days 3 and 4 in Guatemala

 This is the view from our window.  see the clouds- it prevents from us from seeing the volcanoes.

 Which means we did not see the eruption yesterday.   The airport was shut down for around 12 hours and the president has declared 3 days of national mourning.  I am getting conflicting reports about Antigua- our trip for tomorrow.  Our driver is saying it is fine, but folks from the Guatemalan adoption boards are saying it is not really safe.  I am going to call the places we are visiting tomorrow to see if they are open.

Yesterday was pretty quiet- we swam, napped and ate.  We went to the KFC after I attended church at the hotel. We did great ordering without really understanding (too fast).  It was packed- apparently KFC and Pizza hut (in the top of the picture above) are the place to go after church.

 Today, we went bowling with Momi and Nigua.  Rocket won the first game, I won the second game and Nigua won the pool game.

Momi just watched.

after bowling and pool, we went back to the hotel and Momi  and Nigua went home.  We swam and I got sunburnt.  The other adventure was trying to buy Rocket a Nintendo Switch.  The ad said it was 399Q which is $57 US.  But I missed the small print that said it was 10 payments of 399Q.  So no Switch for Rocket.  He was not tooo happy. 

that's all from today.  Love and hugs,
Deb

Guatemala Day 2

 Day 2 - breakfast on the veranda (picture below). Then some swimming.  It was supposed to rain all afternoon, so I told Rocket we needed to swim early.  Then of course, the sun came out for most of the day- no rain until after 4 pm.  go figure.\

On that note, I have a share success.  I went shopping by myself at the grocery store around the corner from the hotel.  It is diagonal from the McDonald's if you draw a line from it through the Barcelo.  I needed wrapping paper and bows for presents for the family.

 Rocket had a great time swimming.  We swam for an hour, laps and exercising in the water.  then I got out to enjoy the hot tub.  Rocket swam another 30 minutes and then he was ready to get out and go back to the room.

 We watched some futbol, it is on all day Saturday and Sunday with the international friendlies before the world cup.  then we took a nap and at 3.30 pm, Popi and Momi arrived.

 It is official, Rocket is taller than all the girls and will be taller than Popi by the time we come back again.  Of course, Rocket did not talk much at all- his usual tactic when he is overwhelmed.

 we had a snack with them and talked for about 2.5 hours- delivered presents and just caught up on life.  They had to leave by 6 pm, and of course it was pouring rain.  Popi's car is broke down, so he is going to fix it today.  We will see Momi most days, and Popi on the weekends.  Susy and the girls will come when their work schedules allow it.

We went to bed at 8.30 pm


Sunday (day 3)- we had breakfast on the veranda again and as we walked out, we ran into Hugo!!!  We have seen in everytime we have come to Guatemala, including those trip beofre Rocket came home.  We were wondering if we would see him this time or not.  So good to see people who have been witness to our journey since the beginning.

 meanwhile, Pablo is enjoying life at Auntie Lulu's.  Apparently, Pablo can jump the gate that keeps the dogs out of the living room when Laura and Darrell are out of the house.  Pablo is a smart doggie.

 Breakfast on 02June- black beans, plantains, bacon, fruit and tamale.  YUMMMMMMM.
Today was fruit, omelet, potatoes, bacon and tea. 

 On the veranda, overlooking the pool.

 

Today is another adventure.  Rocket does not want to go to church (the vineyard church here in Guatemala), so I am going to go to church at the service that is here in the hotel.  Rocket will stay in the room and play on his Ipad.  Then we are going shopping for soccer stuff. These are adventures because I get by just enough with my Spanish.  Wish us luck!!!

1st day in Guatemala 01Jun2018

 11 years after coming home, we are back in Guatemala for a visit.  our days started by going to bed at 11.30 pm on Thursday night.  Our wake up was 3.30 am on Friday morning.  We did great for 4 hours of sleep.  This is us on the first leg into Atlanta.  We had a short 90 minute layover before we got on the second plane that would take us into Guatemala.  It was raining at home as we drove to the airport, but the rain cleared out as daylight broke.  No issues into Atlanta or into Guatemala.  But the heavens opened up within 2 hours of us being in Guatemala. 
I guess 6 trips to Guatemala without any real rain has been a fluke, as it is expected to rain all week here.  It looks like we might be able to swim before lunch most days- but the afternoons are shot.

 Coming into Guatemala City.  This leg of the trip had some issues.  When I checked us in on Thursday, I had the option to take an upgrade to first class.  I did not take it as Rocket and I would not be sitting next to each other.  He would have been in the seat in front of me.  I should have taken it.  We needed up in the row right behind first class, where there were 3 seats in the space of 2 first class seats. The seats had no monitor on the seat in front of us- which I wanted so rocket could watch a movie, the monitor was one that you pull up from the edge of the seat.  Which meant, we had physical dividers between us, so no real room to wiggle around.  The ceiling air flow was not working on our seat, so I was really uncomfortable as the flight went on, getting overheated.  UGHHHHH.  When I check us in for the return, if there is an opportunity to upgrade to first class, I am taking it, even if Rocket is not beside me.

 Our hotel room- the first floor.  Rocket really wanted to be in the in the suite.  it was not any more than I spent last time we were here.  So he is sleeping on the pull out couch because despite asking for 2 beds, they booked us into room where there is only a king size bed.  He is actually quite happy- he has his own space for the night, his own bathroom, and his own dresser.  Yep- I spoil him.

 My room- upstairs.  We have our own TVs on each level, but I am going to hang out on the couch in when we have time to watch TV.  We are also on the club floor- so snacks in the late afternoon and fruit for our room!!!

 this is what happens to Rocket 12 hours after a 3.30 am wake up- he crashes on my lap while watching futbol.  I let him sleep for 30 minutes and then i moved us to the bed.  we had a 2.5 hour nap.  Yes, I know you aren't supposed to do that, but 3.30 am is really early, especially on 4 hours sleep.

 Black bean soup = one happy boy!

 Oh, I am seriously getting breast reduction after this picture.  YIKES.  Good thing the boy and I are starting a 30 day work out challenge today - he really has 90 days, but I am breaking it up into 30 day chunks for him.

Finally, some Maya gliphs from the airport.  We will see Popi and Momi tomorrow and the girls sometime later, depending on their work schedule.

that's all for tonight.  it is 8.32 pm here (which is 10.32 pm to our bodies) and I think it is bed time.

Love and hugs,
Deb y Rocket