Last Week in Antigua

I am having my last few days here in Guatemala and by next Friday will be back home in Byron Bay.
This last week I went back to school, to a different college this time, where the lessons were more formal and concentrated on grammar. I must say that by Friday afternoon I was a bit over conjugating verbs! But it did give me a better understanding of the language and I know it will assist me as a teacher of English- how fantastic to be on the other side of the desk!

I have also spent time with the family planning organisation called WINGS  and will bring home some of their promotional literature and saleable items. I know my daughter Amie will enjoy sharing these with her Chrysalis Girls´ Groups that she works with in our local high schools, and I hope to do some presentations to womens´ groups etc. They have programs to train local women & men to go into the villages explaining family planning options. There is also a Youth Program and a cervical cancer screening program. Guatemala is a country very much in need of assistance and I feel privileged to have been a guest in this country and so am very happy to pass this information forward and try to raise some funds for this great NGO.

I have also tried to do all the "must sees" this week and have asked everyone I know to give me their top 5 favourite things in Antigua so have been sight seeing and wandering the streets soaking up my last few days here.

Thanx for reading my blog- I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Haste Luego

 This is Paola, who sits outside my gate and always has a happy smile, a wave and a  "Buenes Dias" for me. Today I bought a couple of her items and they have the lovely smell of her wood fire from her home.

This is the public laundry where even the little ones help mama washing the clothes.

  My friends from Israel Gabby and Ada with Andrew from Poland. Behind is the view overlooking Antigua  from The Cross (below) a local landmark that we climbed up to see last Saturday afternoon - bit like a walk up to the BB lighthouse- puff puff..

 

 

 The lovely Francisca who cooks our delicious meals- consistantly nutrious and flavoursome. Here she is bar-b-queing the steaks for lunch in the fireplace.

 Meal time at Dona Olga´s. Sometimes there are 15 of us. The red drink is hibiscus juice- delicious

 A chicken bus, about 10 cents to go anywhere- great local transport and very crowded - sometimes 4 to a seat!

 My barista Leslie, who makes me an excellent Mocha every morning with a different decoration on top

 My pesonal logo!

 The view from the Sky Cafe looking toward  San Francisco cathedral. A favourite spot to watch the sunset.

 A family of local musicians who entertain on Sundays.

The juxtoposition of the old ruins and the colourful Saturday market is unforgettable in Antigua.