Clinic Outreach: Quixaya

Flores...

Flower stalls line the walk way leading up to the entrance of the cemetery. Selling their flowers to all those who come to pay respects to the dead.

Chocolates on a bus and Some Young Lovers...

One for the Road...

Between seeing patients the medical students started up a soccer game on a near by field. The Medical team was trying to get the ball under toe of some of the local girls but the boys kept taking control of the game,the girls however held their own and would take possession of the ball frequently. Fun game to watch. Now I have to pack up my bags and catch a pickup to Santiago, heading home (to Xela) for the week.

Clinic Outreach...

Headed out with Parish Health Promoter Jesus Antonio and a group of fourth year medical students to a small village near San Lucas called San Gabriel to help facilitate the medical needs of the smaller communities farther out from the Clinic in San Lucas. The group handled everything from colds to vision care and everything in between.

Clinic Update...

Just a few images from my second day shooting at the San Lucas Clinic.

Clinic...

Today was my first day shooting at the San Lucas Perish Clinic, here in San Lucas Toliman. I am barely scratching the surface with todays images. I am going to be spending the next few weeks and months here documenting the clinic and its outreach programs. Dr. Tun and the staff here at the clinic are amazing. Dr. Tun's bedside manner is simply put some of the best I have ever seen. I am looking forward to really exploring the going on's in the clinic and surrounding area.

Lucha Nueva! SI!...

With Healthcare being a struggle here in Guatemala, the National Health Workers Union protested infront of the Governors office in Xela this past Wednesday with continued protests Thursday in Guatemala City.

Movable Work Place...

You see these kind of mobil snack stands and comedors everywhere down here. Some of the venders push these stands around for miles. I shot this after dropping my friend and fellow photographer Pinar Istek at the bus terminal. Early mornings here in Xela are pretty interesting spans of time, like anywhere parts of the city are still sleeping while others are already midway into a work day.

Visa Run...

I had to head to Mexico this past week to renew my Guatemala visa. I spent the week in San Cristobal de Las Casas, beautiful town. When I arrived I wandered around a little and found a Mass being held for Bishop Samuel Ruiz who had been defending the rights of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas for years and helped in the peace process between the Zapatistas and the Mexican Government.

I arrived on Tuesday evening as the sun was slowly setting, I found people walking past one of the walls of the church in the central park reading signs and prayers for the Bishop. Wednesday his funeral was held outside the church, hundreds of people gathered around the plaza praying and praising the Bishop and his life.

Parish Coffee...

This past week I spent a few days in San Lucas Tolimon to meet with project coordinators with the San Lucas Mission and the head doctor of the clinic there. My meetings went well and I will be heading back to start shooting at the clinic in February. Between meetings I had some time to check out the Missions other projects one of which is coffee growing and processing. This was the first time I had seen coffee being processed and I have to say it was all very interesting. I am very grateful to the folks at the mission and the people of San Lucas for allowing me to visit them and make photos in their town. I look forward to going back very soon.

Coffee and some Mystery...

The view from my kitchen window as I was making coffee this morning. I'm heading to Lago de Atitlan (Lake Atitlan) on Tuesday to meet some contacts on a project I will be starting. Keeping my fingers crossed everything goes well with these meetings.

Taxi Driver...

Luis, is the cab driver I always call. One really cool dude. Along with a safe ride home late at night I also get some amazing conversation about everything from the state of the country to our families. If you are ever in Xela Luis's cab has a little mammoth and a penguin on the dash. He will get you to where you need to go!

Working...

After a morning meeting at Voces de Cambio I wandered to La Democracia Market my favorite market here in Xela. Its amazing how insane that place can get during market days. Today however was pretty quiet. Well quiet is a relative term. Even on "quiet" days these men and women hustle around!

Few Frames...

Bag Men...

Need a bag for all those fresh fruits and veggies you just bought at La Democracia Market? Just hunt one of these Bag Men down. For 1Q they will give you a nice new plastic bag so you can get those greens home.

in Motion...

Went to Chi Chi for a day trip this past weekend mainly stayed in the inner market shooting I love that place, not to many tourists mostly locals. Even with all the hustle and bustle of the market I found a quiet moment in the market.