Sleep in comfortable, clean bed in a nearby hotel or dorm.
8:00 Breakfast in the biblioteca
8:30 Leave for the clinic and bodega to load up
Arrive at village, school, pueblo, or cantón and set up
See medical patients. Dentists do extractions.
12:30 lunch break--Sandwiches that we made after breakfast
1:00 - ? See medical patients. Dentists do extractions.
Return to San Lucas.
6:00 supper
Evenings are open to visit, use internet cafe, enjoy the
night life.
The parish generally plans some type of recreational activity
each week. It may be a picnic, a boat trip on the lake, a visit
to neighboring towns like Panajachél or Santiago Atitlán.
The truly adventurous can organize a hike up the volcano.
Many volunteers end their time in Guatemala with a visit
to the famous ruins at Tikál or the beautiful colonial city of
Antigua Guatemala.
|
 |
| Typical House |
|
|
Most of our patients live in concrete block, cane or adobe-walled homes. Roofs are of corrugated steel, thatch or plastic sheeting. Running water is nearby. Latrines. Most--but not all--areas have electricity. All laundry is done by hand. Bathing is from a bucket.
|
 |
| the mission hopsital |
|
|
The QUETZAL is the national bird of Guatemala. The currency is also called the Quetzal. The quetzal lives in the rain forest and is very rare. It cannot live in captivity.
|
San Lucas is a small town. People look out for one another. Volunteers are generally quite safe.
There have been occasional assaults and petty thefts. AS with any new environment, a bit of "street smarts" is a good idea.
• Do not carry a lot of cash with you.
• Make sure that your passport has been secured in the parish's safe and that you have a copy of the passport photo page with you.
• Avoid flashing your money.
• Dogs are not immunized against rabies. Be Cautious.
• The local "cantinas" are also brothels. HIV is not widespread in Guatemala but there have been cases in San Lucas.
• You may have a strong impact on a local person. You may be honored with a request to become a god parent to an infant. This is an honor and a lifelong responsibility. Do not undertake it lightly.
|
|
