Home Again

We are back home safe and sound. Pretty uneventful flights and we are thankful for that. Saturday we did not leave Guatemala until 3:30 in the afternoon so we had the morning to do a little sightseeing. Pauline has never been anywhere but the hotel since she is always with Jaime, so we got out to the open air market and did some souvenier hunting.

Friday, February 29

Last Full day here and our last day with Jaime (until next time). Checked with Mary to see if she wanted to go sightseeing, we have heard the zoo is nice and there is a Museum and a Children's Museum not too far from the hotel. I could have been talked into any of them, but couldn't drag Mary away from her cousin and all the other babies she has met here. I did take a nice long walk to the grocery. I have only seen the one main road in the city, we all know if I turn a corner I will get lost, but I have to say it is a pretty place. There is an odd mixture of new, modern office buildings and some much older less attractive shops, but all in all pretty clean and well kept. I took a few pictures, but mostly with Pauline's camera so I don't have those to share. Here are a few more pics of our star though. It is very comforting to know he is well cared for, but I know Pauline can't wait for the day to be taking him to his new home.

Thursday, February 28

Mostly hung around the hotel today, soaking up the nice weather and hanging out with new friends.
Mary and I did take a walk in the afternoon to a souvenier shop a few blocks away. It is an upscale shopping center with a Borders type bookstore/cafe, a ladies dress shop and the souvenier shop -- with prices in US dollars. They had some neat stuff, probably overpriced, but it was a good walk and we enjoyed it.

Feliz Cumpleanos!

February 27th
Today is the big day, Jaime is one! Started the celebration by sleeping in and waking up with a little "bad hair" but happy all the same. Our guide yesterday told us that February was the month of crazies - just like the weather in February, people born in February are a little loco. Might be something to that as happy and silly as this guy is...
Next a casual breakfast at the hotel, and then off to the "spa" for a bath, massage, new outfit and a stroll on the lawn A little peek-a-boo and then a siesta. After nap and a diaper change it's time to eat again, yea! Some fresh air with his cousin a few more strolls around the garden and you guessed it - nap time again. Finally, it is dinner and FIESTA! Had a cake and party hats and celebrated with all our new friends at the hotel.

A big day with lots of fun to share!

Lake Atitlan Tuesday, Feb. 26

Mary and I had a big outing today, we took a guided tour, which ended up being a private tour, of Lake Atitlan. I probably should have researched it a little to take advantage of our tour--we ended up the only ones so they would have taken us to whatever sights we requested, but didn't know what to request. Anyway, the lake is either the result of several volcano eruptions or an actual volcano crater with very clear blue water (still wouldn't drink it though) and an unknown depth! Couldn't remember all the guide told us, but guess what?! it's all on the net http://www.panajachel.com/aboutpanajachel.htm It was a pretty overcast day and I would love to see it on a clear day, but still very beautiful. And I don't know about anyone else, but the whole volcano thing is pretty cool to me!
The ride there and back was at least half the adventure. Up and down very steep mountain roads and through lots of construction, which is not at all primitive, but a great deal more human labor intensive and less big equipment. The guide was timing things so we could make it through during the breakfast break - he said they close the roads while working and let the cars through at breakfast or lunch break.
We went shopping at the market which was very intimidating, especially for me since I even find the Mall intimidating! Hector, our guide - who by the way has not only seen more of the US than me, but also speaks better English than I do - did the bargaining for me. There was way to much stuff to choose from and the sales people are very, very persistent. I am really not sure what I ended up with, so I hope no one expects good souveniers from me. Stopped at a couple of good resteraunts and passed amazing plantations with crops practically straight up and down the mountains. Yes Billy, there does seem to be quite an aptitude for agriculture here.

pictures

Sunday and Monday

Hopefully, I'm getting the hang of this. As you can see, Mary is sharing her page with me because she is having more fun journaling the old fashioned way. I wanted to try to post a picture of the church and for David, one of the food for sale outside church - their version of church breakfast Dave! Today, 2/25, Mary and I walked to the grocery mostly for baby food. We made a couple stops on the way back, a bookstore for postcards, checked out a clothes store (where I thought a man was just very curteous and opened the door for us, but then realized he was a kind of guard / they keep it locked and let you in and out), and the cafe for lunch to go so we could try something a little more native than the hotel food. The hotel staff encouraged us to walk, and we don't seem to attract much attention, this is probably not too different than cities in the US. I will say the weapons the police carry on the street are a little intimidating (David and Po would love them). Tomorrow we are taking a guided tour to a lake that is actually an old volcano crator I think. The hotel clerk suggested it and according to books I think we will see more tourists there than natives. Whatever they suggest for Mary and I is fine with us, it's all new to us so I won't be too worried about what we missed!