In two hours I'm off to Volcan Pacaya, the active volcano a few minutes' drive outside Antigua. I'm actually taking my camera this time, so there actually will be some photos of the event. In fact, they should appear fairly soon since I'll need to post them before shipping all my used CD's home tomorrow.

"It's almost mind-blowing."
Guatemala's a poor country. Not the poorest around... but pretty poor. And as I've mentioned before, some of the most heartbreaking things are when you meet people who are supporting children and sick parents on almost no money... all the while smiling and laughing and welcoming rich camera-toting tourists. A couple of months of that will get you thinking about how lucky you are. I've always known I was fortunate to have wound up with the life I have... but when I start laying it out from beginning to end it's almost mind-blowing. We'll go step by step.

1. I was born. OK. Sounds a little obvious, but what were the chances? Especially if your parents, like mine, were from completely different parts of the country. What were the odds that a dentist from Mississippi and a teacher from Virginia would ever meet?

2. I was born in a rich, western democracy. What percent of the kids born on my birthday in 1974 were born in the First World? Probably way less than 50%. I tried to look it up but it was too hard.

3. I was born into a family that valued education and had the resources to provide such. Forget the Third World. There's plenty of poverty to be seen right at home. But even after lucking out with numbers one and two, I had another stroke of luck winding up with a family that saw to it that I became educated. Some would argue just how educated I've become, but they tried.

4. Whether through genetics or providence, I was outfitted with a brain that's at least adequate. There are lots of stupid people around. You've seen them. No matter how much schooling they're given, they're just gonna be dumb. I was never given the wiring for higher mathematics or appreciation for Woody Allen, but I feel lucky that I at least am able to learn and adapt to situations.

5. I was born a white male. It may not be a free lunch ticket, but I know it makes everything a lot easier. When I was originally writing this, I knew there was another one I'd been thinking of but I couldn't remember. An email from a friend reminded me.
   

I suppose this is all stuff I've always known, but walking around a country like this... especially outside of touristy places like Antigua... it really becomes apparent.

"Couldn't that also be Scandinavian?"
On a much less soul-searching subject, why does everyone think I'm German? Other travelers, locals... everybody. It's happened at least a dozen times since I left home. Sometimes even after I've spoken a few words in American-accented English. I mean look at the photos. Do I really scream German? Blond hair, blue eyes... I know... but couldn't that also be Scandinavian, Austrian, or... say... American? I guess I won't complain, though. If they mistake me for German I won't have to have the "What the hell's your country thinking?" talk. Unless, of course, it's an American Fox News viewer who's mistaking me for a German. (see the previous entry)

A special welcome to the load of new visitors I got just overnight. I can only assume it's from my buddy Mark Kahler's lovely article on about.com Thanks Mark! I assure all you new folks that things do get a bit more interesting than the journal entries are at the moment. It's just that walking around Antigua waiting for a package to arrive doesn't suggest the most thrilling writing.

OK... off to the volcano. Look for some new photos tomorrow.