First Alma, then Arthur ... slog, slog, slog

I employed a bit of a triple jump this morning to cross one of the rivers, ... er ... streets here on my way to work. Many smarter Guatemalans stayed home, leaving the town market nearly empty today.

I figured the rains were more effects of Tropical Depression Alma, but I learned this morning that her kissin’ cousin, Arthur, known around here as Arturo, had joined the fray in a one-two punch. First from the west, then the east. Storms usually follow in alphabetical sequence, but since Alma originated in the Pacific Ocean and Arthur in the Caribbean Ocean they each share the first-letter “A.”

Guatemala’s authorities have declared an “Orange Alert” for the entire country in response to the rains (here’s a computer-translated version of the news alert). In the northeastern part of Guatemala, more than six inches of rain have fallen within 24 hours. I’d guess we’ve gotten at least a couple of inches here, maybe up to three or four. For most of us at Viña, it’s been soggy, not dangerous.

But for Flavio, our videographer, who travels back and forth from Guatemala City for the weekends, it was a bit more costly. Because of the rain, he left his motorcycle at home and boarded a bus this morning with his cat, Baudelaire, in his port-a-cat backback and other things in his personal backback. Unfortunately, some petty thieves took advantage, one distracting him and talking to him about his cat while another rifled through his backpack, stealing his cell phone and some other things: Bus fare: $2. Stolen items: $200.

Accuweather's hurricane center provides colorful images but rather disinterested, U.S.-centric reporting.

“We’re going to have to watch the area again all week long,” said the weather reporter as they showed swirling clouds. “This time of year if there’s the a development (affecting the U.S.) it can often come from southern Gulf of Mexico or the western Caribbean. But thunderstorms are the main concern in the middle of the country again...” In other words, “It’s only real news it affects the good old U.S. of A.” Oh, well, at least he acknowledged weather (if not life forms) outside the borders.

I’m hoping to figure out a way to cut down on the humidity in my apartment. (Perhaps convincing the landlady to replace the windows she broke when she got locked out.) My wrinkling books are wishing for sunnier days.

Meanwhile, among other things, I’m researching data for a video we hope to produce on Bible translations. Seems many Mayan pastors have such reverence for the antiquated Reina-Valera Spanish version of the Bible (sort of the King James Version for Spanish speakers) that they don’t use the more understandable translations in their own language.

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Here are a couple of weather reports from the area in Spanish and translated by Google.