kids and settling in

We were able to watch the inauguration with the rest of the world via cable TV that we have at our new place. As far as we can tell, the people of Guatemala are just as happy to see Bush go and Obama come in as we are. We celebrated with our friends Chris and Connie, and heaved a great sigh of relief.

We are thrilled with our new home. It is beautiful, bright, safe, comfortable, has really hot water, and is quiet, except for the dogs that fight over trash every night in the park across the street. Miraculously, every morning the trash, and the dogs, are gone. We are very lucky to have found the place, which seems to be one of the best deals in Xela at about $200.00 per month.

Spanish school is over, and we have started working at Education and Hope. Most of you already know that this is a center for needy kids that provides scholarships (tuition) to private schools, and after school tutoring to help the kids succeed. The public schools are notoriously bad, and private schcols (somewhat better) are very cheap: about $20.00 per month.

Having prepared ourselves for typical Central American disorganization and a manana attitude, We are very impressed with the organization and the program in general. There are 13 teachers in the afternoon who provide small classes of kids of all ages with supplement instruction.

In addition to the academic help, there are many other services that Education and Hope provides. Everyone gets a good hot lunch, and snack, a shower, backpacks, and shoes. These are all things that these kids would not otherwise have access to.

Last week we accompanied several groups of students to buy tennis shoes. They all got to choose their own shoes, within a certain price range and style. The shoes that they come to school with are always black, very cheaply constructed, and completely impractical for active kids. What an experience! 20-25 of us crammed into public transport minivans, combined with the excitement of having new shoes. Exhausting!

We have also been helping out in the kitchen quite a bit. 8 or 10 women prepare good healthy food for 86 children and all of the staff, everyday. It is quite fun and entertaining to sit around a (tiny) table chatting with the senoras (most of whom are mothers of some of children in the program) while chopping carrots, potatoes, etc. They are great teasers and since we are so green and our spanish sometimes is probably quite funny, we make good targets. We love it, of course.





Today we helped with some of the marketing at the big open market situated near the bus terminal. It is an amazing scene. A great sea of bodies mixed with huge baskets of every type of fruit and veggie imaginable - and some not imaginable. Shoppers , baskets, crates, large carts pulled by human mules, all efficiently and smoothly swerving around each other. Prices are calmly negotiated and agreed upon with each transaction. The colors and smells are astounding.

We are also taking some time for relaxing and seeing the local sights. Yesterday, with Chris and Connie, we went to a beautiful hot springs for a hot soak.

We hope you are all well and enjoying the winter, where ever you are.