¡Recuerdo!

I remember! (FRENCH!  I am speaking more and more in French...it wasn´t present my first month, but now, here it is, and I don´t know why.)  Also.  I remember what we did last wednesday.  Well, someone reminded me. 

Last wednesday...

we went to a comadrona´s (mid-wife) house.  Incredible.  She knows so much, and unlike the private hospitals, she works to serve the women.  I was semi-shocked to learn that if the doctor´s think that a family has money, they will make up complications; suggest a c-section, which cost more money...and therefore make more money.  The comadrona we visited is 37 years old, and has 4 children (I think).  She uses both natural herbs, and ¨chemical¨ medicines to help her pacients.  She also strongly believes in steam baths and masages.  She knows what each plant does, and when she should use them....  She pulled up a weed growing beside the house in her dirt patio.  She rubbed the plant between her fingers to release it´s odor, and passed it around.  I think that the plant acts as a relaxant, but I can´t remember... it is not incredibly creative or innovative, using these plants... It is just using wisely what is around you, what has been gifted to you in your space.  I wish I knew as much about the plants and their potencial uses in Alberta.  I went to a primary school every morning last week to observe what public school is like.  My last day, we went to fly kites (which they made themselves) in a ¨nearby¨ field.  On the way, one of the students was telling me what some of the plants were for.  There may not receive computation or english classes, but they are so wise in other ways.  Too bad the world doesn´t really reward this type of knowledge in Guatemalan students.  It is so important.