A little of this, a little of that

We are heading east for our "white Christmas" this year. Yes, you heard correctly. We will spend our week off on the white, sandy beaches of the carribean coast just 6 hours from Chamelco. Spending our first holiday season without family will be strange and a little lonely, but we are taking advantage of being this close to the coast.

There is a governmental state of siege in our region for the next month in hopes of fighting the Mexican drug cartels. The Mexican government has really cracked down on drug trafficing, but unfortunately for Guatemala the "Zetas" cartel have relocated themselves here. They are taking advantage of the poverty by recruiting indigenous through promises of financial prosperity. The police and military have the right to search any car or house without a warrant and have been doing so. Our lives have continued as before here in Chamelco, but in some nearby cities more armed men are seen patrolling the streets. We hope and pray this will help take care of the problem before it becomes an even bigger one. Now don´t freak out and vow to NEVER come to Guatemala, because it's just part of being in another country.