Pensamientos de Guate Uno
Random thoughts that I’ve got to get out from the developing country that is Guatemala. And for me to rationalize wasting time on the internets, it’s in Spanish (and then English).
Primero punto: la polucion. Respiro muchas fumas de carros y autobuses todos los dias, y la polucion no ayuda mi asthma. Estoy tosiendo con un tos seco. Ugh.
Dos: necesito una escopeta. Todos la tienen aqui… en las escuelas, las farmacias, el centro commercial… increyible. Es mas por la espectáculo que uso, pero es un poco difficile a comprender.
Tuve un obsecion con mis intestinos por esta semana. Es completamente mejor ahora, pero al comienzo de la semana, un sonido pequeno de mi estomago me preocupe mucho. Tuve mucho miedo de problemas gastronomicas, pero ahora soy fatalista.
1st issue: the pollution. I’m constantly breathing fumes from cars, buses… it’s awful. My cough-variant asthma is in full effect.
2: I need a shotgun. Everyone here seems to have them. At schools, pharmacies, the mall… it’s incredible. It seems like it’s more for show, to scare people off than for actual use, but I still don’t really get it.
I have had a ridiculous obsession with my bowels this week, but now it’s better. I swear, the tiniest gurgle from my stomach would send me into a panic. I’ll still eat safe (no street food), but otherwise I’m giving up. I hope I don’t get anything, but it’s probably out of my control.
Voy a esperar de subir archivos algos photos si yo puedo.
I’ll try to upload some photos if I can.
(Feel free to correct mi espanol si quieres… escribo a computadora muy rapido!)
Muy bueno!
(My last spanish class was 10 years ago. and I’m so close to the border!)
Welcome to Guatemala, and enjoy! (But just make sure to drink your cervezas straight; the ice cubes are made with tap water.)
-Celeste
I can understand your Spanish easily, but have no idea if it’s correct!
hmm,I’m going to try to help out with my limited spanish.
usually, when we talk about smoke from cars we call it “humo de carros” .. instead of fumas because that’s related to smoking-as in cigarettes.
and you can check me on this but: ..Estoy tosiendo con una tos seca..es mas por el espectaculo que la usan..Tuve una obsecion ridicula con mis intestinos esta semana…voy a esperar a subir algunos archivos de fotos si yo puedo..
but remember that locals barely pay any attention to grammar- so these things might not even matter when speaking to them.
btw, I wish you would come work at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn after your residency- It’d be great to have a doctor who speaks Spanish [most of them only know "siente bien?"]!
and perhaps after you’re finished training with spanish, come to the Beijing Language and Culture University to do an intensive in Chinese!!
I love Guatemala! What part of the country are you in?
My first trip was to Guatemala City, Chimaltenango and Antiqua – on a mission trip! My life was forever changed! In fact, my best friend just got back from Guatemala last week – and wants to sell her medical practice and move there to begin a ministry!
Your spanish is very impressive, but I’ll throw in my two cents as well.
Primer punto, not primero.
el espectaculo, not la. (I hate the feminine/masculine stuff.
preocupo mucho, not preocupe.
I’m sure there’s something else in there but that’s all the stands out at the moment. My spanish has gone down hill since entering college (Moving from Houston, Texas to Austin, Texas, which has a much smaller hispanic population). I doubt it’ll get any better when I move to Cambridge for Law School.
Qué bien que está en Guatemala estudiando español! Ojalá que pueda continuar blogging! Siempre disfruto de leer sus notas y pensamientos. Buena suerte, doctor!
como es el programa de espanol medical en pop wuj? estoy pensando en irme alla este verano. fui a xela hace un ano y me gustaria volver para trabajar en la clinica, ya que estudio la enfermeria.
como me encantaba guatemala! no te olvides de visitar las fuentes georginas y el lago atitlan.
wow, very cool that you’re in guatemala. I was there a few summers ago and loved it, Lago Atitlan was just amazing, and Todos Santos was such a nice town (beware of dogs at night). Definitely talk to as many locals as you can..and try to visit all the maximon ‘shrines’(?) in every city..as they are all different. (mayan ruin(s) and old sites are also worth seeing..)
I’d write this in spanish..but my spanish skills has deteriorated.
I’m happy to find your site! I’ve been a Spanish Medical interpreter for over 3 years now, and have decided to go to med school…..so, I’m in the market for the experiences/advice of those who have been there. I went to Guatemala as an interpreter with a group of doctors and it was an amazing experience. Good luck, and I will be cathching up on your blog here!
ps – someone corrected your use of “me preocupe”, but you used it correctly…your spanish is great. Keep practicing….and keep writing your blog in Spanish!!! When you are more fluent in the future it will be fun to go back and read how you used to write in the beginning. :-)
Thanks for posting in Spanish! I rarely use my medical Spanish and it helps a lot to read it.