Home » Guatemala » In the Home of Friends

Life at Lake Atitlan is behind me and now it is time for the next chapter. I am staying for nearly a week at the home of Dennis and Doris Rice in Quetzaltenango (known to everyone by it's Quiche Maya name Xelaju or simply Xela - pronounced Sha-lah). Dennis and Doris manage Vine International's warehouse operations in Xela, Guatemala (For more information on Vine International, see my past entry A Spiritual Recharge or visit www.vineinternational.org).

In the Home of Friends

Jeremy Curl
2006-08-28 16:06:58

Displayed times (last time: ) Rating 4/5

Rating: 4.00 out of 5.00. 1 members have rated this article

I heard this advice after my 3rd week, so just incase, I put myself through a 3 day cycle of worm pills.

Bed Bugs ( little red welts)- I have heard that a drop of lavender on the bed will keep them away (could be a myth; I don't usually carry lavender around so it is untested). I have tried just spraying deet on the sheets and I think it helped, but I already had so many bits I couldn't tell. Also, set the mattress out in the sun for the day and wash all of your clothes b/c they live in the seams.

Coffee fly bites (red welt w/ a little dot in the center; which is an egg) - Use rubbing alcohol over and over again on the bites. You can also use Tea Tree oil mixed in with your shampoo to help with your skin, but it is probably best after treating with alcohol.

How to kill a chigger (little red welts usually around your arm pit or your nether region) - the best way to kill is to put finger nail polish over it and this will smother the little bug living under your skin.

Don't leave avocados in the sun. - The sun burns the skin and ruins the fruit. The best and fastest way to ripen is to stick it into a paper bag with other avocados. These tips are true for a lot of other fruits as well.

Calles (streets) run East to West and Avenidas (Avenues) run North to South. - Avenidas have the right away and always remember that down here pedestrians Do Not! There is also rhyme and reason behind each of the building #'s but it would take to much time and space to explain, so just ask someone on the street.

Glow sticks -bring a couple of glow sticks in case you decide to go spelunking(exploring caves) in Semuc Champey.

Peanut Butter - buy it before you get here; it is much more expensive in Central America. This stuff is a great source of protein when you go days without meat and is great for a quick snack on a long chicken bus ride ( I recommend with bread and sliced banana).

Dental Floss - this can be used to sew up shorts or whatever if you don't have any thread. I met a guy who sewed up the whole back of his swim trunks with the stuff.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) - This medicine is a life saver when a bad case of IBS kicks in, or your just get really sick. It does a good job with killing infection. I recommend buying it when you get to Central America, because it is cheaper and you don't need a prescription.

Malaria Pills - I have met a lot of travelers who say that you really don't need them in Central America; all they do is tear up your system. But, I have also met some older more knowledgeable people who say definitely take them, b/c if you catch Malaria you have it for life. I personally have not been taking them yet, but I might when I head to the Bay Islands of Honduras. As for the types to take; do not take Larium or its generic form Mefloquine. Both can have terrible side effects, such as totally freaking out mentally - not good! If you have the money I would recommend Malarone, but if you want to go cheap use chloroquine. It doesn't work on the types of Malaria that a lot of countries have, but is fine for Central America. Definitely wait to buy it after you get down here or just buy a little in the states (enough to get through your first week cycle back home) and then buy all of the rest in Central America b/c it is dirt cheap down here.