The trip to Guatemala

We had 2 flights, one from Toronto to Washington and the other one from Washington to Guatemala City. We were planning one waking up at 3 in the morning (killer) and going to the airport in Toronto. Our flight to Guatemala City was cancelled and our other flight to Washington DC was delayed by 12 hours. So we spent the day in the airport:(  We got to Washington dc at 7 and went to bed. We had to wake up at 5 to catch our flight at 9. We got to the airport at 7 and got on our plane at 9. Plane ride was boring and 4 hours long. Then we got picked and driven to the camp. The trip was 2 1/2 hours long.

Sunday Feb. 16th

These are the front gates of the compound. “Esperanza” means hope.

We went for a drive around Jalapa.

Here are some pictures of their houses/property

(there hydro is everywhere)

February 17, 18,19th

Normal days. Doing homework in the morning, helping with rocks for foundations of houses.  (Not bricks there too heavy)  

Visiting houses, schools and people.

 that is there taxi, it’s called a tuk-tuk

Feb 19^th

I did the water walk today. It’s where you walk a mile with water on your head. The guide, Susanna ran up the mountain like a horse. It was hard but at the end she sprinkled some confetti into my hair. Apparently they put confetti in eggs and smack them on people’s heads on the day before Ash Wednesday.

In the after noon we went to the market. It was crowded and busy. They had raw meat hanging out in the open with flies on it. It made me gag.

Feb 20^th                 

Today we went to an orphanage for girls ages 1-18, and played with them. The orphanage is funded so it’s nice. There is a hairdressing place, a computer lab, sewing class and sleeping dorms. We played soccer with them and they won 4-1.

Feb 21^st

We went to a water fall today. To get there you had to walk on a trail that’s on the side of a mountain. If you fall you break a leg or neck. Luckily no one fell.

The waterfall was very pretty but the water was freezing.

Feb 22^nd

Today the first group left at 7 in the morning.

Stayed home all day doing home work L

Feb 23^rd

Today was church. We went and the church was full so we sat in the back. Did not understand a thing at all. I had to wear a dress (L) but I got these 4¢ lollipops that are amazing.

Feb 24^th

The new group came today. Went out for a tour.

Feb 25th

People burning their crops across the street to make fertilizer because they cant afford to buy fertilizer.

Feb 26th

This is the school that we are painting today

I wasn't much help but I was entertaining the kids with my camera. They loved to take pictures of everything they could find. Some of them were OK.  (I had 150 pictures and now I only have 20)