I could tell you 100 stories about mechanics, but I am shocked that it takes a week to weld the oil pan. Any regular oil change place can have a welder out there to do it in an hour. I've never had to wait on a weld (either on my radiator or exhaust or muffler) longer than a half day at a mechanics. Gunther may do good work, and that is most important as we have gone to the mechanic much more often to fix what the last guy did wrong than to fix a new wear and tear problem, but if there is somebody else who comes recommended in Antigua, I would check them out.

I think the contract is a good idea if you were in the States, but I think this would be a a cultural thing that would not translate into Guatemala. There are too many things in their mindset and upbringing. I'm not saying that they can't understand a contract, but when La Economica comes out with an add telling them to spend their bono 14 on a new stereo, or they are thinking about buying Christmas presents that of course they haven't budgeted for because they've been trying to eat all year, they are going to forget really quickly. It will build resentment towards you for having "tricked" them into not getting a bonus. They will forget that their wage is higher than everybody else's doing the same job.

Also, their family members won't understand either. The whole family will know how much they make per month, tell all of their friends how much Marco is paying maids (10% higher than everybody else) and you will have the unintentional consequence of not only setting yourself up to get taken by everybody else, but of raising the accepted monthly salary of all maids in Antigua.

I think the best route would be to pay the fair, accepted amount and make your budget to include those extra expenses.

I do think a contract would be good for other aspects of home life, ie a gardener that comes once a week to chop your grass or an albanil renovating a new bathroom, but for a maid that comes every day and knows how much she is supposed to get, you would be better off just paying like everybody else does.

I don't think Guatemalans are lazy. In fact, most of my friends are some of the hardest working people I have ever met. I think their lives could be better if they could be taught to work just as hard, but smarter or with better tools, but their work ethic is not in question for most of the people I know.

I DO think that Guatemalans in Gringo heavy areas have an unhealthy dependency on the rich white man. Instead of thinking how they personally could divert their energy towards helping the community, they expect things to be given to them. This has been caused by too many white people giving things away and creating that expectation, but many caught in that train of thought are more than happy to stay there (especially the "middle class.) Your comments reflected that dependency, rather than an independent spirit. More would get done and the country would be better if those chapines would take some initiative and personal responsibility to do things for themselves by themselves.

Oh and we have been on a three year search for pie crusts as well, but have had no luck so far.

Our first Thanksgiving in Guatemala we were living in Xela and the Mennonite bakery had pumpkin pies for sale. If somebody is coming back from there, it would be worth asking them to bring you some.

Mark- We have found nutmeg, creamed corn, yellow corn, canned pumpkin, brown sugar, pecans, cornstarch and a meat thermometer at the Hiper Paiz in Guate. Actually, we have everything except the pumpkin and pecans in Petén at the Maxi Bodega. Cornstarch is in a yellow box next to the oatmeal, but it's name escapes me. I'm pretty sure it starts with Ma (some derivative of Maiz.) Cornbread mixes are one thing that we have brought to us when people come. Happy hunting.

This is the caterpillar for the huge big brown moths that like to fly in your face and scare you into thinking they are birds in the house. They are only poisonous to the point of causing a rash if you touch them.

And after doing a quick google image search they are the leopard caterpillar for the Holomelina opella moth.

Normally it is used during breaks and when guys get hot. Apparently it cools you off nice. Of course, that could just be the reasoning given in Petén. How's the weather been lately?

Hey Mark,
I just recently had some things happen that I am not at liberty to tell anybody. There are people behind the scenes who have more at stake and regarding your safety have nothing to lose. Granted, Antigua is not Petén, but it is still Guatemala where you stand to lose much more than will gain. You can steer people in the right direction and if anybody asks you can tell them where not to go, but I would not put it out there on the blog for all to see.

Larry and Claire are why we are in Guatemala. We worked with them during our 10 month acclimation period (ha ha, like that is enough time...I'll let you know when we're fully acclimated.) Everybody should read her posts about the baby sacrifice.

http://www.examiner.com/x-24698-Wichita-Travel-Examiner