First Meal with Family

I spent half an hour before dinner studying up on my Spanish vocabulary in anticipation of a Spanish only conversation. I put together a question about the possibility of switching rooms and prepped on some other key words and phrases. Still, I was horrified to discover that there were only two of us at dinner, the mother and me! I didn´t think I could sustain a complete conversation in Spanish over the course of dinner.

Cobbling together the crudest of phrases and words, I learned Myrna´s family was at karate match and at grandmas and that the other people in the house were gone to visit the Mayan ruins at Coban.

Somehow I also managed to learn the mom doesn´t read much (no time) and that their vacation are mostly in the area because it is too expensive to travel with a family of five.

This picture has absolutely no connection to the dinner but it was my first chance to try to include a photograph since I haven´t figured out how to edit a previous posting.

Long Day Traveling

The day started about as early as possible -- just two hours after midnight with a very early rising. We had to be at the airport by 4:50. Everyone made it with time to spare this year (compared with trying to keep the gate open last year for the latecomers). Even the storms cleared out of RDU and we arrived in Miami a few minutes early . . . for a 3-1/2 hour wait on the next flight.

A few of us did some power walking around the airport while others were in various states in sluggishness. Sarah crawled into a ball by the wall and slept for a good bit. Since flights these days don't come with meals we ate a succession of snacks and meals. Maryann sat on the floor with a Latino woman and got an early start on her Spanish.

We realized partway through the morning that most people really didn't know each others' names so we played a couple of name games.

The flight itself was uneventful and we cruised through the almost completed new airport in Guatemala City. Once past Customs, we were met with big crowds, photographers, and kids in uniforms. Turns out it wasn't for us, but for the president of the World Bank who was on our flight (traveling first class).

Getting out of Guatemala City on the clogged roads was a problem, though not as bad as the fumes which made my eyes water. After a while I just closed them until we were clear of the traffic, smog and exhaust. I guess it's to be expected in a city with over three million people.

Antigua was a wonderful contrast. Lots of greenery spilling over walls, colorful flowers, and low pastel-painted buildings. Standing in the La Union courtyard, I was struck by the banana, papaya, orange and avocado trees, each bearing fruit.

Forgetting Passport

It's getting late and I'm worried about where to put my passport so I don't forget it. If I put it in my backpack, I worry I won't remember where it is at the airport. If I leave it under my wallet, I'm afraid I will leave it at home. We have to be at the airport by 4:50 AM and that's usually not my prime time for thinking.

I have also been debating what books to bring. I think I'll pass on the one about a child being kidnapped in Guatemala even if it is fiction. Maybe a travel writer like Bill Bryson. I wish I hadn't read all the Robert Spencer novels.

The weather forecast looks glum with lots of rain. I'm bringing a rain jacket and rain pants and wonder about getting some galoshes so I can walk around forever without getting wet. I test out a couple of umbrellas and settle on the heavier duty one that won't flip inside out in gusts.

Packing

We don't leave until very early Friday but I'm working late tomorrow evening so this is my chance to pack. First I discovered that my older son left one of our suitcases with friends out of town. I start to fret and then decide to go with the flow. I check the airline baggage limits and decide our big one qualifies for check-in. My trick is to pack a worn but comfortable pillow in the suitcase to use while I am there and then jettison on the return to make room for gifts.

Since it feels like I have extra time, I sort through my medicine case and toss things that are way too old. I also empty out my shampoo from an old disgusting container into a clear new $.89 one. It feels extravagant but worth it.