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I'm still here in San Juan La Laguna and I'm getting to see more and more each day how good we really have it back home. So many of us take things for granted, but being here has opened my eyes and made me thankful for what I have and also motivated to help out where I can. I can't put into words the hardships that I am witnessing. The town of San Juan is a lot better off than some of it's neighboring communities. Each day during driver training, I pass through all of the towns surrounding San Juan. The streets are full of young children who are living in poverty-stricken conditions with the likes that I've never seen. I'm sure there are many places in world with similar or worse conditions and it really makes me sad. Every child I see in San Pablo is covered with dirt and worn out clothing, their play ground is the trash covered street, but that doesn't stop them from greeting me with a big smile and an "Hola".

Taking Things For Granted

Jeremy Curl
2006-08-28 16:15:07

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in the two neighboring communities. The meeting was to discuss a new emergency substation in San Pedro and I was there to stand in for Richard who was out of town again. It was hilarious! I sat there for two hours straight while they all rambled on and everyone except for our guys thought I spoke Spanish, until the mayor addressed me and I had no clue what he said. I then explained that I had just started studying Spanish and I was here helping the firefighters with training. The mayor took a moment to thank me for all that I was doing and shook my hand; that sure made me feel good.

The following night, Abel's family made me dinner again and I had another jam session with the girls. I taught them a couple of dance moves this time and had them repeating "rock and roll" over and over again with a cute little trill in their R's. Back at the station, the
guys all came over to have a couple of drinks and a toast to my leaving. I ran down and bought a deck of cards so we could all play, but to my dismay, not one of the guys had ever played poker. Now you thought teaching guys to drive was difficult; try explaining all of the rules of poker in Spanish. Finally after the guys picked it up, we played with paper money till late and I didn't even win (I taught them too well).

For my final day in San Juan I played a game of soccer with the local kids, assisted Joel with cleaning up a girls cuts and giving her a penicillin shot, and did a tour of San Juan with one of the guys (Eliseo) in the department. On our tour he took me by the Asociaciòn de Comadronas, which is a local group of women who grow and make natural medicines, soaps, etc. out of plants. The association is supported by the Solar Foundation. Next, we went by a couple of local Mayan Art galleries (inside their house) where I got to meet some traditional Mayan artists and see their work. Later, I headed over to San Pedro to have my leather & bone necklace that I broke fixed by the guy who made it. While I was waiting on the repairs, I stopped off at the Puac families (My homestay family in San Pedro) household and said goodbye to everyone. Tulita was sick, but she was still able to crack a smile when she saw me.

Well, that about raps up my last week in San Juan La Laguna. Next I am headed to Xela to stay with Dennis and Doris and help out with the Vine International warehouse. I will miss San Juan and the friends I made here at the Fire Department. I won't miss the freezing cold water of the stations dungeon like shower or the toilet that sits behind a see through curtain. All of the guys have asked me when will I return and I couldn't give them an answer, but I'm sure it will be before too long. I just want to thank all of you back home who write me and put a smile on my face everyday. It really means a lot! You all take care, and I'm out!