Message From Michael 10/25/2010

Alright so I´m in my first area here in Guatemala City. Somewhere in zone 7 of Guatemala City. My apartment is a garage turned apartment full of spiders and cockroaches with an added on bathroom. Kinda gross, but it works. I've not once walked into my room and not seen bugs on my bed. But I'm trying to fix that. My second day we visited a little neighborhood in our area known as a red zone. These red zones are areas designated by the city as dangerous for latinos let alone gringos but we went anyways. Imagine a Brazilian Favella. Jordan can go on that level of Call of Duty and get a good idea of what it looks like. We also met a 118 year old man who still works in his field. Walking around the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in the world at night can be scary for someone like me (a mormon gringo from the states). I have already been threatened, chased, and sworn at multiple times by multiple drunks :) The climax of the third day was when we walked into the room and my latino companion casually said, ¨Something tried to eat my bread.¨ How sanitary.
    As far as the people, they generally are pretty kind but can be unusually condescending when they know something you don´t. Like spanish. I think this is based on some sort of unassurity with themselves around gringos. Dad will be happy to hear they think I sound like a Spaniard. I know he recieved that comment multiple times on his mission. The missionary lifestyle is starting to work for me. I don´t mind getting up so early anymore and my neighbors blast GunsNRoses and Kanye West incessantly which is a pleasant reminder of home. We eat a lot of Pan De Manteca from the Bakery down the street which are these really cheap rolls. About 4 cents a piece. I was also blessed to enjoy Taco Bell once this week :)

I wish I could write more but I just don't have time today. I love all of the attention I recieve from my family and friends! Thanks!