A Dark Day in Solola

Last Friday, November 27, 3 people suspected of killing another bus driver in Guatemala were lynched by an angry mob in Solola. Here is a link to an online article describing the situation. It made the front page on all the national papers here:

News article

I was never in danger nor did I feet threatened at any point but it was very unsettling once I realized what was going on. I was walking to my residence on my way to lunch like everyday and I noticed that a lot of people were gathered be the grocery store in the middle of town. I looked and saw that the crowd was flipping over a white van in the middle of the street. I was surprised to see such aggression seeing as how everyone is very calm and polite where I live. Friday is market day as well and I noticed that a lot of the indigenous vendors who set up shop were quickly gathering everything together and scrambling to get out of town. I went up to eat and find out what had happened.

I got to the hotel and spoke with the other guests and found out bits and pieces of what occurred. They told me that a bus driver had been killed near the hospital and that they residence found out what the suspects were driving and attacked them. The police apparently came to their rescue and put them in the local prison. The crowd, however, dissatisfied with the way the judicial system works in Guatemala demanded they be handed over and receive "justice". They forced their way into the prison and pulled the suspects out. They beat them to death right in the center of town and set them on fire.

I got a call from my boss at work saying to stay there and not come back to the office. I live about two blocks away from where all this was happening. We could see the smoke from the burning police station from the hotel. I tried to distract myself from everything and just read a book but all afternoon and evening you could hear the crowds yelling and cheering, things breaking, and what I imagine were gun shots fired into the air by the police.

Around 6:00, my friend from the hotel asked if I wanted to go down and see the aftermath. I had heard about possible lynchings but wasn't sure that it had happened the way that Marco described. So, we headed down and it was eerily calm. We saw the police station (still partly burning), the torched police cars, and the taxi that I had seen that afternoon. Then in the square, we saw a large circle of people and in the middle, the three burned bodies. It was an extremely disturbing sight. I don't think I'll ever forget the smell. Everyone was just staring silently. We stayed for a while and watched the medical examiner check the bodies. Then I told Marco, "Ya, no" meaning I couldn't stay there any longer.

I had been in close contact with everyone from San Lucas during all this and they were all very concerned about me. I received about 7 calls from people just checking to see how I was, which was really nice and I appreciated their concern for me.

I've had a few days to think about what happened and talk with some people about it. Many of my friends from Guatemala here told me "asi es la vida aqui en Guatemala" meaning that this is the way things are here. People are fed up with the corruption and the injustice that murders spend a few months in prison and then are freed. This apparently is not uncommon as the article explains. On the other hand, I just couldn't believe what had happened. I couldn't believe that this stuff still happens in 2009. It was like something out of the Inquisition. The whole experience was so surreal and the images were unforgettable.

When I arrived in San Lucas on Saturday, the word of choice to describe the events was simply "feo". And it was. An extremely ugly situation.

Caminata

In preparation for Bob Hentzen's journey from Guatemala to Chile in December (Walk With the Poor), the Hermano Pedro project here in Guatemala has planed a number of mini-walks. The teams here will be walking with Bob for different sections of the trip so on Friday to gear up and get ready, the team from Hermano Pedro along with the region of Solola did a 20 kilometer (uphill for the most part) "caminata" from San Lucas to Godinez.

It was really a neat experience for me to be a part of. I arrived in Guatemala nearly three weeks ago and kinda just stumbled across my first "caminata" which I post about earliers. This time I was prepared (poncho, water, good shoes all in backpack). It was great to see the group from Solola who I'll be working with soon. They all came in the day before and stayed the night here at Hermano Pedro. Everyone seemed to know one another with hugs and handshakes and kisses for all. They talk a lot here about the CFCA family and from my brief experience so far, you can really see it in action.

