The Hardest Part of Traveling

I’ve had both great moments and difficult moments since my last post. The good ones started with a college group from University North Florida visiting us in Cobán. The leaders were also Rotary Club members, so they were checking up on one of the projects they were funding – the school at Rio Palmeras. Additionally, the group of students brought along school supplies and a TON of clothes. I honestly don’t know how they were able to carry this many clothes. Nice clothes too.

After spending the day passing out donations at Rio Palmeras, I took them to La Catarata (the big swimming pool in the middle of the jungle with a waterfall). It is one of my favorite places in Guatemala, and I think it is one of their’s too. That night we had a BBQ and shared some drinks. It was really a great time, as it was the first time Matt and I had socialized with English speaking kids our age since we arrived here in Guatemala!!!

After the Florida group left, we received a group of adults from St. Patrick’s Parish in Edina – and just in time for St. Patty’s day!!! I was worried my favorite holiday of the year was going to be a wash, as it isn’t celebrated in Guatemala as anything besides a feast day, but the group from St. Patrick’s didn’t disappoint! They brought green beads for all (and you didn’t have to earn them!). Additionally, they brought along select Irish refreshments that lightened the mood. When things seemed they couldn’t get better, one of the guys in the group brought out his guitar and had prepared both new and traditional Irish music he played for all of us. It was the latest I had stayed up for a long time, which isn’t saying much as I live in a monastery, but late nonetheless. Just a great night shared with great company.

During the week, the group passed out $50,000 worth of water filters in the aldeas. With the rest of their time, they participated in prayer and mass with the community – many times trekking out to the aldeas for repeat visits with Padre Pedro to one of his 75 aldeas. I was sad to see them go. We really had a great time and it was nice to talk with people from back home.

Just as I thought all was going wonderfully, I got news that Grandpa Schmidt was rushed to Abbot Hospital after heart failure on Wednesday afternoon. In addition to heart failure, he severely hit his head as he collapsed. Luckily, my mom was with him and they were already at a clinic for an unrelated problem, so the medics were able to revive him with paddles immediately.

As of today (Thursday) in the evening, he is still in a chemically induced coma. The doctors have greatly reduced his body temperature to prevent a number of different problems. They are just now starting to warm his body up slowly, and will try and bring him out of the coma tomorrow morning if all goes well.

This has been a very difficult turn of events for me down here. Being out of the communication loop. Not being able to visit Grandpa. Not being with family, even though you know everyone is there except you. This is the part of traveling that really makes you question if it is all worth it.

I am praying that all goes well with Grandpa tonight, as this is a very crucial/telling time as his body begins to warm up. I hope you will all keep him in your thoughts and prayers as well.

Warmest regards,

PD

Sunday Satire

A quick note on Mass in Guatemala. I know I’ve touched on this before, but it is worth re-telling:

1. One of the daily hymns is played to the timeless Bob Dylan tune, Blowin in the Wind

2. Get used to seeing lots of mothers breastfeeding before, during, and after the service. They are not discreet about it. For example, have you ever been giving the sign of peace (i.e. shaking hands and reciting, ‘peace be with you’) while the woman’s hand whom you are shaking literally has here shirt off? Correct. Awkward.

3. If you show up at Mass just minutes before it starts and no one is there, don’t worry. The majority of people walk in right before Communion.

4. Dogs like to wander up and down the aisles, even up to the altar at times (well, the good Catholic dogs). Usually not a big distraction. You get used to it. But, it is a little harder to get used to a couple dogs shaggin’ in the back of the church during Mass. Yes, it happened.

5. Finally, if you don’t want to lose your spot/chair, don’t go up for Communion. Chances are it will be taken by a late arrival upon your return.

I have to admit, I feel a bit like Martin Luther posting my Ninety-Five theses at Wittenberg. Hopefully this doesn’t get me kicked out of the BVC program, but I sense the church has become more forgiving since the 16^th century…or so I hope.

Take care,

PD