Our tour of Guatemala and some possible congregations!

We had a whirlwind tour of Guatemala, visiting some of the places that were recommended to us!  I'll share a bit about the congregations, and, about how it is to travel in Guatemala (sights, sounds etc).

Last Tuesday we left to start our venture up into the mountains.  The drive itself was so exciting!  We traveled on a wide two-lane road, which let Leo pass slower cars and trucks and duck back into the right lane moments before the oncoming traffic!  All kinds of vehicles - lots of cars and trucks, and 'tuk-tuks' (a motorcycle adapted for closed-in 2-passengers behind the driver, named for the horn, 'tuk-tuk').  And everywhere, people standing at the side of the road, waiting for one bus or another.  Buses are plentiful here; some are smaller vans that drive pretty crazily, and others look like old converted schoolbuses, mostly of them painted bright colors with slogans on the sides.  

Women walk along the road in traditional dress, often carrying heavy loads on their head, balanced.  Older men and women, walking with a heavy load of firewood on their backs, strapped across their foreheads to carry the load as they lean forward to walk. Children, perhaps 7 or 8 years old, working in the fields with their machetes.  Schoolchildren in uniforms, laughing and skipping, walking or talking seriously with their companions.  

Rubber trees

The countryside changed as we went into the mountains. The coast is of course more flat, with field after field of plátanos (plantains), or some kind of corn, or fincas (large farms) with tall gangly rubber trees with little cups on the trunk to catch the rubber 'juice'(?). As we approached the mountains there was more sugar cane, coffee, and others. 

We went into Quetzaltenango (also known as Xela) to get phones and an internet modem for us.  We also had lunch - Burger King in the mall!  Phone and internet service are rather complicated here - I'm still not sure what we have, but we'll use it til it runs out, then we go to a neighborhood store and get more minutes or gigabytes, I guess! 

We then arrived in San Andres Xecul.  It is just outside Xela, a little village at the base of the mountains.  Reminded me of a little Swiss village almost!  Narrow roads amid corn fields to get to the brother's house where we would be staying.  They welcomed us, showed us the Kingdom Hall, and then brought us for a snack at their home.  Since there was little room around the cozy table, the women who prepared the meal stayed in the adjacent kitchen, watching us.  We'd include them in the conversation as much as possible.  

San Andres and the mountain they climb!

What was so remarkable there was the utter silence.  No road noise, no ambient noise. Absolute silence. It was wonderful!  

The buildings there were so charming, with decorative touches like little railings along the rooftops, ironwork with curves and embellishments on gates and windows. 

Sisters just working around Kingdom Hall

We were given a vacant house to stay in. Now, here is where we experienced real life there... houses rarely have hot water heaters.  Some homes may have a doo-dad on their shower head to heat up water (to tepid), but only if it works. And, in the mountains it is cold.  No heaters in the house.  So, let's just say that we didn't take a shower that day (or the next, for the same reason!).  We awoke to the house being probably 50 degrees inside, at the most.  (In the Santizo home, we also took cold showers, and have gotten used to it, but the weather is warmer and it isn't such a shock!)  But in the morning sun, things warmed up quickly and delightfully. 

For supper, and breakfast the next morning, we ate with some utterly delightful pioneers from Spokane (one by way of Guatemala and Miami).  They live on only about $200 in monthly expenses - for all three of them!  They have been there about two+ years, and speak Quiche ('kee-CHAY').  We had a wonderful time hearing their experiences about climbing the mountain to find a small group, doing their Bible studies, and about life there!  

Because my back was hurting, we had to cut short our visit to find a chiropractor in Xela. 

Loyal Bro Canté in Momostenango

We made a quick stop to Momostenango, outside of Xela.  The road there is unbelievably bumpy for 25 minutes, then we saw evidence of re-doing the road.  We found a brother who met us at the crowded market.  He is a wonderful, loyal brother who showed us around, including taking us to the teensy-weensy Kingdom Hall.  It was about 13' x 20', I think!  They have 16 publishers and about 35ish attending meetings, for a city of 62,000 and surrounding territory of another 60,000!  We were very moved.  Just imagine how the angels are ready to bless the ministry here - just waiting for willing helpers in the harvest! 

This dear brother, Antonio Canté, moved to Momos a couple of years ago from the capital city of Guatemala City.  Still to us, Momos felt like a city, with lots of rushing around and honking. 

Natalie, Andy and Bill

Pana Kingdom Hall

Leo and Lourdes

Bill and Nancy

Lastly, we went to Panajachel.  Panajachel is a town of about 12,000 people, many of whom are expats (from United States, Canada, and Europe).  There are many tourists who come for the casual atmosphere and magnificent Lake Atitlan.  We walked the cobbled streets, fended off street vendors, and saw the lovely lake. Later, we met lots of friendly brothers and sisters there at the meeting that evening.  They have about 57 (I think) in the Spanish congregation (and a few others that just moved over to a newly-formed congregation in Kakquichel. Plus, the couple at left were just moved into Pana to start an English group/congregation!  Hmmm! We were able to stay the night with friends, and then came home the next morning.

It was remarkable how the atmosphere changed from cool air to warm humid air as we came to the flatland nearer the coast!

I'll post this before it gets too long, though!  Thanks for 'listening in', and we hope you leave a comment from time to time!

Next post:  Which will we choose?