Independence Day

Well just when I thought I could get back to normal life after Andy and Laurie left, around rolls independence day on Sept. 15th. So basically the schools shut down for 1-2 weeks. The main tradition associated with Sept 15th is an Antorcha, which means torch. basically groups of people get together and take a road trip to another part of Guatemala or sometimes the beaches of Mexico and come back the eve of independence day, the 14th and run with torches and when they arrive in their town square they are extinguished and there is a celebration. Well after doing one last year, I told myself I wouldn't do one this year, especially after last years trip ultimitely lead to my surgery and I also was hit with a bag of Ice water in the eye which swelled up my eye pretty good. That and the fact that I am getting old and it is hard for me to sit in the back of a big truck for hours on end packed with people. But of course when invited I couldn't say no. My group ended up doing an Antorcha to Izabal which is on the exact opposite coast from Santa Cruz Naranjo. It is approx a 7:30 hour bus ride so you can imagine how long it can take in a truck. We had 40 people crammed into the back of the truck so there really wasn't much room to get comfortable. I would describe the comfort of the trip as a hayride with out the hay. It is probably not that unlike some conditions of people being smuggled across the border. We arrived at midnight to our first stop and most people slept in the park, but a handful of us, me included, stayed at a cheap hotel. Got up the next morning to see El Castillo de San Felipe, and old castle and do some swimming. We then headed to a beach which was supposed to be 20 minutes away, but ended up being 3 hours away on an unpaved and rocky and windy road. So the back of the truck was like a popcorn popper and us the kernels. I normally have a strong stomach but that ride made me naseous. So we got to the beach late, about 6pm and realized that there were not hotels, not restaurants, and the only bathroom was locked up by 7pm. Also there was no public lighting, only one light outside the one restaurant (that didn't have any food, but at least had beer) However at least the water was nice to swim in! So there was a big fight between as more than half of the group wanted to leave since there were absolutely no facilites and the rest wanted to stay. But since the road was dangerous to return at night we stayed the night and slept on the floor of the supposed restaurant. It was hard to sleep due to the hard uneven boards and the biting insects and it was quite chilly. But despite all the discomforts it was an incredible time!! So we left early the next morning to bring back the torch. All in all it was about a 12 hour trip. Usually you stop in various places along the way and run a few kilometers with the torch. But as we went so far away and were running late we really only stopped at a few. I wasn't going to run at all as I was badly sunburnt and my stomach was killing me and I was sore as hell from riding in the back of the truck with 40 people but as we were about 10 kilometers from Santa Cruz, everyone started chanting my name MATEO, MATEO, MATEO so I had no choice. So I began thinking I would just run for a bit and hop back in the truck. I forgot to mention all along the way people throw water into the truck and on you as you are running. It is said that some throw bags of urine and ice, but for the most part it is bags of water and hoses. So you get quite wet. I got caught up in the moment and ended up running the whole 10 kilometers. We got back about 11:30pm and then went to the organizers house for some tamales. It was really cool cause everyone was waiting for the Antorchas in the center of town. The best part is besides being sore I got no major injuries this year! The next day I took part in some of the Independence day activities. One of the most fun was called a Palo Encebollado which is a huge pole that they put in the ground and grease up. Along the way there are prizes and at the top is a cash prize. So I decided to give it a go as not really anyone would do it and my friend Ariel organized the thing. So I ran back to the house to change and then began the climb everyone was cheering and laughing. I didn't make it far but it was sure an experience. Later I helped boost kids up the pole. Which was the hardest part as they would stand and climb on my sunburnt shoulders and grease and dirt would fall in my eyes. Here are some pictures of the crazy event: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcMmLdo3YsmJD