Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala - Trip #10

Our trip began with an early morning (4am) wake up in order to catch a 6:30am flight from Tulsa to Houston.

My friend Jon Mills volunteered to take us to the airport. He picked Mark up at his house before reaching mine, but all went as planned.

The flights went fine, including the connection in Houston to Guatemala City. Things were a little confusing at the airport in Guat City as they are doing a lot of remodeling. The exit area that I'm used to has now become the entry terminal with all the airline desks. After getting our bags and clearing customs, we were routed around to the other side of the terminal. I was a little concerned, but we quickly found our ride.

We were met by Pedro Sosof from the Amigos de Oklahoma. It was good to see a familiar face in a crowd of unfamiliar ones. He was accompanied by a local Santiago Atitlan man and his van.

We quickly loaded the van and headed out into Guat City. We just as quickly learned that OUR VAN HAS NO BRAKES!!! This was evident by the metal on metal screaming that eminated the first time he tried to stop. Mark and I looked at each other and I'm sure we were both praying.

Our first stop was a local bank where we could exchange dollars for quetzales. We were greeted by a very polite security guard carrying a sawed-off shotgun. As he opened the door, I said "Gracias," and he responded, "Para servirle."

Our 2nd stop was a local, very modern, shopping mall. We were there to eat some lunch since Pedro and the driver had to leave Santiago Atitlan (hereafter "SA") and were hungry. As we made our way up to the food mart on the 3rd level we passed many very expensive looking shops, but full of people. At the food court, we found that all the tables were taken. So many people at the mall on a Sunday, to eat mall food. Go figure.

Once we finally found a table, Mark and our driver did the honors and ventured over to Pollo Campero. I like Campero for the pechugitas - little chicken fingers. Much better in my opinion than the nasty fried chicken the others went for.

Finally leaving the mall, we began our 3 1/2 hour ride from Guat City to SA. The drive began as usual - weaving through choking traffic, full of diesel fumes, and surrounded by very patient people waiting. Always the waiting.

We were reminded of our tenuous braking situation when we came up on a toll booth. Our driver down-shifted and engine braked through all 4 gears in order to stop at the gate. Can't be good for the engine - or - our nerves.

A couple of hours later we came upon a crowd of people standing in and around a highway intersection. A van, very similar to our own, had flipped and rolled into a ditch. There were ambulances, but we couldn't tell if anyone was killed. More prayers, both for them and for our own safety.

The last hour or so of our trip became even more interesting as thunderstorms were encountered. This didn't slow our driver down, neither did the curving highways, or - even better yet - the lightning strike that hit the ground literally about 75 yards from our van. It was quite exciting!

Nonetheless, we arrived in SA uninjured and were met at the Amigos office by Juana, Pascual, Antonio and a couple of others. There was no food in the office, so we pretty much went to bed hungry, after playing some Tzutujil word games with Pascual.

Amarx jara juun t'ze t'zill!
Axtewan jara juun keej! (Mahon!)
Amarx jara juun amuul.

The town was just starting its festival time. The feast of St. James the Apostle (Santiago) is officiallyo on Tuesday. In addition to the thunder and lightning about the city, we could see/hear the 4 ferris wheels that were set up in the church plaza.

Our home for the week is the 3 story office of the Amigos de Oklahoma. The ground floor consists of two offices and a bathroom. The second floor is configured with two bedrooms and a room with tables - presumably for the group lunch to come on Tuesday. The third floor is a modest, no - primitive - kitchen, another bathroom, and an outdoor patio with a pila for washing. The patio overlooks the street outside, the Toliman volcano, and the church.

Our bedroom consisted of the standard foam mattresses, complete with comfortable sheets and blankets. They were amazingly comfortable after a very long day of travelling.

So with ear plugs in, it was an early night in a town full of rain, thunder and festival sounds.

Well, folks, the trip is over and I'm back in Tulsa! All safe and sound. I found it rather difficult to get internet access while I was in Guatemala. Not that it's not available, but the time spent there was either action packed, or when I had free time, the internet place in Santiago was closed.

BUT - don't despair! I kept a written journal and I'll be describing my adventure as if I was entering it here all along.

It'll be just as good - AND - I can add pictures too!

Stay tuned.
Steve

I find it really interesting that I got Sean's email today, the day before leaving for Guatemala.

Sean is volunteering in Belize this month and told a story about waiting for over 6 hours to meet a friend, who never showed up, only to find out that she has been waiting 6 hours for him in another place.

He reflected a lot about finding God's will in adversity. Since I'm going to a place with a long history of adversity, I know I will be reminded of what he wrote.

I can't help but think that my whole approach to this short trip will now be changed. Thanks Sean! I think I was supposed hear your words before leaving.

Stay tuned to find out.

It doesn't look like anyone but me is reading this blog, but if someone does happen to find this, there's currently an interesting article about Fr. Stanley Rother at

http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jul2006/Feature1.asp

Tomorrow - EARLY - we leave for Guatemala. So now I'm in my pre-trip ritual stage.

I'm cleaning my house like mad. I'm not sure why I do it, but I like to leave the house as clean as I can make it before a big trip.

The incredible heat wave of the last week has broken somwhat. It's only going to be 89 degrees instead of 106, which is a real blessing.

I'm currently watching the final time trial of the Tour de France, expecting Floyd Landis to take the yellow jersey, and then I'm off to cut the grass. Ugh. Definitely not my favorite activity.

After that, it's time to finish the laundry and start packing! The weather in Santiago Atitlan is expected to be between 60-75 degrees with occasional thunderstorms. Looks like I'll have to take a fleece afterall.

Early to bed tonight since we have a 6:30am flight.