La Merced and the Marimbas

I.February 1, 2016 Monday (lunes)

Antigua

For birthdays here in Antigua, family members set off fireworks, typically at 6 AM. We were lucky to be blasted this morning at 6:45 instead of 6. Carlos, Oskar and Chiki's nephew, turns 15 today. Yesterday there was a large family gathering here with many cousins, aunties, uncles and friends. While Carlos was certainly recognized, the primary reason for the fiesta was because the Antigua soccer team had just won another game, keeping them in first place in Guatemala.  I've discovered that I love the traditional Guatemalan marimba and Oskar had plenty of it playing on his boom box. Last week we enjoyed listening and watching Mayan men play the marimba on the main street in Antigua during the Sunday market.

It's such a joyous sound.  And these old fellows could really belt it out. The people of Guatelama are some of the happiest I've been around. Joy encompasses their lives. 

Yesterday we attended mass at La Merced, one of the oldest churches in Guatemala. The pastor is full of love for his huge congregation and we enjoyed the the service. John's teacher was there with her confirmation students. We witnessed their first communion and it was obvious that Marina, John's instructor, was very happy. There were over 400 people in attendance. It was a beautiful service and I even understood some of the homily.  The church has 5 masses on Sunday, 2 on Saturday and seems to be packed at each one. 

After mass, in the garden and near the street, there are dozens of vendors selling food.

There are tacos, empanadas, meats of all sorts, tostadas remolacha,mroasted corn and juices of all sorts.  Remolacha is beets, and I LOVE beets. My tostado was topped with cabbage, other fresh veggies and a healthy dose of beets. Yummers. John had a quesadilla with guacamole on top. We sat on a bench, in the sun, and did our share of people watching. The setting is so beautiful and it's obvious that most folks leaving church have a quick bite to eat before they make their way home. 

Our weekend was spent studying and we both feel very slow at learning a new language. Our hope is to get out of Abtigua this coming weekend and head to Lake Atitlan. We tried last weekend, but John wasn't quite up for 2-1/2 hour bus ride. 

The typical residents in Antigua are industrious and very hard working. Chiki and Oskar are working from 7 AM until 9:30 or 10 everyday, except Sunday. Both are teachers at our school.  All laundry is done by hand. Sheets, blankets, clothing, towels and everything in between. I believe our home is pretty typical, but I don't really know, as I've only be into this home and our previous home stay family. Most mornings, I get out of bed around 4 AM to study or write.  John wakes up around 6 and we begin preparing for our day. First off, a shower...if we have water. 

There is a terrific instant water heater in the shower, but we usually deal with the water coming on and off as we shower.  Typical for the area we are in. After shower, we get ready for school and eat breakfast with the other students who are staying here. Sometimes pancakes, sometimes eggs, nearly always fried bananas. Our hosts are loving and generous with what little they have. We are blessed to be with them. 

On our way to school, we dodge the beautiful vine that drapes across the stairs leading to the patio on the ground level. The school is a 10 minute walk and the weather is always brisk (for us) at 50 degrees F. It's then time to buckle down for 4 intensive hours of brain overload!  

Living here for 3 weeks gives us an opportunity to, once again, see family life in another part of the world. As Americans, we are spoiled, and I feel it helps me better appreciate and be thankful for the conveniences our our life. 

Until later, count your blessing and be joyous.