Settling in site / Getting to know Guatemala

Quick update to be followed by a more detailed one in a few days. I arrived at my site Sunday evening, just as dusk set in. My first few days have been good- some challenges have already come up, but I know to keep a strong stance on some things (read: not becoming a personal secretary), so I’m not seen as a pushover. The main problem right now is that my counterpart doesn’t know how to use a computer, and this means that she will give me everything of hers to type up. Or so she thinks.

My solution? Teach her how to type. However, since the office is making it seem like she can’t practice on office computers during office hours, I’m going to have her practice typing whatever she wants me to type up with me assisting her. No, I will not become a pushover! And especially not a personal secretary (unless, of course, that were to be my job title :P).

In all seriousness, I don’t see the point in me doing a job that anyone else in the office could do. That’s not my job; my job is to help them with skills the office is lacking, and that is marketing. But if I’ll need to teach my counterpart how to type, then so be it. She’s an incredibly smart woman, I just need to build up her confidence so I can do what I came to get done, which is help the women’s groups promoting their products.

Anyway. More on all of that later. I’m starting to really warm up to my site, despite it being anywhere from 2.5 to 4.5 hours away (depending on the time of day and state of the roads) from what I would have considered the “real world” back in the beginning of August. My temporary housing situation is great, I just need to start looking for something more permanent before time runs out. The past 2.5 months of training went by fast. Of course there were slow times, but looking back, I have trouble figuring out where all the time went!



Now for a little lesson in Guatemalan culture. Since Peace Corps Volunteers aren’t allowed to drive cars or ride on motorcycles, and unless we can get a ride with a friend in their car, we have but one option: the chicken bus.

Probably the most noticeable person on chicken buses is not the driver, other passengers, or even the real chickens clucking as the bus jumps over an ignored speed bump. The guy collecting the money, the same one who threw your 80lbs bag on his shoulders before running up the ladder of the back of the vehicle to load it on the roof of the bus. This immortal-like person is the ayudante.

The Ayudante: A Romantic Goldmine
by Miriam Pope

As seen in the Xela Who – Quetzaltenango’s leading culture & nightlife magazine

Ladies: if you’re looking for some sweet lovin’ while in Guatemala, we would like to direct your attention to a generally overlooked man-hunting hotspot: the chicken bus.

Even before entering the chicken bus, listen for that striking voice that hollers the bus’s destination 27 times in 2 minutes. Then observe as t hat same gentleman grabs you and practically shoves you inside the bus. Once aboard, monitor this Indiana Jones of Guatemalan transport as he risks his life to scale up the moving vehicle, grab your stuff, and be waiting at the door, backpack in hand- all before the bus stops.

Because it’s this hunk- the ayudante- that makes the chicken bus a haven for potential Latin love! Derived from the Spanish verb ayudar- to help, the ayudante assists travelers, and so much more. You owe it to yourself to take another glance at these grand helpers. Here’s why:

• If you’re already impressed by the performance of an ayudante on the bus, imagine him off the bus! Consider the way in which an ayudante finagles his body through the masses in order to collect bus fare. Imagine that ability on the dance floor, or even in the bedroom!

• Recall those life-threatening moments when the ayudante keeps his cool, no matter that the bus is going 87 MPH, around blind corners, in the dark, on a dirt road/cliff. The ayudante is a guaranteed low-drama boyfriend.

• He is damn smart. At a bus stop, say 13 people get on, 6 get off, 8.5 (.5 = baby on back) switch seats, all simultaneously. An ayundante isn’t confused by this. He can instantly recall who paid, who didn’t pay, and who still needs change for their 100Q bill. With that memory, he is sure not to forget your birthday!

• Ayudantes are not typically applauded for their fashion sense. But we beg to differ in this sentiment. Confidence is in these days, and as such, ayudantes are like fashion gods. Imagine being a man confident enough to flaunt his chest hair in an unbuttoned, plaid shirt, tennis shoes and rad 70s glasses. Top that off with over-gelled hair and starred teeth- a sure way to get you rolling your rrrrrs.

So ladies, jump on a bus today to find your Guatemalan romance. Ayudantes are sure to help you out; both on and off the chicken bus.