Nancy L

Well we are home. What a difference.... here we have running tap water that we can actually just put a glass under and then drink. When you have a shower you do not have to be so careful about not taking in any water. When you go to the toilet you can flush the paper down. So many things we take for granted. The clean air we breath, the fact that we are conscious of litter and we have a recycle program, we have a place to take out garbage and it does not just litter the landscape. We live in a very beautiful country with many social program to assist those who need them, we can go to bed at night and feel safe and secure in our homes. We cook on an electric stove ... read more

It really was an early morning; we woke at 5:15 and were on the tour bus by 6 on our way to the Volcano. We had purchased some cinnamon buns the evening before along with Orange drink for breakfast. An ungodly hour to be awake, but we watched the sun come up on route to Pacaya. Our guide spoke great English and had also hired a local guide to take us up the volcano; this is something that is now mandated since the eruption in 2010. We took 2 horses and off we set. It was an hour and ½ hike up the mountain side, with great views of the other volcanoes around as well as the villages and farming fields along the way. For the first while we followed the tracks to the cell phone ... read more

Wednesday morning and we had the last breakfast at the little restaurant up the street. I had something different today, a ham and cheese omelette which was great, different from my usual pancakes and fruit but every bit as tasty. We had everything packed up at the hotel and were ready to head out once Jose arrived with the trucks. We are not travelling in the luxury we had coming to Xela in, which was a transport van, this time we are in two double cab pickup trucks which seem kind of crowed with the two seats in front and then three passengers across the back seat. I was the lucky one who got to sit in the middle, short legs so I could straddle the hump. It was a long 3 ½ hour ride for ... read more

Well here it is Monday afternoon and I am now certain that I am going to live. I went to bed on Saturday night and that was it at 1AM I was up and very ill. I spent all of Sunday in bed not really sleeping but not feeling well enough to be awake either. I am not sure where the past 48 hours have gone but I am thankful they are now behind me. Lisa, Jim and Dana worked magic looking after me. So here I am sipping on gingerale and eating rice crackers.... life can't get much better. The rest of the group have gone out to the building sites and will build stoves again today, I hope to be able to join them tomorrow. I understand from Dana that the hot springs were ... read more

A quick breakfast and onto the vans with Clara heading to Panamaquim and the School. The views as we drove through the mountians were just amazing. The volcano Santa Maria was a highlight in the distance as the clouds surrounded it. The village and the school were waiting for us, with the yearly celebration. I found it interesting to see the children two years later and to observe the difference the nutrition program has made for them. Miguel was there in his wheel chair with his mother, both with great smiles. After much celebration and dancing we were served a lunch of egg and beans, very similar to what the children have been receiving through the chicken house program. We saw the chicken house full of chickens they all looked healthy and are laying eggs at ... read more

Feb 8 – Day 3 of stove building and it started with a bang as usual, firecrackers going off just before sun rise to celebrate anyone whose birthday it is today. Not me, but I am still woken up. I really could have done with staying in bed for that extra hour. We had breakfast at our hotel this morning and it was really easy going, a good relaxing way to begin. Janet, Liz and Matt arrived and we all boarded the transport to the village. Three vehicles on route today as we now have the full complement of volunteers. Once at the village our groups went their separate ways to each home they were to build in. Matt joined one group and Janet and George joined another. Different today, Dr. Del Grande along with his ... read more