Contact Info

So I just found out people have been looking for my contact information...I probably should have done this in my first post, but here it is:

Mailing Address:

Jon R.J. Dunn F107
PO Box 520635
Miami, FL 53152-0635
Attn: Fr. Bernadine Ness

*This address can be used for all packages and valuables

Apartado 19
16901 Coban, A.V.
Guatemala, Centro Americo

*Use for letters/postcards/etc. Expect two weeks minimum on this, and don’t use it to send anything of value!

Program Info:

Benedictine Volunteer Corps
Collegeville, MN
http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/volunteers/ (website)
Attn: Br. Paul Richards, OSB
prichards@csbsju.edu (email)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

*Warning: This is a looooooong one!

My spirits are still high, but today was the first day I was really thinking about home. We actually had Thanksgiving here in the monastery, even though it is not celebrated though out Guatemala. Apparently they don't celebrate Day of the Conquistadors like we celebrate the arrival of the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock?! (Off color joke, sorry...) Thanksgiving was nice here (we actually got turkey and dressing), but it just reminds you that holidays are special because of family – not all the fluffy things like presents and food that go along with it. Mom, your cooking is AMAZING (just to clarify). You guys know I’m not much of the emotional type, but I’m really looking forward to seeing you all just after Christmas. Today was just another day without spending it with you guys down at Joan and Jims. Ok. Enough of the sentimental stuff.

I had a bit of a frustrating day in the aldeas today for multiple reasons. I need to vent, so you will just have to put up with it. Firstly, St. John’s Abbey was kind enough to provide me with a donation for the nutrition program here – which does not have funding during the vacation period (ie now). [THANK YOU VERY MUCH BR. PAUL!!!] With the donation, I was able to secure enough resources to continue the program throughout their five-week break – because believe it or not, just because they are not in school officially doesn’t mean they don’t get hungry! Anyways, the mothers today told us they don’t want to help cook the meals. I think I do a very good job of recognizing cultural differences, of being patient, but this got my blood pressure going. Here, we are providing free school in a building we built, your child(s) are in our classes, we have provided food free of charge, we are using the food to feed YOUR child, and all we ask for is two mothers to help cook each day! We even provided them with money to purchase tortillas and wood for the stoves, so all they have to do is show up! Oscar is having a meeting with all the senoras tomorrow. I hope he can clear this up…

Secondly, we are building a large-scale chicken coup in the same aldea. This will serve two purposes. It will provide unlimited eggs, which are a great source of protein in their diet (almost non-existent now), as well as provide a consistent revenue stream. Fr. Bernie has paid or found donors for everything, including two full time laborers to assemble it. All he asked for was help with some of the simpler tasks, such as backfilling and building the chicken rousts. Everything is there, but no one has shown up the entire week to help. The project is just being forgotten about, and when it is this close to completion, all I can think about is the opportunity costs of both money and nutrition being wasted every day. Very frustrating.

Lastly, the community is having some internal problems as well. In an effort to buy locally, we invited anyone within the community who had access to wood to sell it to us (remember the blog I wrote about the difficulties of purchasing locally, but we were willing to work with as we wanted to support the local economy). Only one person came forward and offered to sell us wood. So, we bought all the wood he had. Now, the other members of the community are jealous of his earnings and refusing to help with anything. Again, trying to not criticize a culture or community I am not a part of, but we offered everyone the same deal (which was a very fair price by the way). I don’t get it. Ok, I’m done venting. Hopefully you’re still reading?

I am not a big fast food guy. I eat it on occasion because it is cheap, or just looking for a quick meal on the road like most Americans. So when I came here, I decided I wouldn’t eat any fast food for my duration in Guatemala. There are not many fast food restaurants here anyways, and the ones that are here are almost exclusively located in Guatemala City, but there are a few hidden gems here and there. Today, Br. Rolando brought me back a cheeseburger unexpectedly. I ate it – and must admit McDonalds has never tasted so good in my life.

