Back in the Capital - briefly!

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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 in the study department, and has a respiratory infection that I didn´t want- Also, they had told me they were going in the pack of a pickup (which is not unusual here) and I didn´t really want to go all that way (45 minutes each way) in the back of a truck on those winding mountain roads. Guess I´m getting old - I could have had lots of attention from the girls! (They promised to talk to me and eat my trail mix, but that´s it, so....)

But as well I had not booked my trip here, and I needed to do that, so I stayed in Xela. They family told me several times that I was a nice guy (of course I knew that!) and that they would miss me. Helen said she would cry when I left. Tears of happiness no doubt! But she had breakfast waiting for me when I cam downstairs at 6AM (most families would not do that). She also insisted on washing my clothes for me Wednesday morning so they would be clean for my trip. And at their suggestion I took a picture of the baby by herself. I also got it straightened out whose kids belong to who, as I was quite confused about that. I even got Helen´s grandma´s name (met her once).

The shuttle was late arriving this morning. Apparently the driver was having all sorts of problems trying to find people, and it ended up just me and two young people from the USA (one or both from Colorado)- We didn´t get out of Xela until after 8AM, and there was a lot of road construction going on. We had a very quick stop at Panahachel to use the bathroom before driving back to the main road and switching buses. Then I had a 2 1/2 hour stop in Antigua, time to spend money on souvenirs - its a real tourist and student town so caters to foreigners. While there, I tried three tour agencies before finding one that understood a bit of English AND would pick me up here at my hostel to take me to Copan. There was one other but it was very expensive.

So I have a different tour company picking me up here at the hostel at 5AM in the morning, and taking me to a hotel in Copan. They have booked a room for me, and also a guided tour at the Mayans ruins there. Breakfast is part of the deal, so all I have to pay extra for is the Q40 border crossing fee, and lunch/supper tomorrow. Lunch will probably be the same as today - some of the trail mix I still have left and need to use up before I get on the plane because my bags are splitting their seams and I can only check one bag on Air Mexico. I also have three large heavy (and delicious) cookies from Xelapan, and some of the supermarket cookies that Rachelle left me, so as you can see I will have a very healthy diet! I am still banned from eating fresh fruits and vegetables and milk products. I´ll be back here late Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, I´ve been exchanging emails with the Cub leader in Scotland that I met via the internet. He has arranged that the Scouts or families (I´m not too sure) will pay for a B&B for me in Fyvie (the town my great grandfather lived in) and is suggesting that I stay there for several nights as a home base, as the other towns I mentioned to him are within a 20 minute drive he says. In view of the cost, I will take them up on that for a few nights, and they are making a reservation for me. My night to meet them all is Wednesday, not Tuesday as I had thought, so I will have a bit more time to check out Aberdeen and work in the Family History Centre there.

So I have no time to revisit the artisan´s market here or to see the museum, but the Copan trip will be very interesting I´m sure. If I make it back from there, I´ll tell you all about it Saturday night!

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Comments

[Pat]

On the move
Just want to assure you that we have been reading your blog, tracking your progress, and will have your room waiting for you when you arrive in Toronto. Wll meet you at the airport. Have a safe journey. Pat and Jim

[Bonnie Presiloski]

Find a good bakery!
Hope you enjoy the cerveza and the rest of your time in Guatemala and Honduras. It sounds like your Scotland trip is coming together nicely. Great to hear that the Scouts there are so welcoming and accommodating - You must be getting excited about going there for the first time. You'll have a chance to brush up on your Scottish accent - the question is will we be able to understand you when you come back??? Be sure to find a good bakery when you get there - you need to keep up your strength you know!

[Fryor Duck]

thanks
Thanks Pat. I washed my socks and shirt in the shower last night, so I hope I don't smell too bad! Actually I do have clean ones back in Guat City, so should be OK!