Blessed are the eyes of the traveler...

For whom the faculty of wonder is restored, like that of a child´s, when suddenly patterns are broken by a never-before-seen bug on the bathroom wall, a different way of greeting one another in the street, or the turtle and fish in the wash basin. It is indeed beautiful to stand witness to a different existence.

While talking to locals here we have been surprised to learn how many have family working in the states (almost everyone in this town). It seems as if many are illegal (I believe one woman said her son walked) and because of it are unable to return without re-living the arduous journey. Some people have not seen their sons or daughters, brothers or sisters in years or have yet to meet the grandson or granddaughter born abroad. Those left behind, like my friend Yoseline, express how sad it is to not have the ability to see loved ones. As a result Yoseline says she has no desire to go to the states, unless perhaps by plane to visit family there.

When we ask why they keep going we are told it is, of course, for the money (there are two western unions in this tiny town). ¨There is no money here,¨they say. But, Griffin and I are quick to point out that there is fish & fruits and life here is so much more laid back. It is almost so self-sustaining there is near no need for an economy. Is it worth it to trade this life for money? Then what? It seems many feel the need to make the sacrifice for the rest of their family. Once they get to the states they may not like it. Life is difficult, but there is indeed money and once there, it is a stalemate.

Meanwhile, life here continues in its own laid-back guatemalteco manner. Children play in the streets and beach and people seem to work on a convenience basis (if a restaurant does well one day, it may just close down the next, take time to regroup and clean and then re-open whenever necessary). The sun rises at 6:00 and sets at 7:00 (I don´t think they use ¨daylight savings¨), the temperature remains the same year round, families sit down together to eat, and always siesta is observed. All-in-all, a typical tropical climate with the typical tropical lifestyle.