Laundry, Belts and Living my North American Guatemalan Paradigm
One way I've been challenged recently is in how I spend my money. Even if it's for things I need - that money can make an impact and bless others.
In El Tizate, laundry takes forever in a pela (a 3 sink cement contraption). I have come to enjoy the process of handwashing but with my busy schedule, I have little time to wash my clothes. I found Olga - a lady in the village willing to clean my clothes. This means I can provide temporary employment to this lady while washing my clothes. Purposeful consumerism. This money can now help her support her family. Knowing your power as a consumer even in small ways is important.
This brings me to Marciel - the local boot maker in the town. Thank God for a man such as Marciel. Very talkative and such a persuasive talker (almost my Spanish twin). I recently purchased a belt from him. After showing me many pictures of "cowboy" boots, I told him I
wanted to buy a belt. This lead into a conversation about alligator skin, and before you know it, I ordered a genuine leather belt with alligator and snake skins incorporated into it. The best part is the buckle - a genuine carousel horse. After a "quick" 40 minute conversation (see how we are similar), my belt was in the process of being made. The next day, I received a knock on my door. I thought it was a team member, but rather, it was Marciel on his bike. (My thought: Why Marciel?! How do you know where I live?) When I picked up the belt, Marciel was sure to remind me that I need a pair of boots to go along with the belt - so that I can pick up a Canadian chica on my return to Canada. Quite a hilarious salesman. I just might buy boots. Again: purposeful consumerism.
Finally, I have learned that time is quite different here in Guatemala. Punctual and on-time just don't seem to be in the vocabulary. One day with the Spanish teachers we went to study the Ruins in Antigua. The chicken bus took quite some time on the way home. We arrived in El Tizate at 6:50 p.m. Nick and I were already late for supper and still needed to eat AND we needed to be at music school and ESL class respectively at 7 p.m. SHARP to teach. So here we are running through the town, feeling incredibly challenged to be punctual in a laid back culture. How ironic! No time for tardiness in my North American Guatemalan Paradigm.
Relaxed and 5 minutes late, always and forever.
Andres
Stay Tuned: My recent weekend off to Monterrico, the construction project (This Monday)
In El Tizate, laundry takes forever in a pela (a 3 sink cement contraption). I have come to enjoy the process of handwashing but with my busy schedule, I have little time to wash my clothes. I found Olga - a lady in the village willing to clean my clothes. This means I can provide temporary employment to this lady while washing my clothes. Purposeful consumerism. This money can now help her support her family. Knowing your power as a consumer even in small ways is important.
This brings me to Marciel - the local boot maker in the town. Thank God for a man such as Marciel. Very talkative and such a persuasive talker (almost my Spanish twin). I recently purchased a belt from him. After showing me many pictures of "cowboy" boots, I told him I
wanted to buy a belt. This lead into a conversation about alligator skin, and before you know it, I ordered a genuine leather belt with alligator and snake skins incorporated into it. The best part is the buckle - a genuine carousel horse. After a "quick" 40 minute conversation (see how we are similar), my belt was in the process of being made. The next day, I received a knock on my door. I thought it was a team member, but rather, it was Marciel on his bike. (My thought: Why Marciel?! How do you know where I live?) When I picked up the belt, Marciel was sure to remind me that I need a pair of boots to go along with the belt - so that I can pick up a Canadian chica on my return to Canada. Quite a hilarious salesman. I just might buy boots. Again: purposeful consumerism.Finally, I have learned that time is quite different here in Guatemala. Punctual and on-time just don't seem to be in the vocabulary. One day with the Spanish teachers we went to study the Ruins in Antigua. The chicken bus took quite some time on the way home. We arrived in El Tizate at 6:50 p.m. Nick and I were already late for supper and still needed to eat AND we needed to be at music school and ESL class respectively at 7 p.m. SHARP to teach. So here we are running through the town, feeling incredibly challenged to be punctual in a laid back culture. How ironic! No time for tardiness in my North American Guatemalan Paradigm.
Relaxed and 5 minutes late, always and forever.
Andres
Stay Tuned: My recent weekend off to Monterrico, the construction project (This Monday)
4 comments:
andrewwww
I miss youuuuuuu....
that is all.
I wanna be the first to see the belt :)
stac.
Get the boots! And a guate cowboy hat! ;) Then when you come back you can put on your kit to strut around and so totally impress the Canadian chicas even more!
dialogue:
Girl #1: damn! who is that?
Girl #2: You don't know Andrew Jones?!?!?
Girl #1: That's Andrew!!! OMG
Girl #2: Oh yeah ;)
That's pretty much how it would go.
Andrew,
This sounds lovely! What an exciting time... complete with alligator skin and lateness.
PS I also agree that you ought to obtain boots and a hat to complement your belt!! Hawt!
Continue to have a great time!
Katie Murray
This Katie person sounds very wise. Listen to her, listen to me, support the local economy! (Dude.. it rhymes ;) ) With all those reasons... you've probably ordered the boots and hat already right? Good lad :)
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