Before I leave Central America

More life changes for William. I decided to quit my volunteer job three weeks early serving kids from the garbage dump with Camino Seguro. I hope all the kids are well, but I don't need to get burned out before trying to go back to work.

I finished my 10 weeks of intensive Spanish study and I did pass my written and oral Spanish tests. I will be receiving six rural Guatemala University credits.

Before I leave Central America I want to travel some more. So I'm heading down to Managua and León Nicaragua, and then around Honduras. Exact travel plans are indefinite, although I would like to see the social projects run by a saintly Catholic nun in Honduras. She supposed to be somewhat like Mother Teresa.

I'm a free man and this is my chance to spend some time learning some more about the world, and my Spanish is good enough. After my adventure here, we'll see what I do. Still considering to which grad school programs I wish to apply.

By the way, if you plan on traveling in Central America. Here are some suggestions (below).

Peace be with you all,
William

Survival guide for Guatemala -- or what gringos should know

• Toilet paper goes in the basket next to the toilet, not in the toilet or else it will block up the pipes.
• Don´t drink the water unless it's purified or from a sealed bottle.
• This includes don't brush your teeth with tap water unless it is purified, and close your mouth in the shower.
• If the street is empty, day or night, it might not be best to go down it alone
• watch your feet at all times, there are lots of steps, truck tires, holes and other dangers
• watch your head, iron bars on windows and other obstructions abound at head level while walking Antigua's narrow sidewalks
• traffic will not necessarily stop for you at intersections
• men: always take off your hat/cap before entering a church, and also during mealtimes
• don't take pictures of indigenous Mayan people without asking, it's considered rude and demeaning
• cipro can be purchased here in local pharmacies, make sure you have some on hand
• If you want a warm shower with a flash heater, don't turn up the water pressure. You can either have warm water or pressure, but not both at the same time.
• wallets are for money that you may want to share with other people in public, i.e. pickpockets; passports and money that you really want to keep should be kept in hidden waist, belt, etc. carriers
• use every chance you can to get change -- 100 quetzal notes are often almost worthless at times depending upon the situation
• hint: if you exchange money in a bank, try to get 50 quetzal or 20 quetzal notes for at least part of the transaction. Or go to the “Bodegona” supermarket and buy something to get change for your 100s.
• chicken buses will generally not stop for you unless you are on a city corner or a straight stretch of road
• a simple arm wave will let the driver know that you want a ride
  always ask the driver before getting on where the chicken bus is going -- don't assume the painted sign on the front of the bus is accurate
• as soon as you get on the bus, hang on...
• and also hang on to your backpack -- hint use a carabineer to keep prying hands out
• you don't pay when you get on the extraurban buses, someone will come around to collect
  stand up and start heading towards the front or the back of the bus at least two blocks before your stop
• usually the electricity works here, not always, but usually
• usually there is running water here, not always, but usually
• many people eat with both hands above the table, tortilla/bread goes in the left hand
• index finger flicked side to side = NO
• Saturday evening, expect to eat Guatemalan tamales which are different from Mexican tamales -- whatever the case, don't eat the banana leaves
  
  
  William Straub