Tis the Season

Growing up I remember seeing pictures of grocery stores without food and hearing about gasoline rationing. The results of war and economic hardship. Hurricane Stan affected everyone in Guatemala—some lost homes and loved ones and others suffered losses less devastating.

In one doorway in Villa Canales, I saw the after effects of the storm for one family. While the wife and child sat quietly on a plastic chair inside the doorway of their home, the husband placed cement blocks on by one in the doorway in an attempt to make it harder for the water to enter when the streets flood next. A necessary precaution, even if the two feet the door stoop already was from the road would seem to be enough.

Karen, Beatriz, Esther and I spent a morning trying to find food. Many of the supermarkets in Guatemala City did not have vegetables or fruit and many feared it would only get worse. We went to Klub Co (Like Sam´s Club)… even there in the warehouse environment we were met with empty shelves… no fresh vegetables or fruit and they were running low on beans (a staple for Guatemala) and noodles, and many other basics.

It was a different kind of fear—to face the possibility of not being able to buy food and not being in the position to obtain food in any other way.

At this same time, we are having trouble finding gasoline as many stations simply did not have a supply truck come for days at a time. In some areas of the country prices were being illegally raised—supply and demand—or simply feeding off of misfortune?
For example a pound of tomatoes was Q. 3.50 has risen to Q.10.25.
A 5 gallons of Drinking Water was Q. 13.00 has risen to Q. 50.00

In the midst of it all people were buying the basics to provide for their countrymen in need… beans, rice, milk, water, oil, sugar… creating shortages in Guatemala City but it was refreshing to see people think of others. Then on October 15, it began. The radio stations began playing Christmas music. While in the mood to help other… we naturally can being taking advantage of sales on Christmas gifts for our own families… right?