My mom and aunt Carol came in on Wednesday night and stayed until Sunday morning. During their visit I forgot my camera on several occasions, so will have to wait to post some pics. Instead I just post some of Shalom!
Mom loves being able to reread what she forgot she did, so I promised I would write down all the details. After getting in from the airport, we visited at home for awhile before eating at the Casa Chapin (a local word for Guatemalan), where they had the first of many servings of Guacamole. On Thursday they took it easy while Diana and I went to work. Then, that evening, Mom, Carol, Shalom and I went to Family reading night at school, where we listened to Justin Mattot, a children's author, entertain the kids.
Friday began the whirlwind. Mom, Carol, Shalom, and I drove to Antigua and had lunch at Casa Santo Domingo, a beautifully renovated convent that is now a 5-star hotel. Diana met us after lunch and we drove to Panajachel. Well, we had planned to drive to Santiago, but realized that was unrealistic. In retrospect, even the drive to Pana was unrealistic, as I had to break my own rule of not driving at night. Luckily, Mom and Carol were quite giddy about the possibility of being smushed by a bus going 80 MPH on a mountain road. I guess the fear turned to enjoying the absurdity of it all. In the end, we were lucky to get two room at the Hotel Regis and enjoy several magaritas before a great nights rest.
In the morning we took a boat over the Lake Atitlan to Santiago, where we met Dolores for a tour. Dolores is the ex-wife of Martin Prechtel, an author who has written extensively about the Mayan religion practiced in Santiago. Dolores brought us to visit Maximon, a Mayan saint represented by an effigy. As is typical, he was smoking a cigarette and chillin' out with his silk scarves that had been offered to him. We then went to the Antigua cathedral, where Mayan saints hold equal rank alongside Christian saints in the unique blend that is Santiago. We confirmed that many an evangelical sect would like to "purify" the people of Santiago of all their native beliefs. Finally, we visited the home of Dolores' mother, who continues to practice the traditional Mayan belt loom weaving. Mom and Carol left with beautiful examples of her work.
After a great lunch at Posada de Santiago Atitlan, we did some shopping and then took our boat back to Panajachel. We had a peaceful drive back to the city, where Shalom was kind enough to wait to puke all over the back seat. Good thing we love that kid.
I probably forgot something from our busy weekend. We all enjoyed having the Stovall girls here. Hopefully, Sally will get to come next year. Mostly, I think Shalom loved having her MaMa here to shower her with love.
Mom loves being able to reread what she forgot she did, so I promised I would write down all the details. After getting in from the airport, we visited at home for awhile before eating at the Casa Chapin (a local word for Guatemalan), where they had the first of many servings of Guacamole. On Thursday they took it easy while Diana and I went to work. Then, that evening, Mom, Carol, Shalom and I went to Family reading night at school, where we listened to Justin Mattot, a children's author, entertain the kids.
Friday began the whirlwind. Mom, Carol, Shalom, and I drove to Antigua and had lunch at Casa Santo Domingo, a beautifully renovated convent that is now a 5-star hotel. Diana met us after lunch and we drove to Panajachel. Well, we had planned to drive to Santiago, but realized that was unrealistic. In retrospect, even the drive to Pana was unrealistic, as I had to break my own rule of not driving at night. Luckily, Mom and Carol were quite giddy about the possibility of being smushed by a bus going 80 MPH on a mountain road. I guess the fear turned to enjoying the absurdity of it all. In the end, we were lucky to get two room at the Hotel Regis and enjoy several magaritas before a great nights rest.
In the morning we took a boat over the Lake Atitlan to Santiago, where we met Dolores for a tour. Dolores is the ex-wife of Martin Prechtel, an author who has written extensively about the Mayan religion practiced in Santiago. Dolores brought us to visit Maximon, a Mayan saint represented by an effigy. As is typical, he was smoking a cigarette and chillin' out with his silk scarves that had been offered to him. We then went to the Antigua cathedral, where Mayan saints hold equal rank alongside Christian saints in the unique blend that is Santiago. We confirmed that many an evangelical sect would like to "purify" the people of Santiago of all their native beliefs. Finally, we visited the home of Dolores' mother, who continues to practice the traditional Mayan belt loom weaving. Mom and Carol left with beautiful examples of her work.
After a great lunch at Posada de Santiago Atitlan, we did some shopping and then took our boat back to Panajachel. We had a peaceful drive back to the city, where Shalom was kind enough to wait to puke all over the back seat. Good thing we love that kid.
I probably forgot something from our busy weekend. We all enjoyed having the Stovall girls here. Hopefully, Sally will get to come next year. Mostly, I think Shalom loved having her MaMa here to shower her with love.
