Wednesday 10th September,

Its so wonderful to get so much mail, but apologies that I cant always respond,but keep writing PLEASE!! Busy week again and more on the project next week......Its not easy, let me warn you now!Much love from Guatemalaxxxxxxxx

Monday 8th September The weekdays continue to be busy with study and a couple oftrips to the centre. I haven’ started to work there properly yet as they are not ready for me and I really am not in terms of the language. BUT I am getting to the stage when I am waking up with words and phrases in Spanish……….. Yo comprendo!!

The weekend ….
saw us travelling to a place called Panehajal a small town on the banks of Lake Atitlan. Friday at 4.00pm we boarded a minibus for the two and a half hour journey up to the lake, which happens to be in large crater of a volcano ……….. It’s meant to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world..I wonder?
The journey was scary as it was raining very hard with many landslides and the roads leave a lot to be desired, Why the driver was in a hurry became apparent as we climbed the mountain…the rain was torrential and the clouds were low ie. no visibility! So we clutched the seats and looked out the window in the hope that it would clear and we would arrive safely. As is the case with many local drivers they know the roads and are quite skilful. It reminded me of the journey to Pauri in India that Martin and I took a couple of years ago. At Panajachel the hotel was placed beautifully with lake views, but today, all we could see was cloud and rain…perhaps tomorrow…..

I woke to the sound of rain and my heart sank. We had a full day in a boat visiting three of the villages on the other side. As is always the case, tourists march on, and we did along with others onto the boat. I felt massively unprepared as I watched the couples get on in their expensive all weather gear and hugely expensive boots all armed with the ‘Lonely Planet Guatemala’, in at least 6 different languages, in their hands avidly reading about the history, and things to see and buy. Yet another country ‘done’ and ticked off I suspect.. It was cold as we crossed the lake but luckily the weather cleared a bit. All the Pueblos seemed the same in the dull light as did the traditional wares on display in the local shops. One hour at each place d not leave much time to visit anywhere or indeed shop adequately, but shop many of them did, bags, cloth, pottery, mementos of Guatemala which no doubt they will question the reasons for buying in years to come. I just looked and dodged the many women and children who swamp you as soon as you step off the boat, ‘want to buy?’, ‘taxi?’ ’I show you?’ However there were some interesting sights,…….One of the villages I found very interesting because all the women wore the same colour and style of clothes, all in blue with vertical lines. The men wore short trousers with embroidery on them.Interestingly I met a young woman who is doing here elective for med school who lives in Croydon and plays rugby at Honor Oak!! Yes the world is really this small. I spent a lot of time talking to her and upon returning we went to a café to warm ourselves up. By the evening the rain had cleared so we trekked off to the market.. well a street with more of the same kind of shops. They all seem to sell the same things, mostly bags, embroidered cloth, hammocks, wooden carvings and jewellery. They set up every day in the hope that someone will buy, and bartering is heavily advised! By 8.00pm it was raining again so it was back to the room and a bit of TV, my first bit of TV since I came here so I plugged into Oceans thirteen……….
Sunday….
dawned bright and sunny, I looked out and saw the sight I was expecting, a beautiful huge lake surrounded by small villages and three huge volcanoes. It was quite something. Lots of people were going to a very well known market near by but I decided to get a bus and go to a nature reserve and ‘jungle’. Much more my kind of a place. And how amazing it was. High up in the mountains with mist hanging onto their edges rising up into the blue sky, (huge waterfalls water gushing forth especially so after the rains, (its sound could be heard everywhere as it was quiet apart from the birds and the spider monkeys! Yes travelling along a marked trail I saw many spider monkeys in the trees, amazing as they hung from their tails, reported to be the strongest amongst the primates!! Soon however, the peace was shattered as a huge (in every sense!) American family trudged closer shouting. The monkeys and I quickly disappeared from their view. The trail continued up and down , colourful with a range of flowers and orchids and after 4 hours I returned to the hotel. A walk into town again for lunch and the Sunday vegetable market, which was amazing in that nearly everyone there was in traditional clothes, I wanted to take photos, especially of the girls but could not, not allowed, however I did manage to ask a man if I could take his photo in Spanish but he said he was too busy selling his tomatoes!!! Further along there was a big church where there was a funeral. I noticed that along the whole path into the church , the family had laid a path of flowers with different patterns, and passers by were encouraged to come and have a look and so I did before listening to the band outside. In the street some relaxed in the afternoon sun
4.00pm saw us get on the bus for the return trip and it was raining heavily, the same again!
Rain, landslides, potholes, traffic and an eager driver. I closed my eyes and prayed that I would return safely… of course I did, and in time to do my homework for Monday! The topic: reflexive verbs…HELP!!!!!

So another week has passed and I have done much in terms of learning, and so much more to come as I prepare for the care centre which they say will be hard and heartbreaking.. One girl only lasted two afternoons…..I think and hope that I am made of stronger stuff.
Adios y buenos nochas Amigos
Xxx