Here I am down to my final hours for this trip to Guatemala. It has been a good trip in many different ways. It's funny how much being here feels like home to me and at the same time I miss everyone and my home in the States.
It was a beautiful morning here with blue sky and perfect temperature but now it has been pouring rain for the past few hours. We were going to go into Antigua for Soul Patrol that would be the last time for me but now with all this rain we just stayed home. I was looking forward to seeing my friend Lea one last time also, she was going to be in Antigua but she called and said because of the weather she would not be going in. Susy and I talked to her yesterday on the phone to ask how she was doing since she went in on Wednesday and had her tooth pulled and she said that it had gone well and I Praise The Lord for that.
Olga came to the Base last night after she got done with school and spent the night and then she had to get up this morning and go to school because of a test they were having but she came back when she got done. Susy, Olga, and I went into Antigua and had lunch this afternoon. Susy had heard of a restaurant that serves food from Israel and we wanted to try something new so we ended up going to the Israeli restaurant which was interesting to have a restaurant in Antigua that serves Israeli food. We ordered a bunch of different things and it all ended up tasting good but we had way more food than we could Possibly eat and had leftovers that we brought back and had for dinner which was good the second time around.
Olga helped me pack so I am about ready to leave here at 4 in the morning. It's about an hour drive to the airport and my flight leaves at 7 so that should be good timing and hopefully I will be tired and can sleep some in the plane.
Yesterday was my last day of Spanish Lessons so now I have to make an effort to keep learning after I get home. Eloise was a good teacher, an intelligent woman, and she who really loved God. She seemed sad I was going but wished me well in my return home and continued learning.
I suppose that wraps up my overall expierences this trip.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
TODAY
Today I find myself at McDonalds today, an unplanned trip. I haven't been here for a while now I am staying at the base and not going to school here in Antigua. Alicia called me this morning and said she was on her way to Antigua so I have come into town to meet her. I braved the bus by myself coming into town but if I return before 5 this afternoon before the road is opened for the evening taking the bus is trickey so I am still in town. We have been hanging out here at McDonalds and so far I have had lunch, then coffee, and now I am having water and we are leaving soon to go wander in the market.
I will update some more of my week. On Tuesday afternoon Susy and I took the bus and went to San Antonio Aguas Calientes to go to Lea's house and visit her. She had invited us which is interesting and unusual that a local person here would invite us to their house. We met her husband and three of her daughters were there that we have met before and then her two teenage daughters were at school. It was interesting to me to go to their house.
Wednesday it was kid's ministry at the market and after we were done with that Susy and I did some errands in town. I saw my Friend Maria who sells near the park and talked to her. Told her I would be leaving Sunday and probably wouldn't see her again. She gave me a gift of one of the things she sells which to me is very special.
Off to the market, more later.
I will update some more of my week. On Tuesday afternoon Susy and I took the bus and went to San Antonio Aguas Calientes to go to Lea's house and visit her. She had invited us which is interesting and unusual that a local person here would invite us to their house. We met her husband and three of her daughters were there that we have met before and then her two teenage daughters were at school. It was interesting to me to go to their house.
Wednesday it was kid's ministry at the market and after we were done with that Susy and I did some errands in town. I saw my Friend Maria who sells near the park and talked to her. Told her I would be leaving Sunday and probably wouldn't see her again. She gave me a gift of one of the things she sells which to me is very special.
Off to the market, more later.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
WAITED TOO LONG
Now I have waited too long to update my blog and it is going to be difficult to remember everything I have been doing. Monday was a very big day. I didn't have my Spanish lesson because Susy and I went into town at 8:30 a.m. To meet Lea who is a friend of mine who sells things near Central Park. She has has a toothache but she has never been to a dentist and was afraid to go and also she didn't have the money to go. Now going to the dentist here is not like in the states. You just show up at the office and wait your turn. When everybody who was there before you goes in it's your turn. As it turned out her tooth had cavities and needed to be pulled but she had infection and the dentist wanted her to start taking antibiotics before the tooth was pulled. So we then went to the pharmacy and got her prescriptions.
After that Susy had some other errands and I went to meet Joe Bedford who is friends with Olga's family and he brought them to Camino Church to look at these wood burning cooking stoves that are more efficient and are piped up through the roof so the smoke goes outside (there are three different models) to see if there was one they liked and would work for them in their house because they currently cook on an open fire in their house which is dangerous and very unhealthy because of the smoke they have to breath all the time. They picked one out and we bought it and We got it loaded into Joe's car to get it back to their house.
