Pictures of the Day - Xelaju Soccer Game Edition

This is Lisa. She is excited to be saving the kid from falling off the fence. I enjoy this picture.


This is Emelie and me. Me, sporting my new jersey. Emelie, balloning my head. Xelaju won 1-0 for those who care. Pretty spectacular game/adventure.

Sushi Night in Casa Latina

One thing that is amazing to me about living in Guatemala is the food. And not the local food. The local food is good, but it usually consists of some combo of corn, beans, rice, and eggs. But because people (at least travelers and gringos) grow tired of this 'ethnic' food, they make a solid effort to put together meals that remind them of home and the ample choices that their respective cities offer. So, with the help of my friend Mikiko, Wednesday we had one of my favorite foods in the world: sushi.

Due to the fact that there really isn't sushi grade fish down here, we made veggie, canned tuna, and teriyaki chicken rolls.

I've made rolls before but Mikiko wanted me to try to make inside out rolls - where the rice is on the outside. Harder but when its done, its looks so cool.

Here is Mikiko teaching Brenda, who doesn't like sushi, how to make rolls. I think Brenda ended up liking what she made.

The finished product.

The table after all the hardwork. We ate like kings, er... emperors that night!

A Posting Over at Semilla Nueva

Semilla Nueva has posted my write up about my trip last week to the coast and the farms. It includes more of my pictures, so have a look!

El Campo

So hopefully tomorrow a post I wrote will go up on Semilla Nueva's blog. But until then, here's a preview of some pics I took this last week while visiting farmers in the Campo.

Futbol in Central America

Wow. This is has been a crazy week. I’ve slept more in barns and hotels than my own bed. These are stories for the future though. Tonight, I thought I’d give everyone a little taste of what Central American soccer is like.

Last Saturday, Brenda, Emelie, Sam, and I head off to Estadio Mario Camposeco to take in a Xelaju MC soccer game. Xelaju played their rivals from Guatemala City, Comunicaciones. Since beer isn't sold in the stadium, we decide to pregame a little in the surrounding streets. We find what I think was about 32 ounce beers that costs a whole $2.50 American. Insane. Below, Brenda, Sam, and I toast to the good life.

Los Superchivos, as Xelaju is called, tied the game on a magnificent goal in the closing minutes. Final score: 2-2.

However, the game was not the point. The experience around the game is what made this night. Now, of all the soccer I’ve seen around the world, the Seattle Sounders give fans the best experience hands down. But this game was a close second. While the stadium is small (about 8000 “seats”… many people sit in aisles, on walls, etc.) the crowd is energetic, lively, and allowed to do basically whatever they want. The supporters section shoots off fireworks (BIG fireworks, not just smoke bombs) during play and opposing fans are kept in a police guarded cage. When the game’s officials leave the field, they have a swat team protecting them. The home fans sit on top of the barbed fence, swearing and throwing anything they can get their hands on at the away team.

The night was fantastic fun and I look forward to returning to many more games later this season. For now, I will leave you with a video of the opening kickoff fireworks.

Sunset of Parque Central

Parque Central, Xela

Settling In and My First Pictures

A week has come and gone. It’s strange to think that I’ve already settled in enough to start understanding some Guatemalan traditions and slang. It hasn’t been a completely easy transition – I hate not having reliable internet, not flushing toilet paper, and not completely understanding what my host mother says to me. But all in all, I’m pretty happy with the decision to come down here. I move into an apartment this week with some new friends (although I’m still taking Spanish classes) and I get my first taste of “el campo” aka the rural farming area that I will be spending a lot of time working over the next 6 months.

The first weekend didn’t fail to disappoint as far as crazy new experiences. Where to start…? How about a story about Zombies? Everyone loves zombies. Last Thursday, myself and my friends Emelie, Brenda, Darren, and Sam headed out to what was called a Zombie Wedding. The night went smoothly, drinks came and went, and I felt like I was in college again at a weekend house party. Good times. The DJ did fail and never played “Thriller.” Epic fail if you ask me. You knew what wasn’t an epic fail though? Our outfits.

Friday was mostly spent recovering from the night before. I swear headaches are worse down here. I’ll blame it on the altitude. Everyone blames everything on the altitude down here in Quetzaltenango. For Spanish classes we did take a quick field trip to a town about 30 minutes outside of Xela to an amazing church. Covered in brightly colored figures, the church depicts tigers, tourist, farmers, and Jesus. It was quite a sight.

A long night’s sleep help recover fully from being a zombie on Thursday and gave me the energy to head up to Parque de Baul just outside Xela, overlooking the city. Emelie and Brenda put together one of the greatest BBQ’s I’ve ever been a part of. The girls, myself, Sam, and other friends ate tortillas, corn, and tons of meat while putting away a few liters of cheap, yet refreshing beer. The bill for enough food and beer to sufficiently stuff and intoxicate 6 people: about $20. I know my excitement for Guatemala’s cheapness will wear off, but until then I I’m going to be thrilled every time I spend essentially pennies on adventures. Check out our spread!

We returned from the mountain for a quick afternoon siesta before heading out for the night. The night… well, it was pretty fantastic. But you’ll just have to read about it later this week when I return from 'el campo.' Until then, adios!