Visiting Pueblos

The last two days we have been visiting different schools that are assisted by Avivara.  One more tomorrow.  Check out the pictures on the facebook page.

Making the most of our last days

Had a leisurely start to this morning before heading out to sightsee and SHOP.  Don´t worry, Spouses.  Also spent some time at La Merced.  Built in the mid-1500`s, damaged and rebuilt many times over the years, actually centuries.  Beautiful.  And it´s where our own Fr. Tom and the current seminarians come to learn Spanish and study.  Caroline had been taking photos and there should soon be some at Facebook.  We had our last day at the hospital yesterday.  More moving than I`d expected.  Rosabela, a little boy I believe may be new to the hospital, won my heart.  Of the children with whom I`d spent time, he was the only one who was responding to his environment.  We have also finished our Spanish class.  Sorry, but for now I only live in the present; I have no past and no future...at least conversationally.  We`re looking forward to traveling to the pueblos next week, seeing some of the schools Avivara works with.  One in particular, El Rosario, is in need of a school-to-school partnership (and why not parish-school-to-school?).

Everyday something new

This morning we went off to spanish class and ended up touring a coffee plantation!  Had a great time learning about the process.  Did you know that 1 coffee plant produces 40 cups of coffee a year?  And if you like espresso that´s 16 cups per year.  Gave us a new perspective on our consumption.  And then when we heard that the pickers receive Q60 per so many pounds (with our memories we wrote it down, but don´t have the notes with us!).  We also tried our hand at picking and it´s not as easy as it looks, hard work.  This particular plantation is fair trade, so at other plantations the pay is not as much.
After lunch we went off to learn to cook a traditional Guatemala meal.  It´s a surprise receipe to be revealed when we return.
Adidos for now!

Settled in

It appears that our times at the hospital will not be as numerous as we´d thought.  Today we went and discovered many, many young people with the children.  It´s actually quite wonderful to see.  And if you have any concerns about this next generation, be at ease.  We have seen and met numerous young adults spending weeks and months volunteering. 
While our hospital visits may be fewer, our opportunities at the escuelita San Pedro las Huertas are more than we´d expected.  The children are most forgiving of our Spanish faux pas and are happy to teach us "español".  We speak some English with them.  Ann shares their stories with us and we are delighted to see the enthusiasm they bring in spite of difficulties.  The children begin with a few questions from Ann, encouraging them to speak in complete sentences.  Then word games to again encourage sentences and good grammar (capitals, punctuation, etc.).  Then on to homework from the public school which they attend in the morning.  We can help a bit, especially Caroline with the math.  Free time includes reading, games, puzzles.  The two hours pass quickly, with lots of smiles from students and visitors.  They are such welcoming and happy children.
Our Spanish classes come to an end on Friday.  Triste!  But until then we have lots to do - study, of course, visit landmarks, and tomorrow a cooking class.  Be prepared at the next potluck!!!
Caroline`s all prepped and ready to load more photos on Facebook.  Take a few minutes and visit.  If you haven´t visited yet, access through the parish webpage and the select the dove for peace and justice.

Returning from another adventure

We had a wonderful, moving weekend at Santiago Atitlan.  We visited the Catholic Church (that´s how it´s known there) where in 1981 Fr. Steve Rother was assisinated in the rectory.  We would have liked to spend more time at the church, but the pan handling was a bit much for us.  This morning we walked down to the Peace Park a memorial to commerate more martyrs of the civil war.
We stayed at the Posada Santiago, where the food is muy delicisio!  Shortly after our arrival, Pat was chatting with John while standing in the stone cottage (our room) when an earthquake hit.  Caroline was outside shooting the beautiful flowers when Pat hurriedly exit - after all it was made of stone! We feel pretty good that we traveled on our own - 2 to 3 hours via shuttle (mini van with lot´s of windows), then on boat from Panachel to Santiago and back home.
Tomorrow is off to escuela espanol in the morning and escuelita in San Pedro los Huertas in the afternoon.
Hopefully tomorrow the pics of Santiago will get uploaded on facebook.  Adios!

Another day in paradise

That´s what we were told and that´s the truth!  But the locals think its cool.  Each day brings another beautiful moment.  Our afternoon at the hospital was wonderful, meeting those lovely little ones.  And our trip to the escuelita in San Pedro los Huertes introduced us to more lovely children.  Twenty of them, in fact.  Already several have stolen our hearts.  Next week we return to allow the rest to steal some more.  Caroline and I had a ball playing, oops, I mean working!  We spent some time learning Spanish while the students learned English.  Check our Facebook page for the method.
This afternoon held a touching surprise for us.  After our Spanish class we returned home for lunch and Ana told us the volunteer paramedics would be coming by for the medical supplies we brought.  Three paramedics came to our room and were delighted with the supplies.  Saida, who led the group, explained that these supplies would be used in the villages when those who could not pay needed them.  It was a very powerful moment, especially as we saw the items packed away in the ambulance.  We each hugged and even now it brings tears to my eyes.  (Caroline corrects me...our eyes)  I cannot believe that we in our country would waste materials that could save lives elsewhere.  My heart hurts!  We are so grateful to Ana for making that connection for us.
Now, before we go home to study, we must go for a cerveza (look that up or ask Marilyn).

Our Many Firsts

Since our last entry we´ve ridden a chicken bus and a tuk-tuk.  Courage needed and received.  Our tuk-tuk driver kept talking and turning around to speak to Pat.  Watch the street please! We also enjoyed cerveza (beer) and margerita at the Mono Loco (Funky Monkey) on Sunday evening. Monday we started our Spanish classes, 4 hours each morning. We visited the hospital in preparation for our work.  Today was our first day at the hospital con los ninos. How do you like that (we´re showing off our spanish).  Pat met Lesley 1 and Lesley 2, Ariana, and another little boy.  Caroline met Paty.  It was a good afternoon interacting with the ninos!  We return on Friday for more play time.  Tomorrow we head to the esquelita (little school) at San Pedro los Huertas. We weren´t sure if we would be able to assist with the children, but Ann says we can play there too.  We also saw the tops of the volcanoes and even saw Fuego spewing ash, which we are told happens daily.  With luck we shall see red lava glowing in the dark.  Almost ready to add more photos to facebook, check in a day or so.