Hospital Staff Picnic

We had a blast a few weeks ago at the hospital picnic. It was the first ever staff picnic in celebration of September 4th, the "Day of the Healthcare Provider" here in Guatemala. We drove half an hour to a park/chalet to celebrate. There was a big outdoor pavilion with a built in rock oven to grill all the meat. We spent the first part of the afternoon playing relay games, like passing an orange to the next person in line with only your chin, or carrying spoons in our mouth to fill a glass of water, or the classic spin your head on a soccer ball and then try to run back after you are dizzy. We finished with a great game of soccer.

After the games the hospital band grabbed their instruments and serenaded us with a variety of popular songs, including an adapted one called "El hospital" set to the music of a different song but with lyrics written by the band to make fun of all the staff at the hospital. Later we ate an amazing dinner or chicken, beef, intestines, liver, and kidney. I wasn't brave enough to try the kidney, but everything was amazing. We also had Guacamole, refried beans, sodas, and wine. The night ended with speeches of thanks and excitement for the coming year at the hospital. We are so grateful for our co-workers, their fun attitudes, and their patience with us as we learn and fuddle about. It was an amazing night.