San Pedro, Guatemala Summer 2008

The pueblos in the sweeping foothills of the volcanos linger in the Neverland of the forgotten. Families persuade the earth to host their hope in gardens bursting with larger-than-life vegetables and fruits.  Then, day after day, the backbreaking harvesting and mind-boggling, morning bus rides to the mercados define their existence.  Sales are depressingly inconsistent, and as darkness falls in the pueblos and the jaunty buses bring the women and children back home, they seem to be carrying as much produce now as they left with in the morning.  And tomorrow will be no different.