Fieldtrips and more

hello all,
So I know I still need to write about some of the things that have happened in the past couple of days, but first I want to start with today.  A group of us went on the field trip to another town to see Mayan people and learn some about their culture.  I will be posting pictures up on facebook.  First we learned all about their different clothes that they wear.  Then we got to learn about the wedding traditions through a couple of our group getting to act it out.  That was very interesting.  Then after that we were able to look around at all of their different crafts they have made from blankets, scarves, table runners, purses, bags, aprons, pot holders to jewelry and much more.  I bought myself a beautiful multicolor blanket that was hand made and a gift for mom.  Then we got to try some of their traditional food and we each got to help make a tortilla.  Mine turned out pretty well, it was hard for us not to have them stick to our hands.  I also tried some fresh black coffee, which I very strongly dislike.  then we got to try crushing coffee beans, which takes a lot of work and I got two little blisters.  It was overall a very fun experience.  Oh and this morning I went to mass in the Cathedral, it was very nice but I need to sit closer and read the readings ahead of time to better understand. 

Yesterday we took a short trip to the "Cross on the Hill".  It is an old cross up on the hill with a fabulous view of Antigua.  I took lots of pictures of the view, which included some very nice pictures of one of the Volcanoes.  Otherwise a good portion of yesterday was spent doing homework and relaxing.  We did go out to dinner at a nice restaurant. After dinner we tried to find a club to go to and dance, but the one we went in was so cram packed it was ridiculous.  And the other one we went to did not have good music so most of us, including me, just went back home. 

On Friday the entire group went on a field trip to Chimaltenango to visit two different hospitals.  We first visited the national hospital there (there are several for all different areas).  It was very different than any hospital in the US.  You did not hear any beeping, any machines because there are not really any.  drips are by gravity.  They can only do basic surgeries.  If you need any special surgery or something you have to pay at a private place or you don't get it.  They have a small blood bank at the hospital.  They do have a newer building for maternity because it was donated by the government of South Korea.  but there was still not any of the technology we have.  And there were several women to one large room.  The second place we visited was a private NGO (non government operated) and there were not really any people around because they said the people come in the late afternoon and leave in the morning usually.  It was kind of a sketchy place but also not really any technology.  The guy who gave us a tour at the first place said that only private hospitals in Guatemala city can you see hospitals like ones in the US.  It was a learning experience. 

Well I will tell you more about Hermano Pedro and other things later.  For now I am going to try and put pictures on facebook.

adios,

Teresa