The girls (below) are off to a party. The rest of us are holding down the fort.Here's hope for peace and happiness to you and your in 2008! Love to all,
the NHMurrays
Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year's Eve 2007!
The girls (below) are off to a party. The rest of us are holding down the fort.Here's hope for peace and happiness to you and your in 2008! Love to all,
the NHMurrays
New Years in Xela
Happy New Years to all of you.
I am in Xela, if you can believe it. i think will be here for a few more days and then i will head south. I had some thoughts about spending a few days in El Salvador, however, i hope to be in Uruguay by early February - which means, i have to get moving.
I am told that the fireworks i saw on Christmas are nothing compared with what will happen tonight. And if noon today is an example of tonight, then bombs away. I was walking through a very crowded market at noon when firecrackers began exploding all around. There is no warning as seemingly random guys light 15 feet of firecrackers.
I felt somewhat safe since i was was surrounded by food and kitchen products. I had just dropped a friend off at the buses and a line of firecrackers right by her bus. It turns out gas, gas fumes and exploding firecrackers aren´t a problem here in Guatemla. I am not sure if it has to do with the type of gas they use. Or maybe they are just a bit loco here.
I hope all goes well for you in 2008.
bjm 12/31
I am in Xela, if you can believe it. i think will be here for a few more days and then i will head south. I had some thoughts about spending a few days in El Salvador, however, i hope to be in Uruguay by early February - which means, i have to get moving.
I am told that the fireworks i saw on Christmas are nothing compared with what will happen tonight. And if noon today is an example of tonight, then bombs away. I was walking through a very crowded market at noon when firecrackers began exploding all around. There is no warning as seemingly random guys light 15 feet of firecrackers.
I felt somewhat safe since i was was surrounded by food and kitchen products. I had just dropped a friend off at the buses and a line of firecrackers right by her bus. It turns out gas, gas fumes and exploding firecrackers aren´t a problem here in Guatemla. I am not sure if it has to do with the type of gas they use. Or maybe they are just a bit loco here.
I hope all goes well for you in 2008.
bjm 12/31
Thursday, December 27, 2007
More X-mas Down Under
Greetings from New Zealand. We are hoping everyone had a great Christmas and that Santa was good to you all.
Last time we wrote, it way mid day Christmas Day. We had a great Christmas dinner at a terrific restaurant. We ate at the same restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner too!! The kids initially selected it for its name-- "Y.not". While we had lots of choices for Christmas dinner, the kids and I wanted an encore dinner, so we thought Y.not!!!
The day after Christmas is actually a bigger holiday than Christmas in Australia/New Zealand. It is know as Boxing Day and virtually everything closes down. That meant a late Breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and dinner at KFC. The choices for food on Boxing Day are limited!! During the day, we drove along the seaside of the Coromandel Pennisula. More hours of windy, curvy roads up and over mountains but with beautiful scenery.
We then settled in at the Trout and Chicken Bed & Breakfast in Waihi and to no surprise there really are trout and chicken on the farm!! The inn is adjacent to an organic blueberry farm-- leave it to Sean to find us this one!!
Waihi is an old gold mining town with spectacular beaches. We spent the moring walking along the little shops of the town leading up to the town's gold mine. It is one of the world's most efficient gold mines and has basically been in operation since the late 1800's.
We spent the afternoon hiking in the Karangahake Reserve. We took a long walk in a beautiful gorge along a rocky river. All along the river were ruins of the old gold processing plant where they converted ore from the mine into gold.
On the way back, we stopped at Owharoa Falls and walked down to the base of the falls. It was beautiful.
We are now on our way to Rotorua-- one of the world's most active geothermic areas in the world. More to come....
Love to all!!
Deb, Sean, Caitlin, Connor and Shannon
Last time we wrote, it way mid day Christmas Day. We had a great Christmas dinner at a terrific restaurant. We ate at the same restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner too!! The kids initially selected it for its name-- "Y.not". While we had lots of choices for Christmas dinner, the kids and I wanted an encore dinner, so we thought Y.not!!!
The day after Christmas is actually a bigger holiday than Christmas in Australia/New Zealand. It is know as Boxing Day and virtually everything closes down. That meant a late Breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and dinner at KFC. The choices for food on Boxing Day are limited!! During the day, we drove along the seaside of the Coromandel Pennisula. More hours of windy, curvy roads up and over mountains but with beautiful scenery.
We then settled in at the Trout and Chicken Bed & Breakfast in Waihi and to no surprise there really are trout and chicken on the farm!! The inn is adjacent to an organic blueberry farm-- leave it to Sean to find us this one!!
Waihi is an old gold mining town with spectacular beaches. We spent the moring walking along the little shops of the town leading up to the town's gold mine. It is one of the world's most efficient gold mines and has basically been in operation since the late 1800's.
