Welcome to the 2012 Guatemala Blog!

Thank you for visiting our Guatemala Blog, 2012 Edition. This blog will document the travels of students and faculty from Western New England University as we visit Central America to learn about healthcare. We'll be heading to Guatemala in just about two weeks, so please check back to follow our progress.

-M. Rust

Adios Guatemala!

As we leave the Land of Eternal Spring, I would like to spend a few moments reflecting on our journey these past 12 days. This trip has been an incredible learning experience for both our students and faculty members as we explored healthcare and culture in Central America. As recounted in the posts below, we learned a great deal about the differences in how hospitals operate in the United States and Guatemala, particularly the discrepancies in infrastructure and how patients pay for care. We also saw firsthand the diseases that are prevalent in a developing country and how those differ from conditions in a developed nation. At the Mission, we learned how Guatemalans are bettering their community through a number of grassroots projects, including equitable agriculture, reforestation, and construction of a women’s center. We are very happy to have contributed, even in such a small way as short term volunteers, to the great work being done by the Mission.

One of the goals of the trip was to go outside our normal comfort zones to engage the people of Guatemala and learn from their experiences. Our students really stepped up in this area through the completion of oral interviews in Spanish with hospital staff and patients, as well as keeping a running dialogue with the local people we encountered. I am particularly proud of the professionalism, positive attitude, and openness to learning that our students demonstrated while abroad.

So where do we go from here? In the near term, of course, we are all heading home to reconnect with our families and friends with whom we will share our experiences in Guatemala. Over the long term, I would have to guess that each of us has been changed in some way as a result of this trip. Seeing firsthand the unbridled joy of a Guatemalan child playing soccer in the street, a young man carrying hundreds of pounds of firewood on his back since he cannot afford a car, and farmers working on the side of a mountain because it is the only land available to them are just a few of the snapshots that are etched in my memory. As was mentioned in the previous post, the question is really about what we will do in our own professional and personal lives as a result of what we have seen.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about our Guatemalan adventure. While the trip itself is over, our work with our Guatemalan friends is really just beginning.

-M. Rust

Travel Home

The final countdown! So here we are. It’s 5 am and we once again are being stirred from our less than sound sleep; this time to make our way back to the States. Those of us brave enough to shower commented on how easy it was to wake up when there was no warm water. It was another quick ride through the streets of Guatemalan City to the airport. Someone on the street corner asked me through my window what I wanted and that he could get it for me. I decided to pass. We finally made it to the airport and found our way to check our luggage. Once again we were met with inefficiency at the ticket counter. After about 45 minutes without moving, we were ushered to an open counter and quickly passed all 9 of our group members through. For those of you who caught it, yes we do only have 9 people in our group now. Unfortunately we lost 6 on the bus ride; just kidding they’re on their way to Belize and we are all jealous and wish them the best of times and can’t wait to hear about their trip.

Moving on, we boarded the plane after Dr. Rust was chosen for the random security screening, and then  we took off for the USA. Good times were had by all. It was another uneventful trip as we touched down in Miami and we disembarked on to the land of freedom, opportunity, and water that won’t make your hands dirtier when you wash them. We made our way among the crowd through the checkpoints and customs until we decided we needed to indulge in some good ole fashion fried American food, i.e. Chili’s.  We forgot that people here can actually understand us and we got some odd reactions as Jennie walked up to Dr. Rust and said “Mom wants to know if you paid yet” (referring to Dr. Northrup’s familial role during the trip). I believe the reaction of people at neighboring tables was something in between confusion and bewilderment. Anyway, our new age family found our way to the security checkpoint where Dr. Rust was immediately escorted to the super secret fun room. We are not sure why Dr. Rust was selected for security screening twice over a span of several hours today, but it could be payback for all the work he made us do this semester and during the trip. Just sayin’. We eventually made it back to Boston in the wee early hours of the morning.

All in all I believe the entire group feels that they have had an experience of a lifetime and, for many of us, our eyes have been opened to a world we never knew existed outside the Natural Geographic channel. We all wish to say thank you to Dr. Northrup and Dr. Rust for putting up with us for the 12 days. We might not be the easiest group to handle sometimes, but you have to admit we are the most entertaining. Another big thank you is needed to the people that made this trip possible. Without us there would not have been anyone to go on the trip, but without you there wouldn’t be a trip to go on. Like they said at the mission, it’s not what you do when you’re down there that will change the world it’s what you do when you get back. Fun was definitely had by all. Goodnight everyone we’ll see you soon.

