What a Week

So I got a little behind with my blogs this week, so this one is going to be a long one. Sorry, I'll try and keep it short and concise.

Last Friday we had a little "break" from the typical workings of Guatemala. The evening started with Confirmation Friday (92 kids in all). This is a big deal in the Church, so the Bishop came. Fr. Bernie happens to be good friends with the Bishop, so after the service we all went out to dinner together. We ate at another friend of Fr. Bernie's, Dr. Torey Viarte - out at one of his fincas (large farm/ranch). He comes from a very well-traveled affluent family, is a doctor and large land owner. He had a beautiful Spanish summer home on the property with a veranda out back where we ate (complimentary with armed body guards and all - sawed off shotguns seem to be the weapon of choice). We spent the evening sipping Chivas Regal, talking politics in English and eating steak. It was a great break from what I am exposed to day in and day out in my normal work.

The following day I was not granted the same luxury...we were supposed to have received two semi-containers of aid last Wednesday. Instead, they came on Saturday. No actually I lied. It would have been Sunday as it was at 1:15 am. We unloaded in the dark until about 6:30 am. On my one day off...at least we got a lot of good stuff. We will be working for weeks to distribute it all. Much of the aid will be used to fill the new school we are building in Cobán.

Sunday, Vikes pull off an amazing win. I'm happy again.

During the week, we worked in the aldeas a TON. We started at 4:30 or 5:00 am everyday. We were preparing for Dia de los Ninos (Day of the Children). It is a big celebration for the last day of school. We brought cakes and lots of special food, along with gifts donated by Columbia. We invited a private school (bunch of rich kids) to come out and experience the event. They brought along several pinadas which the students at Rio Palmeras absolutely loved. The whole event was really special. We even got the parents to participate some. This does not seem like a big feat, but the Mayan culture is EXTREMELY serious. It took us about fifteen minutes with the kids calling out particular names before we got anyone up there. Humorously, the first person to come up was a woman with no teeth. The event was "bobbing for apples." For a not so funny thing such as having no teeth, I couldn't help myself from chuckling. A lot. Students will be off of school for about two months now.

Wednesday, Happy Birthday Mother. Love you-

We finally got out grinder, so we will be making homemade peanut butter soon. Also, I start Spanish classes this week. Look for an update midweek.

Go Twins! Go Vikes! Possibly the greatest week in Minnesota sports history ever...