Monday, October 28, 2013

The group arrived yesterday Oct.27. Sandy and Melissa were already at the airport cafe when I got there. There is no concept of "fill'er up" in Guatemala so on the 2 hr. 45 min. drive from Pana to Guate City my driver stopped twice for gas. About an hour later Jay, Dave and Dave's son Mike arrived. We then proceeded to load all of their giant bags and Rubbermaid tubs filled with lots of goodies for families in need....and what I mean by we, I mean they and I tried to supervise but men here have a hard time taking direction from a woman. Needless to say they had to eventually put the tubs on top of the van just as I had said to begin with. That is why I ordered the van with the roof rack to begin with. Then it was off to the Hotel Barcelo to pick up Amanda and Angela who arrived the day before. Again a lot of bag shuffling but finally we were on the road for the 2hr. and 45min. ride back up to Panajachel (Pana). We tried to drop the tubs off at Mayan Families(MF) office but the road was closed for repair so it all got unloaded at the hotel. Got everyone checked in and we all received a welcome cocktail which we enjoyed on the veranda of the hotel overlooking the pool and beautiful garden. Once we had a bit of relaxation off we went to hit the ATM for local money know as Quetzels (Q's). Then a walk to my place for for a glass of wine until it was time to go to Sharon and Dwight's home for a welcome dinner. This is a good way for everyone to get a little oriented to Pana. After dinner they got to meet some of the dogs and cats that have been rescued from the street. One was a sweet puppy who had two broken front legs in casts and Amanda decided this puppy should be her Christmas present. The rain had decided to set in so MF returned us in their vehicles. It rained hard most of the night so I am hoping it got it out of it"s system. The sun is now coming up and I can see some breaks in the clouds!!! Today we will visit El Barranco where we concentrate most of our efforts in trying to improve living condition for the Mayan living there. It is where most of the 70 plus children that have been sponsored in school by the members of my groups live. It's always a fun day.

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