Antigua

Antigua, the colonial capital city

which was mostly destroyed by an earthquake. Known for its Inglasias (churches) it is rather westernized and tourist filled
Mark and the kids climbed a volcano near here.

Photos from Guate

from around Linda's home and neighborhood, they have a beautiful back patio with lots of plants. to the left are J. and S. on the roof of the house.
Will post more pictures by location


Shalom

Getting back to Normal

Mountains everywhere. The travel up and down and around the hairpin turns was a bit overwhelming for me at times, as I am afraid of heights. But we had a very enjoyable time. We visited Guatemala City and Antigua, which is the colonial capital city. Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, and took a boat trip on the lake and visited another small village. Quetzeltenango and Fuentes Georginas which are hot springs near there. A lot to see in a short time.


Shalom

almost ready

Turns out I have to do my self-evaluation for work tonight, I thought I had more time. So otherwise I am done with work. A few last things to gather tomorrow.
Kris asked how we were going to do as a family together for 6 days. I don't really know, it has been so long since we have really done that, since when the young adults are home they are never at home. And we will really be together as Linda has a full itinerary planned, lots of time traveling.

Shalom

organizing

I have a couple of nights to work before we leave, so I am trying to get everything organized and ready to go. I have my suitcase basically packed, but now am weeding out. We will be traveling around a lot on buses, and Linda says we need to pack light.
She sent us a tentative itinerary, this is one place we will go. I wonder if we will be exhausted when we get back.

Shalom

Details

Have done some productive shopping. Have a Jarrad U. coming as a house and pet sitter. Have been making lots of lists.
I was wondering if I should try to get taxes done so the refund could help pay the bills, but I looked at my calendar today, and it is Not going to happen. May just try to gather a few things so I can get it done soon after we get back.
These are scenes from Antigua, the old Guatemalan capital, which was moved after being partially destroyed by a volcano.

Shalom

making progress

Retail therapy day.
Purchased a number of things Julie and I needed, including a couple of tops to go with the skirts. New shoes also, Which were on clearance.
These are pictures of a large lake near Guatemala city, which we will visit. There are volcanoes there also.
I need to get another memory card so I can take my own pictures.

Shalom

how many days

About 3 weeks to get everything together.
Steven's passport came today, so now all the official stuff is in place. These are scenes from Guatemala City, found on the internet.
I'm getting some plans for clothes together. Today I took pictures on my phone of some of the skirts I have that I need to find shirts to go with. I can use these when I shop and not have to bring the skirts with me. The temps there range from 55 at night to upper seventies in the afternoon, with occasional rain.

Shalom

Thinking about Packing

Warm weather!
What to wear? What to pack?
Last week I made reservations for parking , as well as flights from Chicago.
Beginning to think about everything from footwear to sunscreen.
I have decided since I have several lightweight skirts, and few lightweight slacks, that I will plan on mostly skirts. But I need to make sure I have coordinating tops. Then there are shoes, must be cool and comfortable for walking. I need some new ones. What about luggage, how many usable larges suitcases to we have, or need? Maybe its time to throw away some of the ones I received for high school graduation while I'm digging in that attic.
So the lists start.

Shalom

Count down to Guate

After a bit of a hiatus, I'm back, at least for a while. My focus for the next few weeks will be the planning for our trip to Guatemala. Then hopefully some highlights from the trip.
We have traveled very little in the last 25 years, except for our annual trips to Cedar Campus. Something about children and the time, expenses, and other complications they present. When Mark and I spent time in Mexico 26 years ago, you didn't even need a passport.
Now the passports are here, flight reservations, made and I am thinking through things like wardrobe, dog-sitters, and lots of other plans and arrangements to be made.
Today I'm thinking about how much warmer it is down there. 15th parallel sounds a lot better than 43rd, especially tonight.

by the way, Steven now has no hair, and I have his and Linda's to donate when I find out where. Linda had hers cut before this picture, for that week everyone had similar length hair, except Mark.

Shalom