My stories today follow absolutely NO chronological order, so please don’t try and figure out a timeline when I say “today” or “last night.” Either I’ll be wrong or you’ll be wrong, but either way it will never be correct, so save yourself the effort.

LASTNIGHT we had a bit of a celebration for Thanksgiving. It included some finger food (peanuts, popcorn ect), cerviche and beer. The cerviche that I have had has always been made with seafood. This cerviche had a distinct flavor and texture. Apparently bull testicles are a delicacy here in Guatemala. I almost throw-up, and in retrospect, kind of wish I did. I swear I could feel the pure testosterone flowing through my veins this morning when I woke up…

On another note, [READ: One it which I will not make myself the center of all jokes for the next two and a half years] blessings here in Guatemala are very abundant. People may not go to church, but they sure as hell need a religious to come and bless their (fill in the blank). A few funny ones from this week; a semi-truck, a new computer store, and lastly a discoteca (epicenter of all things immoral – i.e. murder, drugs and prostitution).

Bought my plane ticket this week. I will be back in the States from 28 Dec to 14 Jan.

See you all then,

PD

(Photo: Before the cerviche...)

Fuimos a Belize

Wow. Belize is absolutely AMAZING!!! I can’t believe how beautiful it is. I am volunteering in the WRONG country – I hope you read this Br. Paul…

For those of you who don’t know, I didn’t get a Visa for working in Guatemala. This means I need to conveniently leave the country every 90 days for a long weekend – a perfect opportunity for a little R & R. For our first ‘trip’ we decided to go to Belize, or at least that was my excuse.

Luke, another BVC member from Esquipulas, joined us for the little adventure, along with two monks from the monastery in Cobán. When we got to the border at Belize though, the two monks weren’t allowed in. There was a recent rule change, similar to Canada and the US, that now required all Guatemalans to carry a passport in Belize and not only their identification cards. Too bad for them, they missed an awesome trip.

So we caught the last bus from the border to Belize City. After about 3 hours, we arrived in Belize City well after dark and found ourselves a sufficiently sketchy guesthouse (hotel) to stay in. After some conch soup and a couple Belikens, we were ready for bed.

In the morning, we took a water taxi out to San Pedro – a caye (key) just over an hour away. This is one of the coolest places I have ever been. Like an undeveloped Cancun, Mexico. Just as nice, but fewer people, cheaper and a little more culture. People in Belize speak English as well, so that wasn’t a problem. I would recommend this place to ANYONE. Absolutely fabulous. It was low season for tourism, so all the prices were really low. We rented a great condo with queen size beds, private deck/patio, private dock, air conditioning – all for $55 US/night.

We also took advantage of San Pedro’s close proximity to the 2^nd largest reef in the world. We spent an afternoon snorkeling, checking out one of the best snorkeling sites in the world, Hol Chan – check it out on-line. This included a visit to ‘shark alley’ where we swam with wild nerf sharks and stingrays (yeah, the “harmless” rays that killed our beloved Steve Irwin). Actually got to touch them in the water and everything as we had this completely crazy guide that would catch them and hold them for us underwater. Yeah, he got a tip…

There was some great nightlife there too. Without going into too many details, we spent a couple nights socializing with a bunch of Canadians. For some reason or another, Canadians love this place. It was nice for me though, as Canadians made me feel closer to home in MN than anyone else I have met down here. Highlight: At one of the bars, they had the world famous chicken drop. You are probably asking yourself, what the hell is the world famous chicken drop – as I did as well. It consists of a large board with painted squares numbering 1 – 100. Each person buys as many squares as desired, at 50 cents each, and then draws their numbers. Once all the squares have been purchased, a chicken is released on the board, which is surrounded by a small fence. Wherever the chicken decides to do its ‘business’, the person with that square wins the pot – which was the total winnings (the house doesn’t take any). Only catch is the winner needs to clean up the mess in front of the entire crowd. Very fun. I will be introducing this to Wytt in hopes of bringing the “world famous chicken drop” to Waconia, MN. My mother would be so proud…ha

On the way back, we stopped in Placencia for a night. Another great place on the coast, but more low keyed. Apparently it picks up during the high season, but during the rest of the time it is more of a couples hangout. Nice though.

