Life in Guatemala A to Z: Indigenous and Industrious

The native people in Guatemala are sometimes called Indians, more often referred to as Mayans, or Mayan Indians. They are also called the Indigenous people of Guatemala. However, I can describe them with one word: industrious.

I'll post more about the Mayans when I get to M, because they are fascinating to me. I have never seen such hard-working people in my entire life, and that's saying something coming from Midwest farmer stock and having lived two decades in Utah (state symbol is a honeybee to symbolize industry).

The indigenous people of Guatemala put an American to shame. Whether it's working together as a family, several generations together sharing responsibility for the family occupation, or whether it's education, or just trying to better one's station-- the industrious nature of the Mayan people commands my respect.

There is a family bakery where a young man sits at night over his school books, minding the store in case someone comes in to buy the last of the goods for sale.

Young girls help their mothers daily in open rooms next to the street, where they make and sell fresh tortillas.

Little boys carry around shoeshine kits, running from one tourist to another, offering to shine shoes for a small fee.

Ancient grandmothers in bare feet carry huge loads down from the mountain to sell their wares. No job is too small, no burden too great.

I am glad at least to see this old man is wearing shoes.

Everywhere one sees industrious Mayans going about their business, whatever it is. Whether building or repairing or carrying or selling or creating or sorting or cleaning-- everywhere the work goes on. I feel truly fortunate to share a community with such hard-working people. I admire their industrious natures, and I learn from them each day.

Life in Guatemala A to Z: House and Home

I felt immediately at home in Guatemala when I woke up the first morning to a rooster call. Our first month we were in a studio apartment, housesitting for an American expat who went to the States for doctor appointments. By the time he returned, we had a house.

We were able to get settled so quickly thanks to our son in law who speaks fluent Spanish and has lived for years off and on in the area. He knew a guy who knew a guy and the next thing we knew we were happily moved into a 2 bedroom furnished home with a fireplace, a garden, a fully equipped kitchen in a quiet area of Panajachel. And the cost of living is dramatically lower than in the States, an added bonus.

Fortunately I know how to cook carrots. No such thing as "baby carrots" here

Keeping house is quite different from in the States. There's learning to cook from what's available locally. Learning to clean with unfamiliar products with Spanish directions.

Learning to wash clothes in a pila outdoors and hang them on a clothesline-- no washer and/or drier. There aren't Laundromats, but local women will do laundry, meaning washing your clothes in a pila and hanging them on a clothesline, most likely on a roof like this one.

 
We are getting adjusted day by day. Despite the challenges, we thoroughly enjoy the interest and adventure of settling into the routine of house and home in Panajachel.

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Gaining Weight

Everyone told me Americans who move to Guatemala will lose an average of 30 lbs their first year. I must be the only American expat who actually gains a significant amount of weight. I don't know how much because I didn't bring along my scales due to limited luggage and after all why should I need them, right?

When I saw recent photos from when my son came to visit. I was shocked to see how big I looked. GAH. Despite no car and walking everywhere, despite the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, despite the smaller portions in food carts and restaurants than typical American fare, I somehow managed to gain weight during my first six weeks here.

My husband hasn't gained-- usually he's the one who gains while I stay the same-- in fact, he's dropped one notch on his belt. My son and daughter-in-law have both dropped sizes and now can't wear most of the clothes they brought with them. And then there's me. (No picture with this one.)

The weird thing is I didn't even realize I was putting on weight until it was there. My best guess is it was stress eating caused by adjustment issues, as well as a fast unexpected trip back to the States for my sister's funeral.

Since I returned to Panachel, given up the US stress-eating and gone back to Guatemalan type-eating, I have noticed my pants are now looser. Let's hope there is no more gaining weight!

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Food

I am a foodie, and a frugal foodie at that, so I'm in heaven with the choices available in Guatemala, at prices unimaginable in the U.S. Fresh fruit galore, a bag of cut papaya, mango, pineapple, melon for Q5, or about 65 cents in American money.

Every fresh vegetable imaginable at the local market. A carrot the size of a small puppy costs Q1, or about 13 cents. Avocados are the best I've ever tasted, large and ready to eat for Q2 apiece or about 25 cents American.

One of my favorite local dishes is called pupusas, made with 2 tortillas fried together with a meat or cheese filling and served with a flavorful cole slaw and hot spicy peppers and carrots. You can get 3 pupusas for Q15 - 20, or about $2.