We played soccer the night before the walk and went to bed early because the walk would begin at 5am. Everyone was bundled up and ready in the morning and we set off before the sun came up. At times, it felt like we were only going uphill and it really starts to wear you out. We stopped for breakfast a much needed break about 10 kilometers in. What's nice about walking with this group is that they are constantly talking and laughing and enjoying each other's company so you almost forget that you are basically climbing a mountain! After a total of five hours, we finally arrived in Godinez. At times I didn't think I would make it but I think I gained strength from realizing that this walk is nothing compared to what Bob has done and will do in December. Everyone is so supportive too and it makes you not want to let anyone down. Here are a few pictures from the walk:

What is really admirable about the whole experience is that at no point did anyone complain or grumble. They all just seem happy to do it. They are excited and proud, I think, to be a part of something like the Walk for the Poor and I really see the admiration for Bob and all he has done here.

Update

Well, things here in San Lucas have really moved quickly. I guess I'll use this post to simply update everyone on what's going on here day-to-day. Currently, I am working in the correspondence department of the San Pedro project. I have been doing a couple different things but mostly I have to go over "fichas" or records that are sent in by social workers updating or giving new info about a child who could be sponsored. I check the birth certificates and make sure there are no errors. The other thing I do is read letters from sponsored children to make sure there are no special requests or addresses given. Basically, checking that they have not written anything inappropriate. My main job, though, in both these tasks is to check the translations from Spanish to English and I can tell you that it is a bit of a challenge. The translations are usually filled with plenty of errors, some that are easy to understand but some that make the sentences totally incomprehensible. My job, then, is to make a list of these problems and add suggestions on how to make them better. The work day here goes from 8-6, but lunch is served to us and we get an hour to rest. Also, we take two 15-minute "refas"(breaks) during the day. It's always busy.

Basically, right now I am waiting to here word on when I leave for Solola to begin working, coaching and teaching there. I think it will be this coming week, but I have not heard for sure. The issue is with whom I will be staying and I believe Hermano Jorge has talked to a few possible families. Anyway, I'm just training here and waiting for the go-ahead. It will be a bit of downer for me because I have really gotten to know the people in San Lucas and have enjoyed working with them.

Week 1

Well, I made it to Guatemala on Wednesday afternoon safe and sound. The drive from the airport in Guatemala City to San Lucas took about three hours or so. I was exhausted from the travel and from not being able to sleep the night before, but I figured it would be a light first day. Not quite...I arrive near San Lucas and by coincidence Bob Hentzen, and founder of CFCA, was there with the team from San Lucas doing a preliminary walk to get ready for the big walk from Guatemala to Chile in December. We pulled up to where the team was and walk stopped. Don Roberto waves me over. I get out of the car and he walks over to greet me and introduces himself. "Patrick, it´s so good to meet you. You feel like taking a walk?" I said "of course. I´m ready". While this is happening all the CFCA members on the walk are cheering and the streets are full of people who are taking pictures and celebrating while we shook hands. What a moment! The one thing I did not know, however, was that it was going to be about a 12 kilometer "caminata" and it was also about to pour from the heavens!! The walk must have taken over two hours. The rain was intense. The wind was whipping around us and the thunder sounded like bombs exploding overhead. I also realized a few kilometers in that I still had my passport and wallet on me. They are currently drying out. During the walk, I thought we were finished like eight different times. "Just around this corner...that´s got to be the end...nope...not yet. We just kept plowing through the rain. Finally, the walk was over and everyone cheered and celebrated. For the next few days everyone would ask me how I like my "gran bautizo" (great baptism). Quite the initiation into the CFCA family down here.

For the last few days I have been learning the ropes by working in the correspondence department making sure all the letteres get to the right destination. There are so many letters it is unbelievable!

It looks like I will be in San Lucas for another week or so getting trained before I head to Sololá. There, I will start teaching English classes, help translate letters, and coach some soccer. Should be a lot of fun! Tomorrow I will be going to mass with Hermano Jorge then everyone returns on Monday for another week.

Life is good here in Guatemala. Just trying to take it all in. More to come in the weeks ahead.

Leaving for Guatemala

I leave on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:25AM