First School Day

Well today was the first day we had class, the previous days have been orientation stuff.  They are doing the classes about 10 minutes away at a church since we are a bigger group and they wanted more room.  So now we not only had all the people loaded in the van but tables loaded on top and a bunch of gear including a big speaker that took more room than another person.
I have done more "chores" since I have been here than I have done the last six months all put together at home.  They have us so busy with chores, reading, writting, studying, do this don't do that that I can't keep track of or follow all the fine points of what needs to be done.
So, again this has been a busy day.  They will be shutting off the internet soom so I will get this posted.  Still have to shower  and get to bed so I can be in the kitchen at 6 in the morning to help fix breakfast.
Manana.

Tuesday

Here I  am at my first Tuesday away and my first Tuesday being retied.   The Guatemalan cook is great, she has prepared some delicious food.  The down side is she doesn't do breakfast and starting tomorrow we have to get up and prepare it.  There are 12 of us in the class so we are broken up into 3 groups with 4 each.  We have to do chores like cleanup after meals and soon much more.
It does take a while to get in the grove and figure out what is going on and what is expected so we are still in the orientation phase.
I am impressed with the group so far, I like everyone.  There are 6 Americanos, 6 Guatemalans, and 1 girl from Switzerland.
Went out for a walk this afternoon with a lady who is here as the translator from English to Spanish,  she is from El Salvador anf her name is Suzie.  It was all cloudy out as we were leaving and I said (knowing how there can be a downpour at any time) should we bring a rain jacket or umbrella but Suzie says no, it will probably be okay.  Well on the
way back it started raining pretty good and we got pretty wet but then a little after we got back it was a real downpour. This is the first day it has rained since I've been here.
Tonight here shortly we have to decorate the journals they are giving us that we have to keep.
Journal time,  got to go.

What a Day

This is the first full day and it has been busy.  Breakfast, we had refried beans, boiled plaintains, scrambled eggs and fruit, (papaya and watermelon) now that was a good Guatemalan breakfast, school (orientation stuff), lunch,  then we broke up into teams and took the bus into Antigua and had to find certain places and take our pictures there and the first group won.  It was not easy bit I guess it was fun.  The down side was not being able to enjoy Antigua because we had to hurry hurry.  Oh, I have to mention the van, it appears to be an older toyota.  I first rode in it the day I got here and there were only 3 of us and I thought it seemed like it would hold about 8.  Well Sunday morning when we all loaded up to head to church I found out how wrong I was, it actually fit 16.  Now there was just something wrong with that, obviously it was meant for 16 tiny Japanese people and fortunately several of the people I am with are about that size but I definitely don't fit that description.
I am going to post this but it is a day behind due to lack of sufficient time and internet access.   Next post will be about todays happenings.

Buenos Tardes

Yesterday when we drove into Antigua it brought a smile to my face remembering last time I was here and conjuring up fond memories.  This morning while trying to organize a little and then get ready for church I found the note Rachael had written me and tucked away in my suitcase which brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.
Church was good this morning.  Coming home we drove through parts of Antigua which were my old stomping grounds when I was here last which was fun for me.  Kind of a quiet afternoon and then this evening is the official start.  We will have what looks and smells to be a good dinner.

First Ful Day

I'm experiencing the beginnings of new sites, sounds, and smells here in Guatemala.  Off to church.

ESTOY AQUI

The delayed flight out of SLC made my connection to Guatemala a little closer than I like  but it all worked out.  The flight here was good and we arrived on time about 11:05.  The time here is the same as it is in Utah.  Driving in Guatemala City could be described as scary, crazy, and terrifying all at the same time.  We had to stop and do some shopping on the way home at a store called Price Savers, Guatemala's version of Sams Club.
Finally got to the base about 4 and was able to rest for a while.  Dinner was served a little after 6 and was some shredded chicken wih sliced potatoes in a type of tomatoe sauce with rice that you could put in it, fresh made tortillas (they were good), and watermelon which was really sweet.
Got hooked up to the wi-fi fine and was able to facetime with Rachael.  The YWAM base here seems good so far.

0130 in the morning, waiting for a delayed flight, was suppose to depart at 0105 but at least the plane is scheduled to be here in another half hour and depart at 02:43, due into Atlanta at 8:03 a.m.  Thankfully I have plenty of time before my flight is due to leave Atlanta so this delay should not be a problem

The Movement Begins

It's five minutes before I leave for the airport, and I decided I had better check in at least once while I was stateside! I'm feeling frazzled with all the prep, but excited for a new adventure! I will try to update once I get to Guatemala, and let you know how the trip went!