Doble K'aj y Doble Talleres

We arrived early this morning at Santa Eulalia after climbing past 10,000 feet in the altiplano in the 4 hour journey from Huehuetenango. Orlando is our featured bloggist today and will describe the joys of a corn and wheat based gruel that we are been fortunate to be treated to today. Here goes:

Orlando, the most interesting man in the world:
"I don't always take public transportation, but when I do, I usually take a Tuk Tuk"

An impossible hotel, gaudy, yet dilapidated hotel, with views over the hills and fog,  whose vintage appears to be the 1940s, but the locals swear that this hotel has only been here 5, maybe 10 years at most.   How can this be? Santa Eulalia was a saint from Barcelona.  The Romans placed her in a barrel and rolled her down the street.  If this had occurred in Guatemala, she would have rolled 700 miles to the ocean, picking up some plastic bags and tortillas on the way.   Even the elevation of Santa Eulalia is in question.  Our headaches and giddiness imply at least 10k feet, though wikipedia experts say it is less. People here share a positive attitude, friendly even in the face of a difficult political and economic reality.   A few days ago I had to explain, once again what the hell a family physician is, much less one that might be interested in providing care to pregnant people.

Elena teaching about breastfeeding

Honorary Comadronas Bob, Orlando and Suzy with our new tribe. Note the Providence Bags with the Midwife kits.

Mali and PCI Member Rudy passing out the midwife kits

We spent a wonderful morning working with comadronas (midwives), via an interpreter translating from our lousy Spanish to K'anjoBal. Beautiful women in their outfits and ideas completely at odds to our own scientific biases.  An afternoon with nurses and nurses aids who work in outposts was easier and both were really fun.  These people take care of major emergencies, births, revolutions with zero governmental support, no gauze, no stitches, NO SHIT, I am not kidding.  Really inspiring.  

Anyways, mis companeros have come to not only tolerate but appreciate my unique personality, which I can say most do not.  On to another day tomorrow.  This is really fun.

The K'aj del dia

Orlando, El Chompipe.