Author:  Nate

Day 11

Last Day: Reforestation

Woke up to a surprising oatmeal, beans, and bread breakfast with a side of houseflies. After breakfast, we hiked up Mount Everest (okay, maybe it wasn’t that high) to visit a Mayan Alter. Once at the top we entered the Mayan sanctuary and found our way to the altar.
The altar was a giant rock covered with the residue of candle wax. The candle wax had five different colors each representing something significant. We walked around while our guide explained the plants in the area. At the end of this adventure, some of the group went to see houses that WNEC students contributed to in previous years. The rest of the group went back to the hotel and finished up last minute packing.

After some hamburgers with some tasty potatoes our three hour bus ride began. The bus ride would have been longer, but the driver took the stop signs and lights as more of a suggestion. Luckily for us most of the roads were paved and if they weren’t we just went into the other lane.
We arrived at the hotel and parked in the lobby; the parking lot is in the lobby of the hotel. The rooms resembled your average regular hotel rooms, but with twice as many beds. The temperature inside each room is approximately 150 degrees, and (for the most of us) the rooms lock from the inside. Also interesting to note that some rooms come without bathrooms and were missing some lights.

After telling the drivers we would spend any sum of money for a good meal we arrived at a classy meat house. The man in a suit made us feel completely under dressed; needless to say we were doted on hand-and-foot. After difficulty with the menu, meat sample platters flew everywhere. A Mariachi Band transitioned from dinner to dessert with their tasty licks and hard lyrics. Everyone soon became bloated and gassy which lead to a fun ride home. These feelings have become common and expected over the past few weeks. After parking in the hotel lobby we retired to our rooms and listened to the fiesta outside our doors. Sleep is on the way.


Authors: Jeana, Ashley, Nate

Day 10

Thursday!! We knew it was going to be a good day when we arrived at breakfast to find that there were eggs for us to eat in addition to the beans and bread served daily, of course. It then proceeded to get better upon departure from the mission, when we boarded a quaint little boat. It was a refreshing hour-long boat ride to the other side of the lake…refreshing in the sense that we were showered by the contaminated water.

Once we docked the boat and climbed ashore we were delighted to hear that we would finally be able to ride on the Tuk-Tuk’s up the mountain to the zip-lining site. The driver explained that the Tuk-Tuk’s were actually motor taxis but then nicknamed Tuk-Tuk’s mimicking the sound they make when driving with passengers in them. The Tuk-Tuk fortunate enough to carry Dr. Northrup and Nate up the mountain almost didn’t make it to the top.
Once we arrived, we had to get suited up in very flattering harnesses that made some look as if they were about to run inside a burning building to rescue people. Then it was further up the mountain we went, this time by foot. By the time we were a third the way up, everyone was drenched in sweat and it was time for a rest. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some wild monkeys in the tree as well. Finally, we arrived to the top of the trail all out of breath and ready to catch some wind on the way down. The first guide attached himself to the line and lunged out of sight to get to the other side to tell us when to slow down. We all stood in awe as the second guide called us over for our turn. Lindsay was the closest to the line and therefore volunteered herself to be the first across. She made it safely and we all breathed a sigh of relief. We each in turn traversed the first line and were taken aback by the beautiful view. Each line was shorter but faster than the next and made for a thrilling time. The longest was about 1,100 feet long and about 300 to 400 feet high. Fun was had by all. It was a relaxing and peaceful time until the suspended bridge. We then put on a show of typical American athleticism and made a nice showing to all the people watching, giving them a good laugh. It was then back to the Tuk-Tuk’s for another ride back in to the city. This time it was downhill so instead of the smell of the clutch and transmission, brake fumes filled the air and accosted the nostrils. We finally made it back and found our way through the sea of the most aggressive maître-des just begging for our business in their restaurants. We found our way to our desired eatery and sat down ready to indulge in the offered cuisine. We all had a nice chat as we waited for our food while being approached by the random necklace or scarf and shirt salesperson that wandered in to see the group of “gringos”. The food came and we devoured our respected meals and laughed heartedly at the stories of the days past. The women of the group went out to do shopping things as the guys stayed behind at the restaurant to enjoy a cold beverage. The shopping was wrapped up and we headed to another little town located along the steep banks of the lake. Once off the boat we made our way through the little kids up to the shops where the bidding wars began. No one was seriously injured and we regrouped back on the boat and made our way through the pea soup fog to the San Lucas shore. The night then played out as usual with some dinner, some wi-fi and some fun. Not bad for the last full day in San Lucas.

