Celebration Day afterwards

So we walked back to El Refugio after the celebration

Random black and white thing for Phil and the Marrs.  Horses and cows were tied along the roads to basketball sized rocks so they could graze in the ditches.  Sometimes the ropes didn't hold and sometimes the rocks didn't stop them.

Random Rotary water project (this is where much of the town's people got their water) in Colorado Baja  with the Gellerts.  (I'm told this was an official Rotary meeting since two members were in attendance.)

and most rappelled down a 190 foot rock wall.

Headin' to the wall.

John Vahle on the way down

The trip to Antigua

Friday morning we loaded up for a 3.5 hour trip to Antigua one of the early capitols of Guatemala.

Marvin and Javier our two fixers.  They handled all our issues, (well except the ones we brought with us). They fixed every problem and handled any special requests along the way.  The trip couldn't have happened without them (and not just because they had the wheels.)

We loaded up early and hit the road.

The streets are amazing.

Random post for Sue......On streets with areas reserved for motorcycle parking they embedded white and blue tiles in the sidewalk in the area.

The Arch of Santa Catalina

We spent the day touring, shopping and chilling.

We were there Friday before Palm Sunday.  Antigua starts its celebrations a week early.  This is one of the daily processions through the city.  School girls are carrying this float on their shoulders.

Friday Evening in Antigua

Linda, Terry, Kathy and I walked north from the town square soaking things in and shopping. We stumbled onto Iglesia de la Merced a Catholic Church.  They had started their Holy Week celebration in earnest.

It was part Riley Festival and part religious ceremony.

We made it around to the front of the church and it was beautiful.  They had a huge display inside with blaring music.  A constant stream of people moved inside, praying, lighting candles, lining up at the confession booths and just observing.  In the center of the church in front of the chancel was a piece of art created on the floor probably 20' by 35'.  It was made of sand, grains and vegetables with offerings all around it.

We reconnected with the crew at the square as scheduled and had Marvin and Javier take the rest back so they could see the spectacle.  It was truly moving.

Closing the Trip

We got back late for supper Friday because of the unscheduled return trip to the church.  We had a wonderful meal of steak (those of you who know me don't worry I gave mine with someone else) corn, rice, bread.  There were prayers, toasts, we thanked Marvin and Javier and retired to the garden so the staff could clean up.

The next morning Gary and I were reminded we were in a different place as a man herded goats past our hotel.

The hotel was being renovated but still comfortable.

So we took our group picture at the empty pool in the garden.

We made it to the airport and here's where we found out the flight would be delayed more than 4 hours.  Delta had a plane in Managua that couldn't fly because the crew worked too long to continue.  So our flight went to Managua from Atlanta to drop off a fresh crew before they came to Guatemala City.  They did make it, turned the plane quickly and got us to Atlanta before midnight.  We all hit the road many driving through the night some stopping on the way for the night.

Everyone made it home with no problems.