a day in Santiago Atitlan
After that red-eye flight and corresponding lack of sleep, we had a nice night of sleep and were ready for our adventure in Santiago Atitlan, a larger town on the opposite side of the lake from our home base in Panajachel.
John and Trent were kind enough to make our breakfast this morning, and then we headed to the lakefront. Our private boat, with captain and Jose Miguel, met us and took us across the lake. When we got off the boat, Sarah unfortunately lost her footing and got bruises on her arm and leg. Fortunately, Jose Miguel and his wife, Maritza, doctored her, brought her a big chalice of water and started our day of festivity.
At my suggestion, Jose Miguel arranged for a 4-piece marimba group from Chuk Muk. Members of their community were invited to meet us, to enjoy the activities provided, and to hear the marimba. When the marimba group began to play, Sarah’s mood instantly changed! Much to my delight, Sarah shares my love of marimba music. The group played many of the songs that are in playlist or on the CD that I listen to in the car all the time. What a joy!
After they had played for a while, Jose Miguel showed us some of his many talents. Maritza shared a delicious appetizer and some sweet green tea. After some time, we even got our opportunity to learn some traditional songs from Santiago Atitlan and were able to play with the band! I really appreciated this opportunity… it was something that I personally requested so that Sarah and I could appreciate our beloved marimba music in a whole new way. What a treat! Trent went first. He laughed at himself, thinking that he was messing up, but he actually did great. John went second, and he was very impressive! (Trent and John are both great drummer/percussionists, but neither have much practice with pitched music.) Sarah went third, and I went last. I LOVED it! So fun!
After the marimba performance and lesson, we traveled to the town center and saw the oldest church in Central America, erected in 1547. We heard a band practicing for an upcoming procession, saw a central fountain showing a concrete mini scale replica of the lake and all the surrounding volcanos, and the statue of the 25 centavo coin — it is an indigenous woman from Santiago Atitlan that is featured on the 25 centavo coin.
We walked through the tourist market area, down to the lake, and then met a tuk tuk driver to go back to Jose Miguel’s home for lunch. While we were waiting for the meal to be served, Sarah played bubbles with Jose Miguel’s children. I was so glad I packed the bubbles… what a universal toy. It was great to see kids playing together and having a great time, despite not being able to understand the three languages spoken between them.
Jose Miguel brought out a plate of chiles, mostly green, but a couple that were yellow or orange and one that was bright red. Jose Miguel placed the plate in the center of the table and encouraged all of us to try one. Scott asked if they were hot, and the answer was, “Oh, not really.” So, Scott challenged John to one… John bit into it and didn’t even grimace. Scott was emboldened, knowing that John really didn’t care much for spicy hot foods.
Scott put the one red one in his mouth and bit off just a corner of it. His reaction was instant and I’d swear that fire was coming out his nostrils. He is ordinarily the one to tolerate the spiciest of things the best in our family, but this one certainly threw him for a loop!
For lunch, Maritza had prepared a delicious chicken soup. She told us a list of ingredients and said that, in total, it takes about five hours to make. What a treat! She is a great cook and has plans to market a cookbook featuring popular dishes from around Lake Atitlan.
After lunch, it was time to head back across the lake to Panajachel. We rested for a while at our rental house and then went to Jose Pinguinos for dinner. That is a great place for entertainment, education, and crowd participation. In addition to singing, the crowd got to compete in a tortilla making contest. Like the first time we visited, Scott won the competition! He was given the prize of a bottle opener with a resin handle featuring a quetzal bird. I’ll have to admit… his was the roundest. What I found most amazing is that Miguel (the owner of the restaurant) knew that five of us had already been there and pointed out Jill as the one that had never visited. It has been a year and a half since the last time I was there, and I had only visited once! What an incredible memory!
We are going to sleep well again tonight! After a full day of fun and activity, and a little too much sun, we’ll have to rejuvenate ourselves to prepare for our first real day of service. Tomorrow, we distribute glasses, hearing aids, and toothbrushes and paste.
Stay tuned!
The “right” opportunity arose when I learned about a travel opportunity for adoptive families which would include volunteer work and cultural sightseeing. Being members of that team had a profound impact on me, Lillian and Andrew. Not only were we able to make a real connection to our son’s birthplace, but we met incredibly warm and generous people, all of whom we now consider to be a part of our “family.” In addition to the volunteer work I shared with the Team, I also was able to “give back” by performing as my alter ego, “Farfel the Clown” at a barbecue for children of The Backyard School. It will remain one the proudest and happiest memories of my life.
What fun- to get to play the marimba!