast difference between things I enjoy doing (talking, board games, movies, walking for no good reason, etc) vs. other things (such as clubbing, drinking, etc...) The Lord knows my desires, so I am trusting He knows what's best and will provide what I need on His time table.

I love you guys,

Cody