This was the first full day of work. We arrived at MF early in the morning to sort through the donations that everyone brought down. Then the items we were taking to El Barranco were loaded onto the trucks along with beds and mattresses that were donated by the Lutes family.
The main road that goes from Panajachel to El Barranco is closed due to the rain causing so many problems with the roads. There are land slides everywhere and many roads are closed so we had to go the back way that is about an hr. longer. The conditions of that road are barely passable and not for the faint of heart. This is one of those trips that separates the men from the boys.
We were not to be stopped since there was celebrating to be done. Beth and I along with Sue who was with us in spirit wanted to celebrate the new preschool that we have all participated in supporting. There were tamales for the kids and cake. Hunger is such a huge part of everyday life so this was a big day for the kids. I watched as one little girl picked every grain of rice off of the banana leaf they were cooked in.
Beth and I were presented with beautiful hand woven table clothes and received many hugs which of course made us a bit teary. On top of all that they had a birthday celebration for me and I received even more hugs. Couldn't have been a better birthday.
We handed out donations, had an eye glass clinic that Gladys and Joyce head up so that women who do close work like hand stitching and beadwork could continue to earn a living, installed two stoves and did two home visits of sponsored students. The return trip to Pana was adventurous to say the least. Not only had it rained all day and deteriorated the road even more it was foggy on top of all that. We freshened up and had dinner at El Bistro where there was a lot of shopping going on since some of our favorite street vendors came in to show there wares.

Everyone arrived safe and sound to Guatemala. We got everyone from the airport and then picked up the 3 that spent the night at the Hotel Barcelo. Also my friend Lucy who lives in Guat. City came to welcome us to her beautiful country and bring goodies to eat from her shop.
The ride to Pana was uneventful but a bit adventurous. The roads have been greatly damaged from all the weather causing many mud and rock (boulder!!!) slides. Our most excellent driver, Geovanni did a wonderful job getting us through.
We got our tubs unloaded at MF office and everyone checked into the hotel. Sharon and Dwight then had us all to there home to celebrate our arrival and my birthday. Those who wanted got the chance to try their hand at making tortillas.

It is much harder than it looks. Since this is a very long day by the time dinner was over everyone was ready to hit the sack.
Today we hopefully head out to El Barranco. Everything we do on this trip will be dependent on the weather and how the roads hold up. "God willing and the creek don't rise" has become a most accurate quote for this trip.

Yippee...it didn't rain all morning so Sherry and I were able to take a launcha (boat) over to San Juan. I hadn't been there in a couple of years and was thinking I wanted the group to see it. We are so going to San Juan..it is the cleanest third world village you have ever seen. It also has a large women's co-op make natural dyed textiles. They are beautiful. We shopped 'til we dropped.
The lago ( lake) has risen so much they are putting new docks in everywhere so the entrance was fun. Just last yr. they put in new docks because of all the rain. The lake is a caldera with no outlet so there is no where for all the water to go and there is not evaporation.


Ate at a great vegetarian restaurant when we got back to Pana. All in all a great day. Still have some jewelry shopping to do this afternoon. Oh some partying to do at La Palapa tonight to celebrate my friend Stephanie's arrival last night. I promise to be at the airport tomorrow by 11:30 AM to meet the group arrival!!!

Mucho LLuvia...although there was less rain last night and today so far. Now we just need them to get the roads cleared of mud and gigantic boulders so the bus can get through Sun. so the rest of the group can get to Panajachel. We went to my house yesterday...have had renters so have been staying in town until today.....to pick up some rain gear. This wood working shop was intact when we arrived in Pana but no more. They pulled the wood out as it was collapsing.
That terra cotta colored house across the river is where my condos are. The bridge to it has been trembling so it is only foot traffic now. When we move our luggage today we will have to take it by way of the upper bridge in the MF pickup. That's Sherry sporting my wellies that I keep down here and I also had waterproof hicking boots that I put on.
A view of the river towards the lake. If you are reading this and are coming to the lake this week pack rubber boots even though we are hoping this will be past us by then it will still be muddy in places. I am praying hard that next week is great weather since we have so much planned.

We are having mucho lluvia...much rain....but we did manage to get a Spanish lesson in. I am praying this goes away before next week. I have never had to deal with much rain in Oct. but then me doth think the whole world has gone mad with unusual weather.

Arrived Sun. night and met up with friends and shared a bottle of wine we picked up at Pricemart (like Costco) in the city. Yesterday tried to connect with our Spanish teacher with no luck but heard from her this morning so hopefully we will have a lesson this after noon.
Had no electricity when we got up but it is back on and so we are finally showered and the toilet is flushed....it's the little things!!
It is pouring down rain right now so we may just stay in today and consume what little we have....wine, mixed nuts and cheese. Living the good life!
We did some shopping yesterday and managed to go get breakfast today before the heavy rain started but it sounds like it is slowing down now.

Leaving tomorrow for two weeks in Guatemala. Taking spanish lesson the first week and then the team arrives on Oct.16. It will be a busy week for the team. There will be 15 of us all together and we have a lot to accomplish. Donation to distribute, stoves to install and beds to deliver. Villages to visit and children to meet. Those who sponsor a student will have the opportunity to go and meet there student at there home. This is always the highlight of the trip. I will do my best to stay on top of the blog and keep you up to date with our progress.....but I am not making any promises. It can get pretty hectic and exhausting, but what a great time.