Safety

One of the issues I have been thinking about in the past few weeks is the differences around safety and security in Canada and in Guatemala. The the issue is one that I have considered in the context of being in the developing world where safety takes on different meanings.

Let me share some examples. This morning we took a launcha, a small outboard powered boat, across Lago Atitlan. One each of the three trips there were no lifejackets in the boat and this is typical of all launchas on the Lake. It would be unheard in Canada to be in a boat without enough lifejackets for each person. We have been travelling to and from Chacaya, the aldea we have been working in, by pickup. What that means is we all stand, or some times sit on the wheel well, for the 20 minute trip out to the village. Unheard of in Canada.

The whole food growing and distribution network is another remarkable process. Any fruit or vegetable needs to be washed in solution to remove harmful bacteria, all water consumed is bottled and you have to consider carefully eating anything off the street.

And personal security is also an issue to be paid attention to, much like it is in Canada. Going out at night is something that I do only in certain parts of town. One keeps one personal belongs close at hand in large public environments but at the same time the people are tremendously honest. We were stunned by how the kids would return scissors or pencils handed out in classes even though they have so little in the way of school supplies. There are roads you just do not travel any time of the day or night in the same way there are parts of town we avoid in our own towns and cities.

It is clearly not as clean in part because water is an issue but also because there is less money available to build the infrastructures needed. But that does not stop people from being just as clean as those of us who have the money to access the hot water showers and have people who take away the garbage.

In the end alot of it is what you get used to, what you have time and financial resources to deal with and what you are willing and able to put up with. As I come closer to this adventure ending more and more I think its all about adjustment, assessing risk and deciding when it is worth taking.

And on that note, it is time for me to take myself home by flashlight.

Buenos noche
Colina