LindaMedMission2017: 2017

Final evening

Sunday morning.

So I still consider myself relatively young. Nature hardly ever wakes me up overnight except this past night. I woke at 5 am to tinkle. As I laid back down, Kathy was getting up to go to 6 am mass. I tried to fall back asleep but soon decided I should take advantage and go to mass.

I'm glad I did.

We walked to the square and entered the old church. There were several nuns and novices there as well as several Guatemalans and us Americans.

It was all in Spanish, but it didn't matter. The mass is the same and so we recited the prayers and professions in English at the proper time. Many there made sure to approach us or get our attention for the sign of peace.

Such kindness in this far away city at such an early time of the day.

Breakfast followed at Cafe Condesa- quiche Lorraine and a really delicious cup of coffee.

There were 8 of us that took a tour of the city after breakfast where we learned of the history of Antigua, the volcanos, some key buildings and the importance of jade to this region.

Lots of shopping in the afternoon, a stop at the Antigua Brewery and a view of two floats passing our hotel for the Holy week celebrations was on the agenda today. Several members of our team helped make the hotels "carpet" for the procession which was an unexpected treat.

A fancy dinner of seafood crepes and a walk back to the hotel for our final evening devotions.

Among the prayers and a few tears- Tim spoke. He thanked the new team members and told us to give ourselves a few days to return to our normal lives. The transition may be difficult. Then he presented each of us with a Jade cross pendant. The lump in my throat was uncomfortable and sad and proud and all sorts of things. This week has given me lots to consider about what's important to me and to how I live my life and treat others. I am going to miss these friends I have come to know this past week- We leave in the morning.

Saturday evening

Dinner Saturday night was at Las Palmas just off the main square. On the walk there we saw one of the Holy Week floats being carried around the square by a large group of people in long robes while a band played behind it. We didn't stop for long- our group has been very good at being punctual even though there were 23 of us. They assured me there would be more to see tomorrow.

We sat at a long table in a long dimly lit room. I ordered a Moza which has been my favorite beer while I've been here. One an evening has been a calming reward for an honest days work this week.

Dinner was coffee crusted filet minon with butter and crushed coffee beans on top, salad, and rice. Wow.

We have really bonded as a group this week. There has been no snide comments or negative feelings- though we all come from different stages of life, socioeconomic status and religious affiliations. We worked and played well as a group truly focused on our common purpose. The rest of it never really mattered as it shouldn't.

Nightly devotions and sharing of the days events continue to be increasingly rich and introspective. I sat up in the courtyard and it was peaceful and quiet- It really is so beautiful here. I guess everyone goes to bed earlier than I do. I talked to Christian and Josh via FaceTime- both were brief as the connection was spotty and then we were disconnected.

I spent several more minutes trying to burn this memory into my brain before I headed back to my room. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Saturday afternoon

Several of us dropped our bags, freshened up and went out to explore the area. We saw the churches and the square. We went into several markets, bought a few things and took lots of pictures. I was happy to be with friends who knew where they were going. I was along for the ride- not thinking too much or making decisions felt nice.. I realized how tired I was but it's so beautiful and I wanted to squeeze everything out of this second part of our trip I could. We went back to the hotel after a couple hours to get ready for our dinner. ❤️

Off to Antigua

So it's Saturday morning- up at 5:30 again.. I'm getting better at this out of bed thing. We had our last breakfast at Gustavo's and another round of bittersweet goodbyes- Their 10 month old was there and gosh is he beautiful- Sebastian.

The large luxury tour bus pulls into the narrow driveway- It was an odd sight after all the dust covered four wheel vehicles we were using all week. Seemed excessive to me, but we loaded all our bags underneath then each took our own roomy comfortable row. We were off.

Intermittent naps and conversations passed the hours.. I believe it was seven hours or so but I wasn't really paying attention. So many thoughts and experiences to process. Catching up on some blogging helps. There is no way to remember everything but I found myself stopping several times a day this week to take a deep breath and tell myself "you have to remember this moment.. this person, this child, this vantage point.. the beauty of this mountain etc. "

I have also found myself thinking- "next year I have to remember to bring such and such.. or I have to do more reading about whatever so I have a better understanding for next time and I have to work on my Spanish so I can communicate better here." Guess I better talk to Christian about that..

Trying to put the whole experience into words and pictures is difficult if not impossible. It goes much deeper than trying something new or " crossing it off my bucket list" which is what I told people when they asked why I was going.

I have so much more to think about and will post on that a little later.

We arrived in Antigua early afternoon. The buildings are mostly one story occasionally two. The streets are all cobblestone. The sidewalks are a bit smoother but are narrow and very close to the road. The outside facades of the homes and businesses are all connected and nondescript. Plain flat- some colors with large rod iron bars on the windows and beautiful large flowering vines and plants growing in window boxes and overhanging the metal roofs. There are plaster/ cement/ stone window ledges that extend out over these narrow sidewalks just at head level. If I manage to not crack my head open on one of these in the next 2 days it will be a miracle. There are large purple swags of fabric over most of the windows in the whole city. It is lent and this city is 93% Christian, with most being Roman Catholic.

Our hotel, also plain on the outside is stunning on the inside. It is situated in a square with a central, open, colorful and manicured courtyard. The hallways were made of beautiful old tile and quaint comfy sitting areas looking into the open courtyard. The rooms were all arranged around it and were equally as spectacular. I was in a three person suite with Stephanie and Kathy. What a difference a few days make.