IMAP

On monday I went to IMAP, the mesoamerican permaculture institute. Just getting there was fun, it was like an assignment to get to this random spot that almost no other foreigners get to. It was completely random that I even found out about them. My Mom told me she looked at someones blog who was travelling in Guatemala and they went to IMAP. After doing some internet searches I didnt find any website but found an email which led me to another email of the volunteer coordinator, who sent me directions. The directions included things like ¨walk a kilometer through the avocado trees¨and ¨turn left at the cyclone fence¨
I took the boat from San Pedro to Santiago Atitlan, which was a much better ride than normal as it was a big boat and you can get on the roof. Once in Santiago I was accosted by guys wanting to show me where Maximon is. Maximon is a pagan god born out of a mixture of Mayan gods and conquistadors. He is an evil spirit, and must be appeased with offerings of rum and cigars. He is always housed with a different family (I think every year). It would be interesting to see him, but I didnt. Just the fact that seeing him is the only reason why people go to Santiago and because I didnt want to risk getting ripped off by the guides turned me off. Besides you can just look at pictures online!
Anyway, following my directions like a treasure map, I went up the hill to the road, turned left and walked a block, and found a pick up truck headed for San Lucas Toliman. I told the driver to take me to Pachitulul. These trucks are awesome, they drive around and pick up anyone anywhere and drop them off when they slap the truck or whistle, and you just pay them a bit when you get off. Hitchhiking is incredibly easy here.
Anyway I made it to Pachitulul and walked through the avocado orchard to IMAP. No one was expecting me (unfortunately I went when the volunteer coordinator who I had been e-mailing was gone) but I went up to the office. They found a guy who appeared to be the head honcho, and he explained to me about permaculture and what they do there. Its mostly for education, but they do go out into communities and teach them things. Most people wont adopt permaculture methods, whether for economic or other reasons. It started in central america when bill mollisons books, in spanish, made it here ten years ago. 5 years ago IMAP was founded. Its good to know that its a local initiative, although of course foreign permaculture experts have come and helped. I couldnt understand alot of what he said, but I got the jist. There was a Spanish couple that had been there for a month, doing various projects on a daily basis. There were three French girls that had just gotten there and were weeding. I decided not to stay and volunteer as the main guy said it would be best for me to work in the communities, but nobody could tell me what I would do with the communities. Its based on your own initiative and skills. Besides you have to pay 8 dollars a night without food!! I do wish I had gone when the girl I was emailing had been there, as she speaks english and probably could have given me a better picture of what I could do. Regardless it was very cool and inspiring to see a place like this, and to know that there are places like this all over the world that are showing people sustainable methods and how to live better.
Look at my flickr for pics of what they had there.

So I came back to San Marcos and I am staying with the family that lily has been staying with since we got here. They are a cool family, with a little yard with dogs, chickens, and fruit trees. We can cook in their kitchen. Yesterday we made them french toast with eggs from their chickens. I did another 5 days of spanish class, and whew, I am tired of learning verbs. I have re-learned all the tenses I learned before plus more, all in 2 weeks. Speaking them is another matter, which will take review and practice.

Food notes:
Coffee is a big part of the culture here. Alot of people drink coffee all the time, especially after dinner. I exclaimed that if I do that, I cant sleep. But it doesnt do anything to them, as Daniel, the father of the house explained. It actually calms him after a long day of construction work and lets him sleep better, he said as he downed his 3rd cup at 8 pm. This confused me until I heard how the mothers believe that drinking coffee alot while breastfeeding produces better milk. As they explained this, a child who couldnt have even been 2 years old was greedily drinking down a cup. Needless to say, I have started drinking at least one cup a day.

Chipilín is a leguminous shrub that grows alot around here, in gardens and amongst milpas. Im pretty sure it is the snow pea thing that permaculturists suggest for a N-fixer. Here they use it in seafood soups. My teacher in San Pedro told me about it and I mentioned it to my host family. The next day We had chipilín with shrimp soup. It is a natural sedative, and I took a good nap afterwards.

They eat unripe, green mangos here because as soon as they ripen they get worms. They are actually pretty good with salt.

So now I am staying in San Marcos, thinking about going to WWOOF in Chiapas at the end of august.