We spent the afternoon hiking in the Karangahake Reserve. We took a long walk in a beautiful gorge along a rocky river. All along the river were ruins of the old gold processing plant where they converted ore from the mine into gold.
On the way back, we stopped at Owharoa Falls and walked down to the base of the falls. It was beautiful.
We are now on our way to Rotorua-- one of the world's most active geothermic areas in the world. More to come....
Love to all!!
Deb, Sean, Caitlin, Connor and Shannon
Mrs. Brendan Murray. Fact or Fiction?
The photo of my ´new wife´and the ´best man´were my attempt at a little end of year humor.
To those who thought it was real, i appreciate your confidence in my ability to meet and marry such a wonderful woman. (The next time i see her, I must ask for her name.)
Best to you for 2008
bjm 12/27
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
X-mas Down Under
Let us be the first to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
We are spending Christmas in Auckland, New Zealand. Our Christmas is now half over. We just got back from a late Christmas lunch or early dinner depending on how you look at it. We had a wonderful meal following a late morning of present opening.
We arrived New Zealand after a ten hour flight from Singapore on Saturday. We picked up our rental car and headed north to the Bay of Isles. The three hour drive was beautiful-- wonderful scenery-- a mix between upstate New York and the tropics-- evergreens mixed in with palm trees. The drive was quite short from a distance perspective, but long in time travel. We had to wind up and down mountains on a twisty, curvy road. We arrived at the Anchorage Hotel looking out over the beach and bay in early evening.
On Sunday, we hopped aboard Dolphin Adventures-- a bright yellow catamaran. We sailed out on a beautiful sunny day amid beautiful green landscapes up against a background of blue skies and teal waters. We came upon a school of about 25 or more dolphins. We spent more than an hour there watching and sailing with the dolphins.
We then sailed out to see the famous "Hole in the Rock". It was beautifyl to see but the waters were too rough to actually sail through it. We spent the afternoon at a pristine beach on a largely unihabited island. Sean and Connor swam, Shannon and I collected shells and Caitlin took photos. We ate dinner at a lovely restaurant called Nine and had a fabulous dinner. Most of us crashed early after a long day of fun in the sun.
Christmas Eve Day we drove to the Waipoua Forest to see New Zealand's famous Kauri Trees. These trees are the the biggest, and oldest trees in New Zealand. Some of these trees have been carbon dated at more than 2,000 years old-- that puts them right about the time of the birth of Christ!! Kouri trees are enormous. We took a 30 minute hike out a boardwalk to see the largest two Kouri trees. The largest was 17.5 meters tall (55 feet tall ) and 13.5 meters around (about 45 feet). The Kouri trees are now a protected species in New Zealand--so you can't cut any live Kouri trees down. The only way to get Kauri wood is to recover fallen Kauri trees from swamps or those that are buried underground. Many believe these trees were buried by a major tsunami thousands of years ago. The extensive recovery process for the Swamp Kouri makes the wood extremly expensive!
During our drive to/from the forest we stopped at several places to view beautiful white sandy beaches, unbelievable blue/green and teal waters and huge sand dunes. We took several mini hikes along the coastal mountains overlooking the seaside.
After our tour through the forest, we had a three hour drive back on the twisty, curvy road to the Auckland Hilton-- a hotel that looks like a ship and juts out into the Auckland Bay. We went to sleep to the sound of crashing waves on the hotel breakwall.
As is typical of Henretta/Murray Christmas, we awoke late-- around 11 o'clock. We made the kids hunt for their presents. After thoroughly searching the rooms, Shannon had the big idea to check out on the deck overlooking the harbor-- which was in fact where Santa had left our gifts. After a few photos, we decided it was a bit nippy to open gifts out there so we had to carry in the gifts.
Santa was very good to us (for the second time as the larger, breakable gifts were given before we left for New Zealand). Connor and Shannon got the newest double screen game boys. Caitlin got lots of clothes. Sean got an iPod shuffle and I got new small digital camera (the only camera we own that is simple enough for me to operate-- try taking pictures in a house with two avid photographers-- you need an encyclopedia to take a picture anymore!!).
All in all a good Christmas though we do miss spending time with family and friends. Tomorrow we head off for new adventures.
Hope you all have a wonderfully Merry Christmas.
Love to all. Deb, Sean, Cailtin, Connor and Shannon
We are spending Christmas in Auckland, New Zealand. Our Christmas is now half over. We just got back from a late Christmas lunch or early dinner depending on how you look at it. We had a wonderful meal following a late morning of present opening.
We arrived New Zealand after a ten hour flight from Singapore on Saturday. We picked up our rental car and headed north to the Bay of Isles. The three hour drive was beautiful-- wonderful scenery-- a mix between upstate New York and the tropics-- evergreens mixed in with palm trees. The drive was quite short from a distance perspective, but long in time travel. We had to wind up and down mountains on a twisty, curvy road. We arrived at the Anchorage Hotel looking out over the beach and bay in early evening.