Authors: Christine and Nate

Day 9

It was the best of times; it was the first of times. While the native Guatemalan can split a rock in about four easy swings in less than ten seconds, a group of ten of us succeeded in splitting zero rocks in two hours. We were told the rock (Jennie’s rock) was too tough, but now looking back it may just have been a nice way of saying “you guys are pathetic.” The work took place on a hillside and involved two pick axes, a sledge hammer, a mini sledge hammer, one mini wedge, and something that involved creating the hole for the wedge. While Dr. Rust observed from the lovely shade of a lime tree after giving out surveys for the hospital, the students demonstrated their rookie skills at breaking rocks in the hot Guatemalan sun. Fun was had by all.
Next was lunch for which we had to serve and clean up for all of the groups. After this we heard stories from Chona, a woman who works in the kitchen of the mission. She shared with us the history of the Mayan culture, as well as stories from the civil war that happened around 30 years ago. Her personal stories from the civil war were shocking and moving. Chona also sold us hand woven items made by the women in the parish that were widowed by the war. Gifts were bought by all.

Dinner was then served, after which we moved to Hotel Toliman for the second consecutive night in order to update everyone at home. Later at our hotel, a skills competition was performed with a Nerf football and an empty water bottle as a target. Remarkably, although Jeana’s aim was poor, no one was injured in the effort…except Nate. But don’t worry Mama K, he walked away with a bruise. Twas the grandest affair on the promenade of Hotel Inquitio. ...P.S. Jennie loves Pitbull.

Authors: Lindsay, Andrew, and Nate

Day 8, Part 2

Tuesday!!! (The better adventure) Our morning started out just as the other group’s with roosters at 4 am, a pack of wild dogs at 5 am, and birds chirping the rest of the morning. Our zoo-like awakening was followed by a plethora of breakfast food…and by plethora we mean bread, because the eggs were quickly consumed by the others and the beans….well, they were beans.

At 9 am we parted from the mission with Dr. Paul, Maya (a college student who annularly volunteers in the area), and one of the lead health promoters in the program. It was a lengthy and beautiful walk to the clinic. A separate portion of the clinic, the Bodega, contained an abundance of medical supplies and medications. Of course, two pharmacy majors were instantly intrigued upon entering the medication supply storage! We packed several medications used to treat common health conditions in the area, and then walked a short distance to the center of town where we boarded an already-full bus. Because, it was only 5 more passengers, and in Guatemala there’s always room on the bus for more. And if we thought it was packed to capacity when we boarded, you can imagine our surprise when we picked up 3 more passengers! During this ride we were exposed to the native Mayan language for the first time. Eventually, after many stops along the way, we departed the bus at one of the villages that we had heard about the night before. Previously, the land was comprised of only coffee Fincas. It wasn’t until the price of coffee declined that the opportunity for the parish to buy the land was presented. The Parish aimed to give the land to people greatly in debt, who were unable to own their own land, and also to provide the materials necessary for them to build a house with access to a fresh water supply. As a result, the overall health in the region was greatly improved, and subsequently the health promoter program was introduced to the area. It was this program that we were fortunate enough to participate in today.

Upon arrival at the village, we met the other lead promoter who served as a guide throughout the day because she knew which villagers were seeking medical attention from the doctor. We spent the day shadowing Dr. Paul as we were openly invited into the homes of these villagers. First hand, we witnessed several different medical conditions: some were very heart-wrenching, some were rare, and others were common conditions of the area. Though endless walking, profuse sweating, and standing on our feet all day may seem unappealing, it was all completely worthwhile and made for one of the best, if not THE best, days of the trip so far. We are so thankful to have been given this amazing opportunity because the experience we gained was invaluable!

PS. We rode our first “chicken-bus” today on the way home, and it was one of the best/cheapest roller coaster rides we’ve been on, to say the least…BUT we survived to tell the story!


Authors: Briana and Christine