Rain and Spain and Foto!

Hola todos,

This post isn't necessarily an update on my day or anything, but considering the fact that it is pouring here and Spain won yesterday, I have a few things to say.

I don't know how many of you realize the weather patterns that I have here in Guate. Here's a typical overview: I go to bed under my three sleeping bags wearing my boxers (because I didn't pack any sweatpants), long soccer socks I bought at the market (because I didn't pack any sweatpants), my one long sleeve t-shirt (if its not dirty from work) and I usually hug my one sweatshirt unless its really cold and I wear it. So its coldest at night and we live in a cement box. In the morning, I usually put on whatever I'm going to wear that day plus my sweatshirt to wear to breakfast and ward off the morning dew and chill. Then once or twice a week it gets warm until about 2 pm. Like warm where I'm putting on sunscreen. Maybe once a week it gets REALLY COLD where my nose sniffles and I wish I had two sweatshirts. Then come 2 pm, we get our afternoon rain. We are excited when it doesn't rain because then my warm close don't get wet, however no rain one day means double rain the next day. I just wanted to describe this to people so that when I come back, nearly as pale as May, you aren't shocked with "LAURA, WHY ARE YOU SO PALE?" You also might see me bundling up in sweatpants although I know its very very hot in Ohio, but I really miss my sweatpants, haha.

Currently ,I'm reading Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" and he comments on rain. This might be a little more extreme than my conditions, but not much:

"Rain spoils everything. There is no pleasure in walking in waterproofs. There is something deeply dispiritng abotu the stiff rustle of nylon and the endless, curiously amplified patter of rain on synthetic material. Worst of all, you don't even stay dry; the waterproofs keep out the rain but make you sweat so much that soon you are clammily sodden."

I heard Wisconsin is having great summer weather, too. Let's hope I don't bring the wet spell in August!!!

So, last weekend in Xela I bought my first ever sports jersey-Espana! Franz wanted Germany, Kevin wants Holland, and I want Spain to win the Copa Mundial. Before the semi-final games were played we decided to make a bet for the winner of the tournament! I have a 50-50 chance of winning! Take that men! Winner gets to buy at the market something ridiculous/embarassing/funny that the losers have to wear to my Despedida (goodbye lunch) on Monday. Losers also buy the winner something goofy from the market, but they don't have to wear it out anywhere. GOOOO ESPANA!

Above, is a picture of me and my host family the morning we went to Xocomil water park (from left to right...Dona Hilda, Georgina, Armando, Ariel, Iwrin). To the left behind us is the town cemetery-very colorful. And directly behind us is downtown Comitancillo. I will try and also attach a picture of downtown which will be above the family picture. Thank you for reading! Lluvia es igual a felicidad, Lowra