Let me start this weeks blog entry by saying everyone is alive and well after our week in the cloud forrest. (Dirty, smelly, and cold...but alive, and happy to be alive!) After our super relaxing week in San Marcos getting in touch with our spiritual, creative sides we had a bit of a change of pace hiking to a remote village with no plumbing or electricity.
We spent the week clearing out mud and clay so that a community kitchen could be built and used by the entire village in the future. Due to rain, we were unable to work on Thursday, giving our sore muscles and blistered hands a break from shoveling and we helped in the feilds picking corn. Friday we finished our work and even got to plant a few trees!
Our accomodations were most definitely basic- we all stayed together in a big room, sleeping on bunk beds. We enjoyed staying all together, something we have yet to do.
All that being said, what a beauitiful opportunity for all of us to appreciate life's simplicity! I think it's safe to say that we we were all able to take something special away from this experience. We are all very grateful for showers, indoor plumbing and a break from beans and rice!!
In recap: We were dirty, smelly, blistered and sore...but happy! Happy to have such an experience, and happy to have had it together. We are looking forward to our last few days in Guatemala with visits to Semuc Champey, cave exploring, and seeing ancient Mayan ruins. I guess our lives are kinda cool, right!? It is crazy to think that our time here in Central America is almost half way over and even more crazy that our time in Guatemala is down to only a few days.
Let me leave you with knowing that everyone is happy, everyone is healthy, and everyone is very thankful for everything we are so incredibly lucky to have back home. Next time you hear from us we will be in Nicaragua!!! Hugs from all fourteen of us!!!
PS it has been brought to Ella's and my attention that our blog might be lacking a little in the photo department.... lo siento!!..... Enjoy!!
My girl Ella kayaking in San Marcos!! Kindaaaaa cool
What an experience; Kelley, you made it all come to life. The pictures are most appreciated. Continue to have work hard, have new adventures, grow, and HAVE FUN!!
ReplyDeleteDoris (Joe's Mom)
Thanks for the post! I can hardly believe the range of experiences you are having. And the pictures are fantastic! I would love to know who is who and am thinking maybe we parents can fill each other in. I'll start: Emily is second from left in tie-dye in the first picture, and she is in the middle with turquoise tank top in the last picture.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Ernesto - third photo, back row, 4th from left. Probably easier if I said the guy with the "hair."
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Ann. I was just thinking the same thing. Kelley is in the back row with the white head band in the top picture, and the one on the ground in tie dye in the last two. I can hardly believe that it's half over. If the group is as conflicted as I, they feel like it's been forever and yet just a moment. I love living vicariously!
ReplyDeleteLynn (Kelley's mom)
(Close but not the same as Lynn, Keely's mom)
Something about these pics makes me think this would be a great "Real World" episode. I'm just saying.
ReplyDeleteg.
(Ernest's Mom)
Thanks for the photos! You may all be a little dirty and perhaps a little smelly - but you all look beautiful to me! What an amazing experience you are having - and it has been so enhanced by your positive attitudes and generous spirits. Keep up the good work!!!
ReplyDeleteLynn (Keely's mom)
PS: Keely is the tall blonde on the far left all three group photos.
Great idea to identify our kids!!
ReplyDeleteMy son, Joe, is the guy with the red shirt in the last 2 group shots.
Doris
Bienvenidos a Nicaragua! My daughter Rachael is middle back with red headband in first photo, and back row with red jacket tied at waist and on in last two!
ReplyDeleteMary
Hi all- I am glad I finally realized that we are getting down to "introductions" here! Firstly- I LOVE the photos (visual person) thanks soooo much. Secondly- I love attaching faces to names! You are all, as Keely's mom said, beautiful! Muddy yes, and also beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLiza :(informs me she is now called Lizard)- last photo Mt. Abraham Eagles sweatshirt (go Eagles!!)
Ellen