There are some of the most wonderful people I met in Panajachel. It's a place where the locals
Jonathan
In Panajachel, they have Tuk Tuk's like good old Southeast Asia. A tuk tuk has one wheel in the front and a carriage in the back, but it is motorized(kind of like half a motorcycle). They are all dressed up differently with lights, flowers, names painted on them, and some with music and disco lights. In Pana, they ride all around the island charging the same rate of 5 Quetzal (.50 cents) for anywhere you go. The first day I met the most adorable boy named Jonathan. He was so kind and seeing him in the morning made my day so much brighter. He came everyday to pick me up and he always said, "Good Morning Miss. Priscilla." One day I brought a cup of tea and he drove slowly down the rocky road so it didn't spill. He had tuk tuks behind him beeping and he didn't care. He treated me with such kindness and respect and I appreciated it. While I bought him a few snacks a couple times, I wanted to do something more for him. Although, on the last day I went to work early and I did not see him. I walked all over the main road looking for him just so I could say "Goodbye", but he was nowhere in sight-sad, but true reality of traveling. You don't always get to say Goodbye and they are left wondering.
All Teachers and Local Staff at Mayan Families
It was so special working with the Mayan community that I often thought, "This could be a community I permanently work with for a year or so." On a daily basis they are fighting for their rights and they are being discriminated against. With the connection, I had with locals I envisioned myself being able to form some great community rallies or groups. It's not a big island so the potential of building momentum is a lot smaller. My spirit is present, but my Spanish needs to be brushed up on a lot more, especially in comparison to the Americans language.
People were so wonderful spending time answering my questions about their culture, educating me, having me try local food, and sharing their talented craft with me. The teachers were so hardworking and dedicated to the kids and they were all volunteers. It was so great that I just didn't want it to end with these people, but all good things must come to an end.
Ana
Maria
Maria was a vendor on the street selling tostadas, beans, small salads, guacamole, and banana fritters. I insist she had the best frijoles in town and she said she had a magic recipe from years and years ago. While her two sisters had husbands and children, she was a free bird at 45 who focused on taking care of the family business. Her father became sick and she knew that she had to step up and keep things going. She was such a positive woman who spoke of her interests in seeing the world. She felt that one day she would also find her true love. I just sat and had these wonderful conversations after work while I was stuffing my face with frijoles, guacamole, fresh beets, and a green salad. It reminded me of Cinderella a bit how her sisters got out of Panajachel and moved to big cities and she stayed behind helping run the business for her father. She is a strong woman with dignity and great character. It was a blessing to meet her and spend time with her.
Philipina and Maestra.
On the island and in Guatemala, there are certain tribes that look Asian, which is where my term, "Little Filipino" came from. She didn't take any offense In the coffee shop, which basically sits on the street with a few bar stools and a few tourists. My little Filipino and Maestra work serving the coffee. One looked Filipino and the other was a teacher leaving me to these nicknames. We would sit and chit chat about relationships, having kids, and they would teach me about the local customs. They said that they only date locals men and would never date a foreigner because they are too intimidated. They both were content with their job, their friendship, and their lifestyle and didn't need anything to change. It's nice to be happy and content as not all people need to aspire for more. Some people just need their home, culture, their family, a couple kids, and a relationship and that is all they need.
South African Lady at Crossroads:
This amazing believer from South America started a coffee house a bit outside the center of Pana. When you walk into this small space, it is decorated with old souvenirs and some old photos of Pana. The people all smile and one another and say hello and how are you. It's special space because the spiritual component to it and it's charm and character. We sat and spoke about my travels and she gave such praise to the work I was doing with the community. She has a local little girl help her make the coffee and serve it. She has some amazing desserts and fresh coffee. In the coffee house, she plays Christian music and she was sharing some of her favorite scriptures. Only if moments could be this pure and lovely. I ate a brownie and had a cup of coffee-one of the best coffees in Panjachel and the freshest as they make it fresh right in front of you. Fantastic!
The Man with the Backpacks
One rainy night when I was running I stopped by to see this lonely looking man sitting in the rain. When it rains most people close their shops outside, but his shop was open for business. He was selling the beautifully hand crafted backpacks. Of course I had to go over and say, "Hi" to him. With some people, I can just feel the loneliness and I feel God pulling me closer towards them. He shared his financial difficulties and how slow his business had been the past month. He was speaking sincerely and I tried to sit with him and brainstorm some possible solutions. I gave him a strategy to improve business and he was content. Dressed traditionally missing his teeth, but his smile was as beautiful as the sun. a touch of God and that's what this community represents.
Jacinto
Honest Travel Agent and staff
Jonathan
In Panajachel, they have Tuk Tuk's like good old Southeast Asia. A tuk tuk has one wheel in the front and a carriage in the back, but it is motorized(kind of like half a motorcycle). They are all dressed up differently with lights, flowers, names painted on them, and some with music and disco lights. In Pana, they ride all around the island charging the same rate of 5 Quetzal (.50 cents) for anywhere you go. The first day I met the most adorable boy named Jonathan. He was so kind and seeing him in the morning made my day so much brighter. He came everyday to pick me up and he always said, "Good Morning Miss. Priscilla." One day I brought a cup of tea and he drove slowly down the rocky road so it didn't spill. He had tuk tuks behind him beeping and he didn't care. He treated me with such kindness and respect and I appreciated it. While I bought him a few snacks a couple times, I wanted to do something more for him. Although, on the last day I went to work early and I did not see him. I walked all over the main road looking for him just so I could say "Goodbye", but he was nowhere in sight-sad, but true reality of traveling. You don't always get to say Goodbye and they are left wondering.
