My room in Hotel Casa Rustica, Antigua, Guatemala.....
Anyway, let me bring you up to date;
Thursday morning saw Dunia and I heading to the vilage of Sesamil during our class time. I had wanted to ride a local chicken bus (named because it’s not unusual for chickens to be on the bus)and had also wanted to meet the student that I told you all about that has water on the brain. I had thought the bus was going to be an old painted yellow school bus but it turned out to be an old, rickety 16 seater passenger van. Count 18 passengers, one vat of milk, one picture (?) and assorted selections of bags we bumped our way to Sesamil. We were met at the kinder by Vanessa. What a difference from yesterday and what a difference a great teacher makes. The kinder is bright and cheery, lots of colour, pictures and shapes. Toys and study material are plentiful. Vanessa introduced us first to her class and then specifically to Eduardo.
Eduardo and his guitar......
He is a gregarious boy who enthusiastically kicks around a football in the play area. He then ran to get us his beloved guitar…a small wooden toy with only one string but he strummed it with great gusto. As I mentioned earlier he has been diagnosed with water on the brain and is on medication for seizures. We met his mother who told us that he has been referred to a hospital for more tests in San Pedro Sula. Unfortunately these tests are at a private hospital and will cost 1500Lempira (plus her cost of getting there). Vanessa explains that she is a single mum. The dad is not around to help her with any money and like many families in the area, she struggles. She simply can’t afford the cost of travelling to San Pedro or the cost of the test, all of which equates to around $75.00. The problem here is not the amount but the assurance that the money given is used for Eduardo. I will work with Vanessa to come up with a way to ensure Eduardo gets the tests.
We had to wait an hour for a bus back. While we waited I snapped some pictues of the beautiful flowers and passing cowboys....
On the return bus ride......this time count 22 people, one basket of bananas and a sack of corn but alas no chickens. Some people could have used a little deodorant which I am told is cheap. However in lieu of deodorant, Dunia told me that many people in the country use lemon to rub under their arms. Guess we could have used some lemons! We got back just in time for the end of class.......
My study pod with Dunia.....
I met up with Ellen and we went for a last lunch together. Then it was home to take Dunia and the kids, along with Alex, Vanessa and their two boys out for ice-cream. After diner it was packing and an early night.
Something I haven’t have time to post about are the banks. With the donated money I had switched it in to US dollars but then had to hit the bank to switch it in to Lempiras. There are several banks in Copan. Each one has at least three and sometimes four heavily armed guards outside and usually one or two inside. The locals have to leave large knapsacks or bags outside and are wanded with a metal detector before they are allowed entry. A guard opens and closes the door for you from the inside. Of course gringa Deb doesn’t have to follow these rules…she is allowed to walk straight in even with her backpack. I guess I don’t look like a bank robber. I had to hit two banks the first time as they will only exchange $200 each transaction, then I hit the same bank the following day. What a process.
After morning class today, we headed back for lunch, a few last minute things to pack and then I decided to head out to the bus station early. I hate goodbyes. Dunia and her family have made my stay in Copan even more special this time. Her family welcomed me with open arms and I loved every minute with them. I shall miss them all. They are quite simply a truly decent family who couldn’t have done more to make my stay enjoyable and also educational. To the end, Rudy pequeno (son) was correcting my Spanish. We have had a lot of laughs over the last couple of weeks. We have our differences but also our similarities. The time with Dunia has cemented my friendship with her and I look forward to returning (hopefully with Brent). I must have been a good guest as we (Brent and I) have an open invitation to stay with them again next time.....and for sure there will be a next time. I shall miss little Leo coming in to my room at night…”Buenos noches Debbie” he would say and throw his little arms around my neck, giving me big hug and a kiss......wow, I miss them all already. I will continue my Skype classes with Dunia and who knows what next year shall bring?
I shall miss Ellen and know that we shall continue to email over the next year. She does an incredible job in and around Copan and I remain in awe of her enthusiasm an dedication.
Arriving at the bus terminal in Copan, I had a bit of a wait. My bus was slated to leave at 2:20pm. I decided to go back more in luxury this time and had booked a ticket on the Hedman Alas bus to Guatemala City with an onwards connection to Antigua. It was an uneventful trip with the exception of feeling a little motion sick….something I never get….but the roads out of Honduras for the first two or three hours are exceptionally rough and winding. At the Guatemalan border we all had to disembark, go through Honduras customs, then over the street to pay our 10 Quetzales (a little more than $1 to enter Guatemala). While in Honduras customs, an American gentleman, Bob, was trying to ask the attendant from our bus about changing seats. I had to translate for him (done quite well I might add) and then he asked me to help him at the immigration counter. He didn’t have a paper that was supposed to be in his passport from his entry the day before. He had only been in Copan for 24hours to visit the ruins and was headed back to Guatemala City to pick up an 8 day tour of Guatemala. I was really pleased at how well my Spanish carried me through……Bob had never been given the paper the day before….Immigration wanted him to pay about $160 in fine…….I argued persuasively and with the help of our bus driver they found his paper work from the previous day. He was happy and I was happy that my Spanish has apparently come a long way.
Back on the bus I dosed off until we reached Guatemala City…a quick and very efficient transfer to a smaller minibus saw me on my way here to Antigua. I was one of only two passengers on the minivan to Antigua. Another guy (unknown name) from Denmark was also onboard. He is travelling around the world (!!!) for almost two years trying to pay as he goes as a dive master. I recognised Antigua from just a couple of days ago and had the driver drop me and Denmark guy off near the centre. I helped Mr. Denmark find a bank machine and pointed him the direction of a popular hostel here in Antigua. He is young enough not to care about a youth hostel……I am too old to want to share and do care…I want my own room and bathroom……..and that is where you find me……back at Casa Rustica. Sala Vida is no more…..My new friend is Gallo…..I prefer Salva…but am not complaining. I can hear the local bar, its music blaring but it won’t be enough to keep me awake. The one thing I shall not miss from Copan is the barking dog across the street that would wake me several times a night.
Tomorrow I head to Panajachel by morning shuttle, then a trip by boat across Lake Atitlan to San Pedro La Laguna where I shall find my school and hopefully be shown to my new homestay. If you have enjoyed Copan, stick around and follow my blog for the next week in Guatemala. Anyway, it’s late….so as little Leo would say…….Buenos Noche!!!
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