Today we headed to |Antigua- but first some background. Last night, we were getting conflicting reports- it was safe to go to Antigua, it was not safe to go. We talked to Susy y Joel for a long time last night to make sure we understood the risks. This morning, I was checking if places were open, if there were new reports- nothing. Susy y Joel also reached out to say that they were hearing everything was good.
As we went to breakfast, I realized why I have not been able to see the volcano- it is not that it is always hidden in the clouds, it is that it was on the other side of the building. This morning, you could see Fuego plan as day- no clouds, no ash from the top- it looked like it would be a great day to be in Antigua.
The drive in, we could see the devestation- the ash covering the trees/plants/road/houses. If the rains- nice gentle rain, not too long, not to short don't come, everything will die. This is devestating for the coffee plantations near Antigua and for the families that depend on work at the planations.
We got into Antigua and Fuego started to cloud up- but it was expected to be hot and humid today, so I did not think it was going to be too bad. We parked and headed to the ChocoMuseo for our chocolate making class. this is what the boy wanted to do, so we were doing it.
this is Raul, he is our instructor today- so funny and very engaging.
this is the machine, invented by the swiss, that mixes the caco and the sugar for at least 22 hours, but 3 days is better. it holds about 10 pouinds total. 7 pounds of caco and 3 pounds of sugar- to make dark chcolate.
we learned how to make caco paste the mayan way- it is hard!
We learned that chocolate is the food of the gods and was the currency at times- traded all through the Aztec/Maya/Incan world- until the Spanish came in 1521.
smelling the chocolate to make our candies.
The boy chose soccer balls
I chose nuggets.
we filled the trays and then ate the rest of the chocolate so it did not go to waste
this is Carmen- she was our driver today. She had never been before, so she watched us and then got pulled into activities once our candy was done and cooling
Happy boy!!!!
My candies- dark chocolate, with sea salt and candied orange, with a little cinnamon.
The boy's - milk chocolate with every kind of sweet- M^Ms, crushed oreos, gummy bears, they have it all.
Now- on to making hot chocolate the Mayan way and the Spanish way. First you toast the beans
then you mash them, once you have peeled them. Of course, Raul had to make a contest for us.
this the boy's paste
trying caco tea- made from boiling water, a little sugar and the hulls from the beans. nothing goes to waste.
then we took the paste, added honey, some achoi (spelling), and some chili powder, then boiling water. you mix it by pouring it back and forth from the 2 vessels.
it was pretty good to drink- a bit grainy.
Now to cooking hot chocolate the Spanish way. The boy is getting ready to grind the beans.
Raul scrapes the paste off as it comes out.
a quick taste of 100% caco for the boy
the beginning of the face to say it was AWFUL tasting.
now some hot milk, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, anise, and black pepper and mix it up. You must sing the Dora song while mixing it.
This tasted better.
After finishing our tasting, Raul gave us our candy and we headed out. It was now about 1 pm and it was very humid. I just wanted to finish in Antigua and get back to the hotel as I could see the rain on the upper slope of the volcano.
We had one more stop- Nim Pot, to pick up hupil fabric so I can make E a Guatamalan map like I made for the boy.
I found hupil fabric, but could not find the little bags, so I bought some damaged hupils and I will cut them part to get what I need. The rest I might make ornaments out of to gift to friends.
We headed back to the car and Carmen asked if we wanted to eat in town, but I just had this urge to head home, so we agreed to stop on the way into Guatemala City at a Pollo Campero. We were eating around 3 pm when the news came in that Fuego erupted again. This time the ash cloud was going south west and the main road into Antigua from that direction was completely closed.
I was glad I listened to Susy and Joel and was listening to the feeling inside to get home.
We are safe in the hotel, we had a good afternoon after getting back around 3:30 pm. We went swimming this evening and we are heading to dinner now. We have no trips outside of the city until Sunday, when we head to Lake Atitlan and Chichicostenango. And then Tikal on Monday.
hasta luego,
Deb y the boy (he does not want to be named or called by a nickname from now on)
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