I am beyond tired today.  I’m not sure what happened to me, maybe it was the sun, but I didn’t feel like doing anything today.  Because of that, I hardly shot anything.  The day started with a walk around the city of Coban, continued with a class of Qeq’Chi women learning how to make purses from pure string, and ended with a Gallo (the national beer of Guatemala).  The class was amazing because it was like 15 women and me and of course we can’t communicate so there’s a lot of smiling and they say something and laugh.  At one point one of them said that they would go to the US and learn English if I learned Qeq’Chi.  I agreed, I’d try to learn Qeq’Chi and I think they took that as “Yes, then they will be married.”  Maybe it was lost in translation, maybe I’m now legally married in the Qeq’Chi culture (sorry Kessbabes – by the way the Qeq’Chi equivalent of Kessbabes is Cud’Xuils acul la ot).

Anyway, here a a few images.  Hasta manaña.

So many emotions today. We started the day at an Aldea called Santo Thomas. Juan, Juan Jose, Santiago, and I all loaded into the 1970 Land Cruiser car of death (for my faithful blog readers you will remember last year’s incident – Mom, Sandy, Kessbabes). I found myself once again behind the wheel, tempting fate. I love driving in foreign countries because it feels like I’m breaking a rule. Anyway…

So we spent some time dialogging with the peope of the village and I listened while they told me about the problems they have with their water system that St. Pat’s donate, thanked me profusely, and apologized for now throwing a party for my arrival – about which I was a little confused because it was just me who came to see them, no other gringos in sight.

Anyway, let’s start with the photos from the Aldea.

In Kek’Chi culture you never leave food behind. Ever. So they gave me my leftovers in a giant leaf. I tried to explain it was going to sit in a hot car and go bad but they just said ok, so you take it then. Who am I to argue with a people that are direct decendants from the Mayans?

After we left the Aldea we went to see Brother Leonel’s work at the basuereo (or garbage dump). There is a whole community that lives around the dump and makes their living by wading through garbage and collecting cans, bottles, plastic, and other things that can be turned in for money. It’s maybe one of the saddest situations I’ve ever heard of. And yet…

It’s so overwhelming when you think of the extent of the need of Coban… wait, of Guatemala… wait of 90% of the entire world. You have to fight little battles, I guess.

What a beautiful wedding today.  Fabiola + Heyner were married in Coban.  I didn’t know about this wedding, but yesterday I found out they were getting married and had no photographer.  It’s got to be the most last minute booking I’ve ever had.  Here are a few hot of the press.  No retouching or anything and they’re kinda out of order probably and the colors aren’t right most likely because I’m doing this on a Macbook, but you get the idea…

Well today was a little lighter than yesterday in terms of my heart not splitting in 2. But, it was still amazing to get out into the towns that make up Altaverapaz, the region where I am. In other news, I’M SHOOTING A WEDDING TOMORROW!!!! I don’t think I could actually be any more excited for it than I am. So many shots to take… but they’re going to think I’m crazy! But who cares, the photos will be something else that’s for sure. I can’t WAIT to blog them either. Wow.

Here are a few from today.

This is Juan Jose almost dying.

Juan Jose, normal.

This is Alvaro, one of the kids in Juan Jose’s youth group.

Juan Jose, Alvaro, Leonel, y Angel.

Tonight I’m off to dinner and drinks at one of Coban’s VIP’s home. The man is a doctor and also just gave something like $10,000 to the Monastery last week. Should be a good time. And did I mention I’m shooting a WEDDING tomorrow? Yep. Wow.

No talking today because my heart it too full. If I say any more, it may explode.