On Sunday, we hopped aboard Dolphin Adventures-- a bright yellow catamaran. We sailed out on a beautiful sunny day amid beautiful green landscapes up against a background of blue skies and teal waters. We came upon a school of about 25 or more dolphins. We spent more than an hour there watching and sailing with the dolphins.
We then sailed out to see the famous "Hole in the Rock". It was beautifyl to see but the waters were too rough to actually sail through it. We spent the afternoon at a pristine beach on a largely unihabited island. Sean and Connor swam, Shannon and I collected shells and Caitlin took photos. We ate dinner at a lovely restaurant called Nine and had a fabulous dinner. Most of us crashed early after a long day of fun in the sun.
Christmas Eve Day we drove to the Waipoua Forest to see New Zealand's famous Kauri Trees. These trees are the the biggest, and oldest trees in New Zealand. Some of these trees have been carbon dated at more than 2,000 years old-- that puts them right about the time of the birth of Christ!! Kouri trees are enormous. We took a 30 minute hike out a boardwalk to see the largest two Kouri trees. The largest was 17.5 meters tall (55 feet tall ) and 13.5 meters around (about 45 feet). The Kouri trees are now a protected species in New Zealand--so you can't cut any live Kouri trees down. The only way to get Kauri wood is to recover fallen Kauri trees from swamps or those that are buried underground. Many believe these trees were buried by a major tsunami thousands of years ago. The extensive recovery process for the Swamp Kouri makes the wood extremly expensive!
During our drive to/from the forest we stopped at several places to view beautiful white sandy beaches, unbelievable blue/green and teal waters and huge sand dunes. We took several mini hikes along the coastal mountains overlooking the seaside.
After our tour through the forest, we had a three hour drive back on the twisty, curvy road to the Auckland Hilton-- a hotel that looks like a ship and juts out into the Auckland Bay. We went to sleep to the sound of crashing waves on the hotel breakwall.
As is typical of Henretta/Murray Christmas, we awoke late-- around 11 o'clock. We made the kids hunt for their presents. After thoroughly searching the rooms, Shannon had the big idea to check out on the deck overlooking the harbor-- which was in fact where Santa had left our gifts. After a few photos, we decided it was a bit nippy to open gifts out there so we had to carry in the gifts.
Santa was very good to us (for the second time as the larger, breakable gifts were given before we left for New Zealand). Connor and Shannon got the newest double screen game boys. Caitlin got lots of clothes. Sean got an iPod shuffle and I got new small digital camera (the only camera we own that is simple enough for me to operate-- try taking pictures in a house with two avid photographers-- you need an encyclopedia to take a picture anymore!!).
All in all a good Christmas though we do miss spending time with family and friends. Tomorrow we head off for new adventures.
Hope you all have a wonderfully Merry Christmas.
Love to all. Deb, Sean, Cailtin, Connor and Shannon
0:00 Christmas Day
Well, the fireworks promised were the fireworks delivered. At midnight Christmas, the Xela sky was filled with all sorts of colors and explosions.
For 15-20 minutes, there were non-stop sounds and sights. The first 5 minutes gave us the maximum explosions.
After the fireworks,the family said a little prayer around the Christmas tree and then we had dinner.
There seemed to be a lot of good conversation. Most of it was in spanish and it seemed to be beyond my level of comprehension.
After 8+ weeks in a Spanish-speaking country, I had hoped tobe a little further along with the language thing. I am sure it will come but i need to practice,practice, practice.
Best to all for Christmas 2007
bjm 12/26
For 15-20 minutes, there were non-stop sounds and sights. The first 5 minutes gave us the maximum explosions.
After the fireworks,the family said a little prayer around the Christmas tree and then we had dinner.
There seemed to be a lot of good conversation. Most of it was in spanish and it seemed to be beyond my level of comprehension.
After 8+ weeks in a Spanish-speaking country, I had hoped tobe a little further along with the language thing. I am sure it will come but i need to practice,practice, practice.
Best to all for Christmas 2007
bjm 12/26
Monday, December 24, 2007
Peeps or not sharpest tool in the shed
The other day, I was riding in a microbus (i.e., minivan) with a local friend of mine, Sary. We were heading to San Macos. It is a town about 30 miles or 1+ hour away.
As we were starting the journey, I commented about the lack of Ranchero music. Not only was there not any loud Mexican-type music; they seemed to be playing some sort of bird sounds. I thought that was odd and interesting at the same time. I made that comment to my friend, too. I thought the driver may have been working on his birding skills.
She told me to wait until we really started going and then the loud pounding music would begin. As far as the ´birding cd´ was concerned, she told me that there were probably some chickens under the seats. Sary didn{t know for certain what animals were on the bus but she did know that now minibus driver would be playing a ´birding´ cd
She was right, of course. It turns out that the couple next to me was transporting some baby chickens. The chicks did not seem too impressed with the journey. Every so often their handler took one out of the transport little basket and then she´d shove the brid back in.