After crossing the boarder back to Guatemala via water taxi to Puerto Barrios, we started our lovely bus trip back to Coban. Awesome trip though, I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

Take care,

PD

P.s. Almost forgot. I saw my first deadly snake here in Guatemala. Luckily, this guy had just been killed minutes before by a car in front of us. Despite my smile in the picture, I don't like snakes. At all.

Birthdays in Guatemala

Two posts in one day. You can tell I must be trying to catch up before I head off to Belize this week!

My birthday, Friday the 13th, was surprisingly very fun. I got a cake, a really good one too. Pretty sure the monks bought it because it looked very professional. With ice cream too! The whole “day” was actually really fun. Thursday night, Fr. Bernie and Fr. Basil (the two American monks) along with Matt and a Guatemalan friend of Fr. Bernie’s and Fr. Basil surprised me with a bottle of whiskey, a bottle of rum and some beer. We sat around eating peanuts and sipping “holy water” until way passed the monks’ normal bedtime. On Friday, I woke up a present of candy outside my door, still don’t know who left it? I went to the refectory for breakfast, and they had signs, streamers and balloons on the wall for me. PLUS, we had pancakes for breakfast! No beans - thank God!!! Then at lunch, I got the birthday song, cake and ice cream. For dinner, my Spanish teacher invited Matt and I over to have dinner with her family. Very fun. Good food, a little wine, good company. Very nice evening. And finally, one of the monks and one of the guys I work went out for Chinese food and a couple beers in the Central Park, where they had the Christmas Tree lighting program. Sponsored by none other than Gallo Cervaza. The lights decorating the tree are actually Gallo beer lights. I really wish I was joking, but it is the truth.

See you all soon,

PD

Antigua y Guatemala City

Hello all. So this past weekend Matt and I went with Hermano Augustine to Antigua for a graduation celebration. Augustine is best friends with the uncle of the graduate - who just graduated from a one year school to work in banking. It was a private party, which was really nice. They had catered food, a large area for dancing, a full DJ...and security at the door. It was really fun, especially because we could just let our guard down, have some drinks and 'try' to learn to salsa dance. Of course the night wouldn't have been complete without some quality Michael Jackson music - he is really starting to get on my nerves down here...

The whole experience was great because we were able to experience Antigua, a large tourist spot, as locals. This included local restaurants, visiting the local markets, and just having an "in" that most gringos don't usually have in Antigua. Very fun.

On the way back we stopped in Guatemala to get a package my parents sent down. Thank you very much mom and dad, I love packages and look forward to more?

While in Guatemala, we decided to check out the Cathedral and Government Palace in the center of the city. It was interesting, especially because the Cathedral houses the tomb of Monsignor Juan Jose Gerardi, known as an outspoken human rights activist who was assassinated in his home in 1998.

The highlight of the day though was eating at Pollo Campero. It was my first time ever in over two months in Guatemala. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but Pollo Campero is like McDonalds in the States, only worse. It is the definition of monopoly in the fast food industry. It is the ONLY fast food restaurant and it is everywhere!!! It is pretty good, very similar to KFC in the States, but I'd eat at a local restaurant for less money and better food any day. They did have french fries though, and after two months...damn they tasted good.

Almost forgot. I've been doing some work with a Rotary water project. The club here has received funding from a Rotary group in California. We purchase them, paint em' up, and ship em' out to needy families/schools. They work as cisterns, and capture rain water from their roofs for drinking water. Sounds unsanitary to us in the States, but this is FAR better than the drinking water found in the tap or in the rivers/lakes.

Heading to Belize this week, so I may be out of touch for a while...who knows?

