Guatemala - 2012

Day 15 - July 11

Libelda

Conchita called, so we walked by the hostel on the way. One of her brothers had made this for me.

Before we met Libelda I needed to get photos printed that Vi had sent me (family pictures, etc). Here's the shop I always go to. But this time I actually ran into technical issues for the first time. I always print straight from my camera's memory card, so I copied Vi's pictures there. Some of the photos wouldn't print. I tried numerous fixes on my laptop (which I brought just in case), but to no avail. Finally Hugo pulls out a USB flash drive. After copying them to the drive, the photos printed straight away. Lesson learned: always bring a flash drive.

We were to meet them in the central park around 10 a.m. We waited and waited and eventually got worried that they hadn't made it. I had to walk back to the house to get our contacts #.

Who is that walking briskly to get his morning coffee fix? Juanito!

Our contact with the agency (Gary) said they were there, so we did a quick search and found them just around the corner out of sight. Libelda is in white, with her mother and older sister behind her. The two gentlemen are with the agency.

 

Conchita suggested that we go to "Pollo Campero" for lunch (farmer's chicken). It would be a treat for them, since it is unlike they have a fast-food restaurant where they live AND it has some of the fastest Wi-Fi in town.

Libelda got to talk with Vi over the internet (with the aide of a spanish student translator, of course). I or Hugo could have translated, but I don't have external speakers on my laptop.

While they were talking Hugo made some inquiries and figured out some of what the family needed. Vi gave us somewhat of a price range and complete freedom.

Here we are waiting for the van to meet us. During this wait, Hugo tells them interesting facts and history about Antigua, since it is the first time any of them had been here.

While we were talking the local seller girls (girls that sell jewelry, etc in the park) were taking a break. This is the first time I had ever seen them play like this.

The mother had been cooking with wood, which is very expensive, time consuming, and unhealthy. First priority: a stove. These all work off of propane.

And to same time and, therefore, propane, second priority: a pressure cooker. Beans that would otherwise take hours to cook, now can take a half-hour.

What did Hugo go around the corner for?

Here we are at my favorite sweet-shop, buying them some candy and cookies (one of Vi's only firm directives!). :)

Waiting quietly while the adults take care of business.

After a few more purchases we went to Cuidad Viejo, back to "EcoFiltro". The girl's enjoyed the clean water...

while mom got a lesson on how to use and maintain the filter.

Afterwards, the agency gentlemen wanted a picture with the whole lot.

Vi had bought them a stove (with propane), an EcoFilter, a small TV and antenae (first ever for the family), a pressure cooker, and a soccer ball! Way cool, Vi!

Postscript: Vi ended up getting a letter from the agency's US branch telling her that she should have gone thru them first, blah, blah, blah. Our way was better.