A Guatemalan Challenge

Before I came to Guatemala, I enjoyed a period of relative security.

Though I chose to live simply, I certainly never lacked anything.

My "simple" life included several meals each week consumed in restaurants.

My favorite was a Sushi/hibachi combo joint just a few minutes to my south.

And I enjoyed many of the oceanside venues of my Jersey Shore neighborhood.

During my first weeks in Guatemala City, my future father-in-law invited us to dine out.

Our party of three quickly ballooned to a family adventure requiring multiple cars.

Everyone was excited about this rare treat.

When we pulled up at the local Pollo Campero, I was a little relieved.

My father-in-law did not have much money for a fancy night out.

Instead, we gleefully piled into the strip mall's fast-food chicken joint.

Little did I know that such events would soon constitute a "night out" for me, too.

The capital city has nicer restaurants, especially in the tourist sector.

But our most recent celebratory dinner was served by the staff of McDonalds.

We took a photo of the three of us enjoying the moment.

Memories of my first night out with the extended family came flooding back.

And I waxed nostalgic about when I routinely dropped much more money for dinner.

When I took Yesenia to New York City for the first time, we ate at a Hard Rock Cafe.

For years, details of the trip shared with folks back home included that excessive tab.

That meal would cover two weeks of our current grocery budget.

(It's easier when your fruits and veggies are grown in the neighborhood!)

Yesenia and I occasionally take advantage of visits close to the touristy area.

We might indulge by visiting PF Chang's or really splurge at an Applebees.

But Pollo Campero and the local Mac are more likely to see us for a special meal.

My standards have changed, and that's okay.

We're never hungry at night.

And that's more than we can say for too many of the children and parents around us.

When we have enough to pay for a fancy Argentinian Steakhouse, we'd rather not.

 Such a thought elicits the look I first got when I paid that Hard Rock Cafe check.

It's not like we don't enjoy life- we're just back from a weekend at a national park.

And we'll be eating pizza and bagels in New Jersey this fall.

But on a day-to-day basis, saving a little on excesses- whatever that defines- has value.

And that is the challenge we put to others right now. 

Maybe once a month, you can change some plans.

Pass up the expensive seafood palace for a simple pizza.

And send the money you save to a food bank or other charity.

Or you can buy an extra bag of your favorite treat and share it on the street.

Most folks, especially those with kids, will find that difficult.

But if you can do it once, I bet you'll want to do it again.

Because it feels good to help less fortunate folks, especially to share food with them.

The reason for our modest grocery budget isn't solely because fruit is cheaper here.

But it is very Guatemalan to share, regardless of your own wealth or situation.

We see that time and time again in crises big and small.

Maybe you'll try our "Feed Someone Else" challenge.

And we'll do our best to keep folks fed down here.