When the 21st person entered the minibus (3 people standing), I started to feel the chicks pain.
bjm 12/24
As we were starting the journey, I commented about the lack of Ranchero music. Not only was there not any loud Mexican-type music; they seemed to be playing some sort of bird sounds. I thought that was odd and interesting at the same time. I made that comment to my friend, too. I thought the driver may have been working on his birding skills.
She told me to wait until we really started going and then the loud pounding music would begin. As far as the ´birding cd´ was concerned, she told me that there were probably some chickens under the seats. Sary didn{t know for certain what animals were on the bus but she did know that now minibus driver would be playing a ´birding´ cd
She was right, of course. It turns out that the couple next to me was transporting some baby chickens. The chicks did not seem too impressed with the journey. Every so often their handler took one out of the transport little basket and then she´d shove the brid back in.
When the 21st person entered the minibus (3 people standing), I started to feel the chicks pain.
bjm 12/24
Fireworks and other items
Do you hear/see fireworks on Christmas Day? I am told there will be many, many firecrackers and other fireworks in Guatemala tomorrow.
If the typical night is any guide, then I think I am in for a show tomorrow (or tonight at midnight).
I have seen more fireworks in 2 months here than in a few years in the states. People set off firecrackers (at 6 a.m. or so to celebrate birthdays). People set off personal firework displays to celebrate special events or just because it is a sunday night.
I am not sure if the big displays i see have been organized by the city or by an organization or just some people in the neighborhood.
The other night, in a very crowded central park. A many with a uniform-type shirt and official looking hat, set down a firework thing (what do you call something that is as big as a pail and contains 25 or so individual firework displays?). And without notice or warning, he lit it. People saw what he was doing so they moved a few meters awat but that´s about it. It would not work like that in the States.
Many things work a little differently here in Guate. You have the butcher who shakes or hands and then goes back to touvhing the meat - without washing his hands. You have the guys working on the electric lines climbing poles with the use of a rope. You have 20+ people crammed into a minivan for a ride to the other part of town. But i love it.
bjm 12/24
If the typical night is any guide, then I think I am in for a show tomorrow (or tonight at midnight).
I have seen more fireworks in 2 months here than in a few years in the states. People set off firecrackers (at 6 a.m. or so to celebrate birthdays). People set off personal firework displays to celebrate special events or just because it is a sunday night.
I am not sure if the big displays i see have been organized by the city or by an organization or just some people in the neighborhood.
The other night, in a very crowded central park. A many with a uniform-type shirt and official looking hat, set down a firework thing (what do you call something that is as big as a pail and contains 25 or so individual firework displays?). And without notice or warning, he lit it. People saw what he was doing so they moved a few meters awat but that´s about it. It would not work like that in the States.
Many things work a little differently here in Guate. You have the butcher who shakes or hands and then goes back to touvhing the meat - without washing his hands. You have the guys working on the electric lines climbing poles with the use of a rope. You have 20+ people crammed into a minivan for a ride to the other part of town. But i love it.
bjm 12/24
1st week story
I looked through some of my Guate posts and i see they are a bit on the boring side.
If I could only write like my bro-in-law, Ivan, my posts would be much more exciting.
Here`s a story from my first week here:
I went to a town called Matzatenango, which is not too far from Xela, to meet up with someone i met on the bus my first day here, her sister and her father.
Although Matze is close, distance-wise (30 or so miles), it takes 2+ hours on the chicken bus and it is a differnt climate. Xela is 7,000 or so feet so it is a bit cold now. Matze is lower and in the ¨coastal¨region - but not near the ocean, and it is a fair bit warmer.
Anyway, I spend the afternoon and evening with the family.
After lunch (and mmaybe dinner, too, I forget) but before dancing, we went to the mother`s house. Mom and dad are divorced. Both parents live in the states. Mom comes to Gaute for a month or so each year. The house does not see much activity outside of that month.
And because the house doesn´t have much activity, some things work and some things don´t. one that didn`t included the plumbing. So no showers, no toilet, no sink (inside). There was a sink outside, in which you could wash up a bit.
After a night at the disco (sin padre)we headed back to the (cement) house. We all washed up in the sink outside. I went to my room and the three others went to their room.
at 5:00 or so, i awoke with the need to use a toilet (number 1, thankfully). I know the toilet (wich doesn´t work) is in the room where the others are sleeping. No problem...as a guy, I can take care of biz elsewhere. I go to the back door but it is locked and i don´t have the key. I check the front door. Locked! While I can take care of biz anywhere, I want to be reasonable where i do go.
Next stop, kitchen sink. since there is no working water, i decide to take a look at the plumbing just to see if it is in order. Nope. the pipe below the sink is not connected.
Now we´re reaching Defcon 4+ level. There are no bottles or glasses in the house. What to do? What to do?
I head back to my bedroom to try to get some sort of idea.
