Buenos Noches a Antigua, Guatemala! It was another gorgeous day in Guatemala with more sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences to enjoy. The highlights for the day were the lenten processional that lasted more than 12 hours and the MWU medical mission orientation meeting.

The day began with a visit to the Caso Santo Domingo, a large hotel that is also home to the ruins from a colonial convent and cathedral. Then, some shopping, a delicious lunch of typical Guatemalan food, including puposas y papain, a grilled heavy corn tortilla filled with chicken and cheese and dipped into a tomato sauce.

The afternoon focused on two main goals: viewing a processional being organized by a local church and attending the medical mission meeting. After taking a cab to the outskirts of town, we found the processional at about 4:00 pm. Congregants create beautiful carpets on the streets made of flowers, vegetables, and plants. Some of these carpets are fairly simple while others are quite elaborate. The processional consists of all the young men from the church wearing purple robes, white gloves, and marching along the route. Groups of these men carry large floats that depict Jesus carrying the cross and other religious figures. A band follows behind the float, and some groups carry incense whose fragrance permeates the streets. People line up along the streets to watch the processional pass and to give their respect and prayers as part of the ritual of lent.



Photo: Young Guatemalan men march in a lenten processional

After watching the processional pass, we (Dr. Jim and Beth Cole and myself) hurried off to the MWU headquarters in Guatemala: the Hotel Sin Ventura. When we arrived, we received warm hugs from Dr. Alan Schalscha, MWU alum, AZCOM faculty, and MWU Clinic physician who is the medical leader for this year's mission. We also were welcomed by Dr. Larry Jensen, MWU Chair of Microbiology and mission co-leader. Noticeably absent this year was Dr. John Burdick, MWU Dean of Basic Science and Vice President for Clinic Operations, who was laid up with a back injury and not able to make the trip. His wife, Dr. Jan Burdick, CPG alumna and long-time mission volunteer, was able to come with her sister.

The meeting included several students from both campuses and all colleges (medicine, pharmacy, and health sciences); physicians affiliated with MWU either by proximity to campus, friendship with other MWU representatives, or MWU alumni (D.O.s, dentists, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, OTs, PTs, and others); as well as non-medical volunteers such as myself, spouses and children of physicians, friends of students, members of the Glendale Rotary, and others. Everyone greeted each other with hugs and there was clearly a sense of a family reunion.

Dr. Schalscha explained the upcoming week to the participants. In addition to the MWU team, there are groups from Michigan State COM and Kansas City COM who are also in the country at other clinic sites. This is the MWU group's second week, having treated approximately 1,500 patients last week. The bus leaves each day at 7:30 am for different villages that are in need of medical care. The first lady of Guatemala is also planning to meet with the MWU team on Wed or Thurs to observe their efforts and show the support of the Guatemalan government. The team will be divided into different groups, with the emphasis being on the physicians taking the time to teach the students while providing care to their patients. Volunteers, such as myself, will serve as "runners," helping the patients get from one place to another. Others will serve the valuable role of interpreting Spanish into English and vice versa. Instructions were given about picking up lunches, packing plenty of water, and being ready for a long but rewarding day at the clinic. Everyone introduced themselves and the excitement about the week ahead was palpable.



Photo: MWU Mission medical leader Dr. Alan Schalscha gives instructions to the team at the clinic

Following the late afternoon meeting, we got ready for dinner at Welten Restaurant. After we had ordered, the waiter told us that the processional was about to pass by the street in front of the restaurant. At nearly 8:00 pm, a full 8 hours after it started, the processional of young men in purple had finally made its way toward the town square. We stood on the street, along with all of the restaurant's employees, and watched the processional and the throngs of participants walk by. Witnessing this very special ceremony that is so central to the culture of this country truly sent shivers down by spine. I felt very blessed to be able to observe such a colorful and meaningful tradition of Guatemala. (I promise to post photos when I get back to the States.)



Photo: One of the religious floats carried during the processional

Dinner was once again delicious, shared with good friends and good conversation. When we finished, the wait staff made sure we found a taxi for the short ride home. Tomorrow, we have an early morning and a full day of providing health care to those in need. I can{t wait. Hasta manana, adios!