I got my February living stipend check too late yesterday to make it to the bank (CITI) before it closed. So, this morning, I hitched a ride with Joel, who was going to the San Felipe site and got out about a block from Parque Central. The bank didn't open until 9:00 a.m. and I was about 20 minutes early, so I headed over to Barista (think Starbucks knockoff) for a chocolate con leche (hot chocolate made with milk). Yes, they also sell chocolate con aqua here, but I prefer it with leche. On the way, I took this photo of Volcáns Fuego (left) and Acatenango (right two peaks)
After I got my chocolate con leche (con llevar - to go), I walked over into Parque Central, where I was approached by two young men, both in school uniforms, who asked if I would participate in a survey. Having time to kill, I readily agreed. We proceeded to go through a staged routine, obviously designed to allow them to practice their English. It was delightful. I praised them on their English and continued my walk in the park. Still having time to kill, I sat on a park bench and was immediately targeted by one of the many boys who shine shoes. He asked me if I wanted a shine and I tried to decline. Then he said Q10 and I realized how little that was to me and how much it was to him, so I said go ahead. He did an enthusiastic job and when he was finished I had very shiny shoes. I paid him and headed over to the bank. I immediately regretted that I hadn't given him a propina (tip), but we've been somewhat short of cash for a week and generousity had taken a vacation.
The bank opened practically on time and when I entered, I was asked what I needed. I showed the employee my check and he asked me to step to the counter, endorse it and include my passport number. I then got in line. There were four tellers for the four windows and each had a client. There were also two people in front of me. Amazingly, they were fast and I soon was at a teller, to whom I presented my endorsed check and my passport (locals present their cedula or identification card). He quickly counted out the required amount, recounted it and handed it to me. I then recounted it, rejected two bills because they had imperfections and asked for replacements. It is a fact of life in Guatemala that merchants and banks will give you defective bills, but refuse to accept them. I've gotten very good at saying, no aceptable (not acceptable). I think it surprises them. They better get used to it, because this old gringo is going to keep saying it.
Before I left the bank, I asked the teller if I could open a cuenta de ahorra (savings account) with a tarjeta de debito (debit card). I was surprised when he said I could. That will be my project for next month, since I'll be receiving twice as much as I received in the check I cashed today and would prefer not walking the street primed to be a target.
Morning business accomplished, I walked 1/2 mile to Ochenta and spent my day doing research for future fund development projects. I really like this job, even if I don't get paid much for doing it. It is an opportunity to give back, while living a comfortable life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Gosh I'm blessed!
P.S. Once I got to Ochenta and told Alex what I had done, he said that only retired people go to Parque Central in the morning. I reminded him that I was a retired person.
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