The Story Behind the Price
Posted on August 13, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala, Simple Life | 4 Comments
I was in the market today and was buying my potatoes and realized that I love hearing the vendors give a reason for their prices to their clients. For example, the exchange I heard today:
Buyer: “How much for the bananas?”
Vendor: “Twelve for the dozen.” Lifts the bananas up. The buyer turns away. “But for you, [...]
Conversations with an In-law
Posted on August 6, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala, Kids | 8 Comments
Yesterday, I took the boys out to see some friends. We left when it was still hot out and though I knew it would likely be raining out by the time we got back, I didn’t plan to be out for long and figured the kids would be fine in tee shirts.
We were a little [...]
Do They Have Bread in Canada?
Posted on July 21, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Kids, Travel | 8 Comments
It doesn’t surprise me that Dorian would have more interest in our upcoming journey. Dante is so laid back you could literally drop him in the middle of an African desert and he’d be totally cool with it and wouldn’t think anything of it.
Dorian, on the other hand, is like me. He needs information [...]
Government Work: Not What It’s Cracked Up to Be
Posted on July 15, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala, Simple Life | 5 Comments
Irving used to work for the Ministry of Education here in Guatemala. They did wonderful things like not paying their teachers for up to 8 months at a time and making a point of putting teachers in the furthest town possible from where they lived. Fun times.
After Dante was born, Irving really hated being a [...]
How Canadian Am I?
Posted on July 10, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Travel | 2 Comments
I’ve been sifting through online photos of the island where my parents live, as well as Vancouver Island and Vancouver, lately. I show the photos to Irving, who can’t wait to see the locations for real. I feel the same way, but it’s a strange feeling.
I’ve lived in Guatemala, without returning to Canada, for nearly [...]
Forget Babies . . . What About In-law Proofing?
Posted on July 5, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala, Travel | 18 Comments
As we start to prepare for our trip in September, I’m getting nervous about a lot of things. One of the biggest worries, however, is the house. There are two main concerns.
One: Water
We have problems with water in this place. We’ve been patching up the holes in the roof, but there’s always a new one [...]
You Might Be a Long Term Expat if You . . .
Posted on June 30, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala | 17 Comments
. . . . . . use your lips to point at things
. . . . . . whistle back when someone whistles at you (signature whistles, not a catcall)
. . . . . . actually enjoy tortillas with your beans now
. . . . . . don’t think twice when no one gives you [...]
Internet. Again.
Posted on June 16, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala, Simple Life | 4 Comments
I know, I know, you’ve heard enough about internet by now, but this time it’s GOOD news. See, we finally have internet that actually works. That means that technically I don’t have to get up at 2 am anymore, but . . . I kind of got used to it and it’s nice to be [...]
Happy Mother’s Day
Posted on May 9, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala | 4 Comments
Today isn’t Mother’s Day in Guatemala . . . it’s actually tomorrow. It’s also a holiday, though our maid has asked to take Friday instead of Monday because her son is performing in a special play for mothers on Friday. (because all the teachers who are female will be out of school on Monday, of [...]
My Sick is Not Your Sick
Posted on April 29, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Kids | 10 Comments
Here in Guatemala, certain things are said to cause illness in children. “cold foods” (like avocado, for example), wind, rain, going barefoot, bathing at night, and playing water, are all considered to be quite dangerous. Needless to say, if this were true, my kids would have died long ago.
However, my niece is constantly sick and [...]
