Day 4

We started the day with breakfast at 7:15. We were welcomed with a new driver, Pedro, who drove us to the University of San Carlos branch here in Quezaltenango. After a brief tour of the campus, we met with some engineering students and heard the engineers from both hospitals in San Marcos and Coatepeque give presentations. They spoke about the more technical side of the hospitals, teaching about ways to maintain the most important equipment. Dr. Rust spoke about various pieces of equipment that are used both in the US and in Guatemala, and explained proper upkeep and sterilization. At the end of the presentations, the students all spoke about what we saw at the hospitals and how conditions can be improved. After our presentations, we wrapped up the training seminar by handing out certificates to the students and professors who worked with us. We closed out our trip to the University with a short tour of the different engineering labs, which were similar to but slightly less advanced than the ones at WNE. Most of the things that we saw in the labs were projects made by students, like a 3D printer.

After the University, we headed to lunch at an authentic Guatemalan restaurant (El Apaste), in which we got to experience the specific dishes that are unique to Quetzaltenango. We then visited the cemetery here, which was very different from any cemetery in the US. It was very colorful and showed how they celebrate life rather than mourn death. 

We had some free time after this so we went to an overlook up on the mountain on the edge of the city. The park at the overlook featured stone slides which were definitely a group favorite. We made our way to the actual overlook, which featured spectacular views of the entire city.

As our day came to a close, we headed back to the hotel for a salsa lesson with Armando, which exposed our horrible dancing skills. Defeated and hot, we walked through the city to a restaurant with a balcony view of the central park. Here we indulged in their pizza as well as some other appetizers before heading to the hotel for bed.

-Heather and Nina