2018: Celas Maya Spanish School, Second Session 

Jun 3, 2018.  Xela

• Happy Anniversary Caren & Sam!  34 years today!  As Caren pointed out in our phone call: more than half her life.

• She’s planning to sail with a professional captain soon to the East Coast of the U.S., and return to the Caribbean in Oct-Nov.  I may be able to see her after my hike ends in mid-late September.  

• Birthday party for Fatima this afternoon - I will cut out beforehand and study at El Cuartito.

• Big Catholic procession in the Parque Central in the afternoon - somber, stately music, large structure carried by many men advancing and swaying, everyone dressed in black.

• Caught last part of birthday party in the afternoon.  Lots of kids, parents, presents, cake.  Kids seemed better behaved than in the States.  

• Warriors won game #2 easily.  Two down, two to go.  But LeBron James is phenomenal: 80 points in first two games. 

Jun 7, 2018.  Xela

• La Traviata at El Teatro last night: a ballet interpretation by an Italian group.  Very good, very modern.  Only 4 Celas Maya students went.  

• Under the weather a bit for two days now.  Lots of class time on the Pretérito and the Imperfect.  Español is getting there, but three months is not enough.  Hope I am motivated enough to practice after I leave Guatemala.

• Warriors 3, Cavs 0. 

Jun 10, 2018.  Xela

• Sunday visit to the archaeological site of Takalik Abaj (taxi > bus > bus > tuk-tuk).  The school trip was canceled (only two students signed up), so I hoofed it on my own.  Very ancient site, dating back to Olmec times.  Many pot-bellied barrigóns; one stone with one side a serpent, the other a jaguar.  Only two other tourists.  Most crowded ever chicken buses in both directions.

• Warriors take series 4-0.  World Cup begins in a few days.  Trump and Kim meeting in Singapore.  Schwab investment over $1.5m.  Caren still in Martinique.  Volcan Fuego quieter, but has killed hundreds.  I’m still not 100%.  

• Thinking ahead (after CDT):

  • Sep 2018 > Feb 2019

  • Glacier National Park > home > condo > Huayhuash Circuit > Fitz Roy Cerro Torre loop > Paine Circuit > Aconcagua > Galapagos > Easter Island > Colombia Mts > Colombia Coast > Central America

Jun 20, 2018.  Xela

• Alejandra showed me a short YouTube film of a woman whose son had not visited her for two years, that supposedly brought tears to Celas Maya teachers.  I showed it to Nico, Erick and Martin, and the parents teared up as well.  Amazing example of a cultural response. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERm6ZHGq3Os

• Fiesta time: After dinner treat to family from Yours Truly: cake with “Gracias Familia Coti”, Pops Helado (best in Xela), walking sticks and shorty air mattress for Erick, umbrella for Nico, collapsing cup for new baby Rogelio André, Outdoor Research hat for Martin (too small for me - he loved it), sweater and workout pants for brothers.

Jul 22, 2018.  Xela

• Graduation.  Took Alejandra to La Vienesa for a chocolate.  We talked about Spanish lessons via Skype, payments with Zoom.com.  At school, she gave me a nice talk, and presents from the school of a Quetzeltenango t-shirt and a very nice bound folder (perfect for Nancy).  Loaded up on good suggestions from Alejandra for ways to keep studying Spanish.  On the way home purchased a pair of local pants from the woman who sells stuff at the school entrance.  

• Lazing around now.  Maybe some football replay this evening with Erick.  

• Talked with Caren tonight.  She’s off!  Headed first for Dominica, bringing some stuff to an island which had 70% of its homes destroyed by the hurricanes a few months back.  Then on to  The Virgin Islands, Bermuda, and the East Coast.  What a woman!

Jun 24, 2018.  Antigua Guatemala 

• Second day in Antigua, after a not-too-bad 4 hour two-bus ride from Xela.  My hotel (Le Sin Ventura) is quite nice, and mostly empty.  Watched Germany beat Sweden yesterday, then Colombia beat Poland today - really digging the World Cup!  Lots of walking around yesterday & today, marred somewhat by an emergency poop earlier today (second day of this ailment).  I wish it would give me more than just a few minutes warning...

• Caught a glimpse of Volcan Fuego on a walk up Cerro de la Cruz, with a bit of smoke coming out.  Some nice old churches and convents, but my favorite was the Nim P’ot Artisan Market.  Bought a scarf for Rachael, a t-shirt with “Asshole Trump” (in Español) for Irv, and postcards of Volcan Fuego for the kids.  Lots of tourists (local & foreign), lots of handicrafts, and lots of good restaurants.  Thanks, but I’ll take Xela.

Coffee time

Goodbye, Antigua.  Goodbye, Guatemala.  Next stop: Palo Alto (Nancy Packer)

Jun 26, 2018.  Izzzleep, Mexico City Airport