We were very fortunate to go to Guatemala this summer to visit my family for just about two weeks. It had been almost six years since we were last there and I was so excited to share my growing kids with my family that I have missed so much. Seeing and getting to know all my cousins' kids and of course spending time with our beloved Mama Lily was so appreciated and enjoyed.
Our first evening in Guatemala City, we enjoyed our time together at My Tío Jose's house...in his bar...which is actually his garage.
Lots of cousins...I had to make my rounds with a few of them!!!
The next day we were on our journey to deliver Brady's 9 backpacks full of school supplies to a school in the DUMP of Guatemala City. It is literally the dump, where all the trash trucks deliver the trash of Guatemala City. The kids that go to the school are children of parents that must work in the dump. These individuals collect the trash, deliver the trash to the dump and sort the trash by hand. We even saw one man with a sucker in his mouth....we wonder where we found that????
See the website below to read Brady's project in more detail. A freelance writer from Orphan Outreach in Texas contacted us in order to write up a story on Brady's project. We are so proud of our little man...actually big man...he is just about as big as him mom!
http://www.orphanoutreach.org/news/2008/0902-Brady/index.html
The next day we went to Guatemala's National Palace (The Guatemalan version of the 'White House'...but it's green and the president doesn't live in it...he just works there) for a tour and to participate in the Peace Rose Ceremony. Brady was given the rose from the day before to keep and he placed another rose to symbolize another 24 hours of peace in Guatemala. He was also given a certificate which was made out to Oak Creek Elementary for helping him accomplish his backpack project.
A trip to Guatemala isn't complete without a visit to the cemetery. The cemetery in Guatemala City is like it's own little city.
These graves are for the indigenous people of Guatemala. Once 'rent' payments stop on these burials the bodies are disposed of to make room for more.
Egypt in Guatemala?? This burial building was huge. We weren't able to get inside but it was very interesting to look at.
I was so proud to take my completed family to the grave site of my beloved Papito. He would have been the very best of great-grandfathers.
I believe this was taken in 1983, Liza, Papito, David, one of our many kitties and me and my ears (now I know where Cole gets his)
Back to Mama Lily's house for a quick visit. Alyssa couldn't wait to share with Mama Lily her coloring skills!
To Antigua we go....
The first day in Antigua the boys and I went on a volcano tour to climb the volcano Pacaya. Way cool! After the two hour tour bus ride, the bus dropped us off about half way up the volcano and then we climbed the rest. Another two hours later we were on lava rock.
The boys were getting tired of climbing so we rented a horse for about 20 minutes.
The view of another volcano in the distance-Volcán Agua.
We had planned to submit one of these pictures to the Columbus Dispatch for the Travel section...but never got around to it. The first picture is of Volcán Agua and the second is of Volcán Pacaya...the one we are climbing.
Having a picnic on lava rock..and sharing some crust with random dogs.
Roasting marshmallows on the lava rock. The lava rock was like charcoal on a grill...and we were walking on it!!
In between the lava rock was so hot that if you put any type of particle into it, it would automatically catch on fire.
We weren't allowed to go to the very top because Volcán Pacaya is a very active volcano and it is too dangerous. There is lava rolling down the top! Probably one of the most coolest things we have ever done!!! The hike down only took about 45 minutes and it was a lot harder than we thought. It was really rough on our knees and ankles.
Next we were off to the beach which is about two hours from Guatemala City. The first night we enjoyed the dancing of Tía Gladys, Mama Lily, Tío Jose, Tía Linda and Paty (a friend of Tía Gladys). Very entertaining!!
Alyssa striking a pose at the pool:
The boys getting some sun:
My cousin Mau's daughter Natalia:
My cousin Peachy and Alyssa:
Brian and Camench (Alyssa's Fairy God Mother):
Gabriel, Peachy's son - Go Bucks!
On the canal on the way to the beach with Mau and his family.
On the Pacific Ocean side of Guatemala the sand is black-due to volcanic ash. Walking on the sand is difficult because it is too hot, it's like walking on blacktop. The water is really strong, almost too strong to go out and enjoy the waves.
Brian and the boys looking for sea shells. If you look in the distance you can see roof tops and buildings of condos tha have been overtaken by the ocean. Pretty crazy to think how the ocean can swallow up an entire community.
The drive home from the Pacific Coast is beautufil! In the distance are three volcanos!
Back to Antigua to do some sight seeing. This is a cathedral we visited and did a little shopping there as well!
Camench took Alyssa to a place where they made Alyssa feel like a princess. They did her hair, her makeup, painted her nails and even gave her a crown. Gracias Camench!
Back to Mama Lily's house to visit with everyone before we headed home.
SALUD, Cheers to a wonderful trip to Guatmala!! Gracias a todos!
