UNoPOO

Well, we’re back home safe with a good case of UNoPoo (you know: the constipation sensation that’s gripping the nation) but that beats the alternative, I guess.  My theory on this is that if you life in a country that has multiple endemic causes of diarrhea, you make your food more like glue to counteract it.  Anyway, moving right along…

I have about 300 photos, but 200 of them are the children’s blurry selfies (or pictures of food) that I won’t torture you with.  I am far from having anything deep to say about our experience, but it was a good trip and there are a few highlights I’ll share while my brain and body are getting accustomed to life in the States.

It is SO much easier to get to Central America from here than to Asia or Africa.  Or Europe.  Or even Vermont.

Antigua was full of young Americans and itinerant Europeans, looking for themselves.  Some were on the curbs telling Mayan horoscopes.  I wasn’t convinced they’ve found themselves yet.

Shopping is overwhelming to me, but the children loved it.  It was great math: divide all the prices in Quetzales by 7.5 in your head to see how much it is in dollars.  Speak Spanish.  Moriah, in particular, was bargaining like a pro.  For me, I just find it exhausting.  Tell me a fair price, and I’ll pay it.  If it want it.  In one of the markets, word went up the row of vendors that I was the hammock lady, and each vendor popped out at me in turn, demanding to show me their hammocks.  Asking me to name a price.  But I just didn’t fall in love with any of the hammocks I saw and escaped without buying one.  Or seven. Or any.

I have so much freedom.  For the first week, we were guests at a gorgeous coffee farm, but we had no freedom.  We were shuttled here and there; our meals were prepared for us; our laundry was done… ideal, right?  But despite the beauty, despite the ease, I felt trapped.  I really just wanted to take a walk by myself without fear, or grab an apple from the kitchen.

There is much work for us to do.  Sam was able to visit one hospital and forge a few relationships there; my training went well, and I spent three days doing home visits with post-partum moms and newborns.  The project is still developing, and we should be able to find our niche.

That’s all for today. Thanks for all your prayers and support!