Kid Time & Kodak Moments

I thought I would blog while I was there, Ha Ha. But better late than never. More installment coming after this one, the final chapters will go into Big Picture experiences, what I learned about Guatemala and its people. But for now, here's a family story, if you'd like to be a mouse in the corner.

Brian and Denise live in Villa Santa Catarina Bobadilla, a gated neighborhood next to the pueblo of S.C.Bobadilla, a basic (translate very poor) community with corrugated tin houses and live poultry (translate: roosters crowing in the early morning).

They are maybe four of miles outside of Antigua. There are maybe thirty-five houses on the loop. You can get there by chicken bus, slightly more expensive but equally packed with people van/bus if one happens by, car, or by toot toot cab I suppose, over the hand-built cobblestone streets.

They took us to fabulous restaurants in and above Antigua. Stunning views. Incredibly fresh food, well prepared, graciously served. And we spent some time with them at home.

Denise: Stella and Junie;

Grandpa meets Junie. She sleeps through it in fine form.

view from rooftop patio, volcano Fuego errupts

The active volcano Fuego sends up a cloud of steam. 

Antigua is ringed by 3 volcanoes, their house is ringed by construction. 

Socrates guards the plants and veggies in pots on the roof.

above, their courtyard garden

below, their house, the two vertical windows behind the white car, is accessed on the side drive

there is always construction going on, you can see the workers' bicycles parked along the left

standard security includes concertina wire atop fencing (below right)

lots of avocado trees in the empty lots

                                

the neighborhood (my photos don't do the landscaping justice)

leaving grandma at the bottom of the steps with the stroller, Stella makes a dash for freedom

 two amigas, making a break for it

Stella loves her boots; neighborhood buddy Kayla loves her drum

breakfast in San Mateo, week 1 (I didn't promise this would be in chronological order)

pumpkin carving was fun ... right up until it was bedtime.

That's Junie in the middle, being loved up by Cash

In town for Halloween, a transplanted U.S. tradition. 

The Hungry Caterpillar  and friends get started Trick or Treating 

at Oldtown Outfitters (friend Matt's business)  

adjoining Antigua Bicycle Coop (Brian's bike shop)

and progress to other participating businesses. 

A group of moms supplied the businesses with the treats to hand out. 

 the gang gathers

 Stella spreads her wings

 the shop

Sue Gnagy arrived just in time for the festivities

Junie, awake in her cocoon