Perfect Timing, Perfect Time

March 22-April 1, 2019

Guatemalans celebrate the entire week before Easter. It's called Semana Santa (Holy Week). Because our clinic was closed for this holiday, when Andrew and Marie visited us, we only missed a half-day of work. It was perfect timing!

We first explored the ruins of Kaminal Juyu. This Mayan site, located in the heart of Guatemala City, corresponds perfectly with times and details of the "City of Nephi," talked about in the Book of Mormon.

Remains of an ancient civilization lie surrounded by today's skyscrapers.

At Kaminal Juyu, there are many trees
with flowers and other offerings placed at the base of their trunks.
Mayans consider trees to be a representation of life.

But not all trees seem friendly.
"We promise. We'll never be tree huggers again!"

Pacaya is one of Guatemala's active volcanoes. Andrew and Marie experienced it's majesty first hand.

We arranged for guides and horses for Marie and Drew.

We waited at the base of the volcano

while Drew and Marie rode to the top.

T'hey roasted marshmallows on a lava vent
and watched the volcano fling large rocks into the sky.

Later that day, we visited the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Andrew and Marie at the temple in Guatemala City

The next morning, we drove to the Pacific coast. Along the way, we saw children who's parents were trying to eek out a living by shoveling dirt into the road's potholes. These volunteers hoped that drivers would appreciate their efforts and reward the workers with a few cents. Occasionally, drivers actually did make contributions, but most cars passed by without even slowing down. Due to the frequent tropical rains, the desperate workers were able to fill the same holes over and over, day after day, always hopeful for a small payment. It wasn't great work, but it was often the only work these families could find.

Parents were grateful for the coins we gave them,
but kids were even more surprised and delighted
 by the goodies and gifts.

 In Monterrico, we stayed in a beach-front motel called, "El Faro" (The Lighthouse).

Our hotel room looked out over the ocean.

We swam in the pool,

Strolled along the beach,

Played in the surf,

and saw weird creatures.
(We are referring to the puffer fish.)

We drank pina coladas

and ate at the restaurant. "This is fish and chips???"

The following morning, we took a boat tour of the nearby river.

At sunrise,, the girls were ready to go,.

"See the iguana hiding in the branches?"

Iguanas are masters at camouflage.

Bird watching was a blast!

White cranes glided over the peaceful marshes.

What a morning!

Our next jaunt was to Lake Atitlan. On the drive to the lake, we couldn't resist eating at the pupuseria.

Delicioso!

We also stopped at the Mayan ruins of Iximxe.

These ruins are from the Late Classic Period.

Fortunately, Drew survived the sacrificial alter.

We enjoyed a late lunch
along the highway at a fancy restaurant named
"Rincon Suizo" (Swiss Corner).

For a day on the lake, the next morning we met Lui Mucun, our guide

Lui was always considerate and knowledgeable of the local culture.

 At our first stop, San Juan, Marie relaxed on the pier.

We toured by Tuk Tuk.

We learned about the health benefits of honey.

and learned how chocolate is processed.

The cathedral at San Juan was decorated for Holy Week.

Rickety hand-made fishing craft lined the shore near the town of San Antonio.

In San Antonio, the locals specialize in making pottery.
A worker showed Marie the molds.

Of course, Andrew was interested in the intricate painting, 
all done by hand.

No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a visit to the home of Juan and Juana.

Juana was preparing dinner for her family over an indoor wood fire.
She generously shared her homemade tortillas with us.

Typical Mayans, Juan and Juana are not very large.

But they have big hearts.

Juan and Juana's granddaughter
styled Mom's and Marie's hair in Mayan fashion.

We said good-bye to our friends at Lake Atitlan and returned to our apartment in the city to get a quick night's rest before heading to Antigua for Semana Santa festivities.

On Good Friday, we joined the other senior missionaries in our district aboard a bus which took us to the crowded streets of Antigua.

Along with our friends and thousands of other onlookers, we waited for the processions of faithful Catholics who would march up and down the cobblestone streets in a reenactment of the last few days Jesus Christ's life.

Townspeople had spent countless hours, the day and night before,
creating brilliantly colored street carpets called alfombras.

These carpets were made from items found in nature
such as flower petals, sand and leaves.

Our friend, Bob, along with Andrew, Marie and Jay
took a close look at the intricate workmanship.

A local bakery
made cathedrals, fountains and crosses out of bread dough
as part of one alfombra.

Within minutes of the completion of the carpets,
they were trodden underfoot by processions..

Costumed marchers seemed oblivious
to the works of art beneath their feet.,

Some of the heavy floats
were carried by young women.

Step by deliberate step, the alfombras were destroyed.

At last, only colorful dust remained,
to be swept up or blown away by the afternoon breezes;

and for us, wonderful memories remain of a perfect time
with Marie and Andrew.