After that I met Susy at Cafe Barista. I also saw my friend Clara Luz in the park and invited her to have lunch with us. I thought she needed to try something different in life. She had never eaten at this place and she had never had Crepes so she ordered kind of a crepe sandwich with a strawberry smoothie. It was fun sharing a new experience with someone.
After that Susy had to go to the doctors because of some sinus, allergy, cough, stuff she has going on. The doctor did find she had some problems and then she had to go to the pharmacy for medication he Perscribed.
Near the doctor's office I found this bakery that is apparently real well known in Antigua and they have great breads and things. They also have this really good yogurt they make and I bought some of it and have really liked it.
I was pretty exhausted after all that but we just got back to the base and ate dinner and it was time to go back to Antigua for Monday night service.
Now I have said all that it is getting late and I need to do my Spanish homework so I will have to finish catching up on the rest of this weeks activities tomorrow.
After that Susy had some other errands and I went to meet Joe Bedford who is friends with Olga's family and he brought them to Camino Church to look at these wood burning cooking stoves that are more efficient and are piped up through the roof so the smoke goes outside (there are three different models) to see if there was one they liked and would work for them in their house because they currently cook on an open fire in their house which is dangerous and very unhealthy because of the smoke they have to breath all the time. They picked one out and we bought it and We got it loaded into Joe's car to get it back to their house.
After that I met Susy at Cafe Barista. I also saw my friend Clara Luz in the park and invited her to have lunch with us. I thought she needed to try something different in life. She had never eaten at this place and she had never had Crepes so she ordered kind of a crepe sandwich with a strawberry smoothie. It was fun sharing a new experience with someone.
After that Susy had to go to the doctors because of some sinus, allergy, cough, stuff she has going on. The doctor did find she had some problems and then she had to go to the pharmacy for medication he Perscribed.
Near the doctor's office I found this bakery that is apparently real well known in Antigua and they have great breads and things. They also have this really good yogurt they make and I bought some of it and have really liked it.
I was pretty exhausted after all that but we just got back to the base and ate dinner and it was time to go back to Antigua for Monday night service.
Now I have said all that it is getting late and I need to do my Spanish homework so I will have to finish catching up on the rest of this weeks activities tomorrow.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
BACK TO ANTIGUA
Well we just made it back to Antigua from Lake Atitlan. We had a pleasant evening there last night. The weather was pleasant, the temperature perfect. We went to a little coffee shop just up the street from the hotel which is on the main market street. We sat outside and watched the people and listened to the music in the coffee shop. My coffee was really good.
This morning the weather was really nice and it was beautiful out but then it got real cloudy and rained a little which wasn't bad. It just makes it so you can't see the volcanoes as well. We had a good breakfast at the hotel this morning. After breakfast there is a small musuem at the hotel that has really old Mayan pots that were found down in the lake and excavated. They are all really interesting to me but some are even more interesting with the Mayan stuff on them.
Now we are back in Antigua and since we really haven't eaten since breakfast Susy and I have stopped at McDonalds to get something to eat before catching the Chicken Bus back to the base. We aren't in the regular McDonalds side but the McCafe side and I am having a crossant with cream cheese and jelly which is pretty good along with coffee and corn cake. Got to finish my food so we can catch the bus.
This morning the weather was really nice and it was beautiful out but then it got real cloudy and rained a little which wasn't bad. It just makes it so you can't see the volcanoes as well. We had a good breakfast at the hotel this morning. After breakfast there is a small musuem at the hotel that has really old Mayan pots that were found down in the lake and excavated. They are all really interesting to me but some are even more interesting with the Mayan stuff on them.
Now we are back in Antigua and since we really haven't eaten since breakfast Susy and I have stopped at McDonalds to get something to eat before catching the Chicken Bus back to the base. We aren't in the regular McDonalds side but the McCafe side and I am having a crossant with cream cheese and jelly which is pretty good along with coffee and corn cake. Got to finish my food so we can catch the bus.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
PANAJACHEL & HAMMOCK
I finished out the week of having a Spanish tutor come to the base for my lessons this week. It was not easy but it was good. Thursday and Friday I pretty much stayed at the base except walking over to the tienda. I love the tiendas. Last night I got ready for my departure to Lake Atitlan and our stay in Panajachel.
Susy and I took the chicken bus into Antigua about 6:45 this morning and stopped at the Bagel Barn for breakfast. Then we walked over to where we were to catch our shuttle to Panajachel. It was a pretty good drive and we arrived here a little before 11:00. This hotel the Posada de Rodrigo is really nice. It's right by the lake and our room has a view of the lake which is beautiful. The grounds are really nice and they have a row of hammocks along a walk way. Susy and I have come out and are laying in the hammocks. This is a first for me, I don't think I have ever got in a hammock when I have been someplace where there has been hammocks. It's not the most comfortable because my body makes it sink down too much in the middle but it's kind of fun for something different.
