March 30, 2013

Ava smiles on the balcony.

Adam cleans some ribs at La Palapa.

Amanda shows off her pre-birthday manicure.

The Panajachel Semana Santa festivities continue.  Calle Santander is filled with people, alcohol, and more alcohol.  We walk around a bit, but soon go back to the apartment to escape all the craziness.

Ava needs four empty 1.5 liter Coke bottles for a school art project.  We don't really like regular Coke, so some local officers help out by drinking 2 1/2 liters for us.

Street dog of the day

March 29, 2013

I was inside the apartment with an intestinal bug all day, so Adam provided all of these pictures of Panajachel's Semana Santa alfombras.

March 28, 2013

Semana Santa alfombra (carpet) in San Pedro

Children's parade

We meet with Rosario, our student through the Beca Project:
http://www.becaproject.org

One of Rosario's cats had this little guy recently.

Our two daughters and our ahijada (goddaughter) pose outside of the house.

Next we go with Stacey, who started the Beca Project, and Mynor, Spanish teacher and Beca Project advisor, to visit my parents' ahijado, Emerson (in white shirt).  His older brother, Hans (in yellow shirt), wants to continue studying but has had to take time off from school to work and earn money.

I am holding one of the family's little chicks in these photos.

Stacey and Mynor, on the right of the photo, are spending full days visiting the families of scholarship students, treating them to  pizza lunches, and taking them shopping.  Emerson holds the record for most pieces of pizza eaten--twelve!

Ava and Amanda re-energize with San Pedro fruit smoothies and cotton candy.

Semana Santa decorations outside the Catholic church in San Pedro include these beautiful hanging fruits.

Lorenzo shows us how big Rocky, who was a tiny puppy when we were here last year, has grown.

The new 2013 Beca students go on a shopping trip for new clothes or other necessities, with help from their sponsors.   Emerson was able to purchase a new pair of shoes a few weeks ago and this jacket today.

Elena holds Rocky for the camera.

Rosario is very pleased with her new sweater and shoes.

Ava enjoys helping Rosario select her items.

March 27, 2013

Semana Santa festivities continue.

Every major beer company offers promotions, loud music, and dancing girls.  These are some of the Brahva girls.

Down by the lake

Amanda has spotted a chocolate-covered apple.

Street dog of the day