Hipos in Guatemala

Almost 17 years living in Guatemala, and I'm still learning something new every day...

I was sitting at my desk today, working like a madman, (that's in case my boss Quique is reading this) when Jenny, our receptionist, hands me a glass of water.

Me: Um, thanks!

Jenny: It's not for you.

Me: Then why did you give it me?

Jenny: So that you can help me drink it.

At this point a dull throbbing sensation begins at the base of my skull. I shake my head, in part to ease the pain and in part to convey the fact that I have absolutely no idea what she is talking about. (This actually happens quite frequently in my life.)

Me: ¿Qué?

Jenny: You have to hold the glass while I drink the water.

She bends down and opens her mouth. She nods. I shrug. I start to extend the glass towards her face when...

Jenny: No, no, no. Use your left hand!

At this point I figure that reason has pretty much left the building, so I switch the glass to my left hand, hold it up to her mouth, and begin to pour. (Slowly, because although I am utterly baffled I am not cruel.) She finishes the entire glass of water.

Jenny: Thanks.

Me: Ok, so what kind of witchcraft did you just perform here?

Jenny: Well, now you're my slave for all eternity.

Me: Yeah, I kinda figured it would be something like that.

Jenny: No, actually I had the hiccups.

Me: And my giving you water to drink from my left hand cured you?

Jenny: I'm not hiccupping, am I?

{Pause for a long moment of deep silence and intense scrutiny}

Me: Huh. I'll be darned... I guess it did work!

So there you have it. A cure for hiccups straight from Guatemala. Don't say I never gave you anything.

Oh, by the way, the Spanish word for hiccups is "hipos" (ee-pos) which, for some reason always makes me smile.

Tags: Guatemala, hiccups, Home Remedies, Folk Wisdom, Cure