Until next time,

PD

Dia de los Muertes, Circo, Antigua

Wow...I am really starting to get behind on my blog. Anyone familiar with Dia de los Muertos would know it was celebrated last Monday! I don't even have a good excuse as to why I haven't filled you guys in-

Here we go. So Monday was Dia de los Muertos. It follows all Saint's Day every year. People spend the day before adorning the tombs of dead family members and friends with flowers. These makeshift alters also contain numerous photos as well as items the deceased enjoyed, such as chocolate or cigarettes to name a couple. While celebrated as a reflective holiday, the general attitude seems to be more positive than people visiting grave-sites in the States. More of a "celebration of life" if that doesn't seem to cliche. The afternoon is spent eating HUGE traditional meals. Kind of like Thanksgiving in the States, it is notorious for over eating/drinking. My cheeks may have been a little red at prayer that night...

Tuesday night Matt and I went to the Circus, or circo, with two of the monks. It was more of a talent show than a circus the way we know them in the States. I give them credit for trying. In between acts, they would rotate in and out as food vendors, security, ticket sales etc. The highlight of my night was the Michael Jackson tribute. No it wasn't. That's a lie. Thought I could run away from that whole media mess back home, only to run into tribute bands here. I visited the capital this week too - another impersonator in the central park. I have no idea why, but he is more popular here that he was back home. Ridiculous.

This past weekend we went to Antigua for a graduation party and stopped in the capital on the way back. Very fun. I'll tell you more about it. Tomorrow. Off to Belize this next weekend to renew my "90" days on my passport/and for my birthday.

Damn Yankees. Souless.

Happy 25th Anniversary Mom and Dad! David and Kevin too if I'm not mistaken? Two years for both of you, wow. I'm either the immature one or the smart one - who knows?! ha

Got a package this week. I like getting packages.

Miss you all back home-

PD

Happy 25th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

This post is reserved solely for them. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Wish I could be there, and please do something fun...(i.e. visit me?)

Semuc Champey

What a weekend…Semuc Champey was absolutely AWESOME. Matt and I left Cobán after work on Saturday with Br. Augustine, Br. Lionel, and the monastery’s two employees that help in the aldeas, Oscar and Alberto. We got a later start then expected, which made things difficult because we ran into bad fog and the road has no lights – in addition to being a scary mountain road with limited guardrails. We finally arrived in the pouring rain. After a quick meal at a restaurant called Shalom, we meandered back to the hotel for a nightcap or two. It was Halloween after all, or Dia de los Brujas.

In the morning, we got an early start up the jeep trail to the actually falls of Semuc Champey. Near the entrance, there is a German Eco-hotel where we sat and ate breakfast outside. It was really a cool/relaxing place, with bungalows and hammocks all over the place. If I go again, this is where I will be staying.

The actual falls and pools were absolutely beautiful. The area is still very undeveloped, creating an extremely natural setting – but kind of dangerous too if you’re not careful! We spent a couple hours just floating in the pools under the sun, what a great morning.

We headed back to the Monastery in Cobán in order to celebrate Dia de los Santos – or All Saints Day. It is celebrated here much more than at home. There are lavish decorations around altars to honor all the Saints and clergy that have passed, as well as a large feast of traditional "turkey soup" and "sandwich Maya."

On a completely unrelated note, something really funny happened during my Spanish class tonight. My teacher had made it clear at the beginning of my course that she didn’t speak any of the Mayan dialects. Well in comes one of the monks, Rolando - a close friend of mine, and calls me a womanizer in Q’ eqchi’. I bark back and tell him to “eat s*&$” in Q’ eqchi’. Apparently this is the ONLY phrase my teacher knows, because she immediately turned to me in dismay. Despite the moment of awkwardness with my teacher as I just cursed a religious, Rolando and I couldn’t stop laughing…it was the story of the monastery all night.

More to come soon. Dia de los Muertes and my trip to the circus with two monks.

Go Phillies! Please beat the Yankees…

PD