Things I'm Learning: Part 1

1) It's approx. 7.5 quetzales to the dollar. This is not a great exchange rate.
2) You can get a basic cell phone for approx. 130 quetzales.
3) Many current problems that exist in Guatemala stem from the 36 year civil war (started in part because of the US's involvement...)
4) The National Palace was designed by a former dictator (pre civil war). There are 5 floors in the place representing the 5 letters in his first and in his last names. The inside color was his wife's favorite color.
5) There are people that make their living digging through garbage in Guatemala City.
6) There are no rules of the road. At least non that I can see.
7) Racism is not a purely American problem.
8) You can buy an ice cream cone for the amount a guajero makes in a day.
9) It is very difficult to unlearn muscle memory. For example, brushing your teeth. We have to use purified water, because the tap water could make us sick. While I have a bottle of water sitting next to the sink, it can be difficult to not just turn the tap on and put my toothbrush under it. That is what my hands and brain want to do. Also, toilet paper. It cannot be flushed, and has to be put in a garbage can next to the toilet. This can be difficult to remember when it is very early in the morning.
10) Guatemalan schools are very different than American schools.
11) Dogs live on the roofs.
12) Dogs also live wherever they want. There are tons that live on the streets and do not have a house to go to at night. I would equate the number of street dogs in Magdalena to the number of squirrels in the states.
13) Pelota is a loose term for any game with a ball. Soccer (the rules of which are also loose), volleyball, kick the ball as hard as you can and see where it goes, see how many times you can keep the ball in the air...these can all be "Pelota"
14) Crossing the monkey bars is called something along the lines of "pasa las manos." Usually it goes something like, "¡Seño, ayuda me pasar las manos!" (Help me do the monkey bars, teacher!)
15) Female teachers are called Seño_________ (As in I'm Seño Raquel). It's short for señora or señorita.
16) Teaching jobs are sometimes considered transitional jobs. You can teach after completing a high school equivalent.
17) God is the same here as he is at home and anywhere else.
18) Students kiss the teachers on the cheek as they leave.
19) Showers are a gamble. And water pressure is virtually nonexistent.
20) Things take forever to dry, if they dry at all. e.g. my hair, wash cloth, and toothbrush
21) Not greeting the people you pass is frowned upon. Buenos dias, buenas tardes, buenas noches are heard even if it's to a complete stranger. (At least here in Magdalena, it may be different elsewhere)
22) There is always room for one more. (#riding the bus)
23) Beans can be eaten at any and every meal.
24) Beauty is all around.
25) The climb is hard, but the view from the top makes it all worth it.