The Life of Nomads

So you can never be too prepared. That's what I learned this week. Really life is always unexpected and I think even moreso in Guatemala. It was so wonderful to have Tyler visit for the past week and it just makes me so proud to have such a great little brother. Seriously any and all problems that could have arose did and amazingly we are still friends and I think we had a pretty good time. But let's start at the beginning. So arrival in Guatemala with a nice first meal in Guatemala City and then being welcomed by my wonderful host family was a great way to start the trip. Although my host dad was in the hospital for a few days, Dona Mercedes greeted us with a delicious dinner and we were able to get some sleep. Little did we know the Volcano Pacaya was errupting, closing the airport and causing lots of problems for the southern part of the country, we peacefully fell asleep to the gentle rain. We woke up on Friday, light rain and ready to begin our weekend away to the Lake. Tyler becoming a pro in public transport, we hopped on to three different camionetas to arrive in Panajachel, a small town on Lake Atitlan. Super cute, even in the rain. As the rain picked up, our spirits stayed happy and we took a small boat across the lake to a very pretty hotel. We felt so cool because we got the guys to knock a few Q off the price, and all the other gringos got the rip. Anywho, arrived at the hotel, checked in. It is very neat, lots of stairs that were a little scary in the rain. We decided to not let the rain keep us down and we went swimming. Pretty fun, then a family style dinner where we met some other travelers. Who were supposed to be hiking Pacaya... We had some nice chats with them and then crashed the hotels hot tub that is heated by real fire. Pretty sweet. It was nice to be on the lake and in the pretty hot tub at night, in the rain later to be known as AGATHA.

We went to sleep Friday night, to the gentle rain and woke up the next morning to even more rain. Although the Casa del Mundo is a beautiful hotel that really gives you a nice secluded feel, it's not nice in the rain. There was not a lot to do, so we decided we needed to get out of there. After 12 hours we were already feeling like Jack in the shining and didn't need to take our chances. Just to make sure we weren't already scared enough, during breakfast we saw a landslide just a little bit away from the hotel and the rain was continuing. We did make some new friends during breakfast from Durham, NC. Artists traveling through, they decided to stay the night but we were ready to get out of there. So we went to the dock and waited. Everyone was telling us different answers, "No more boats are coming" or " A boat will be here in 15 minutes." The conflicting answers were not comforting. We even had the comfort of seeing someone from the hotel rig up one of their boats and take a man with an umbrella somewhere... Under a tarp. This hotel man also did not appear to know how to drive a boat, so I'm glad we waited. Eventually, another boat showed up and we got on to return to Panajachel. Upon arrival the rain had really picked up. The streets were starting to flood. We went to a hostal, dropped off our stuff and went on a quest for lunch. During lunch, we were freezing and beginning to realize that we could be stuck on the lake for a while. Also, that our hostal had nothing for means of entertainment. So we proceeded to search for a hotel with TV. We found it and moved from our hostal to a more secure and entertaining location. After a few trips out to get water, uno cards, and some snacks. We ventured out for dinner. As the power was going in and out and the streets were at about 6 inches of water, I was starting to freak. Luckily my brother and partner are the two most laid back people on earth, causing me to worry enough for the 3 of us.

In our hotel room, we played uno, watched some tv until the power cut out and eventually fell asleep. In case your wondering Betty won most of the uno games. The next day we woke up and it was sunny! Imagine our shock. We went exploring around Panajachel, which had a lot of destruction. The river in town was flooded, lots of bridges, homes and trash. The lake which is usually a pretty clear green was full of wood and trash. The river had people all over the place looking for wood and other goods. We ventured up to Solola, despite everyone and their mother telling us that there was not going to be passage for 3 days. We went and stayed the night with other volunteers and to have a bit of change of scenery. The next day we returned to Panajachel, and 2 other volunteers came to visit with us as well. Then as Peace Corps was telling us that the roads were still not safe to head back to Tecpan... The three of us got a terrible case of food poisoning. I don't know if words should describe how sick we were but it was awful. AWFUL! Gut wrenching... I don't think we will be eating pupusas for a long time. Tuesday was spent in a nicer hotel just trying to recuperate. It was not a good day for any of us. Not only were we feeling terrible but we were running out of money.

Had to ask the parents to wire us some money, such a pain. It was much appreciated but the act of recollecting the money was pretty difficult of course, why would anything go as planned on this trip? So as I walk into Western Union, I begin to process the transaction, let's just say that the ID I have issued by PC, is so frustrating. For some reason people always give us crap for not having our passports and I'd just like to say "REALLY GUATEMALA? I can't walk around without worrying that my $10 crappy cell phone might get stolen, do you think I'm going to carry around a US Passport,( we were told it was worth $10,000 on the black market) when I don't absolutely need it?" Anyway, after talking with her supervisor and telling me that she can't process the transaction, I was so frustrated. I had been sick, I was stuck, my little bro was supposed to be having a great trip, we had no money, so I cried. I told the woman that they told my mom there would be no problem with this ID and now I'm stuck here with out money. I fully believe crying is a much better option than getting angry, because guess who got the money? After this transaction, it was time to travel to XELA. Another city that PC felt would be safer and make it easier for us to make the journey home.

At this point, we were so tired and just wanted to be home. NEVER ONLY PACK THE ESSENTIALS CAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO NEED MORE. Also, always bring a credit card. In Xela, we met up with some other volunteers and had delicious hamburgers. I think the best I've had in Guatemala. Although, pain was felt later, too heavy and too soon after the pupusas, they were so good. Thursday, was spent doing laundry, and we went to the movies. Saw Robin Hood. Then recieving the most wonderful news in the world Friday we could go home. Finally. We watched the Celtics Lakers game in the hostal, went to bed and got ready for the journey home... 5 days later than anticipated. Leaving in the morning we got home. The road is still in bad shape. So much earth in the middle of the road. What was 4 lanes, now 2. Chimaltenango was one of the departments the worst hit and we'll see how long it takes to clean up. Very sad, but luckily no one we directly know was hurt or harmed. After eating lunch, we took showers, and naps and felt 10000 times better. The host fam was so happy to see us and to officially see Tyler. After getting a good night's sleep, Saturday morning was spent exploring for souvenirs and getting ready to head to Guatemala City so Tyler could catch his flight. Saying goodbye was hard. I don't think I can explain in words how wonderful Don Pedro and Dona Mercedes are. They are already waiting for Tyler to come back and I think they spent about 20 hours with him total in their house. They are just so kind and sweet and one of my favorite things about my life in Guatemala.

A relaxing ride to the capital ending in the wonderful Westin Camino Real hotel. Although, the trip had many low points... this hotel has the most comfortable beds and best shower I've had in Guatemala, it was very worth it... Who knows if only the crazyness of the week made the hotel even better but it was a great night to relax and allow Tyler to get ready for his trip home and me my return to Peace Corps life. I can officially say I had the best shower yet since being in Guatemala and a pretty great night's sleep... So anyone who comes to visit, we should stay there for sure. SO NICE!

Then today was the journey home after a stop at super walmart (Hiper Paiz) to get some necessities like batteries and glue. Now I'm home, reflecting on the crazy week. It was insane to be in the midst of a natural disaster, be scared but then have nothing too terrible happen to you and then to see all the destruction and suffering that surrounds you. Pretty surreal. Anywho, it was so nice to have my little brother here for a week. It made me realize how much I miss him and how proud I am of him. Ty, you are the best and I love you so much. I hope you make it back soon and I know 2 weeks from now, this will be the funniest week of our lives... right?