After we got here we rested a while in the room and then headed out the Main Street to find someplace to eat. Someone told us there is a restaurant called the CasaBlanca and that Bill Clinton had come to Guatemala and eaten there. We found the place and we decided to eat there but I don't think Bill Clinton was ever there. Naturally walking up the street with all the things for sell I couldn't resist buying. I had decided I was not going to buy anything here because I didn't need anything else but that did not happen.
It has been a nice day, the weather has been good. I think we will just chill the rest of the day. I want to go for a coffee and some ice cream later. They have a small museum here where they have a collection of different pots and things that are really old from the Mayans that I am looking forward to going to probably tomorrow after breakfast.
Susy and I took the chicken bus into Antigua about 6:45 this morning and stopped at the Bagel Barn for breakfast. Then we walked over to where we were to catch our shuttle to Panajachel. It was a pretty good drive and we arrived here a little before 11:00. This hotel the Posada de Rodrigo is really nice. It's right by the lake and our room has a view of the lake which is beautiful. The grounds are really nice and they have a row of hammocks along a walk way. Susy and I have come out and are laying in the hammocks. This is a first for me, I don't think I have ever got in a hammock when I have been someplace where there has been hammocks. It's not the most comfortable because my body makes it sink down too much in the middle but it's kind of fun for something different.
After we got here we rested a while in the room and then headed out the Main Street to find someplace to eat. Someone told us there is a restaurant called the CasaBlanca and that Bill Clinton had come to Guatemala and eaten there. We found the place and we decided to eat there but I don't think Bill Clinton was ever there. Naturally walking up the street with all the things for sell I couldn't resist buying. I had decided I was not going to buy anything here because I didn't need anything else but that did not happen.
It has been a nice day, the weather has been good. I think we will just chill the rest of the day. I want to go for a coffee and some ice cream later. They have a small museum here where they have a collection of different pots and things that are really old from the Mayans that I am looking forward to going to probably tomorrow after breakfast.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
LOTS OF RAIN
Yesterday was the rainiest day we have had so far. It started raining about 10:30 in the morning and for a few hours it would rain and then stop and then it started to thunder and pour down. It was rainy until late last night.
I started having my Spanish lessons here at the base. My teacher's name is Eloise and she lives up the street and around the corner. She has been a good teacher but she moves along pretty quick and at times I become overwhelmed. I can't believe how difficult learning Spanish has been for me. But as the natives here keep saying "a poco a poco" and that is what I am doing.
Here is something else new I did here. Saturday when I moved to the base Susy and I watched the
Movie "Frozen". I hadn't seen it but Susy had but she likes it and wanted to watch it. She had it down loaded on her computer so we hooked that into the TV. It was pretty good.
I have had a pretty busy week. Monday Olga's family invited me and a missionary couple, Joe and Karin Bedford that both I and they know, for lunch. It was really nice to meet Olga's family and see where she lives. It is on the other side of Ciudad Vieja from where the YWAM base is. I had a good time.
Tuesday was kids club at the market. Susy had to go into town early so I went with her because she had to get her paperwork to a business in town that has a courier service that will take your passport to Guatemala City to get your visa renewed. Just before we were headed to the market I saw Clara Luz in the park and invited her to get a fruit smoothie with us.
Yesterday I thought I would not go anywhere but last night Susy was going into Antigua for Soup Run and I decided to ride in with her and hang out at Cafe Barista. I wasn't going to go because it was raining so much but then it let up so I went. There was hardly anyone around Central Park and only a very few of the ladies who sell stuff were there. I was just going to get a coffee and spend the time updating my blog when across the street I saw one of the ladies I wanted to see. Her name is Faoastina. I don't know why she hadn't gone home because there was no one at all to sell to because of the weather. We stood on the street and talked for a while and then I asked her if she wanted to come in the cafe and have coffee with me which she did. We had a dessert also. It is difficult for me to have conversation with people because it's difficult for me to follow all of what they are saying and it stresses me out but I tried and we did have a pretty good conversation. I find it interesting to learn a little about the people and their lives.
Everyday I have homework which after class I don't want to do, I just want to rest my brain. It is a strain when I have to communicate in Spanish and it is a relief when I can just go back to my native tongue. But I am thankful for the opportunity to be here learning more Spanish. I am forced into using it many times which is good for me and it's what I need. If I were home I would just be lazy about it and think Mañana.
