Computers and a Coban Oktoberfest

During the last week or so, it's been a straight grind with computer work. It can be very dull and slow-moving, but necessary. A very unfortunate incident has rippled into the advancement of our project. Giovanni (the tech student from the local unversity assisting with our Multimedia Project) got in an accident on his motorcycle last weekend. While he has walked away from the accident, his friend passenger did not. We want to give him ample time to mourn and return to the project whenever is best. Please keep Giovanni, his friends and family in your prayers.

Thus, aside from a few weekend adventures, our schedule has stayed very steady (8:00a.m. wake/begin work, 10:00am coffee, 12:30pm prayer/lunch, 1-2:30 siesta, 2:30- 5:30pm work, 5:30pm prayer, 7:00pm dinner). Stability is certainly a theme here. Justin has began running again. While I haven't felt the running spirit lately, I will often take time to get out of the monastery and walk around, even if its for a quick 15 minute break. it's amazing how refreshing a quick walk around the block. I've also been working on my Spanish... slowly but surely.

Thursday 10/6 - Friday 10/7

Justin took our work period for Giovanni's visit on Saturday, when many of the computers were to be installed with the new software. Aside from this, we polished off Season 3 of The Sopranos by Friday night.

Saturday 10/8

During the morning hour, we worked with Giovanni on the computers. While we had set everything up perfectly, a few computers' softwares malfunctioned when they were rebooted. All in all, we got 6 completely installed, while trying to figure what was wrong with the others. We ended the session a bit distraught, planning on meeting with Giovanni later in the coming week (that night, Giovanni had his accident). 

In the afternoon and after the first half of the Notre Dame game (ND dominates Air Force!), I met up with some friends from Tavo's party. They had found my hat at the party and were nice enough to come by and drop it off. I decided to buy them some beers, and got the great opportunity to know Carlos and Eric, my two new Guatemalan friends. Both are from University of San Carlos, and both know a little bit of English. They're very friendly, genuine, and easygoing, as well as educated. When going out for beers, they each paid for a round or two. I returned back to the monastery later that evening feeling excited in knowing that I was becoming even more familiar with the young generation of Coban.

Sunday 10/9

Ocsar took me to Coban's futbol match. This time, it was held in Coban. Once again, I neglected to bring a camera, but next time I go I'll snap a few pictures for you all. The field is positioned in forest-like bowl. Many people prefer to sit atop a few cliffs or grassy hills above the stadium, just like in Collegeville. 

Coban won 1-0. It was a close game.. and my favorite  player #12 William something (who I call "William Wallace"). This Costa Rican has a full-head of dreads, and kind of looks like "Predator" on the soccer field. Very fun guy to watch. I even bought a jersey afterwards for 50 Quetzal. Coban is first place in their league, so I think I might just start following them (not many teams to follow in MN anyway). 

Monday 10/10 - Friday 10/14

Donations to Hospital (Justin Left, Alberto Right, Oscar center)

We discovered the news of Giovanni's accident on Monday. Knowing that Giovanni wouldn't be coming soon, Justin and I have moved back to the old towers and hard drives that were malfunctioning. While the process is slow, I seem to be gaining ground on it. I've fixed on average 3 computers per day. Assembly of these computers were almost from scratch. We did get a break during the week to help paint more projector screens and to assist in the transportation of a few donated crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers to a local hospital.  Steady work, fast week.

Openin' up a computer

Saturday 10/15

After a week of quite steady work, Justin and I were prepared to cut loose a bit for the weekend. Coban's Oktoberfest provided for exactly that. 

Picture that church-like fall festival mixed with a ritzy country club atmosphere The proceeds from the event goes to some charitable cause that no one knows about. There are several overpriced bottles of liquor, gift baskets, cakes, cookies and auction items for bidding. Everyone dresses to impress and talks local politics while sitting at roll-out tables and folding chairs.

There were all the major beers on tap (which made for about 5 different taps), as well as other beers for sale in the bottle. Lots of beer was given out for free, and the entrance ticket provided for a nice meal of weinerschitzel, german potato salad, and a giant soft pretzel. We stayed there for the whole afternoon and enjoyed each other's company. Chilio, Maria, Raul, Raul's wife, Justin and I all sat at a table. Tavo and Ines were working one of the pastel stands, and Carlos and Eric also stopped by to say hello. Once again, that community-welcoming feel came on, and I felt very lucky to have gotten to know so many nice cobaneros.

The event was sponsored by Gallo Beer, Guatemalan's national brew. While other beers were distributed by girls dressed in typical Bavarian style gear, the Gallo girls were scantly-clad with half a bra-top and tight leggings. Some skinny guy with a nerdy red "Gallo" polo was courting these two floozies around, taking pictures with pleasantly surprised 60-year-old rich men. Any country club member in the U.S. would have been mortified, but this seemed to be normal here.

Anyway, at one point, the Gallo girls were in pursuit of a few male volunteers for some terribly embarrassing stunt. Several of my friends all pointed at me, and I naturally refused 5 times. Finally, I relented, approached the stage (beer still in hand). Two other young Guatemalan men soon joined me.

The competition was simple: do a runway routine with a liter bottle of Guatemalan beer. The biggest challenge facing my routine? The bottle was empty. My first two competitors walked suavely forward and back, trying to look cool and collected. You've got to be kidding me guys! Warm the bus.

I played the whole runway, starting with a Michael Jackson-like figure snap. I utilized my wide hips in a sexy duck-waddle walk up to the front. In meeting front stage, I thrust my buttox forward, then the bottle of Gallo over it with my arm. The crowd roared. I returned as I had come, blowing away the imaginary gunsmoke from the tip of my left index finger.

The winner was determined by a "Crowning for Homecoming" style finger-pointing, electing me as winner by loudest cheer. My prize? A crappy women's running hat and a boring white Gallo shirt. 

The biggest tragedy out of the whole event? You guessed it. No camera (actually camera was there... batteries died). Typical.

Sunday 10/16

Today I've spent all day relaxing and blogging. I'm know we've got more work to go on the computers in the coming weeks. Soon, I will have to plan my trip to Belize. My visa ends in mid-November. Can't wait to hit the road for another adventure.