The window! Although there are bars, if i stand on my tiptoes, I can take care of biz, right outside the back door of the house in front - right where they hang their laundry out to dry.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The window opens (thankfully) and there is relief. We`re back to Decon 0.
Moral of the story: Always know where you are going to go when you have to go.
bjm 12/24
If I could only write like my bro-in-law, Ivan, my posts would be much more exciting.
Here`s a story from my first week here:
I went to a town called Matzatenango, which is not too far from Xela, to meet up with someone i met on the bus my first day here, her sister and her father.
Although Matze is close, distance-wise (30 or so miles), it takes 2+ hours on the chicken bus and it is a differnt climate. Xela is 7,000 or so feet so it is a bit cold now. Matze is lower and in the ¨coastal¨region - but not near the ocean, and it is a fair bit warmer.
Anyway, I spend the afternoon and evening with the family.
After lunch (and mmaybe dinner, too, I forget) but before dancing, we went to the mother`s house. Mom and dad are divorced. Both parents live in the states. Mom comes to Gaute for a month or so each year. The house does not see much activity outside of that month.
And because the house doesn´t have much activity, some things work and some things don´t. one that didn`t included the plumbing. So no showers, no toilet, no sink (inside). There was a sink outside, in which you could wash up a bit.
After a night at the disco (sin padre)we headed back to the (cement) house. We all washed up in the sink outside. I went to my room and the three others went to their room.
at 5:00 or so, i awoke with the need to use a toilet (number 1, thankfully). I know the toilet (wich doesn´t work) is in the room where the others are sleeping. No problem...as a guy, I can take care of biz elsewhere. I go to the back door but it is locked and i don´t have the key. I check the front door. Locked! While I can take care of biz anywhere, I want to be reasonable where i do go.
Next stop, kitchen sink. since there is no working water, i decide to take a look at the plumbing just to see if it is in order. Nope. the pipe below the sink is not connected.
Now we´re reaching Defcon 4+ level. There are no bottles or glasses in the house. What to do? What to do?
I head back to my bedroom to try to get some sort of idea.
The window! Although there are bars, if i stand on my tiptoes, I can take care of biz, right outside the back door of the house in front - right where they hang their laundry out to dry.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The window opens (thankfully) and there is relief. We`re back to Decon 0.
Moral of the story: Always know where you are going to go when you have to go.
bjm 12/24
It is a Dog`s Life
Well, in Guate, not so much. If you need a dog, come on down here. There are hundreds (probably 1000`s) that roam the streets of Xela. it is hard to tell if they belong to anyone. Most do not have collars but that is not always a sign of non-ownership.
And those with collars, sitting outside the same house day after day, may belong to those in the house but they may not be well taken care of. it is tough to see the neglect. but when you see the many people who seem neglected - for lack of food and other necessities - you have to feel more for the people.
When i get my act together, I will post some pics of the many dogs i have seen. I am not sure why i took so many pics of them but i did.
bjm 12/24
And those with collars, sitting outside the same house day after day, may belong to those in the house but they may not be well taken care of. it is tough to see the neglect. but when you see the many people who seem neglected - for lack of food and other necessities - you have to feel more for the people.
When i get my act together, I will post some pics of the many dogs i have seen. I am not sure why i took so many pics of them but i did.
bjm 12/24
Lose Weight - Let Me Show You How
I am not sure i can show you exactly how to lose weight but I can give you some tips.
Step 1: buy a plane ticket to Guatemala.
Step 2: eat as they do.
Step 3: watch the weight melt away
I am not sure what has happened during my 2 months here but i have lost a bit of weight.
During my first 6 weeks here, I was living with families and eating as they do. For the last 2 weeks, i have been living in hostels, eating out and making my own meals.
I weighed myself the other day.
If the scale is to be believed (and it better be since i paid $0.13 to weigh myself) I am about 164 pounds. If so, i think it is my lowest weight since college times. The past years, I have been in the upper 170`s to upper 180`s range. (i think i peaked at 205 in the summer of 2005 or so).
The good news is my beer belly seems to be gone, the bad news is my huge arms and chest seem to be gone, too.
We will see how the locals like the new body when i hit the beaches next week.
Come on down and leave lighter.
BJM 12/24
Step 1: buy a plane ticket to Guatemala.
Step 2: eat as they do.
Step 3: watch the weight melt away
I am not sure what has happened during my 2 months here but i have lost a bit of weight.
During my first 6 weeks here, I was living with families and eating as they do. For the last 2 weeks, i have been living in hostels, eating out and making my own meals.
I weighed myself the other day.
If the scale is to be believed (and it better be since i paid $0.13 to weigh myself) I am about 164 pounds. If so, i think it is my lowest weight since college times. The past years, I have been in the upper 170`s to upper 180`s range. (i think i peaked at 205 in the summer of 2005 or so).
The good news is my beer belly seems to be gone, the bad news is my huge arms and chest seem to be gone, too.
