A Morning in the Park (Lisa)

Yesterday I had a goal - to meet someone new and have a chat. I didn´t care who, or what language it was in. I found a comfy bench in the central square of Antigua, got some Guatemalan coffee, and planted myself for three hours. (Anthony was out playing with lava atop a live volcano.) Here´s a brief synopsis of some of the people I met:

A 10-year-old Mayan girl, selling hand woven scarves. She came running up to me, hurling all the English she knew at me (mostly along the lines of "I make you good price"). She made me laugh, and I bought a scarf after an exhilarating round of bargaining. I probably still paid twice what I should, but I had fun. The little girl works five days a week selling her stuff - no school.

A homeless (I think) alcoholic (I know). He shuffled up to me in dirty clothes and stocking feet, reeking of urine and alcohol. I was ignoring him until I realized he was speaking (broken) English to me. I decided to open my mind and hear what he had to say. Turns out he lived in Portland, Oregon for years, working at McDonald´s. He´s actually legal to work in the US. I asked why he left, and he said, "Because I am stupid." He wanted nothing from me, just a chat. In fact, he told me about one of the restaurant owners in town who helps him - "But when she gives me money, I just go drink". He told me he wanted so badly to change, but didn´t know how. He complimented my blue eyes, thanked me for listening, and shuffled away.

A retired expat, a man of around 60 or 65 from L.A. He lives in a five bedroom house all by himself (he pays $300 per month) on the outskirts of Antigua. He went back to school to become a nurse at age 51, and still works and volunteers here in Antigua, using his nursing skills. He´s livin´the good life in Guatemala on $1000 a month.

A Belgian traveler, here for a month visiting the family she lived with 7 years ago when she was studying Spanish in Antigua. We chatted a bit as we were both sitting on a bench writing in our journals.

I enjoyed my morning in the park, and my goal was accomplished. And I have to admit, the folks I met gave me some things to think about.....