52

7:30 AM we climbed into a nice van and headed to Guatemala City.  We were stopped by several people who told us there was an accident ahead so we turned around…only to be stopped a few more times…and finally we turned around and headed out the way we originally planned. There had been an accident earlier but now it was cleared up.  There were only 9 in the van…such luxury!  Two from Maine had been on a chicken bus when a guy on top had fallen off…he jumped off & checked the man’s pulse and wanted to keep him immobilized…but the driver & another guy, picked him up & held on to him until they got to a medical center where they dropped him off with a bag of money that the people on the bus had donated to help cover the cost.  Good people.  Another couple in our van was from Belgium and I learned a lot about their schools…4 ½ days a week with lots of homework, everyone learning at least 3 languages, tracked in HS and many trained for jobs…the less motivated go just 2 days a week meeting mostly with a social worker (which he was) who tries to encourage them toward a more positive life.  The girl worked for Red Cross in the refugee program.  Belgium accepts many refugees who can have unlimited stay with bed, food, medical & a small amount of money.  Most who get to Belgium were at least middle class in their war torn homeland and most were there because of some religious conflict.  That led us to a discussion about religion.  They said most Belgium churches and others in most northern European countries were mostly empty.  Belgians feel religion is a private matter and they do not need to go to a public church.  Most do not like the Catholic church as an institution…too rich & showy…which led to a discussion of money.  50+% of their income goes to taxes, 30+% goes to mortgage is they buy a house…which many young people cannot afford today.  Most like the Euro but realize that Germany & France control their economy.  The final rider was an older American man who has come to San Pedro for 7 years…plays his harp for dinner & has a local carpenter cut wood, an artist paint it and he brings them back to the USA so he can build harps.  As always, a huge part of what we love about traveling is the people we meet.