Pizza, Alcohol, and Drugs

Today was another market day...perfect for a Sunday afternoon. We want to cook a pizza tonight, so we had to get the necessary ingredients; crust, cheese, sauce, mushrooms, pepperoni. So, if was off to the grocery store yet again.

We really lucked out today, because we found the ultimate supermarket. It has pretty much everything. They sell food, of course, but also clothes, stereo equipment, socks, floor mats for the bathroom. It's the Guatemalan version of Walmart!

I bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Scotch for one of the neighbors we met the other day. He was standing in his doorway when we were walking back to our house. A conversation started, and we learned that his name is Sergio. He's probably in his late 60's, and his English is perfect. He was an international law professor in Pittsburgh, PA for 25 years. His wife wanted to move to Tampa, so he quit his teaching position and opened up shop as an attorney. He told us that he quickly grew tired of representing South American drug dealers and illegal immigrants. So, he came back home to Guatemala to live out his days.

We were invited into his home for a drink of Scotch, but for some reason Michael was hell-bent on getting back to our home. So, the conversation with Sergio was interrupted. I'd like to learn more from him...so I bought this bottle of Scotch and hope to visit him tomorrow evening.

You may have noticed that I just referred to “Michael” as “Michael,” instead of his Spanish-given name, “Miguel.” He's decided that he would prefer to be called “Michael”...not “Miguel,” and not even “Mike” while he's here. He thinks the name sounds exotic to the locals. So, I'll call him what he wants, but I'm not changing the name of the blog!

We stopped in a drug store here to pick up some relatively harmless medication (Ambien). They gave it to us right away as soon as the understood the generic name. This is a great medication to help with sleep, and we could get it here without a prescription (unlike in the U.S.). This got us thinking...what other types of drugs could we get?

We asked for OxyCodone...and it was no problem! The pharmacist simply handed over a package and told us to have a nice day. Tomorrow, I'm going to see if I can get medicinal marijuana to ward off any possible glaucoma attacks. I've got a sore tooth, and I've heard that cocaine will take care of it in a second!

I love Guatemala!