Sitting in the same hostel where I started out my trip, in Antigua.
It was a pretty uneventful ride from Pana but it always surprises me how
sick I get in the back of the buses riding through the mountain roads. Last
night we had our farewell dinner as a family and I really enjoyed having
everyone at the table one last time. We opened up the Christmas gifts that my
parents and the Sunday school class had provided the money for. The previous
day I went into Pana and raided the 3 Q store for presents, mainly for the
three boys and Lidia (Alicia's younger sister age 7). Yes, the 3 Q store.
Everything in there was less than fifty cents U.S. Everything. I also
found another story that had more of the expensive things and in all with
around 100 dollars I was able to buy gifts for 8 people.
After we had
finished supper, I went and got the gifts. I had told the kids about the
"regallos" during dinner, so they ate super fast in order to hasten
the gift giving. I started with Hardeth the youngest, and worked my way around
the kids. Probably the happiest was Lidia. I don't think she was expecting any
gifts, and we were able to buy her 5 or 6 things, one of which included a play
cook set. She was always playing "casa" so I figured she needed some
proper kitchen attire. We were also able to get gifts for Carlos, Alicia and
Maria (Abuella/ Grandma). I wasn't sure what exactly they would like but
Alicia's brother Mario said they each would like a pair of Church shoes. We
spent about 60 dollars total on the shoes, which isn't much by U.S. standards
but for Guatemala that is the upper echelon of pricing. After they each opened
their gifts I could tell they really enjoyed them. At first I thought shoes
were a weird gift to give someone who you don't know really well but after
thinking a little more they seemed like great gifts. The shoes were something
that the parents weren't going to spend money on but they really did need/want
them. By the look on their faces, it seemed they appreciated the gifts. I
gave Mario my small Osprey bag that I brought from the states. He had said he
wanted me to send him one when I got back home but I don't think you can buy
anything like it any more. He really appreciated it and he had it going
to work when I saw him this morning. I wasn't sure what to get Vanessa, I've
never shopped for a 14 year old girl. I found a nice wallet/ ID carrier in one
of the stores. I put in 200 Q in the main pocket and wrapped it. When she
opened it she didn't look inside immediately so I told her to check it. When
she did, she looked up at me and thanked me without pulling out the money or
showing anyone.....
All the gifts were
given out after about 30 minutes and while the adults attended the church
service in the living room all the kids, including the ones who came for
church, were confined to the kitchen playing with the cars, balls, action
figures, helicopters, watches, fake tattoos and coloring books. I would
like to make it clear that I spoke with Carlos earlier that week about wanting
to buy gifts for the kids. He said that was fine other him and he appreciated
it. I also asked him if he would rather give the presents to the children on
Christmas and not let them know they were from other people. He insisted we
give them while I was there and he wanted his family to know that people are
kind and generous to them and so they should make sure to be kind and share
with the people who have even less than they do. The children stayed up way
past there normal bedtime playing with all the jugetas and it made me happy to
see how much fun they were having.
I woke up early this
morning to clean my room and say my goodbyes. I went to the clinic to thank all
of the workers and Dr. Craig and I promised of a return someday with the
letters M.D. behind my name. I sat and had a last little meal with Alicia and
the kids before I went to catch the boat to Pana. I was a little disappointed
that Abuella and Lidia weren't there to say good bye as they had given me a few
little gifts and I wanted to thank them again for everything (including the
great cooking). I waited for a few minutes on a tuk tuk because I didn't want
to carry all of my stuff down to the dock, but after a while I decided I better
walk. Juan followed me for the first fifty yards calling my name every few
seconds and waving when I looked back. He will probably look a lot different
next time I see him.
I made it to the
dock without too much of a struggle carrying all of my things. I stopped in the
hostel and chatted with the workers and friends I had made there, realizing
that send offs and goodbyes must not be a rare occasion at a place where people
are always coming and going. Just as I was about to leave to head for the dock
I see an older woman with a blue head dressing looking into the hostel. It was
Abuella! Her and Lidia had come down looking for me to tell me goodbye. I
walked outside to meet her and she gave me a big hug. She wasn't letting go and
in looked down to see her wiping her face from tears. It was a moment I'm not
going to forget. I couldn't help but stand there and bear hug Abuella, thank her
for everything, and wish her a Merry Christmas. Lidia followed it up and it
made me happy to see her before I left and to say a proper goodbye.
