Squealing baby pigs, scorpions, toasted ants. Just a few things I never came across back at home.
By far the worst sound ever is that of a squealing baby pig. Especially one that has just been bought and is being stuffed into a bag to be taken to its new home. Never fails to give me chills.

Scorpions. Also, a very new and scary addition to my life in Guatemala.  Even though they don't make much of a ruckus like those baby pigs, they still hold the ability to give me the willies. Everyone in Pachalum has had a run in with a scorpion that didn't seem to end well. It have been explained to me that....
"your body just goes numb and you might not be able to feel your tongue, but there is no need to go to the hospital" -phew, because I'm probably more concerned about the Guatemalan hospitals.
I was also told a story about this Grandma who got herself drunk one day and decided to go lay in a pile of corn husks. She lied in that pile for 3 days until someone finally decided she could no longer be drunk and that something more serious had happened. Turns out she was stung 8 times by scorpions and by the time someone checked on her she was in a coma. - yikes grams.

Ants. They never seemed to bother me back at home but here in Guatemala my daily activities have changed and therefore I encounter them much more frequently. The only difference is that here they are quite a bit larger and also considered a rich delicacy.-yum!
Every year right around the beginning of the rainy season (May 15th) a special type of ant comes out from its hole and the people collect them, eat them and sell them by the pound. I have yet to see them but tonight might be my lucky night. A special fly swarms the town the night before the ants are to come. Its a little indicator for the people to know that the ants are on their way. They come out around 3am and everyone is going to be waiting to begin the hunt. Apparently they are aggressive little buggers an their bite isn't something to mess around with. After you've collected enough zompopos, you roast them. Add some lime juice and vuala! buon appetito!

I was just thinking today how strange it is to be living here in Guatemala, working in development. From a first glace at the country one might see the facade that the elites have created and believe that Guatemala is in good shape. I agree that the abundance of fancy cars, shopping centers and wal-marts can be deceiving and one must think that there is money. However, it only goes to a small percentage of the population
 I am also one to blame in this as I fall into the consumer role and purchase from the big stores that sell fancy products that I miss from home (cheese and vino anyone?).
Its a strange place to live in because I don't feel like Guatemala should have fine wines imported from France while there are people who live in such poverty that they can't afford the pasaje (bus fare) to even get to the store. The divide between the rich an poor is extremely evident and considerably heart breaking. One doesn't have to go far to find it, you just have to want to see it.

Que onda vos?

SOOOOO. What's new with you? I told myself that I would make at least one post a month if not more and I am clearly not keeping up with my end of the bargain. Apologizes.
Life down here in Guatemala has been really busy but at a constantly slow pace. I have been blessed with a larger work load here in Pachalum than I did before in Coban and enjoying every bit of it. My counterpart is great at her job and is constantly inviting me to help with different projects that the town has planed. Right now we are working in four different Aldeas (small towns) with local women who are interested in family gardens. Its interesting to learn what they know about the land and also teach them new things- even though the levels of skepticism are high, I like to think they'll believe me one day.
Peace Corps has me quite busy as well with meetings and training's planned every month. Last month we had a meeting at a nice hotel with about 12 other Agriculture volunteers to learn about new techniques and projects that will help us develop our communities. We made water filters with coal, rocks and sand as well as chicken feeders made from used 2 liter bottles of soda- pretty sweet. We also had a pool and delicious grub- it was a nice 'working' vacation hanging out by the lake and soaking up the afternoon sun.
I finally feel like I have almost gotten the 'hang of things' down here in Guatemala. Bus rides on these monsters are still horrible but events that interrupt the daily routine no longer phase me. (hour long delays due to school races, chickens in the seat next to you, 4 people to a seat for 2, standing for hours because- who sits 5 to a seat on a school bus?, people throwing up, clowns asking for money, the list could go on.)
I feel a lot more comfortable in my town now too. I say hi to everrrrrrrryone no matter if they respond or not. Makes me feel a bit crazy but I'm okay with that. Most days I try to go running and I have yet to have a problem with any mean dogs or men with machetes and i'm quite thankful I haven't had to use the pepper spray my dad sent me.

After a previous unsuccessful attempt with Andrew, Ken and Daniel I was glad to finally make it! This is Pacaya and no coconut trucks were used to get there. Volcano Pacaya is just one of the active volcanoes here in Guatemala and for this reason we weren't able to climb to the very top. However, we did hike for and hour an a half up to the lava fields and 'roasted' marsh-mellows over the holes where the steam came out. There are a couple holes where a lot  heat is produced where people can actually fit in- they called them personal volcano saunas. It was really warm in there!

We look really white but that's me on the right in a volcano sauna

On my way back home yesterday I had one of the most horrible experiences of my entire life. I was in a small bus called a Micro -and god only knows how may people were inside this thing when dog tried to cross the street. The driver slowed down but DID NOT stop. It was like this slow motion horror film but the noise of that poor dog being ran over was more horrifying than anything I've ever heard. We could even feel the poor guy trying to scramble out from underneath. I was shaking for a good half hour after I got off the bus and I wanted, so badly, to say something to the driver but with this being Guatemala I was pretty sure he was packin and that it was best if I kept my mouth shut. (Last month someone shot a guy who wouldn't change his tire). Que mala onda!