Ketchup!

What an adventurous few days we have had. Yesterday morning, we traveled to Guatemala City and met with the Director of Business Economics and a couple other faculty there. They were very helpful to talk to. We talked about the resources each of us have that we might use to collaborate. They invited us to prepare an article to be published in Entrepreneur Magazine. I think that is definitely a job we will get our director's help with before we publish. I am pretty sure we will simply serve as the liason between them and our director, considering our experience in the studies of microfranchising is still very limited. They also invited us to present to a huge meeting of social entrepreneurs and microcredit lenders and borrowers. We postponed the invitation until next year when we are more experienced. But we made some great connections.

Later that day, we went to a wedding conducted with a great deal of Jewish influence. All the men were given small Yamacas to wear. There was some fantastic food and dancing. Before the wedding, we went to do some quick errands (eat and buy a wedding gift). On the way, we stopped at Pizza Hut to ask if they sold just some good old plain beans and rice (we are craving the basic authentic food). A little ten-year old boy was carrying a shoe-shining kit. We called him over and gave him a job. He shined Dave's shoes while his friend shined my shoes. We taught them to say, "Shoe shine?" so that they could recruit English-speaking customers. Then they asked how to say "three Quetzales" then "seven Quetzales" then "ten Quetzales." We payed them ten quetzales even though they only asked for three. They got so excited. :)


We finally made it to the Mall. We spent a while finding a gift that looked much more expensive than it cost at some Macy's Clothing type of store. Dave and I played a quick game of checkers on an enormous Checkers floormat. He plastered me. We also met some very nice people and ate some great authentic-style food.

This morning was a beautiful experience. We had the chance to go to the LDS temple in Guatemala City. It was a beautiful experience. The people are so kind and the spirit of God is so strong.

Today, travel was an adventure. First, our bus got randomly selected to have all the men get off and get patted down to be checked for drugs or firearms, I assume. They also checked our documentation. It was fun.

Further down the road, a big Cat claw (sorry I don't know the official names of machines in construction) was on a ledge above us and to our left. It kept knocking dirt and rocks off that came tumbling down onto the road. What a riot. The bus also got stuck in the mud. They tried to pull us out with a rope that snapped. Then they got us out using a chain and a tractor. While we were on this long 3-hour bus ride, we watched a movie about Tikal and other ancient ruins here in Central America. It was exciting to realize that we are here!

When we arrived in Sololá, we were quickly reminded of God's love for us and His concern and desire to help us in what we are doing. We were in a pharmacy asking for directions, when something unexpected and miraculous happened. One of the missionaries I served with saw me and came over to greet me and help us. He is from this area and speaks the indigenous language of many of the locals. He also speaks Spanish. It was a joyful reunion. And, he was headed the direction we were going and was able to help us get oriented. He is now married and has a child! Life moves so quickly. We will be meeting him for lunch sometime next week.

Two more quick things:
1. I bought some cool handmade masks today. The boy was so nice and we shortly became friends. After I paid and he left, he came running back to give me a free gift personally from him.

2. I also just want you to all know that for $6.50, we ate on the very edge of beautiful lake Atitlán with a live band playing nice music for us (and we were in the open air with a fantastic view of two volcanoes).

And, lest any of you think this sounds like vacation, you're right about the last 1.5 days. But we have worked hard this week and we plan to continue to do so! It's great and I love it!

Love, with a friendly nature, respectfully (or whatever else you would like to hear),

Bryan

The Post (creative name, right?)

Today's post is going to be short. But, today was truly awesome.
Activities included:

1. Mountain biking













2. Saw mayan jade masks and a mayan sacrifice ritual (objects-not live beings).






















3. Meetings


















4. Nacho libre

Woops, I meant to fix the grammar and long sentences in the last post. Oh well. Here are some borrowed images until I can get my camera working.

This is an example of the beautiful clothing and the sweet children of Guatemala.

Look at these awesome and colorful houses with the gorgeous volcano in the background.




That cute little girl looks like lots of the little children that walk around the market and the streets near the park selling home-made pulseras (bracelets).




We drove past the LDS temple in Guatemala city and it was beautiful.

















The streets are cobblestone and have so much character!

Wow! That is all I can say! Guatemala is beautiful.

Today was amazing! I love Guatemala! We arrived just fine. It smelled so much like my mission when I stepped out of the airport! I loved it.

This amazing man, Leonardo, and his mother and his fiancée picked us up at the airport. His mother tells me that I am her boyfriend now, but she is just joking and is so nice and funny. What an amazing family. He fed us, bought us a cell phone, and drove us almost an hour to our destination, even though gas is about $5 a gallon.

We drove past the Guatemalan temple. It was beautiful. I also met three wonderful people on the plane flights. We had some fantastic gospel conversations.

Guatemala is full of hills, mountains, beautiful volcanoes, blue skies, and kind people. It smells wonderful! We got to Antigua, found our place, and explored Antigua looking for the possibilities of other hotels and hostels to stay in. We found the most elegant and amazing place for 18 dollars per night! We will be there starting tomorrow. What a blessing.

There are not yet any wild chickens or leopard dogs, yet. Everything is so fun and adventurous and different. I got a cell phone for $13. And, and, and, it is cheaper to call the U.S. than to call someone down the street here in Antigua, Guatemala. How helpful!

The people are so kind. I feel blessed and guided to be here.