The pupusa ladies filling orders at my favorite stall

Pupusa

Do you enjoy fried chicken and french fries?-- pollo and papafritas. The chicken is extra crunchy and very tender.

My husband ordered fish at a local restaurant. I love how they served it with head and all.

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Emree

See this baby?

Her name is Emree, and she is now 18 months old and living in Guatemala with her mom and dad. Emree rides in style in a stroller/cart that easily moves over the cobblestone streets while providing a lot of storage for shopping trips.

Emree is learning Spanish along with English, which although it's delayed her language skills should benefit her in the long run as she becomes fluent in both languages.

It's a whole lot of fun sharing our Guatemala experience with Emree!

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Dogs on the Loose

Dogs are everywhere in the town of Panajachel where we live. There are no ordinances against dogs running loose, many people don't spay or neuter due to cost, and stray dogs "street dogs" are all over the place. They make do and seem content. I walk all over town without ever having one bark or growl at me, very unlike the United States where walking in an area with dogs running loose can be quite frightening.

A healthy-looking street dog fending for itself 

I asked my son in law why the street dogs here are so placid. He said, "Because if not, they are killed. Cops go around regularly kicking and beating the dogs. They often put poison in the gutters to keep them under control."

Nearly everyone keeps at least one or more dogs as pets, and these are the ones barking at passersby from behind the safety of a gate.

Many churches in the United States sponsor service missions to help the people of Guatemala. I think it's time someone comes over and helps the dogs! But then again, take another look at the dog in the photo. He looks like he's doing just fine.

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Casa Colonial

Casa Colonial is the hotel owned by my family and is the motivating force that brought my husband and me to Panajachel, Guatemala.

It is right off the main street of Panajachel, only blocks from Lake Atitlan, and it offers a wonderful vacation experience for guests. Besides the usual shopping and dining of local Mayan fare, guests can do an all day boat tour of villages along Lake Atitlan, and many other activities depending on your interests.

The rooms are bright and cozy, with access to the beautiful balconies pictured above, and this scenic lake only a short walk away.

Ready for the boat tour around Lake Atitlan. Shopping, hiking, touring historic sites, ending with a late lunch of fruit and seafood at a fabulous restaurant in the village of Santiago. A long day but a good one! Now back to Casa Colonial Hotel for a nap in Room 3, under the open window.

Does it sound good to you? The website is still under construction but please take a moment to like the Facebook page!

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Bags

Bags, or in Spanish bolsas, are everywhere! There are beautifully crafted and woven bags of all shapes and sizes. Not just woven shoulder bags like these but also leather cases, bags the sizes of small suitcases, gorgeous designs and shapes to suit every style.

When we moved here, I deliberately brought as many of my favorite purses as I could fit in my suitcase, because I knew otherwise I'd be tempted to buy every bag I saw right off.

Because I LOVE purses! Or bags, or whatever you call them in your country, I LOVE THEM ALL. I have not yet bought a single one from these enticing stalls, but soon. Very soon.

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Antigua

A gem of a city in Guatemala is Antigua, just an hour's ride away from Guatemala City. A fitting post for the first day in the A to Z Challenge, since it is often the first place outside Guatemala City tourists go see.

Many American and European expats live here as it is so beautiful, quiet and clean.  Antigua has ordinances against horn-honking and sign placement, unlike other towns and villages of Guatemala, to keep the city pristine for tourism.

I love to visit Antigua because of the ancient history preserved here, dating back from when the Spanish settled and established their colonies. Below are a few pictures I took recently in Antigua.

We picked up our son at the airport in Guatemala City and stopped at this scenic and historic courtyard to unwind

And then we went to Antigua's Central Park...passing this fellow along the way...

I haggled with a street vendor and got a coral necklace ("not plastic!" she told me) for Q12, or about $1.50 in American currency.  After buying fresh mango, papaya and pineapple-- cut and bagged-- we sat on a park bench and then went on our way.

Goodbye, Antigua. Until next time...

And April Around the Corner

Ever feel like life is on high speed? It's past the half-way point in March which means April is ahead and we all know what that means: A TO Z CHALLENGE.

Funny, when I signed up for the Challenge it felt like there was plenty of time. To plan out posts and write them in advance, take photos of my life here in beautiful Guatemala, get them on the laptop and lined up for those 30 alphabetized posts.

GAH! But every year is the same. The A to Z Challenge entices me and then I want to quit haha!

Which is why it's a challenge. If it were easy, it would have died out by now. People are attracted to challenge--we like to do hard, even impossible tasks. We're all sick that way.

See you back here in April!