YOU WANT TO SEE SOME PHOTOS?

Well, for now, just go to my Facebook page.

I have successfully loaded ALL my photos onto several albums. Much easier and faster than blogger.

Perhaps when I get back from another trek I will update the blog. Until then - enjoy!

Friday News Round-Up Part 2

Welcome back.

Now, if anyone knows anything about soccer/fútbol, you know that the rest of the world lives for it, so naturally in the second largest city of Guatemala, there will be a stadium. Albeit a... basic one with poured concrete tiered seating and a field that looks like it good use a green thumb.

But, Xela-ju, the Super Chivos (rams), are still a crowd pleaser here in Xela. As my teacher would later tell me though, they do stink. :-) Guatemala rarely makes it even remotely close to competeting in the world cup, and our new friend from Inglaterra (that's England) claims that a pub team could easily take these guys. But that doesn't stop the fun of going to a game.

Guatemalans have little care for screaming obscentities to the other team (or their own players who mess up big time), and spare no fanfare of drums, trumpets, flags, and even facepaint to support their local team. One of the more interesting encouters happened within the stadium when I tried to find the bathroom. I saw the one for "damas" but could not find "caballeros" anywhere. Then I looked at a wall in the back of the entryway, and saw a line of men just doing their thing on the concrete wall in a not so discrete manner. There was an armed guard less then 10 feet away who didn't seem to mind, so I just joined right on in.

Oh, and Xela-ju did end up winning 2-0.


Back to Zunil
Later in the week we revisited the town of Zunil (from the last post) in order to visit a famous church there as well as a women's textile cooperative. If anyone has interest in me bringing back a boldly colored hand bag or belt - please let me know! Every item seems to have a mix of any and every color below.


Another thing I was quite proud of is that the many German friends who helped form this cooperative made sure to include bicycle power in the textile machines. Ah, gotta love those Europeans. It made me smile.


The other favorite part of my visit was getting cursed. Yes. Even though we went to visit a town centered around religion, we did get cursed. Or, maybe that is precisely why it was bound to happen. The local saint, San Simon, is "housed" in a shrine room just a few streets down from the white church Zunil is famous for (and shown at the beginning of this section). Now, in order to enter the shrine area, it costs Q5 (less than $1), and to take a photo is another Q5. I so wish I did take a photo now, because you´d have to see this guy to believe he. He was one pimped out saint: cream colored suit with matching Fedora, sunglasses, mad bling bling around the neck, and a fat ole cuban cigar coming out of his mouth (this is a mannequin, mind you). I do have a friend who sneaked a photo (I am sure she is extra cursed), so maybe I will find for you.

Anyhow, we had one person go in for the group to take a legit photo. We all pitched in Q1. No big deal. Until. The man running the the show demanded Q5 (if not Q10) from each one of us because we had entered the foyer of the building - which was specifically mentioned as not costing anything. After a little bit of arguing back and forth with one of our Guatemalan teachers, the man let it be known that San Simon is going to curse us all. Dang. The recession is every being felt my mafioso appartions.

Perhaps my curse did come through when we played poker last night and three times in a row when I was dealt beautiful cards that allowed me to slow raise everyone else down to one person, I was suddenly defeated on the River. Dang you San Rimon! Well, I was only out Q4 (that's $0.50).

So this weekend is off to the beach, and then coming back in time for Super Bowl Sunday. Amazing how many people down here (and in Norway, apparently) follow the NFL. Go Saints!

Till next time.

Friday News Round-Up Part 1

bienvenidos a mi blog.

It has been a while since the last blog! Busy busy busy times this past week. And with a slower internet connection shared by many a people, it isn't always easy to find the time.

So, let's start with: Las Fuentes Georginas

One of the many benefits of being in a volcano-laden locale is the abundancy of natural hot springs flowing out of the sulphurous land and into pools (some man-made and others au natural). So on the second day of my first weekend in Guatemala, my 2.1 meter tall Norweigan traveling mate, Anders, and I decided to engaing fully in our tourism and spoil ourselves with a trip to the hot springs.

On the way to the hot springs was the small town of Zunil, nestled in the valley a little ways from our big city Quetzaltenango (Xela). Here is an okay photo:


You can see how the afternoon mist is rolling in heavily into the valley. The photos never do it justice, although I do enjoy this other photo that highlights the diversity of gardens held by the families in the town:


Now, admittedly, I have been to hotter hot springs before out in the Yellowstone National Park area, but it is never really fair to complain about a trip like this! Plus, it is always fun to meet more traveler's, such as the Canadians from Saskatchewan with whom we shared our little bus ride.

Early in the week was more Spanish grammar, of course, and more fútbol, of course. We Americans continued to get pummeled by our European and Guatemalan friends, but it's certainly fun to play more of the world's favorite game... even if we play it on a concrete pad next to a dusty field of dirt!

Alright... more to come in Part 2!