Guatemala

This semester was not completely finished until I submitted three term papers, a description of my progress and goals, journal reflections, and a few other items to a review board as part of the process to continue toward my master of arts degree. Silas flew to Germany on December 22, after completing his college applications. The next day, I sat at the computer to finish my advancement to degree statement and assembled the required documents into a binder. I needed to go outside to clear the car and shovel a fresh foot of snow before driving to the college. Then, I learned that the snowstorm had shut down the city. Nobody was at the college.

With all three sons in Europe for the holidays, the house was quiet and I prepared for my trip to Guatemala. John came over and made chocolate chip cookies on Christmas Eve. I cooked the spaghetti and shrimp and we feasted before heading out the door on a starry night. First we went to the pediatric wings of the two local hospitals for John to give away some of his yummy cookies. Then we parked downtown and walked along Canyon Road to sing and enjoy the lights. I had always wanted my parents to spend Christmas in Santa Fe to witness the thousands of farolitas and the festivities. My dad would have appreciated the electric train garden that was displayed beneath snow-laden pine boughs in a small neighborhood cul-de-sac.

Christmas day was perfect. John and I drove to the trailhead of San Antonio hotsprings in the Jemez mountains. Donned we there our warm apparel and nordic skis. The forest road trail was so beautiful through the winter wonderland. After five miles, we soaked in the hotsprings. A few other people had the same idea. We shared cookies and brownies and they shared trail mix and carrots. We skied back to the car in the darkening forest. There was a cloudy sky blocking the stars and no moon to light our way. Although we reached the car by seven o’clock, it took two more hours to drive carefully through the snowstorm and down through Los Alamos.

Rebecca hosted a Kwanza party at Quaker House. There I was able to see old friends and appreciate how mature the young Friends have grown. Nichoe hosted the monthly women’s circle.
After delicious food, we sat between her lovely Christmas tree and her glowing woodstove to share pet stories and other gracious parts of our lives. I expressed my dream to become fluent in Spanish.

On New Year’s Eve, I went to the dances of universal peace. We sang, moved in our circles, and smiled. Then I drove to John’s to join a sweat and smiled some more. On the first day of the year we went skating in the canyon and skiing along the trail up at Pajarito. Brilliant blue sky.

So, now I am in Guatemala. This week I am with a family in Xela, while I take one-to-one classes at La Democracia. My hostess is a single mother with two lovely, cute, and lively little girls. The six year old proudly read aloud to me. I reciprocated with some of the picture books that I brought to give away. The four year old demonstrated some of the jumping and running that the little bulls do in the story of Ferdinando. Tonight, maybe we will read the story that features mermaids. I had hoped to purchase puppets and soft toys along with the Tonka trucks, race cars, and books that I brought. I was surprised to find my favorite toy store in Santa Fe gone. So, the girls here demonstrated their enthusiasm for construction vehicles and three of their primos (cousins) from next door came over and played with them.

My bus ride here from Guatemala City was about five hours, with a fifteen minute snack stop along the way. The bus was comfortable and the road was smooth with two lanes in each direction for the first hour. There was a long stretch of road construction, then a completed part of the highway before driving on a two-lane road. I had two seats for stretching out and watched a comic movie on the little overhead TV. I nearly completed the crossword puzzle from Friday’s New Mexican, after I read the Spanish language articles. No, the crossword puzzle was in English.

Today is a nice day of rest, domingo. We had pancakes for breakfast and took turns using the shower. I nearly bought a cell phone for the month that I will be here. However, I am having some difficulty with my ATM card. Money may be a bit tight on this trip. I have four weeks of Spanish study planned. Each of those weeks will mean a homestay with meals included. Without ATM access, I do not have any extra money for other purchases. This means more time to work on my Spanish studies, less time for browsing. So, now I will curl up with my Spanish books. Oh, yes, the house is about 13 degrees C at night. In the day it warms up to about 16 degrees C (61 F?). I am so happy that I packed a wool sweater and longjohns!