Welcome And At Home In Antigua, Guatemala

June 8, 2009

"Kathleen, as long as I've been living in Guatemala," writes Correspondent Michael Paladin, "I've been struck by the kindness of the people in Antigua, which I suspect may be characteristic of other places in this part of the world.

"Tonight, out for a stroll, I stopped in at one of my usual watering holes for a glass of wine. The waitress, noticing my cheap umbrella that had recently deconstructed, offered to sew it up.

"Earlier, a lady at a tienda where I shop regularly offered me credit for a lighter when I was short a few quetzales.

"A few days ago, when the plastic nose pieces on my glasses had fallen off (again), the lady at the optician's office replaced them for free (taking some off a new pair).

"Never, in all my life in the States did I experience this kind of care and concern. If there is anything for me that reflects the quality of life in these parts, it's these incidents, and these are but a few examples.

"I feel blessed to be accepted here. I can't imagine now living anywhere else."

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