Paxtocá

The following is a guest entry by Michael Lewis: My First Day My first day of work, I got up, showered, and sat down to a “typical” Guatemalan breakfast with Martín’s family. We had beans, eggs, tamalitos, and some hot “mush” (think VERY watered down oatmeal – i.e. I’m not sure mine actually had any oats, but I know there were at least some in the batch). Martín’s mother-in-law thought I might enjoy some Corn Flakes as well, which she put in my mush. And enjoy it I did. At this point I should probably explain my purpose in coming to Paxtocá. I initially came to Guatemala to study at a language school called Ulew Tinimit in Quetzaltenango. It’s a Spanish language school which also offers K’iche’ and Mam. I came for the K’iche’. One of the advantages of a language school like Ulew Tinimit is that in addition to five hours a day of one-on-one instruction, they also place you with a host family that provides you with three meals a day, during which time they will try to carry...

The following is a guest entry by Michael Lewis: On my second day in the tomato greenhouse, Felipe had gone to Santa Cruz del Quiche for the day to pitch our stevia plants to an exporter association. Not sure how successful he was, but I stayed behind to work with Victor, who is also a native K’iche’ speaker. Victor is about the same age as Felipe, early 20s, but unlike Felipe he is married and has a daughter. Like many people in this community, Victor really wants to go to the United States. Here the average wage for someone like him is $10 USD a day (actually a little less, Q70). In the United States he could potentially earn ten times that even at minimum wage. Everyone here knows this, which is why between 5% and 10% of the town’s residents currently live in the United States (this number varies depending on who you ask). People want to go over, even if it means going over illegally. So it’s not surprising that Victor asked if I knew how to get a visa. I told him the best...

The following is a guest entry by Michael Lewis: Most of my writing of this blog was performed at the offices of the Cooperativo Xe-Ixtamayac (which is actually where I am right this moment, but they may change by the time Martín posts this). This cooperative is basically just a credit union. It has thousands of associates in many communities in the area. Not surprising, its primary function is to protect the savings of its depositors/associates, extend credit to people who need it, and realize a profit. Access to credit alone can do amazing things to transform a community in a cash-poor society, but the cooperative also seeks to be a more proactive force for good. The Cooperativo Xe-Ixtamayac was founded in 1987 by Pedro Jorge Batz Caxaj, who is still its president, and who has a vision of developing Paxtocá for the better. In 2006, the cooperative established a school called Fuente de Sabiduría (Fountain of Wisdom). ...

The following is a guest entry by Michael Lewis: Day #1 – Independence Day and My Arrival in Paxtocá I arrived in Paxtocá about 10:30am on Monday, 14 September 2015. I came up from Quetzaltenango (or Xela) by way of the “Rosario” bus to Salcajá, followed by a pickup service that runs from Salcajá to Paxtocá. When I got here the streets were lined with people. It looked like the whole town had come out to await my arrival, so I was a little disappointed when I saw the looks of confusion as I jumped down from the pickup with my luggage. Turns out everyone was just getting ready for the big Independence Day parade. So I called my contact Felipe, who came to meet me near the fairgrounds, we dropped my stuff off at his house, and then we joined the crowd in eager anticipation. The real Guatemalan Independence Day wouldn’t be until the next day, September 15 th . If you want to see a real party I’m told that’s when you should head down to Quetzaltenango, which I had ju...

No cabe duda que Dios elije el mejor lugar para cada uno de nosotros. Paxtocá es y ha sido el mejor lugar del mundo, porque en ella aprendí que el trabajo es el secreto para tener éxito en la vida. Como olvidar mis primeros años de conciencia, cuando nos correspondía pastorear las ovejas y las vacas de la familia, con mis hermano, la hacíamos de jinetes, para nuestra suerte, jamás nos descubrieron, por nuestros padres, como adoramos ir en los barrancos, donde podíamos buscar cerezos.  Más tarde llegaban nuestros amigos y vecinos, cada quien con su propio estilo y apodo, nos tocaba jugar nuestras chamuscas, toda una experiencia bajo la lluvia, como olvidar esos momentos perfectos, donde no teníamos prejuicios, fuimos y somos felices en Paxtocá. Como olvidar las primeras lluvias, con nuestras botas de hule y otros sin zapato, saltábamos y corríamos en los charcos de agua, shucos y feos, niños locos, pero felices en medio de la naturaleza, porque no había nadie quien n...