We will see how the locals like the new body when i hit the beaches next week.
Come on down and leave lighter.
BJM 12/24
Christmas in Gautemala
Despite (or because of) all my lack of planning, it is Christmas Eve and I am still in Gautemala. And when i mentioned (twice) that I left Xela, I lied.
I did leave Xela but then I came back...again and again. I can´t seem to shake this town. Most of those I know are gone now, so maybe it is time to head out myself.
As it is Christmas Eve, I will spend Christmas around Xela. There is a chance that i will spend it with a family from the school (the owner - Sary, Her mom - My teacher, and her 2 borthers - also teachers at the school).
Although their Christmas is a family affair, I may get an invite since i am in town. If I get an invite, it will be beause the ¨china¨ is also getting invited.
the `china` is a woman from Korea who has been in Xela for 3 or so months now. In Guate, anyone who looks asian - including non-asians, is called ¨china¨or ¨chino¨ (translation: Chinese) depending on whether they are female or male.
If they invite one outsider, they may invite a second.
We will see.
After Christmas, i think I will be off to El Salvador. I will hit the beaches there and continue to work my way south.
I had hoped to make it to Brazil in the the near future (to activate my visa before January 10) but that will not happen.
I will keep you advised of my movements.
Merry Christmas to all.
bjm 12/24
I did leave Xela but then I came back...again and again. I can´t seem to shake this town. Most of those I know are gone now, so maybe it is time to head out myself.
As it is Christmas Eve, I will spend Christmas around Xela. There is a chance that i will spend it with a family from the school (the owner - Sary, Her mom - My teacher, and her 2 borthers - also teachers at the school).
Although their Christmas is a family affair, I may get an invite since i am in town. If I get an invite, it will be beause the ¨china¨ is also getting invited.
the `china` is a woman from Korea who has been in Xela for 3 or so months now. In Guate, anyone who looks asian - including non-asians, is called ¨china¨or ¨chino¨ (translation: Chinese) depending on whether they are female or male.
If they invite one outsider, they may invite a second.
We will see.
After Christmas, i think I will be off to El Salvador. I will hit the beaches there and continue to work my way south.
I had hoped to make it to Brazil in the the near future (to activate my visa before January 10) but that will not happen.
I will keep you advised of my movements.
Merry Christmas to all.
bjm 12/24
Where are the posts?
I see that my postings have been infrequent at best. I do not know where the time goes. i just don´t seem to get on the internet as often as before.
i will try to be better for the new year.
bjm 12/24
i will try to be better for the new year.
bjm 12/24
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tajumulco hike
Anything new in my last days in the Xela area?
Last weekend, i climbed Tajumulco. You can check out some of info about Tajumulco by going to the address listed below.
The mountain (volcano) is 13,800 fee high. It is the highest pèak in all of central america. i doubt i will ascend the highest peaks in North or South America so this was as good as it gets.
Aand it was a good time. I will attach pictures (sometime).
I went on the hike with a non-profit trekking company out of Xela. There were 25 or so of us on the trip. A good group from a wide varitety of countries.
I am not sure what the elevation gain was for the trip. i think the first day we climbed a 1000 or so meters. We then had a 200+ meter climb the next day. At 3:30a.m. on a cold december, that 200+ was tough.
Once on top, the view was worth it. The early morning was fairly clear. I could see Mexico - which doesn´t look too bad from 13,800 feet, a number of Guatemala`s other peaks and the pacific. We had a beautiful sunrise. My pics won´t do the hike justice.
All for now
bjm december 16
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1402-02=
Last weekend, i climbed Tajumulco. You can check out some of info about Tajumulco by going to the address listed below.
The mountain (volcano) is 13,800 fee high. It is the highest pèak in all of central america. i doubt i will ascend the highest peaks in North or South America so this was as good as it gets.
Aand it was a good time. I will attach pictures (sometime).
I went on the hike with a non-profit trekking company out of Xela. There were 25 or so of us on the trip. A good group from a wide varitety of countries.
I am not sure what the elevation gain was for the trip. i think the first day we climbed a 1000 or so meters. We then had a 200+ meter climb the next day. At 3:30a.m. on a cold december, that 200+ was tough.
Once on top, the view was worth it. The early morning was fairly clear. I could see Mexico - which doesn´t look too bad from 13,800 feet, a number of Guatemala`s other peaks and the pacific. We had a beautiful sunrise. My pics won´t do the hike justice.
All for now
bjm december 16
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1402-02=
Good-Bye Xela
After 8 weeks it is time to say ¨Adios¨to Quetzaltenango. What a wonderful strange trip it has been. Well, it hasn`t been all that ¨strange¨but it has been wonderful.
As I mentioned in earlier posts, i have truly enjoyed my time here. Although i may have worked more on the enjoyment aspect of my time here, rather than the spanish aspect...it has been great. the spanish will come. Right? i hope so. i can understand, read, and write much better than i can speak. i think i need to head to a place with a few less gringos.
