Hello from Guatemala,
We are here in Guatemala, doing well, and having a wonderful trip. We’re learning a lot, and enjoying each others good humor (mostly).
Our first day we spent about 4 hours in the Bus travelling to Camotan to visit the Chor ‘ti people, and our grantee, Comundich. We have supported their Youth Art and Culture Program, so we enjoyed a talent show, including a performance of the new Guatemalan Idol show:
Yes, that is Che on the poster behind our talented friend.
After the talent show we met with leadership of the community to review progress to date, and to receive their final report. Then we headed off to Zacapa, where we spent the night.
Everybody told us that the roads are safe in Guatemala, so long as you get off the road before dark. So, naturally, right at dusk:
Oh, no! Double flat tire.
But, we all kept a good sense of humor, with the help of our translator, Ivonne:
That’s the blown tube found up the highway by Cathy and Ivonne.
We finally arrived at our hotel well after dark, but safe.
Today we visited three Mercy Corps communities to learn more about land conflict, resolution, and post conflict agricultural production.
Here is an indigenous farmer harvesting peanuts.
Despite having so little, these people are incredibly warm. After meeting one of the communities, they invited us to their village for food and drink. They had spent quite some time preparing a chicken soup for us, though they only are able to eat meat once every two weeks or so.
The natural scenery is stunning, and we’re having a great time!
More soon,
John Brown
June 25, 2009 at 5:28 pm |
Thanks for the stories and photos. The talent show must have been very fun. Sorry about the flat tires – the stories that emerge will probably make it all worthwhile.
Take care everyone.
Sydney
June 25, 2009 at 10:29 pm |
It’s great to read your impressions on a day-to-day basis. Thanks for taking the time to post them! Sounds like a good start to the trip, flat tires excepted.