We have arrived in Antigua, Guatemala: our base camp for the next 35 days. We arrived after dark and awoke to this new city of cobblestone streets and colorful churches, many abandoned.
Seeing my boys explore an unfamiliar place made our first day here unforgettable. Surrounded by forested volcanoes, this place has hints of our hometown, but so much is different. None of this was lost on the boys, who pointed out every contrast and comparison. They were delighted by the Tuk-Tuk taxis zooming around and troubled by stray dogs who seem to just stand and stare. We walked most of the day in the heat and humidity, trying to stay on the shady side of the street. As the wonder faded to weariness, we were lost and then found our way home for a long rest and a nice meal.
This started as a question Eliot posed a few years ago, “Where do Mangoes grow? Can we go there?” And now we are here. We have not seen a mango tree yet, but certainly piles and piles of ripe fruit, and small kids cutting them up with big knives to sell. “How does she balance that big basket on her head?” It has taken years to save and prepare, but we are here. We don’t have many plans yet, but I am sure we will soon discover much of what this place has to offer.
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