I have been meaning to update for weeks...But somehow I have gotten sucked into this crazy thing called the work life and time has slipped by. Although I´m not sure I can call the work life work.
Its more like, talking to people, answering questions, entertaining, serving...fun. And getting paid for it.
I have settled into a routine, splitting my time between the hostel, the restaurant, and friends, and practicing my salsa dancing on my days off. But here come the holidays and the free days fill up and I can´t remember the last time I had free time and I absolutely love it.
The hostel is a little haven of Ozzies and a little kitty named Koalita.
(And Beth. Beths the coolest!)
Doozy Koala is open and sunny and people spend the days drinking a cerveza from the bar, eating the to-die-for food made right here, or chilling in the hammocks.
At night the calm transforms to a party with loud music and dancing travelers. My days are spent checking in and out guests, answering questions, giving directions, booking shuttles, and selling tours.
After a 7-3 shift at Doozy I walk home, past the volcanos, the arch, tripping on the cobble stone streets, and turning down the endless lines of vendors to grab a quick nap before heading to my second job, hanging out with the coolest in Reillys from 6-2.
I have never worked at such a fun, high energy place. My coworkers are the best and a perfect mix of class and sass.
Christmas in Guatemala is the most festivities I have ever experienced in my life. I swear that the whole month of December has been a mix of fireworks and music and vendors in the park and lights and parades and floats and decorations and pine needles...and I can only catch little glimpses here and there as I walk to and from my house and work.
Here, the culture is a bit different than at home. Christmas eve is for party. At midnight, everyone sets off fireworks, says Feliz Navidad, and clinks their glasses of beer. It is kind of a precursor to the fiestas of New Years, and part of me is thankful I am scheduled to work so I don't have to deal with the masses of people. Even so, what joy. The vibe on Christmas is so happy, joyous...Why cant it feel that beautiful every day?
I used to walk home at night from work, either at 11 pm or 2 am, depending on my shifts. But little by little I´ve been learning how dangerous this town actually is in the dark hours of the morning. Even though it has become normal for all the locals, I witnessed a couple guys absolutely pummeling another a few weeks ago. Even though its normal here, its normal in movies, its...normal...A small town girl from Wisconsin where everyone is love and everyone helps everyone can´t quite wrap her mind around the fact that here, you mind your own business. If you see someone getting beat up, you walk away, or become a target as well. It changed something in me and...ubers are my new best friend. Although tourists are rarely targeted for violent crimes, muggings are common, and I guess my life and phone are worth the $2 uber ride.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Scorpion. He had decided to travel home in my backpack, and didn´t like it when I reached in to grab something. After the initial shock of what I thought was a shard of glass being shoved up the side of my hand, he crawled out and tried to give me a heart attack.
No joke. Worst. Pain. Ever. The pain radiated up my arm, through my shoulder and arm pit. My roomie contacted his doctor friend who said I needed a few injections, so he took me on his motorcycle to a nearby clinic where the heartless nurses stabbed me and injected who knows what, the injections hurting nearly as bad as the sting. I spent a good three days pay, and went to work with a numb hand....then later everyone told me that the "alacran" is actually harmless, though painful, but more like a bee sting than a poisonous snake bite. No injections required. I guess I'll remember that for next time!!
And, thanks to street fruit that I was told not to eat (I´ve never followed the rules...) I got the pleasure of finding out what it is like to have parasites. I will spare you the gory details, but, easy fix. While in the states it would require an appointment, doctor visit, prescription, and lotsandlots of money (Once I looked into it and it would cost $2000 for one pill) Here, no problem...I walked to the pharmacy, told them my issue, they gave me the meds, I paid $4 (Yes. FOUR.) And wah-lah. No more street fruit for me....
But, speaking of cheap prices, no need for street fruit in bags, because I can stock up on a weeks worth of food for about $20.
I went to the local market (All fresh food!!) and bought a bunch of veggies for a total of $5...I was running through in my mind how much this would cost me in the US, and I could get Spinach and tomatoes for $5.
Here, I got spinach, lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, five avocados (Five for the price of one in the US, and 100X better ;)...all for $5. I´m loving this place more every day.
Feliz Navidad and Happy New Year lovilies. xoxo
