(This is what a coffee bean looks like before it begins the roasting process)
the team at the top of the volcano
Zaak and I jamming on the gee-tar. (My fingers got very very very sore that day)
The ruins in Antigua
Me and a very very very tall tree...
Leia Mais…So here’s the continuation of the Guatemala Days 8-14. Yeah- so I'm about 4 weeks overdue for the update. My bad.
Sunday morning we woke up (got to even sleep in an hour) and hit the market in Tatic. We were split into random teams of 4 and had 1 hour to find everything on the list that was given to us. Lucky for those of us who knew a bit of Spanish- not so lucky for those who didn’t. Its amazing how much pointing and fast movements of the head can make you understood. ( My team tied for 1st place- yay team)
Then some of us headed to Zaak and Amber’s place and were greeted by a theatre-style set up to watch Zaak’s now famous documentary. We felt very special being one of the few groups of people that had seen it before it premiered at the Montreal Film Festival. During that final week in Guatemala, we also took corn to the grinders, and made a traditional Guatemalan dish for supper. We also got to go see how the Guatemalans did their weaving. We visited a coffee plantation and saw what the process was for it to be made. I am seriously considering a career as a coffee shop owner now. 
Wednesday dawned bright and beautiful and it so happened that it was Tami’s birthday. Guatemalan tradition uses fire crackers to wake the dead instead of your cake with candles. So we each lit 1 fire cracker at about 10pm and woke the neighbours. So fun. We left Tatic for Antigua and toured the ruins in Antigua ( Antigua is 11 x 11 blocks… and there are 26 cathedrals in those 11 x 11 blocks) Saturday- our last day, began very very early- as we left to hike the Volcano Picaya. 
Me with my asthma decided to take the easy way up and I hired a horse. He was a good horse. I was very very VERY happy I took the horse- even though it was still a 30 min hike once we got up there. 
The volcano is active- so lava was flowing right in front of us. It was the coolest thing EVER. I’ll never forget that. After that- we spent 4 hours shopping, had a fabulous goodbye dinner and then packed up and came home! The 2 weeks spent there- felt like a month. Guatemala is a beautiful place, one that I can’t wait to go back and visit- who knows… maybe even live there someday!
Leia Mais…
Annie and I in Guatemala City- waiting for our luggage
Mike and I climbing out of the sink hole
Annie, Lals and I at the Mayan Ruins
Leia Mais…So I guess I have a lot of catching up to do for the past 14 days of not blogging.
Guatemala was beyond awesome. 16 days, 14 people, hundreds of children, lots of chicken and 1 amazing volcano.
We came, we saw, we conquered. Or maybe the country conquered us- who knows… So- due to my lack of updates- I’ll give you the quick overview
Days 1-7: Arrived in Guatemala City, with 32 bags and suitcase- exhausted and excited, we fell into our beds. Next day we toured the cathedrals and National Palace in Guatemala City and headed off to Tatic- our home for the next 10 days. Painted a the Chicoy school, saw new land, visited catholic church in Tatic and witnessed a Mayan ceremony,
Sang in a sink hole and drove to the Island of Flores. Took a very ghettoized ferry across a pond, and took in the amazing Mayan Ruins. Witnessed amazing wildlife- cheetahs, monkeys, parrots, eagles, spiders- you name it, we saw it.
And the highlight? I got to meet my sponsor child Heidy ( pronounced Hay Dee) and her family
Oh the joys of war and terrorism. Normally I would join the millions who sit back and are silently curse those who feel like they need to make a point by plotting to kill thousands of innocent lives- while feeling sorry for those set to travel in the next few weeks.
And yes- yes, I do join in the silent cursing- but this time- its personal. While living in Toronto during 911, I felt the effects of the disaster more then some out West did. And yet- I still had the comfort of my cute little apartment on the corner of Bloor and Spadina. Not so much this time…
As 16 of us leave for Guatemala on Sunday afternoon- I can’t help but worry- just a bit, of the possible issues in air travel over the next few days. Of course- its not as bad as in the UK- ( no carry on baggage whatsoever... I couldn’t imagine a 7 hour flight without my ipod- they better have good entertainment on board) But absolutely no liquids. This means if any of our baggage gets lots…. Oops well… sorry! ( MY POOR CURLY HAIR WITHOUT MY PRODUCT… Be prepared for a scary picture) I just don’t understand what possesses people to harbour such sick and disturbing ideas. Well- At least my carry-on has been lightened by a few pounds, so much for being prepared if my luggage gets lost!.
SO- After a year of planning- and many hurdles, We will leave on Sunday. We have 900 pounds of “Stuff” ready to go- and that not even counting our personal luggage. I’m sure we will endure long lines at customs and very thorough bag checks. And yes- it’s all for our own good. and safety, but still- there is an element of worry. But hey- we’ve come this far right? Lets just hope the crazies are caught- at least for the time being!
That being said...
Guatemala or Bust!
You know that song... " If I could walk 500 miles..." Well- I think I did this past weekend. My calves at least think I did. New York was fabulous. I could totally live in that city. It made me 
miss living in Toronto. ( Sigh) BUT....after being away for 10 days and living out of a suitcase- I was definitely ready to come home. ( didn’t expect the extreme heat, but that’s another story) Anyways- we did a carriage ride thru central park- ( to cut down on the walking time)
I saw 2 plays- the 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee ( Funniest Musical ever) and The Producers ( also fabulous). 
We also did the Sex and the City tour- in which a bus and tour guide takes you all around the 
city to different spots included in the show. We went to Miranda's Gym, Carrie's house, ate cupcakes in a well spotlighted park- way too much fun! We got to see even more of New York. I shopped way way too much. Actually I guess it wasn't that bad. I did good though- very good- I don't have plans to enter into any retail stores for awhile. 
I'm here in the Big Apple.... finally! The trip began in Washington DC.... where I was sent for 4 days of the Alberta at the Smithsonian festival.
It rained for 3 of those 4 days. And my luggage was missing for almost 2 of the 4 days. Life is great. Shopping when you have no clothes is also great. The ESO Chamber players did a fabulous job in all of their performances and did everyone proud. 
Now I'm in NYC with Tami, Robin and Anna..... I got here yesterday morning and explored the city by myself... also tried to figure out the subway system. Didn't get lost once- yay me! 
Today we took a ferry to Staten Island, walked around China Town and Canal street- walked up to Times Square, shopped shopped shopped.. ate.. shopped. After 12 hours of walking I'm exhausted. Oh and Happy Canada Day everyone! We wore Canada gear to commemorate the occasion and attracted quite a few fellow Canadians throughout the day- so that was fun. Tommorow we're doing the Sex and The City Tour, walking thru Central Park and seeing a play. I think after all the walking I've done this week- I've lost a good 10 pounds.
ok... thats it for now!
First Pic- Driving to Jasper; 2nd Pic- after the hotsprings, we saw some deer!; 3rd pic-The awesome glacier at the Columbia Icefields; 4th Pic- Athabasca Falls; 5th Pic- the Girls on the streets of Jasper
Leia Mais…
