A bohemian in Guatemala 

I laughed out loud when an old friend (an artist, with a meager pension) from Switzerland told me that I was leading the life of a bohemian; probably simply because I emigrated to Guatemala, which must be very strange for most, I admit.

But I am an early riser, eat three meals a day, and do so regularly, including vegetables, fruits and oatmeal. I don't drink much alcohol, except for the daily beer, and I may be forgiven for having two beers once in a while, or two glasses of wine on the weekend. And also here in Guatemala, I deal with bureaucracy and do this dutifully, even if it drives me crazy.

So I live a rather disciplined life by necessity, because otherwise I would be too overwhelmed, and usually go to bed between eight and nine in the evening and sleep about seven hours, and that - apart from nightmares - almost without insomnia; if you disregard problems falling asleep, because my neck is bothering me, and the question arises how I could improve my yoga practice, or whether I should use a thinner pillow, and ask my housemother about it or simply buy one at the mall. Questionably, I'm not thinking of solving my falling asleep and neck problems with medication.

Maybe today you are already a bohemian if you don't watch TV, don't follow Facebook news or death statistics (the priority ones, of course, not the starvation deaths, etc.) and still go out among the people or drive to the market in your sweetheart's carrito with the windows open, where people crowd, albeit usually wearing masks. I also talk to whores, drunks and homeless people without immediately panicking about a virus attack. Even shaking hands with someone is probably bohemian these days, even though I dutifully wash my hands every now and then.

Admittedly, it's a little strange: I dance every day. But this without leading a wild relationship life, but mainly to be able to dream, to move (even at 70!) and to enjoy myself without losing the ground under my feet. That's a lot of work - including grammar, body and mental control, work that would have been appreciated in the past. The fact that I enjoy dancing, however, is probably even more suspect in that despite my close relationship with Vivian, I also enjoy dancing with other women, and without hiding it; or that I prefer to dance myself, rather than watch celebrities on TV at dance competitions.

Probably the impression of a bohemian life would be confirmed even more if this friend knew that the floor in the humble dance hall is sometimes a bit dusty, because Erika doesn't always have time to clean it beforehand. She is also a single mother with two "boys" and a household, and a language (mainly) and dance teacher, and that independently. Furthermore, dogs are also welcome in the dance salon. So, of course, she is also a bohemian, mainly because she still goes out of the house to shop for her family, or to get dog food in the neighborhood, because she feeds the street dogs that are close to her heart and like to gather in front of the dance room, or she gives work to an old man who takes out the empty cans and bottles, or goes beer shopping so we can have a beer together after the dance.

Also, I do not have access to bank accounts (for beaurocratic reasons), no credit card, but enough money, because Vivian provides me with money, we both trust each other, without having to do bookkeeping right away, or involve a lawyer. Maybe that is also a sign of Bohemia. Trust is probably only possible if you have a somewhat loose relationship with money, and of course only because you know that you still have it at your disposal; although one can hardly speak of with any certainty in present climate.

So if I think about it carefully, I live the life of a bohemian of the 21st century. I have reached a goal after all, without ever setting such a goal or even imagined in my dreams.

PS: Again and again I go shopping with Vivian. It's our turn to furnish her apartment, it should become cozy. But the fact that in front of her bedroom between 3 and 5 o'clock in the morning many buses and large trucks are allowed to take advantage of the early morning hours, and also otherwise there is a lot of traffic of many kinds, plagues her, so the question arises whether she should not look for a quieter apartment. This influences the question of what to buy for this apartment now. Sometimes I bring her a pastry from the bakery.

PS2: When I think about it, Xela could well be the Paris of the 21st century, and the "Barrio (quartier) Las Flores" the "Quartier Latin". Perhaps simply because people here still live on the streets as well, and are often true "Lebenskünstler". Although people still die here from Covid-19, but according to statistics 50% more from hunger, and 200% more from cancer, without everyone knowing this so exactly - they are also bohemians.

PS3: Uups, almost forgot: I still smoke, in 2021, in spite of scientific (statistics!) and spiritual warnings, definitely bohemian.

Song: "La Bohème" - Charles Aznavour (English subtitles)

Wiki: "Bohemianism"

Note: this time I would have failed the exam! Thank you S., for improving my English translation.