All Teachers and Local Staff at Mayan Families
It was so special working with the Mayan community that I often thought, "This could be a community I permanently work with for a year or so." On a daily basis they are fighting for their rights and they are being discriminated against. With the connection, I had with locals I envisioned myself being able to form some great community rallies or groups. It's not a big island so the potential of building momentum is a lot smaller. My spirit is present, but my Spanish needs to be brushed up on a lot more, especially in comparison to the Americans language.
People were so wonderful spending time answering my questions about their culture, educating me, having me try local food, and sharing their talented craft with me. The teachers were so hardworking and dedicated to the kids and they were all volunteers. It was so great that I just didn't want it to end with these people, but all good things must come to an end.
Ana
Ana was an older lady who was selling her traditional clothing on Calle Santander. She lived in the mountain, and came down during the daytime to sell. Often when I ran into her she looked very tired and unmotivated. Each day I had a little pep talk with her as she would often complain about not having money. I had her independently figure out her own happiness and each time I saw her she appeared a bit happier. That frown was turned upside down and I loved our little chats together.
Maria
Maria was a vendor on the street selling tostadas, beans, small salads, guacamole, and banana fritters. I insist she had the best frijoles in town and she said she had a magic recipe from years and years ago. While her two sisters had husbands and children, she was a free bird at 45 who focused on taking care of the family business. Her father became sick and she knew that she had to step up and keep things going. She was such a positive woman who spoke of her interests in seeing the world. She felt that one day she would also find her true love. I just sat and had these wonderful conversations after work while I was stuffing my face with frijoles, guacamole, fresh beets, and a green salad. It reminded me of Cinderella a bit how her sisters got out of Panajachel and moved to big cities and she stayed behind helping run the business for her father. She is a strong woman with dignity and great character. It was a blessing to meet her and spend time with her.
Philipina and Maestra.
On the island and in Guatemala, there are certain tribes that look Asian, which is where my term, "Little Filipino" came from. She didn't take any offense In the coffee shop, which basically sits on the street with a few bar stools and a few tourists. My little Filipino and Maestra work serving the coffee. One looked Filipino and the other was a teacher leaving me to these nicknames. We would sit and chit chat about relationships, having kids, and they would teach me about the local customs. They said that they only date locals men and would never date a foreigner because they are too intimidated. They both were content with their job, their friendship, and their lifestyle and didn't need anything to change. It's nice to be happy and content as not all people need to aspire for more. Some people just need their home, culture, their family, a couple kids, and a relationship and that is all they need.
This amazing believer from South America started a coffee house a bit outside the center of Pana. When you walk into this small space, it is decorated with old souvenirs and some old photos of Pana. The people all smile and one another and say hello and how are you. It's special space because the spiritual component to it and it's charm and character. We sat and spoke about my travels and she gave such praise to the work I was doing with the community. She has a local little girl help her make the coffee and serve it. She has some amazing desserts and fresh coffee. In the coffee house, she plays Christian music and she was sharing some of her favorite scriptures. Only if moments could be this pure and lovely. I ate a brownie and had a cup of coffee-one of the best coffees in Panjachel and the freshest as they make it fresh right in front of you. Fantastic!
The Man with the Backpacks
One rainy night when I was running I stopped by to see this lonely looking man sitting in the rain. When it rains most people close their shops outside, but his shop was open for business. He was selling the beautifully hand crafted backpacks. Of course I had to go over and say, "Hi" to him. With some people, I can just feel the loneliness and I feel God pulling me closer towards them. He shared his financial difficulties and how slow his business had been the past month. He was speaking sincerely and I tried to sit with him and brainstorm some possible solutions. I gave him a strategy to improve business and he was content. Dressed traditionally missing his teeth, but his smile was as beautiful as the sun. a touch of God and that's what this community represents.
Jacinto
Jacinto sold pupusas with his wife on the Lake. He was such a kind, sincere man and he was very proud of his family business. His daughter studies business in Miami, Florida and the glow on his face shows his happiness for her. He tells me how he doesn't like San Pedro and tells me Santiago is the best place on the lake to visit. They have all kinds of artists lined up on the street- it's definitely a place for me:) He told me I need to stay in Pana for another couple weeks and I said, "Okay I will stay with you then." " Sure why not,
?" My hotel was right next to his house so I was joking saying I could just stay with him instead of the hotel. He enjoyed my Spanish humor and my jokes. He joked that I should take a profession of a Spanish comedian. We had such great chats and I stopped by to see him a few times purchasing a $2.00 pupusa two times. A pupusa is similar to a quesadilla except it has beans and usually some kind of meat. For vegetarians, we get cheese and spinach and beans- it's pretty tasty with some salsa picante. Me gusta!!
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