Center of the Americas

Here in Cuilapa, we are lucky enough to walk past the precise geographical center of North, South, and Central Americas at least twice a day. It makes you feel like you are a part of something important. Really, we are probably keeping the entire Western hemisphere from spinning out of control towards Africa.

This week we had no running water for three days. When I say running water, I mean water that runs for an hour in the morning that you use to fill up the sink and 55 gallon barrel so you can wash dishes and take a bucket shower. Luckily the family that we live with has six 55 gallon barrels that they keep filled up for just such emergencies. It sure makes you appreciate water for bathing, flushing the toilet, washing dishes and preparing meals. It kind of feels like camping. On Saturday Ryan filled up all the barrels with water while the Perez’s were at the temple. He had a great time and here are the fruits of his work.

Another exciting part of life in Guatemala is Valentines Day. They start the celebration the night before with a throw-down party downtown with live Durango music (which to the untrained ear might sound like Banda music). The next day everyone gives each other gifts like Christmas. If that weren’t enough the day after Valentine’s Day we celebrated again, by beating a heart piñata with a stick at the institute. It’s like the holiday that keeps giving.Cooking American food in Guatemala has proved to be a fun challenge. I have been doing a lot of recipe adjusting and ingredient replacement. Probably the most traumatizing experience was when I bought a pound of chicken and brought it home to take the skin off and there were also feather stubs for me to take off as well. That’s when I go to my happy place. Ryan says that we live too far removed from our food sources and the real world; I told him that he could pluck the chicken next time