It's $US55, but worth every penny! I came here to Sleep Inn in Irving, TX last night around 12:30AM local time. They sent a shuttle to the airport for me and one other couple. I found this place through a brochure at the airport listing a toll free number for "Choice Inns". Getting here was a bit more complicated that it should have been because I had no coins for the pay phone, and I had to call this location directly to arrange pickup. It's the first time I've used VISA to make a local call, but my Sasktel calling card number would not work here. Anyway, I had a room with a king size bed, great shower, and many other trimmings. This morning the continental breakfast allowed me to make myself a hot waffle, had ... read more

After so much confusion yesterday, today went ever so smoothly. I ended up buying a few small souvenirs from a boy of about 12 years who sells items he makes himself on the street. I originally bought two similar articles. I had left and was a block away when he came running after me and gave me a third item free. So I went back to my hostel a block away and got a small flag and head bandana for him, and also got him to write his name in my book. Then I bought a few more small items to give away (they were very cheap) and left him with a big smile on his face. The first item I bought was a package of what he was selling and a photo of him! Lunch ... read more

The day before yesterday I discovered in the late afternoon that Adrelina had no shuttle to here in the afternoon, only in the morning. But I had decided to go to Petan in Honduras Friday - Saturday, and they would not let me drop off my bags here on the way, so I booked passage with them to here leaving at 7AM this morning. That meant yesterday was my last day of classes. I presented my teacher with one of my Canada "Cat In the Hat´s" and said farewell to everyone. I had planned to go to the hot springs again with the other students, and I could have, but they were leaving a bit early, and not all of them were going, but the one guy that was going is quite young, not very dedicated ... read more

This morning our school took a three hour trip to a neighbouring town. We walked through the very busy local market, complete with chickens of all sizes (and some chicks painted different colours) as well as the usual incredible variety of fruits, vegatables, grains, seeds, and other household requirements. Across a small river we watched some men making yarn from several colours of thread. After walking back through a different part of the amrket (this one is well-known for textiles I think) we went to the third floor of a house where an elderly man was weaving cloth. One of the students tried her hand at it! Then we were given samples of a somewhat fermented fruit they are known for, and also a similar beveridge (one glass for all of us mind you!). And then ... read more

I experienced personally this past weekend, not death and resurrection, but severe illness and now considerable recovery. Did I tell you that my very first night in Guatemala I brushed my teeth with tap water? I have such a great memory! For a week I felt kind of off, and the mountain roads didn´t really agree with me. I started having digestive problems on Friday of last week in the afternoon, though I spent from 10:30 in the morning until about 2:30 at a ¨retreat¨at the Anglican church (three services with breaks in between). After that, I retreated to the house briefly and then headed on to to Parque Central for the big parade that was happening, the last of several. It is a religious procession with a hand pushed ¨float¨ for each of the 12 ... read more