Clowning in Guatemala

“ A clown is like an aspirin, except it works twice as fast!” Groucho Marx.

My first day in Guatemala, I woke up immobilized. What the hell was I doing there? Why did I think that a vagabond clown such as myself could make a difference to the kids here? I honestly had had no idea what I was doing or where my first cup of coffee was coming from. I’d arrived with neither local money nor a map. Not very sensible of me I admit now. And why had I brought fake flowers, bowler hats, juggling toys but no sandals, sunglasses or sleeping bag?
I rented a casita, unpacked my things and then began following my clowning dreams. Every day for four months, I wandered around the lakeside villages, taking the boats across the water, as that was the easiest and sometimes only way to reach these places. I took other travelers I’d met, teaching them some basic clowning etiquette. I explained how for me clowning is as much about entertainment as it is about connection. I suggested they make offers of games, like blowing up balloons and making a musical orchestra with each other, a call and response with balloon farts. We played catch games with little kids, and more juggling like games with older people. I explained about exaggeration, timing, slowing responses down into ridiculous turtle speeds. Eye contact. Asking names, family, and other such questions. Telling them about our own homes and families and lifestyles. All very simple, informal and yet effective ideas we thought of, and then we’d settle down in a town square, and just start playing.