When Rob and I weren't planting anti-organic peas alongside poor Civil War veteran campesinos during our recent month in Guatemala (or, more commonly, sorting through tens of thousands of American-donated pencils), we had the opportunity to cheer on the local soccer team (officially called the Antigua Avocados, but known derisively by their enemies as the "Green Bellies") as well as the USA's 2012 Olympic weightlifting team. The former won resoundingly in its season finale, as was relayed live to tens of Antiguans via the radio play-by-play of our host brother. The latter struggled against a more totalitarian opponent, with weight-lifting traditionally known to be a sport dominated by fascists and communists who can think of no better way to moisten the eyes of the fatherland than a good snatch. Nevertheless, Team USA qualified for a berth in London alongside the mini strongmen of Russia, China, Iran, and Turkmenistan (the Cubans and Venezuelans proving that price controls on protein can have unintended consequences).
Here is our motivating video compilation of the competitions, including my own efforts to get in top shape according to the rigorous pull-up methodology of a sweet little slave-driving Guatemalan girl, and Rob's efforts to add finesse to his power lifting frame with hitherto unpublished house dance moves. Set to a song fitting for Lake Atitlan's mile high elevation, "Guate, Guate, Guate" (as the perky commuter bus hustlers squak) ya esta servido.
