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Published: June 11th 2009
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The Slow Boat
A leisurely trip gave me lots of time to talk. Perhaps you have heard the saying “She doesn’t have a shy bone in her body”. That would apply to me. I was born without the shyness gene.
Even as a small child, I’d talk to anyone. I remember the remorse on my Mother’s face when, at about 4 years old, I asked the grocery clerk “Mister, why don’t you have any hair?”
Mom apologized profusely to the man for my insatiable curiosity. Then she turned to me curtly and said “Let’s go, Chatty Cathy!” I had no idea what I had done to upset her.
Still today, I know no strangers. A fact that sometimes annoys my friends. Once, Trish and I went to Starbuck’s. She went to the ladie’s room. I was momentarily lonely so, I struck up a conversation with the woman next to me. Suddenly, I felt a hand over my mouth. Trish had returned and rightly wanted my attention. We all had a good laugh.
I used to love flying on an airline. I never failed to learn the life history of the person sitting next to me. In two hours, we’d solve the world’s problems. Then came personal electronic devices. I
The Hidden Cafe
This beautiful cafe was hidden down a dirt path through farms. The Mayan women is selling sweets. hate those things.
When taking the slow boat across Lake Atitlan, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman from Holland. He and his friend were traveling for two months through Mexico and Guatemala. While the motor of boat droned on, we discussed politics, religion, relationships and the weather.
He was open to hearing what I had to say, even though he kept saying “That’s the first thing you have said that I agreed with in an hour”.
He was fascinated that someone actually believed in Capitalism and voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin. When I told him that 46 million Americans voted the same way I did, he said, “I know, but I just never MET anyone like you!”
I’ll take that as a compliment!
I laughed and told him most of the people who lived in San Mateo County would say the same thing.
It turned out he produces a TV program like Entertainment Tonight. He came up with a great title for a book on my adventures in Guatemala “The Republican Hippie”. I like it.
What I really liked was how respectful he was of my opinions. I never
Jonas
Jonas loved to go places, but didn't like to go alone. He insisted I go to Atitlan with him. But that's great, because I'm in love with Atitlan. felt attacked, or condemned as I often do when talking to Americans. It was refreshing.
When wandering away from “Gringo Alley” in San Pedro de Atitlan, I struck up a conversation with Jo from Wisconsin. She is a Professor of Nursing and showed me the most fantastic coffee shop in the midsts of a dirt path along nothing.
I’m struck by the courage of women. Some of them you have already met. 19-year-old Winnie, JUST Skypped me (we’re so high tech) She has traveled through Guatemala and Honduras solo. Alone. No one else. Amazing!
Petra, from Holland, is taking a year sabbatical from work and is traveling all over Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and will end up in Beijing! And she is doing it alone. Without much spanish. Amazing, Courageous!
And I really enjoy the intelligent and funny Nicole from Montreal. I adore her because she speaks spanish all the time. And very well. It really helps me. She teaches French and Latin, which helps. She is also very funny.
At lunch and in Spanish, we were teasing Senoria Araminta, that she should have a boyfriend. 84 was not too old. She
Jo the Guide
Jo shared her secret spot with strangers. protested that it would never work because her breasts had stretched to her hips. We all laughed hysterically.
Nicole then stood up and in Spanish and lots of body language that would have been perfect mime, said that would be fine because her boyfriend’s private parts would have fallen to his knees!
Senoria laughed so hard that her dental bridge fell in her soup!
It amazes me the friends I have made in a few short weeks and how I have come to love them. I am grateful God forgot to give me a "shy" gene.
The children of Guatemala are absolutely the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Ever the enterprising talker, I will be giving a storytelling workshop for a ministry group on January 20 here in Antigua. Now I can claim to be an international speaker.
This weekend, I will be traveling to Tikal with the ever funny Nicole. We both decided that 10 hours on a Chicken Bus to get there was beyond courageous and went to stupid. We will be flying on a tiny plane. We have to leave the house at 4:00 am on Saturday.
Another grand Guatemalan
Miguel the Salesman
In perfect english, he wanted 20$ for a picture. He was delighted with the 20 Quetzals I gave him adventure.
I may never leave.
And you know when I get back, I’ll never shut up!
Adios,
Cynthia
BTW: The Spanish is going well. I can now use regular verbs in the past tense!
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