Antigua: one of our favorite places

We made great time to Guatemala, arriving at Nelson and Rosemarie's home about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Only Nelson was home because Rosemarie and the girls were wrapping up the youth camp.  By the time we got to hug Dani, Fabi and Rosemarie it was after 6:00!  After a quick trip to Walmart (found some Honey Nut Cheerios for Stephen), we had dinner and time to visit.

Thursday morning we were out of the house about 8:30 to go pick up the Pine Cove camp counselors for a free day of tourism in Antigua.  Having studied Spanish for eight weeks in Antigua in 2012, it remains one of our favorite places. 

It was lots of fun introducing the team to the cathedral, markets, arch and more.  Without contacting them, God orchestrated visits with both of our former teachers, Nanci and Corina.  Nanci and her husband live in Germany now, but were in Guatemala visiting her family for Christmas.  As I was waiting at the entrance to the market, they walked by!  Unbelievable to see them; seconds after they walked away, Corina walked by with one of her current Spanish students.  

We found a great place for lunch, visited another market and then ended our trip at the cross on the hill above the city.  Words don't do it justice, so here are some of the pictures:

 

Antigua Visit

When ever we go to Guatemala, we always go to Antigua to visit with our friends (Spanish teachers.)  This time was no different--we left on Monday morning after breakfast at Capistrano's (see previous post) and arrived about 10:30.  Corina and her family were all at home so we drove straight to Pastores (about 5 miles north east of Antigua.)  The girls go to school in the afternoon, so we were able to see everyone.  We were so glad that we decided to come in the morning or we would have missed seeing the girls.  

They showed us room that was built by volunteers from a Baptist church in Antigua.  Before this, all six of them slept in the same room.  Now the girls have their separate room.  

Corina and her family, minus Melany

Nancy, our other teacher, was working with a student in the morning, so she couldn't come by until after lunch time.  It was great to catch up with everyone!   Gaby didn't have school at all, so Stephen gave her a basketball shooting lesson.

We left about 1:30 and made a stop in Antigua to buy olive bread at the "best" bakery in town (according to Rosemary and the line of people that were there.)  

Luisa Xicotencatl's Bakery/Cake Shop

Stephen likes to take pictures of doors/windows.

Say Yes to VBS

I have had almost no Internet access this week, so I am very far behind on the VBS posts.

Today the team is taking a break and going to Antigua for the afternoon.  We are excited to reconnect with at least two of our Spanish teachers from summer 2012.

Sorry, no pictures because I have to use a computer in the business center.  Will catch up once I get back online.