Report from Guatemala

[Guest guest]

Good evening,

I just got back from Guatemala this morning and wanted to make a quick

gastronomical report. In short - no problems. All of the pre-trip paranoia

from the dentists and trip organizers held perfectly true for the non-raw

travelers (everyone but me) - they got sick even though they sanitized their

hands and food. I was able to drink and wash with the local water and eat the

lettuce and other foods that harbor all those bacteria. We didn't discuss it

openly very much, I may get a chance to when I meet the trip organizers again.

 

I was enough of an oddity among the travellers (mostly 3rd-year dental students

on Spring break doing humanitarian dental work among the rural poor) that I made

an impression on them, although I did hear the usual mutter to the effect " well

that just can't really be happening, it must be an aberration " .

 

The food was great, tasty, local and humane. I had salads that got my tastebuds

dance for joy. Mangos and avocados are in season, every kid walking down the

street seemed to be eating one. When I was biking I had to dodge the fresh pits

that had been tossed in the street - they would've taken me down.

 

The kids were beautiful and pleasant to talk (er, um, well - gesture) with.

The dental students were lamenting the recent introduction of sweet processed

snack foods in the schools (the vendors give a kickback to the school to pay for

books) - the kids are so hyper on sugar that they can't sit still to read the

books or listen. We hope to change that in future trips. It's ultimately a

matter of someone caring enough to stay there and follow through.

 

Hosta Luego

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick. Glad to see your report of the trip. I had similar experience.

In Kenya, one gal got very sick from the malaria pill. She was throwing

up. Another gal was even sick for months after the trip. She did exactly

the opposite of what I did. I ate only raw food and she ate only cooked

food, making sure all the germs were killed. She smeared tons of

sunscreen and bug repellent cream all over on her skin. She thought she

was thoroughly protected. I was fine during and after the trip. Not only

I didn't get sick, a patch of old stubborn rash that I had for years,

disappeared during the trip. I suspect that was resulted from sunbathing

with my tan-through bikini bathing suit.

 

Helen

 

Nick Hein wrote:

>

> Good evening,

> I just got back from Guatemala this morning and wanted to make a quick

> gastronomical report. In short - no problems. All of the pre-trip

> paranoia from the dentists and trip organizers held perfectly true for

> the non-raw travelers (everyone but me) - they got sick even though

> they sanitized their hands and food. I was able to drink and wash with

> the local water and eat the lettuce and other foods that harbor all

> those bacteria.

>

> We didn't discuss it openly very much, I may get a chance to when I

> meet the trip organizers again.

>

> I was enough of an oddity among the travellers (mostly 3rd-year dental

> students on Spring break doing humanitarian dental work among the

> rural poor) that I made an impression on them, although I did hear the

> usual mutter to the effect " well that just can't really be happening,

> it must be an aberration " .

>

> The food was great, tasty, local and humane. I had salads that got my

> tastebuds dance for joy. Mangos and avocados are in season, every kid

>

>

>