Wednesday - last day

There are celebrations nearly every day it seems as we approach Christmas - Sunday was the celebration of the Immaculate Conception and tonight I am going to a party with my host family to honour the arrival of Mary and Josesh at the inn (Posada). 

 I cannot believe I only have one more day as I am beginning to feel like a local and enjoying my daily routine, which involves walking around Antigua, still drinking in the beauty of it, having coffee, checking email, and updating my blog.  Then I head home for lunch at Dora's and walk up to Casa Jackson, then back for dinner and generally out for the evening somewhere, then cab home for $3, though it is walking distance- it is not safe at night.  I bump into people I know, or meet new ones nearly every day.

It is cold here - in the morning people have their faces covered and many wear hats.  I considered buying a wool coat yesterday.  Next time I will come in April or May.

These are pictures of Dora and her grandchildren - Jose (7) and Maria (almost 3).    He is such a sweetheart, he comes up to me for a hug everytime I see him and Maria talks non-stop and bosses everyone around.  When I am in my room at night, I can hear her chattering on, over and above everyone else.   Both Jose and his older brother Ivan are at bilingual school so they speak a bit of English.  Every night- there are 5-6 family members at the house and Dora feeds them - last night I had dinner with her 2 sons, 2 grandsons and Maria.  Tonight I will attempt to take a family picture of everyone.


Dora with Jose and Maria


 Maybe I am being romantic but they seem so much happier than some Canadian families and yet they have so much less and life is hard.  The importance of family (the priority) is highly evident as is their faith.  I am so glad I chose to stay with this family and next time I am determined I will be able to speak to them in Spanish.  Believe it or not, I have managed to leave Dora little notes in Spanish that I am sure are totally misspelled and gramatically incorrect but it makes me hopeful that eventually I can learn the language.

Likely this will be my last posting until I get home, as I leave for the airport at 4:00 am tomorrow for a 7:30 flight to LA - 6 hours at the airport there and them home tomorrow night at 11:00 pm.  Wish I didn't have to go.

Jose playing hospital - according to Maria's directions.