Does anyone have any thoughts for me? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
bjm 16 diciembre 2007
As I mentioned in earlier posts, i have truly enjoyed my time here. Although i may have worked more on the enjoyment aspect of my time here, rather than the spanish aspect...it has been great. the spanish will come. Right? i hope so. i can understand, read, and write much better than i can speak. i think i need to head to a place with a few less gringos.
Does anyone have any thoughts for me? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
bjm 16 diciembre 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Xela life
Xela has sucked me in and i have to fight to break free. I am not sure what it is about the town that is keeping me there. The town itself, while having some charm, is not too exciting to look at. But i have had a fantastic time there.
the school and those at it have been great - in and out of school. (In VA i was going out 3 or so times a week. I am only up to 4 in Xela.) One thing i like about Xela is that it has a small town feel. While it is the 2nd biggest city in Guate, I (and most gringos) limit most of my time to a small part of the city. When i walk down the street, there is a good chance i will run into someone i know - be it a fellow student, one of the many (female) Dutch volunteers, or a local from the dance school. I think i could walk the streets of arlington for a week and not run into anyone i know. it is a good feeling here.
On sunday, i met a mayan woman trying to sell various cloth goods. she was in Xela for the first of the month market. i talked to her for a bit because her english was quite good. today, when was wandering the streets of this town, i run into her again and she remembered me. i figured it had somehting to do with my striking good looks, but i have a feeling it may have had to do with me wearing the same clothes (Thunderbird t-shirt) that i was wearing on sunday. I still didn{t buy anything from her but i told her that i would look for her on the street tomorrow and see what goods she has to offer.
I will leave Xela for good (for now) next week. After a few days here in Panajachel, I will go back to Xela to climb Central America´s highest peak. Tajumulco (or some such spelling). 4200M+. it should be windy and cold. Good times - unless all your cold-weather gear is in the States.
I should do okay though.
bjm 4 december 2007
the school and those at it have been great - in and out of school. (In VA i was going out 3 or so times a week. I am only up to 4 in Xela.) One thing i like about Xela is that it has a small town feel. While it is the 2nd biggest city in Guate, I (and most gringos) limit most of my time to a small part of the city. When i walk down the street, there is a good chance i will run into someone i know - be it a fellow student, one of the many (female) Dutch volunteers, or a local from the dance school. I think i could walk the streets of arlington for a week and not run into anyone i know. it is a good feeling here.
On sunday, i met a mayan woman trying to sell various cloth goods. she was in Xela for the first of the month market. i talked to her for a bit because her english was quite good. today, when was wandering the streets of this town, i run into her again and she remembered me. i figured it had somehting to do with my striking good looks, but i have a feeling it may have had to do with me wearing the same clothes (Thunderbird t-shirt) that i was wearing on sunday. I still didn{t buy anything from her but i told her that i would look for her on the street tomorrow and see what goods she has to offer.
I will leave Xela for good (for now) next week. After a few days here in Panajachel, I will go back to Xela to climb Central America´s highest peak. Tajumulco (or some such spelling). 4200M+. it should be windy and cold. Good times - unless all your cold-weather gear is in the States.
I should do okay though.
bjm 4 december 2007
What is BJM doing?
Glad you want to know. After 6 weeks of Spanish class at Miguel de Cervantes http://www.learn2speakspanish.com/ I decided to begin to move on.
The 6 weeks were fantastic. The school´s students, teachers, staff and director made for a great experience. I would go back to class in a second. And, if you find yourself in Xela, Gautemala looking for a Spanish school - 2 Big Thumbs Up to Miguel de Cervantes.
I decide to end the classes, not because I am fluent (sometimes i don{t think i am conversational); rather, I needed to continue my journey south.
I left prior to learning the subjunctive tense. I think the subjunctive has something to do with hopes,dreams and opinions. I have very little of those, so i figure I can get by without that tense.
I did learn how to say ´no, i did not do my homework because i was dancing until very early this morning´and ´if i had known that she was your wife, kind sir, i would not have done the vodka shot off her belly´
I seem to be getting by.
now that i am out of class, I hope to increase the amount of conversation and also try to learn on my own. It didn´t work at university or grad school but this time...things will be different.
bjm 4 dec 2007
The 6 weeks were fantastic. The school´s students, teachers, staff and director made for a great experience. I would go back to class in a second. And, if you find yourself in Xela, Gautemala looking for a Spanish school - 2 Big Thumbs Up to Miguel de Cervantes.
I decide to end the classes, not because I am fluent (sometimes i don{t think i am conversational); rather, I needed to continue my journey south.
I left prior to learning the subjunctive tense. I think the subjunctive has something to do with hopes,dreams and opinions. I have very little of those, so i figure I can get by without that tense.
