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Published: August 17th 2007
Catherine at the Posada de Don Rodrigo
Catherine introduced us to this lovely restaurant/hotel right down the street from her home. One of the amazing things this year (leading up to our departure from Seattle) has been the people we have heard about, talked to, or met, whose primary connection to us is Guatemala. I love that our social nature brings out of us all what Malcom Gladwell calls Connectors.
Last Spring I wrote a little blurb in our school newsletter "signing off" as board chair and mentioning that our family would be moving away for a year in Guatemala. A few days later, a school parent emailed me saying that her sister lives in Guatemala, and she wondered what town we might be living in because her sister is in this little town called...Antigua! Karen and I met for coffee the next week and she described her adventurous sister, living an amazing life as entrepreneur, travel consultant, and hotelier of one of the finest homes in all of Guatemala. It was an invigorating coffee!
Over the ensuing weeks, Karen's sister Catherine Docter and I communicated a couple times, mostly me asking her tons of questions and she patiently providing a veritable font of useful information, such as where to go for medical services or where the best chocolate is in the city. Catherine also graciously connected us with a family with a daughter Grace's age, so that when we arrived for the school fair last Saturday at Colegio Boston (see 8/11 entry), it was Catherine's friend Christine who welcomed us warmly there.
Now we're in town, so one of the first calls I made with MY CELLPHONE THAT HAS A NUMBER was Catherine. After dropping the kids off at school, we met at her home, which she and her partner John Heaton run as one of the premier destinations in all of Guatemala. Go to http://www.quintamaconda.com/ and look at the pictures of Antigua Inn!
After a little tour of the home, and a chance to meet John, it was time for a bite of breakfast. We walked a couple doors down the street to Posada de Don Rodrigo, a hotel/restaurant with the type of indoor/outdoor garden that seems to be a common architectural feature (I have much to learn about Guatemalan architecture and history!) and had a lovely breakfast conversation.
Our first move after we said good-bye to Catherine was seeking out one of her recommendations, the Deliciosa deli, which she called the "Whole Foods" of Antigua. Located just around the corner from her home, Deliciosa is small but is beautiful and calm - a nice alternative to the chaos of La Bodegona. And it features home-made chocolates! Hello!
Meeting someone as bright, interesting and helpful as Catherine is one of those luxurious moments in the often bewildering first days upon entering a new culture and language.
Thanks to Karen Woo for making the introduction!
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Roger and Pat Blair
non-member comment
Great blog!!!
We are so enjoying the blog...you're doing a great job of describing your circumstances and surroundings. So proud of you for doing this...the kids will never forget it. What a great experience! We knew a lady (sister of a good friend) who lived there for years and loved it. She's passed away now unfortunately. Have a great time and keep blogging! Love, Rog and Pat