Clinic Day

Pictures of the circus, our patio, our electric shower, and our casa.

Today we had our second day at the clinic. Wayne spent most of the time working with Dr. Freddy. He did vitals for incoming patients and then assisted in the exam room. We made referrals to the hospital in Solola and in Guatemala City. We also scheduled some surgeries for September when the next team arrives. Flu is here like everywhere. Tom drove again today and Jay was off with a medical team in Cunen. Driving places is a big deal, you have to navigate your way through crowded narrow streets or wind your way up the side of the mountain with many sharp turns. Janet got a few lessons in what she might have to deal with if we move here, it seems like a lot of responsibility. She visited an elementary school with the head teacher and director to ask if the preschool can participate in the annual independence day celebration. This is a big national holiday. It was recess time and all the kids crowded around the gringas, smiling and looking at us. Guatemala is a very sensual country there are always lots of sounds, dogs barking, the circus that has moved in next door for two weeks, music playing; and the colors are intense with many flowers and colorful dress of the women. the smells include burning charcol and cooking food and a little bit of sewer. Here in Pana the main street is lined with small stands with much weaving and clothing for sale. Also many Mayan women walking around with their wares balanced on their heads following you down the street. There are several that always approach Janet and want to know why hasn’t she bought anything from them yet. So far promising to buy another day works.

We had a great day off today. We really needed a little time to recharge. We got up early, and after breakfast headed for the lake. We took a launche to San Juan a 40 minute ride across the lake. We then headed for a women's weaving cooperative. This is a quiet small artist town with many murals on the buildings. We were greeted at the Co-op by a woman who helped start the organization many years ago. "She showed us the processes for the dyes from the flowers and vegetables to the final weave. She was quite interesting and even made an outfit for the President of Guatemala.
We then headed for San Pedro by Tuk-Tuk. The ride was great and the views awesome. We arrived at the market and then headed down tto the waterfront. Just outside of town we found a great cafe by the water where we had coffee and lunch a bit later after we enjoyed a great horseback ride. Then back to Pana by launche.

The Mayan
Co-Op in
Solola










Natural dies and hand woven scarves made from bamboo




























The market in Solola on Friday afternoon. Check out all the great produce and the buses.











Well life continues to be exciting. Riding these buses is probably not good for ones health but is sort of exciting. The market was very interesting. Many vendors don't want you to take pictures of their stuff. It is amazing what is for sale-shampoo, shoes, plastic toys all kinds of , pencils, meat, fruits and vegetables and of course Guatemalan weaving. The Mayan cooperative was amazing. They had very beautiful stuff, we didn't get to see the weaving but we did see them dying the bamboo yarn. We have been very lucky because the rain has held off for this week. Soon it will come and rain all afternoon so we are trying to see as much as possible while the weather is good. Our teachers are great but the work is hard. Back at the house where we stay we have one comfortable chair to sit in so we have to take turns sitting in it. Wayne loves the food. We walk everywhere and get in about 4 miles a day.

Well here we go! Spanish is coming along slowly, but we have two good teachers. Yesterday we visited San Jorge a small village with much poverty. It is only about 15 minutes up the mountain by chicken bus. We got into the bus early, so we had a great seat. Read we didn't have to stand in the isle. The ride cost 2 Quetzals or less than 25 cents (the current exchange rate is 8.1 Q to the dollar). By the time we left there were three to a seat and SRO. Somehow ever time I thought they couldn't get another person on, 3-5 more got on! We walked down the mountain into the village. There were great views. Janet has been doing great walking down and up. Yesterday we walked over 12,000 steps.

Our host family continues to warm to us. We are having more interesting conversations at meal times. We are getting used to where we live and the smaller space and the electric shower.

The pictures are a view from the Sunset Cafe, our room, and Wayne at school. Even though it is the rainy season we have had several days with no rain! It has been very warm.

We made it to Pannajachel and are enjoying ourselves and working hard. We spent Monday at the Salud y Paz clinic and preschool in Camanchaj. Janet got the tour and we both were introduced to the work we might do next year. Janet was a bit overwhelmed. However, she has recovered as we started our first day of school. We both have great teachers and we work hard for four hours. We get homework to do for the next day so we still have some work to do tonight.

We are slowly begining to get to know our host family. There are three generations in the house. We have a small room on the first floor with a private bath and the family is on the second. We are a bit tight but are getting accustomed to the room. The food has been great! Lorenzo, the parrot, lives not far outside our door in the courtyard. He is friendly and is rumored to talk. As of yet, we have not heard much except when he is fed.

We had some rain but for the last two days, it has been sunny and warm during the day and the nights have been cool. No one will guess how long the good weather will last and the rainy season starts again.

We are updateding the blog at the internet cafe. We will add some pictures later.

We made it! Except for a late depature and some wet luggage in Miami, we had a good trip. We toured Antigua, bought some minutes for our phone and got some cash. It was a holiday when we arrived. Marching bands and street music were all around. We got caught in a rain storm but waited it out in a store with a great courtyard. This place is very lush and beautiful.
The B&B where we stayed last night is appealing, very old and quaint with pleasant courtyards. Janet is impressed.

Dinner with Phil was great. We had some of the best fish ever.

Off to breakfast next then on to Panajachel.

We are on our way today

Hello,

We leave for Detroit today and leave for Guatemala early tomorrow morning. We have a busy weekend planned with dinner with the founder of Saludy y Paz and breakfast with our internet Spanish tutor. We hope to meet with Carey and Jay on Sunday night in Panajachel. Watch here for more posts.