Where we live...today

We all crashed pretty hard last night. The time change (Guatemala is two hours behind EST) combined with walking around town got the best of us. The youngest of our group (sidebar – years ago I read a great book by Gordon MacCreagh called White Waters and Black about traveling with an expedition in South America and in order to be objective and not impugn anyone's reputation, as well as to lessen potential embarrassment, came up with noms de guerre for the expedition members. I found this to be quite prescient and am considering doing it on this blog though some of the readership may be able to discern as to which member I am referring to though neither confirmation nor denial will be provided should said readership venture to guess) is fairing quite well. He does have some experience with travel to other cultures, however, prior to this trip he had expressed reluctance mainly due to having a fabulous time in school and with his friends.

A note about yesterday. We engaged in an endeavor to remain relevant in this current climate. Said endeavor involved the acquisition of a, I believe the proper name is, cell phone. Yes, on this expedition, even as you read this (and some readers should be exceptionally thankful given the two hour time difference) I could pick up our phone and call you. Or you could call me. Though, to be honest, as at home, the odds of me answering it are slim and the odds of me retrieving and listening to a voice mail quickly approach zero (I am not sure even Mr. Pickett could draw a graph with that steep of a slope.). But I include this to show that the expedition is somewhat willing to flirt with late twentieth century technology in a more intimate manner. Basically a cell phone here costs the same as a large roast beef sub from La Spada's (reason enough to go to Ft. Lauderdale though I can only vouch for the Lauderdale by the Sea location) or two exquisite burritos at Mamacita's (providing exceptional sustenance in Asheville, NC and I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE them to open in BCNC) so we said what they heck. I should note that all the instructions are in Spanish and I am fairly inept at cell technology in any environment but we have had successful communication, both within and outside Guatemala, so far with varying degrees of success but crap, compared to international communication twenty years ago (Yes, we fondly remember USADirect), this is pretty cool. For an excellent mediation on getting frustrated with modern technology, I humbly direct you here). Just to be clear, I am still not answering if you call...though maybe one of the other expedition members may be more amenable.

This morning involved a brief search by two members in search of caffeine and doughnuts while the third member continued a time of inner reflection which involved eyes closed and what has been referred to in medical literature as snoring. When all three members were ambulatory, the group met with a local realtor to tour available properties in consideration of renting one for the duration of the expedition. In reality, this involved cell phone calls, waiting, missed appointments, new appointments, lunch, and finally, a tour of the exceptional accommodations available at this time. After vigorous discussion, the expedition decided to encamp at a lovely one bedroom abode on the south side of the Central Park in a quiet neighborhood. Much thanks go to Doria for her assistance in this endeavor. After the expedition's equipment had been properly stored (much thanks to senior member of the expedition for organizational skills and physical willingness to bring such organization to fruition) a tired crew headed out in search of sustenance. After a day of focused walking and searching, the expedition discovered that hydration had been sorely neglected. Efforts were made to immediately rectify this which led the expedition to Rainbow Cafe (a place which opened the year before the two senior members of the expedition made their first trip to this amazing country). 

Appropriate fluids were had by all accompanied by sonorous melodies of Kevin and Friends (composed on this night of two excellent guitarists and a percussionist).

I write this as two expedition members recharge their batteries in preparation for tomorrow's work.