Preparando a viajar
In and around Guatemala
Doing my best to recall my Spanish (learned over 13 !!! years ago in high school), I believe what I wrote in the journal title is "Preparing to travel!"
A well-earned trip !!! after a six-year stint that included a move across the country from my beloved Seattle to Atlanta, a marriage, one masters degree, a divorce, another masters degree, many, many! part-time jobs, the discovery of my vocation, many wonderful relationships built, with good measures of joy and pain and "life" all mixed in.
Soon I will be on my way to Guatemala City (where I will stay hopefully less than 10 hours) and then to see a lot of "Guate" as those in-the-know seem to call it and a bit of Honduras as well.
As I've been preparing for my adventure to Guatemala, and as I have lived the journey of the last several years, I have come across, at many different moments, as a gift from many different people, this poem, by Mary Oliver.
The Journey one day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice - though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "mend my life!" each voice cried. but you didn't stop. you knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. it was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do - determined to save the only life that you could save.
The only response that seems fitting to this well-churched woman is "Amen!"
Route taken and entries written by Rebecca Anne
-
1
Gertie, el gato tiene miedo
Again, improvising on the Spanish a little, I think I said, "Gertie, the cat is afraid!" Gertie is preparing for my trip by attempting to hide hers... Continue reading »
-
2
El perrito es triste
Getting ready to go. As promised, the sad picture of Rowan - mainly for me to remember how cute my pup is while I'm gone. Leaving Atlanta for Guatem... Continue reading »
-
3
Guatemala City and beyond
Arrived in Guatemala City at 11pm on Thursday night thanks to a delayed flight. Was very thankful I had arranged with a hotel, Dos Lunas, to pic... Continue reading »
-
4
El ayudante is muy interesante!
Getting to Zunil once I made it to Quetzaltenango proved interesting as well. What was particularly interesting was that my hotel was not REALLY... Continue reading »
-
5
the Almolonga Saturday morning market!
My wake-up call on Saturday morning came from the nibbling sound of what turned out to be 2 little mice in my bungalow. I´m glad they were cute... Continue reading »
-
6
to Xela!
On Sunday I headed from Zunil to Quetzaltenango (Xela). I thought the best way to go would be to take a piccop back to Zunil and then... Continue reading »
-
7
Proyecto Linguistico Quetzaltenango
Monday morning included the orientation to Proyecto Linguistico Quetzalteco. The school is absolutely fabulous - they are very progressive and i... Continue reading »
-
8
Fuentes Georginas and change in plans
Just returned from the Fuentes Georginas which was absolutely fabulous - it is a bit cold here in the mornings - and today happens to be the day we ca... Continue reading »
-
9
Using bleach to clean vegetables
This is what I learned last night - that all of the vegetables and fruits that are bought anywhere here are first soaked in salt for 20 minutes and th... Continue reading »
-
10
Un dia en Xela
Hola! It is hard to believe I have been here over a week already. A week ago today I was on that scary bus ride. Xela is really grow... Continue reading »
-
11
El Casco
I am leaving Xela tomorrow morning so this is my very last day. Yesterday was quite eventful. During my Spanish class my teacher offered t... Continue reading »
-
12
Happy as a clam!!
Yes, I am - happy as a clam. I LOVE San Pedro La Laguna. I am sitting in a little internet cafe that is actually a cafe, that is, they sel... Continue reading »
-
13
Fotos de muy bonita San Pedro
Just mainly wanted to add some photos of San Pedro. My favorite discovery is that about half the streets are actually these little trails (some... Continue reading »
-
14
Mas tiempo en San Pedro
Some more beautiful pictures of Lago de Atitlan for you all to enjoy.I just returned from a little trip to San Marcos La Laguna, just across the lake... Continue reading »
-
15
Pensive with Pema in Panajachel :)
THANK GOD THE RAIN HAS STOPPED!!!First, a report of change in itinerary (for those who have my itinerary draft and have been charged with making sure... Continue reading »
-
16
Beautiful Antigua!!
I made it to Antigua - got here yesterday. It is not a whole like anything else I have seen in Guatemala thus far. My hotel is really beau... Continue reading »
-
17
Photos of Beautiful Antigua
Okay, now some photos of Antigua. Make sure you click "see more photos" as I have patiently uploaded 10 of them!!! I have taken so many pi... Continue reading »
-
18
Rio Dulce and Poptun
I made it to Finca Ixobel. It is delightful here - signed up for a hike to a cave tomorrow - otherwise will hopefully get someone to play checke... Continue reading »
-
19
Leaving Finca Ixobel
Heading to San Jose up on Lago Peten Itza today. Not much to write about - but am not sure if I will have internet at all for the next... Continue reading »
-
20
La Jungla!!!
Oh my God!!! The phrase, "what the HELL am I doing here??" has crossed my mind, oh, say, 1,000 times in the last 48 hours that I have been in Sa... Continue reading »
-
21
Leaving San Jose
Made it through another day of classes today and then left San Jose!!!! This morning as soon as I got to the school - at 8am, when it was alread... Continue reading »
-
22
Baby monkies!!!
It is JUNE! Cannot believe I have been gone a month almost!The strangest thing about Guatemalan keyboards is that to create the "@" sign, on som... Continue reading »
-
23
I made it to Honduras
I made it! My crazy day of traveling is over.This morning I started in Livingston, Guatemala and now I am in La Ceiba, Honduras. Tomorrow... Continue reading »
-
24
Beautiful Utila
Ah, in Utila at last. Got here Sunday morning and today is Tuesday.It's quite nice here though not what I pictured. I guess I was imaginin... Continue reading »
-
25
Sorry - bad joke
I am so sorry for sending the bad-joke e-mail. It was an in-jest bulk e-mail I sent out to everyone on my list - and I'm sorry if it seemed I it... Continue reading »
-
26
Made it to Copan
For those of you who are the worry-ing types, wanted to let you know I made it to Copan. A long day of travel yesterday starting at 6am, ending... Continue reading »
-
27
Home at last. (with photos)
Home at last. I did indeed make it home, for those of you who were concerned about my blog just ending abruptly on June 11th. And my greatest sentim... Continue reading »
Get your free travel blog
Do you have your own experience to share? Signup for your free travel blog »
Would you like to comment or ask a question?