1. Becky started Monday and worked a full week (well, almost full, besides the national holiday) at her organization, Nuestros Ahijados.
2. Ben found two steady piano gigs, one at Cafe Flor (a Thai restaurant owned by a Salvadorian) where he played Thursday night and the second at Cafe No Se, where he starts this coming Wednesday.
3. Ben signed up for a three-week intensive Spanish language class with the Guatebuena language school, where he starts four-hour days this Monday.
4. Ben and Becky found a great little apartment and moved out of their host family's house and into their new space on Saturday.
5. We celebrated Guatemalan Independence Day (Tuesday, Wednesday, the parades might have gone on even through Thursday...)!
There will be plenty of time to tell you all about our new city in more detail. For now, a few pictures from this very busy whirlwind of a first week.
Dropped off at the airport in Milwaukee... no turning back now!
The view from La Cruz de someone we can't remember. You hike up stairs through gorgeous green forest and get a great view of Antigua, looking south towards Volcan de Agua ("Water Volcano").
A school band (mostly drums and xylophones) during the children's Independence Day parade on Tuesday.
HUGE crowds (including many who made the trip from Guatemala City) watching the day-long parades and festivities on Wednesday, Guatemala's Dia de la Independencia or Independence Day.
The sign outside Ben's "first international music gig." Some Nuestros Ahijados volunteers showed up and we ended the night with a great rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. Afterward, the owner played some piano pieces he wrote and some latin duets with his wife on vocals. Another perk: free drinks and meal for Ben and half-price drinks for Becky courtesy of the owner. Hurray!
Oh my gosh. It's only been a week and you two have accomplished so much already. I'm so proud of the two of you. I can't wait for all of us to come visit you in March. Probably around March 12th when Rachel in on Spring Break. Jake may come too. Maybe I could talk Tyler into coming! It would be a very fun trip. Kayla spent the day yesterday making chicken chowder soup. I made some corn bread and pumpkin spice bread. We ate some last night, and then made another meal of it today when Rachel and Ben stopped over. Rachel looks to be doing fairly well after having her teeth pulled. No bruising, some swelling, and still hurting. One more week and your Dad will be starting his new job. He's so excited. We miss you two so much. I did get a game of quiddler so we can play it and remember that night before you left and we played, had fun then went out for pool and drinks. When you have any information on how to send you mail, care packages, or whatever, let us know so we can send you stuff. If there is anything specific you want sent, just let us know. Even if it's homemade chocolate chip cookies!! I have a gift for you I found, and I wanted to give it to you before you left, but I'll send it to you soon. You'll have to start thinking about Christmas ideas so we can figure out how we will get things sent to you two. I'm so excited you're getting adjusted. I can't wait to come see you guys!! Miss you already. Take care, love you both. Talk to you soon. Teri
ReplyDeleteHey Guys!! We can't wait to hear about week 2. Not much new happening around here. Your Dad spent a couple days getting boxes packed up and renting a storage shed and putting stuff in there. He went to your Mom's and picked up a whole bunch of boxes for rummage. It is raining here tonight. A little thunder and lightning, a perfect night for sleeping.
ReplyDeleteDomino still is fighting the fleas. We are now in the process of cleaning up the house and sprinkling some flea powder on the carpets and furniture and vacuuming it up. Mac seems to be fine, not getting any fleas. Poor Domino is going nuts scratching at the fleas.
We are headed to the Badger Football game on Saturday with Rachel and Jake. That should be fun...weather pending. We got the tickets from Steve Sternitzky. He called your dad today to inform him that he had seizure at last weeks game and was rushed to the hospital. He has an aneurism in the brain that will need surgery soon. He's doing great and is relaxing at home. We'll keep you up to date on how he's doing.
Do you have a mailing address yet? Any place we can send you anything yet??
Well, time for bed. Talk to you soon!! Luv Ya!!
Teri and Dad