Guatemala continued

The Human Rights office of the Archdiocese of Guatemala is tucked away inside an imposing building which is part of the Cathedral in the Parque Central. An initially icy receptionist pretends not to understand me and tells me I have to wait of an hour because everyone is at lunch, but eventually she melts under my sunny and unusually patient disposition and she is asking me IN ENGLISH if I’d like a coffee!

I am here to ask about a report called “Guatemala, Never again!” which talks about the work with survivors of the Guatemalan Civil war, and another project called Puentes de Paz (ESPERA) started by an American psychologist to help survivors of trauma.

Earlier at the Red Cross office, I somehow managed to “have a conversation” with a helpful staff member who gave me the details of the XELA branch where I am heading later. The Red Cross is still working with communities affected by Hurricane Agatha in May 2010 and I am hoping to do some voluntary work with them.

I end up waiting nearly 3 hours at the Human Rights Office, but spend my time practicing my Spanish and planning my trip

in Guatemala. At one point I have to go to the toilet and somehow manage to go to the “Hombres”. I only know because a man coughs noisily while I am in my cubicle and relieves himself. I am not bothered but I don’t want to shock an old man in a Catholic institution so I wait until he leaves.

I meet with the “Coordinator of Reconciliation, who thankfully speaks English and kindly offers to pull together some reports and write an email introducing me to some colleagues in other organisations I may be able to talk to, but I will have to come back next week.

I spend the rest of the day back at my accommodation trying to figure out how I am going to make everything work. Later after speaking to Francesca (the owner of the b and b) I decide to go to Tikal, Chichi and Antigua and then come back to Guatemala. Another adventure begins.

Hasta manana

Mon x