The standard of living in Guatemala is among the lowest in Central America and even perhaps the Western Hemisphere. At least 60% of the country survives on less than $2 per day. Unemployment is high, and poor nutrition an health care is common.

Dressing inappropriately is one of the easiest ways to offend our hosts. The people of the Quiché region are very conservative in dress. You will notice that no one in rural Guatemala wears shorts unless they are playing in a soccer game. We need to dress and act accordingly.

Avoid tight and exposing clothing, and clothes that categorizes you as tourists (shorts, loud shirts, fanny packs, etc.). Loose, comfortable clothing works well, along with some sturdy shoes. As well, conspicuous displays of wealth will gain you unwanted attention. Dress down, and leave expensive watches and jewelry at home.

The colorful dress of the indigenous Maya may tempt you to photography, but you should always ask first. Adults are especially sensitive to being photographed. At the work site and the orphanage almost everyone will be happy to be photographed, especially the children. Save your film for them!

At the same time, remember that the trip is not a photo safari but a chance to interact closely with new friends. Be sure to put away the camera occasionally so that you can be completely present.

Unless someone asks you to take their photo, ask them before doing so!

The staple diet in the highlands consists of beans, rice, and corn tortillas. The largest meal of the day is lunch, which is usually served hot. Dinner is often eaten late in the evening. If invited to a meal at someone's house, it is considered rude to not accept what is offered you. It is good to remember that a few Pepto-Bismol tablets before such meals can do much to prevent serious consequences.

At the hotel in Chichicastenango we will eat food that is substantially better than that of the local population. Still, portions may be smaller than what you are used to, so you may want to bring some snacks. Food at the hotel in Chichicastenango is prepared sanitarily, and only purified water is used.

Never eat unpackaged food from street vendors.

Never drink tap water. Any drinking water that does not come out of a sealed bottle should be viewed with suspicion. When ordering in restaurants, specify "agua pura" for purified water, and it should be delivered in an unopened bottle. Don't drink beverages with ice unless you know the water used is purified. Don't brush your teeth with tap water. The Center for Disease Control has more resources on this subject.

Always wash your hands before eating. If water is not available use alcohol-based wipes or antibacterial gel. This is especially important after participating in Bible School activities with small children!

You should never put toilet paper into any toilet in Guatemala. Use the trash can next to the toilet to deposit toilet paper or any other things that you need to dispose of.

Overall, we are striving to present a responsible and caring image as representatives of the Christian Church in America. To that end, we must do our best to live according to the local standards of conduct.

• In the rural areas of Guatemala drinking in moderation is not the norm; either one drinks to excess or not at all. Tobacco use is virtually unknown in the rural areas, and smoking is prohibited by most local evangelical churches. It is important for us as Christian representatives of the United States to set an appropriate example. For these reasons alcoholic beverages and tobacco may not be used during the working portion of the trip. We should also refrain from casual conversation about drugs and alcohol.
• Team members should not use profanity, as it may be the only English our Guatemalan hosts may be familiar with. They will not be impressed.
• In Guatemala, as elsewhere, "please" and "thank you" ("por favor" and "gracias") go a long way. A smile helps as well.
• We must remember to show respect at all times. Be sure not to make jokes at the expense of the local food, accomodations, practices, or people.

Rural Guatemala is a fairly safe place as long as commonsense precautions are observed:

• Travel during daylight hours in groups.
• Be extremely alert when crossing streets on foot. Drivers will not slow down for a careless pedestrian.
• Watch your luggage closely, especially in Guatemala City and Antigua. Fanny packs are a favorite target of thieves, and are not recommended.
• Avoid wearing jewelry and expensive-looking watches.
• Don't display large amounts of cash in the open.
• In the market at Chichicastenango, pickpockets are common and quite good. Keep your wallet close to the body, under your clothes. As a rule, don't bring anything into the market you would mind losing

The local currency in Guatemala is the Quetzal (pronounced "ket-zall"). The exchange rate is roughly $1 to 8 Quetzales. You can change money at the hotel or at banks in Guatemala City and Chichicastenango. There is an ATM in Chichicastenango which is fairly dependable as well. Don't count on being able to use a credit card to make purchases.

If you bring travelers cheques, American Express cheques are the easiest kind to exchange in Chichi. Generally, U.S. currency is quicker and easier to exchange than travelers cheques. Dollar bills can be used as tips in Guatemala City in lieu of Quetzales. If you do bring U.S. currency, make sure that there absolutely no tears in the bills and no extraneous marks. A torn bill is almost impossible to exchange in Guatemala.

Any giving must be done with extreme care. Please do not give away anything (i.e., clothing, shoes, watches, etc.) to individuals, even if they request them. Instead, we can give things as a group to a local church where the goods can be distributed fairly. When bringing items to Guatemala specifically for donation, make sure they are useful and in excellent condition. If in doubt, ask your team leader.

Please do not make promises to local people concerning your return to Guatemala, help for their families, or anything else. They remember these promises, and notice if they are not fulfilled. Our goal is to build trust, and even well-intentioned promises can detract from that when broken.