Dead bodies, running and IHOP

Here's how my guide book describes Guatemala City:

The capital has an intensity and vibrancy that are both its fascination and its horror, and for many visitors dealing with the city is an exercise in damage limitation, as they struggle through a swirling mass of bus fumes and crowds.

Needless to say, I have very little desire to spend time there. I go in a few times a month for med runs and that's more than enough for me.

The volunteers have asked me to go in with them a few times (which I've always declined), but this time they rooted out my weakness and promised me breakfast at IHOP. Do you know how much I miss breakfast sausage?? Apparently enough to motivate me to go to Guatemala City for the weekend.

IHOP wasn't my only reason for going, of course. Three of the volunteers were running a half marathon and we wanted to go cheer them on. Originally the plan was to head into the capital super early Sunday morning, but Elizabeth (the Guatemalan volunteer dentist I live with) came to the rescue and invited us to stay at her family's house in the city. I was really excited to see what her home was like and spend some time with her family.

Elizabeth's house was AMAZING. I had anticipated a nicer-than-average home just based on how well put-together Eliza always is, but I was surprised at how great it actually was. Leather furniture, big screen TV, six burner stove with gourmet kitchen; it was better than a lot of houses in the US! Needless to say, we had a very comfortable stay there.

Her family was so nice. Elizabeth slept on the floor of her sister's room so that Nona and Stephanie could have her bed. Jack and I slept in what we thought was the spare bedroom, only to discover later on that it was actually her parents bedroom. I still have no idea where they slept, but I suspect that they went to the neighbors house. How crazy nice. Then they spent the whole weekend feeding us and driving us around the capital. They're really a wonderful, self-sacrificing family, great people.

Here we are trying to control ourselves before ripping into the awesome lunch that her mom made us.

After we all had a nice lunch together, they drove us all to the convention center so the girls could pick up all the stuff they needed for the next day's race. I had no idea that there's usually a big expo before races like this. It was pretty cool, we got to walk around and collect tons of free stuff :)

These two stands completely represent my diet in Guatemala: powdered fruit drinks and bags of pasta. Horrible, I know

Jack stares longingly at the bouncy house. We had to tear him away before he made a run for it

Once everything was set with the race we headed over to Miraflores, a huge American-style mall. They were hosting a traveling exhibit of Body Worlds (not to be confused with Bodies: The Exhibit which was involved in a lot of controversy regarding using unclaimed Chinese bodies). We waited for hours to get in, but it was worth it. I've been to shows like this several times before, but I always feel like I walk away understanding a bit more than when I went in.

Yep, that's his skin that he's holding

This circulatory system looks like it should be a character in a Tim Burton movie

Stephanie and some guts

Mary had a little lamb...

So yeah, I feel a little bad for the lamb, but how amazing is it to see how intricate the circulatory system is?? They do this by injecting plastic into its veins after it's dead. Then they dip the body into a special acid that eats away everything except for the plastic, leaving this really cool model of the blood vessels. Forget being cremated, after I die I want to be plasticized and stand in the corner of my family's house as a giant Shawn-shaped blood monster.

Now the REAL fun part of the trip begins. After the show we went over to the restaurant section of the mall and ate at a TGIFridays! SO HAPPY :)

Stephanie and Jack are pretty excited for some American hamburgers

omgomgomgomgomgomg!!!

It was the most delicious cheeseburger I've ever eaten. Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

Post-dinner group shot

After dinner we had to walk through the mall to get to the car. All the stores were already closed, but it was still a completely different experience than what I've had so far in Guatemala. This was my first foray into the world of middle class Guatemalans, and while it isn't reflective of 98% of the people I know here, it was still really nice to turn my head off from all the poverty for a bit

Commercialism at its finest!

I LOVE this parking system. They have little sensors in front of each parking space, and a sign at the end of the aisle tells you how many free spots there are in each row. It saves you from driving around aimlessly looking for an opening. I was so impressed with this, and then the European volunteers told me that they have this by them too. Come on USA, lets get with the program!

The green ones are open spots (it was after closing time, so a lot are open at the moment)

This is the amazing pre-race breakfast that Eliza's mom made us the next day. I LOVE plantains so much!!

Ready to cheer everyone on

With thousands of people there and most of the roads closed for the run, it was a great opportunity to get to walk around the city without having to worry about getting lost or mugged. The city is actually pretty nice.

Eiffel tower-esque structure

I originally thought this was the police academy, but its actually the Ministry of Defense. I can only imagine the consequences of accidentally taking a picture of the Ministry of Defense in the states.

Really beautiful Peace Fountain in the capital

There are a ton of statues in the capital

Random statue and gatorade stand

This church was pretty cool looking, though I was waiting for that cross on top to crash down and spear someone through the chest a la The Omen.

Ah, people watching... and my new motivation to start running. Look at those pecs!

(Funny side story, while I was showing Martin (the kid who helps in the clinic) my pictures of the race, I felt the need to explain this one. I told him that I was so impressed by this guys chest that I had to take it, so when he ran by me, I did. Martin was horrified. He was like, Oh my God Shawn, you can't do that!! I was surprised by how upset he was. After a little more conversation I realized that I had used the wrong word. Instead of saying "I took it" (tomar), I said "I touched them" (tocar). No wonder he was freaking out, he was picturing some crazy gringo jumping in front of this guy and grabbing his chest, hahaha)

I really loved that there were people with all sorts of ability levels here. Quite a few participants were using wheelchairs

On the lookout for the girls. It was pretty challenging, there were SO many people there!

Yay Charlotte! (The only one I was able to get a pic of)

Walking through a tunnel to the finish line to find our runners

Post-run group shot

The girls pose with their signs

After the race it was time to celebrate! Off to IHOP! I was still really full from my breakfast at Eliza's house, but I managed to get down a few pancakes and sausages ;) I was very pleased.

Post-Ihop photo! Notice how happy we are with pancakes in our bellies

The trip to the capital was a total success. I'm actually heading back to the mall this week to have some more mental downtime (and to scope out what other American restaurants they might have tucked away in there ;)