The week that should have been!!!

The week started off so beautiful as I took in a very interesting cultural event in Santiago, Guatemala. Nov. 1st is Todos Santos day and all Guatemalan families go to the cemeteries to pay tribute to lost ones in their family. Kind of bizarre to see families spend days preparing the favorite meals of their loved ones and then going to the cemetery to eat that meal on top of the grave and socialize. However, it was very interesting to take in the event that proceeded this because it was completely incredible. In the afternoon was the festival of Barriletes (kites). There are all kinds of competitions of who can make the biggest kite, most colorful, best design, and who can fly the highest. None of you would believe how enormous these kites were and it was so much fun to see them come crashing down on the Chapines as they took cover for safety.

On Saturday at the center we all got together and played against our Spanish teachers in a very competitive game of soccer. The score ended up being 4-4 and we thought the perfect way to end was with a tie. When I got home Connie was giving Jarol a bath outside of my room as the cute little guy said to me naked with a huge smile “Andrés mira, estoy bañando con agua frío.” (Look Drew I’m taking a bath with cold water) All I could think is that I truly have become a part of this family.

Sunday was a huge day for me because it was the championship game of my basketball league. It was a really big deal as the entire town showed up to watch the game along with a bunch of my friends. There was a DJ playing Reggaeton music so loud I couldn’t think the entire game. I started off playing really well and hit a couple of 3’s to help my team to a four point lead at halftime. The second half got really rough and a couple of fights broke out. I JUMPED UP TO BLOCK A SHOT WHEN I GOT UNDERCUT AND LANDED ON MY WRIST. I didn’t think too much of this and kept playing the game. With one second left on the clock a guy on the other team got fouled. We were up by one point and he had a chance to win the game. The refs decided to call the game and just let this guy shoot the free throws to determine the game. As this poor guy approached the free throw line the entire crowd and teams stood on the three point line to heckle him. He was so nervous on the first one he air balled the entire backboard to the right. The second one he missed the shot short and the place erupted. My teammates went nuts and my coach lit off cheap fire works to celebrate. Afterwards there was a trophy presentation and the team decided to present me with the trophy. It was a tremendous honor and I will truly miss playing with them.

After the trophy presentation my arm really started to hurt so my friend Rochelle helped me carry my stuff home. She decided that I should call the medical officer because she was worried about my arm. Our medical officer decided that I needed to come in to the capital to have it checked out. I really found out how good of friends I had when Rochelle said she would come with me and help me out. My buddy Seth on my basketball team drove all the way from Antigua to pick me up and take me to the hospital. Unfortunately, I found out that I had fractured my arm and I would indeed need a cast. CRAP!!! I have to wear it for three weeks and I have to tell you that I am kind of bummed out. No salsa dancing, sports, or playing with my kids for 3 weeks plus 2 months of rehabilitation. It could be worse I guess. I will just keep my head up and realize that people have it worse than I do. Keep smiling right???

Take care,

Drewski