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Ian and Zander Woofenden visit, teach and play. |
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Bus attendant in Antigua helping his driver through a tight spot. |
Zander and I spent ten days in Guatemala on our way to Costa Rica last month, visiting friends in Santiago Atitlan and Xela. I taught two brief workshops on solar energy, to benefit the hospital in Santiago, and was pleased to have visiting guests from Guemes, Dixon Elder and his son-in-law Tyler. We connected with past SEI students in both places, and got a taste of small town and city life in Guatemala. |
I love Central America for the people more than anything else, and was pleased to make connections with old friends and new. I also appreciate the slower pace, simpler lifestyle, and the unevenness of life down there. To some North American minds, it might look dirty and backwards. My view is that we have more problems up north, not fewer. We've just learned how to cover them up better, flushing the results of our lifestyle into someone else's backyard instead of finding ways to have less impact. Today I head back to the states and try to reintegrate. I'm hoping to bring some of the color, pace, and feeling of Central America into my busy gringo life. Ian
Woofenden
*Santiago
Atitlan is a Tzutujil Maya town of 40,000 on Lake Atitlan in the highlands
of Guatemala. It is a place of beautiful views, colorful fabrics, and
warm people. More
than a year after the destructive mudslides, the people of Atitlan are
still working to rebuild their lives, their homes, and their families.
They are also working to rebuild their beloved hospital in a new, safe
location. Guemes and Atitlan are connected through Atitlan electrician Henry Mendoza, who was on the island for SEI workshops during the mudslides, and through Frea, Ian, and Zander Woofenden, who have visited Atitlan. Come hear the story of Atitlan, the destruction, and how we can support the rebuilding effort. Friday, February 23, 6 pm, Church
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Our friends Elena and Lucia with new baby blankets made by Frea.
Meat shop in a market in Xela. Less safe than American drugged meat? Hmm.
Funeral procession in Santiago Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan from Panajahel.
Ian playing music with and for friends in Santiago. |
