House Visits Galore

So I've been super busy doing house visits this week, I've been going house to house to do a census in one of our communities called Xemuj. House visits are NOT my favorite things to do, mainly because EVERYONE only speaks K'iche (NOT quiche (qu-ee-sh) you awful movie 2012 you!-quiche is something you eat with yummy cheese and veggies inside.) and so I go with my counterpart Romeo, who lives in San Vicente and works in the health center with me. He speaks K'iche and usually does all the talking while I take notes. In addition, everyone wants you to 'eat' something or have a drink while you are at their house...I know, this seems like a very friendly offering, and I'm very grateful for the effort. HOWEVER, I have to take it, to help build confianza with the people, so they'll trust me and talk to me in the future, and about 70% of the time after I eat something made by the people in the campo I end up with some serious diarrhea and/or vomiticious vomiting. It's super. On top of that (you know because that's not enough), there are the dogs... no, they're not dogs, that's being too kind...there are the killer chuchos. They are 'guard dogs' NOT, I repeat NOT pets, their one job is protecting the house from intruders, like thieves, drunks and those evil people from the centro de salud trying to help the community live healthier lives. OH NO!

Anyway we carry around large sticks, and usually (not always) but usually after threatening to smack the dog it'll back off (slowly with teeth still out and a nasty growl as a warning) until you can reach the house... however there are times when you have to give the dog a good (not too good! ... oops) whack before it'll leave you alone. Anyway, nothing makes you fear for your life an angry dog coming at you with its teeth out. NOTHING. Luckily my counterpart Romeo is pretty talented with his stick, and I've yet to be harmed - fingers crossed.