I got a load of wash done the other night which was good. It's awesome to be where I can use a washer and dryer when I want.
That about sums it up for the week so far. Hasta luego.
I started having my Spanish lessons here at the base. My teacher's name is Eloise and she lives up the street and around the corner. She has been a good teacher but she moves along pretty quick and at times I become overwhelmed. I can't believe how difficult learning Spanish has been for me. But as the natives here keep saying "a poco a poco" and that is what I am doing.
Here is something else new I did here. Saturday when I moved to the base Susy and I watched the
Movie "Frozen". I hadn't seen it but Susy had but she likes it and wanted to watch it. She had it down loaded on her computer so we hooked that into the TV. It was pretty good.
I have had a pretty busy week. Monday Olga's family invited me and a missionary couple, Joe and Karin Bedford that both I and they know, for lunch. It was really nice to meet Olga's family and see where she lives. It is on the other side of Ciudad Vieja from where the YWAM base is. I had a good time.
Tuesday was kids club at the market. Susy had to go into town early so I went with her because she had to get her paperwork to a business in town that has a courier service that will take your passport to Guatemala City to get your visa renewed. Just before we were headed to the market I saw Clara Luz in the park and invited her to get a fruit smoothie with us.
Yesterday I thought I would not go anywhere but last night Susy was going into Antigua for Soup Run and I decided to ride in with her and hang out at Cafe Barista. I wasn't going to go because it was raining so much but then it let up so I went. There was hardly anyone around Central Park and only a very few of the ladies who sell stuff were there. I was just going to get a coffee and spend the time updating my blog when across the street I saw one of the ladies I wanted to see. Her name is Faoastina. I don't know why she hadn't gone home because there was no one at all to sell to because of the weather. We stood on the street and talked for a while and then I asked her if she wanted to come in the cafe and have coffee with me which she did. We had a dessert also. It is difficult for me to have conversation with people because it's difficult for me to follow all of what they are saying and it stresses me out but I tried and we did have a pretty good conversation. I find it interesting to learn a little about the people and their lives.
Everyday I have homework which after class I don't want to do, I just want to rest my brain. It is a strain when I have to communicate in Spanish and it is a relief when I can just go back to my native tongue. But I am thankful for the opportunity to be here learning more Spanish. I am forced into using it many times which is good for me and it's what I need. If I were home I would just be lazy about it and think Mañana.
I got a load of wash done the other night which was good. It's awesome to be where I can use a washer and dryer when I want.
That about sums it up for the week so far. Hasta luego.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
NEW EXPERIENCES
Yesterday it was moving to the base in the morning and Olga came and spent the day and stayed overnight. We did Soul Patrol last night and that was good. It was good to stay at the base. I have a big room all to myself and my own bathroom which is more in my comfort zone.
Susy has been busy with some friends of hers who are missionary's in El Salvador who have come to Antigua for a mini vacation so I have had time alone with Olga and I have to speak Spanish so it has been good practice for me. I have improved my Spanish so far this trip but there is so much more to learn.
So here is my new experience so far today. Olga and I took the bus into Antigua and came to McDonalds because the Internet is still out at the base. I asked Olga if she wanted something to eat which she did and they were still serving breakfast. As I have said I won't eat hamburgers here but I thought maybe an Egg McMuffin would be something I might like so that is what I ordered. I ate it and it was pretty good, pretty much like one at home.
As Olga and I were walking into town after getting off the bus we ran into Karin and Joe and their family who are the ones who are friends with Olga's family and they are the ones who are going to take me to Olga's house tomorrow. I have been invited to meet her family and am looking forward to that.
Olga and I are going to walk down to Central Park and see if we can find Clara Luz. Then walk through the market and return to the base.
Susy has been busy with some friends of hers who are missionary's in El Salvador who have come to Antigua for a mini vacation so I have had time alone with Olga and I have to speak Spanish so it has been good practice for me. I have improved my Spanish so far this trip but there is so much more to learn.
So here is my new experience so far today. Olga and I took the bus into Antigua and came to McDonalds because the Internet is still out at the base. I asked Olga if she wanted something to eat which she did and they were still serving breakfast. As I have said I won't eat hamburgers here but I thought maybe an Egg McMuffin would be something I might like so that is what I ordered. I ate it and it was pretty good, pretty much like one at home.
As Olga and I were walking into town after getting off the bus we ran into Karin and Joe and their family who are the ones who are friends with Olga's family and they are the ones who are going to take me to Olga's house tomorrow. I have been invited to meet her family and am looking forward to that.
Olga and I are going to walk down to Central Park and see if we can find Clara Luz. Then walk through the market and return to the base.
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