I did learn how to say ´no, i did not do my homework because i was dancing until very early this morning´and ´if i had known that she was your wife, kind sir, i would not have done the vodka shot off her belly´
I seem to be getting by.
now that i am out of class, I hope to increase the amount of conversation and also try to learn on my own. It didn´t work at university or grad school but this time...things will be different.
bjm 4 dec 2007
Where are the Pics?
I do have plenty of pics of my travels here.
The internet in Xela does not seem to cooperate with posting them to the blog - or to sites like Kodak.com.
I will continue the efforts.
bjm
The internet in Xela does not seem to cooperate with posting them to the blog - or to sites like Kodak.com.
I will continue the efforts.
bjm
Cena Tipica
While wandering the streets of Panajachel, I decided it was time for cena (the evening meal).
I past what seemed to be a restaurant. it was filled (8-ish persons) with police officers. I figured - cops, they know where to eat. I sat in the dining room, which was off the kitchen - which appears to serves as the family´s regular kitchen.
There was no menu. At night, you have a choice of a typical dinner or not. I went with the cena tipica (or tipica cena. i have trouble placing the adjectives) sin carne.
Therefore I had: scrambled eggs, black beans, rice and tortillas - hold the meat please. Plus a Fresca. The bill was Q13, which is slightly less than $2. the meal was quite filling. I just remembered that i forgot to tip. I will have to run over (i am across the street) and leave a Q3 tip.
I have had the typical cena at my homestay. this was the first time having it out on the town.
good times.
bjm 4 dec 2007
I past what seemed to be a restaurant. it was filled (8-ish persons) with police officers. I figured - cops, they know where to eat. I sat in the dining room, which was off the kitchen - which appears to serves as the family´s regular kitchen.
There was no menu. At night, you have a choice of a typical dinner or not. I went with the cena tipica (or tipica cena. i have trouble placing the adjectives) sin carne.
Therefore I had: scrambled eggs, black beans, rice and tortillas - hold the meat please. Plus a Fresca. The bill was Q13, which is slightly less than $2. the meal was quite filling. I just remembered that i forgot to tip. I will have to run over (i am across the street) and leave a Q3 tip.
I have had the typical cena at my homestay. this was the first time having it out on the town.
good times.
bjm 4 dec 2007
Can´t Go Back
First - it has been much too long since my last post. I have no excuse. It is not like i have a job to get to every day.
About an hour ago, i spent a good 30+ minutes updating the blog. However, while i was doing that, I was also in my personal gmail account. Somehow, i ended up losing everything i wrote because i had switched from one gmail account to another. I will try to recreate some of what i wrote.
The title ´can´t go back´refers to my being in Panajachel, Gautemala this evening. I arrived about 1700 local time. I was here in 1991 and i really enjoyed myself. After 3 hours+ here, I do not think i will feel the same way about Pana 16 years later. The town - or that part where the tourists are- seems to be too full of ´tipico´clothing and goods shops. they existed when i was here so long ago but i remember a different feel to the place.
maybe I am remembering entering town duing my last visit: I was in a minivan built for 12 or so. We had 25+. As we made our way down the big hill that leads to Pana, I remember wathching as the driver moved the wheel from side to side as we traveled down the wet and muddy road (rainstorm that day). It took me a moment to realize that...while the driver was moving the wheel, the van continued to go straight. I decided not to wonder if: we had no steering or the bald tires were caked in mud and had little interest in responding to the driver´s efforts. I´m here 16 years later to recount the story so it did end well.
Today, the dirt road is paved and there are even rocks to serve as guardrails.
The times they are a changing.
I will check tomorrow to see if Pana still has some of its charm.
BJM 4 dec 2007
About an hour ago, i spent a good 30+ minutes updating the blog. However, while i was doing that, I was also in my personal gmail account. Somehow, i ended up losing everything i wrote because i had switched from one gmail account to another. I will try to recreate some of what i wrote.
The title ´can´t go back´refers to my being in Panajachel, Gautemala this evening. I arrived about 1700 local time. I was here in 1991 and i really enjoyed myself. After 3 hours+ here, I do not think i will feel the same way about Pana 16 years later. The town - or that part where the tourists are- seems to be too full of ´tipico´clothing and goods shops. they existed when i was here so long ago but i remember a different feel to the place.
maybe I am remembering entering town duing my last visit: I was in a minivan built for 12 or so. We had 25+. As we made our way down the big hill that leads to Pana, I remember wathching as the driver moved the wheel from side to side as we traveled down the wet and muddy road (rainstorm that day). It took me a moment to realize that...while the driver was moving the wheel, the van continued to go straight. I decided not to wonder if: we had no steering or the bald tires were caked in mud and had little interest in responding to the driver´s efforts. I´m here 16 years later to recount the story so it did end well.
Today, the dirt road is paved and there are even rocks to serve as guardrails.
The times they are a changing.
I will check tomorrow to see if Pana still has some of its charm.
BJM 4 dec 2007
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