Breakfast was fresh fruit with pancakes
In the morning, after my Spanish class, I had to ask Jean at Maximo Nivel about where to buy Japanese ingredients in the area, and she said there’s a Japanese restaurant named Origami in the market where the people there are Japanese, and they get their ingredients from another shop in the market. She had offered to call them (they didn't open until noon) and to ask where they buy their ingredients from because she couldn’t remember what they told her.
I’d say so far the shower comes in a close second (next to me not knowing enough Spanish) for what bothers me here. We’re so spoiled being used to a hot warm shower every morning. It also doesn’t help that the shower I have here is in a “hut” outside my room. The mornings have been somewhat cool, and taking a shower in mostly luke-warm water has been a bit rough.
Lunch. Yummy. Of course. (Although I prob could have skippped the fried chicken)
On the bus to San Antonio for my volunteer project, the bus took a detour at the gas station to add some gas. Same thing on the way back to Antigua later that day. Odd.
There are places out in open areas where women (yes, supposedly it’s a “woman’s job” here… *sigh*) wash clothes in these “tubs”:
Some pictures from the area around the childcare project:
Thursdays is Futbol day and we played soccer at a local field (had to pay 75 Quetzals – about US$10) from 2:30 – 4pm.
Lesvi split up the younger kids against each other (plus Noga and Dorothy), and the older (boys) with Lesvi, Dorothy, myself, and a few of the older girls. Tino later joined us. The older boys were really good. When Joe, Lesvi’s son, was on the ground, I sat on him (a common thing I do with my kids) – and one time Lesvi (a large lady) sat on me. It was a lot of fun but I wished I had worn shorts since it was the warmest day so far. Pretty much everyone else – the kids and Lesvi – all wore shorts, knowing it was “Futbol” day.
Today, they made me try a “Carabaza” (the next day, my Spanish teacher Sandra told me it was probably a type of Carabaza called “Ayote”) – it tasted like an insanely sweet potato – although it seems like the darker parts are not as sweet, my bowl had mostly the lighter-green parts which were way too sweet for me (but I ate it all, of course). Sandra told me they usually add sugar to it - so maybe that's why? Or maybe my Spanish is still so bad I misunderstood her...
Before leaving the childcare, I bought 4 of the calendars from Lesvi that the childcare sells for fundraising for 100 Quetzales each – about US$13 each. I also got a chance to look at some of the (beautiful) jewelry they have for sale – but since it was so extensive, Lesvi said I can spend some more time next week to look at them. I’ll probably buy a few for my girls – I did promise them I’ll bring something back
After getting back to Antigua, I went shopping for “Japanese ingredients” at the supermarket. We decided to skip swinging by the Maximo Office because it was already 6pm, our dinner time was at 7pm, and Noga was already starving.
As we went though the supermarket – we had decided to just look for some noodles and soy sauce. We initially found dry Asian noodles (similar to ramen) without soup base or soy sauce, but after about 15 minutes, we were only able to find the dry ramen packages with the soup base. I couldn’t find any Chinese cabbage (Napa) or Bokchoi to cut up into the noodles. Probably after some frustration and/or hunger, Noga offered to switch tomorrow’s meal into Isreali food – after an idea of using couscous and some vegetables in a discussion with Dorothy during our walk towards the supermarket. We quickly found the couscous and got some vegetables – so that would give me enough time to go see Jean and find out where the Japanese ingredients can be bought – if any – for next Friday. Worst case, I’ll have to settle with the (not-so-genuine or healthy) dry ramen noodle packages.
Yesterday evening, I did learn that Sara (from Melbourne) had already been to Mexico and Costa Rica, and she’s staying in Guatemala until January 9th. I’m so jealous of all of these people being able to travel and experience the different cultures around the world. I can definitely see myself living here or in a similar place (obviously need to improve my Spanish) – the simplicity of things, the affordability, but mainly knowing I’d have the ability to give back and help in many ways, makes it a great place to retire. Yep, give me another 15 years – but I am definitely interested in coming back here – or other similar places. Did I mention I need to improve my Spanish (a lot) before I do it again?
Dinner time: it seems as the days go on, our conversation starts to go downhill. Or maybe uphill. Or “interesting.” Depends on who you ask. And, of course, it was another yummy dinner:
What did we learn today at dinner time? That the words for spoon (cuchara) and bread (pan) also have a different (perverted) meaning here. I’ll leave it at that. Not sure why.
At one point, we were talking about what time I went to bed (usually between 11:30-midnight) and I explained it was because I’d spend about 1.5 hours writing my blog. My honestly and bluntness eventually broke down as usual - I kinda got “forced” into telling Sara, Chelsea, and Sue the name of this blog. So. Hello. I don’t think I said anything bad about them - yet – maybe a bit TMI somewhere… 
Somewhere along the discussions, Chelsea made a random comment about me buying them ice cream. I said I would because I “am senior” (even if Sue is in her 50s) but only if I can take a picture of them. Sooooo… we went out for ice cream! I broke down and bought one myself. Peer pressure!
(Left-to-right: Chelsea, Sue, Sara)
Then the 4 of us walked out to the Central Park and sat on the bench (while I froze) and talked about random fun stuff before walking back to the house to pass out. At least I did. Although when I took off my shoes, I had a bunch of those black rubber pieces from the soccer field pour out of my shoes and socks – I had to sweep them and throw them out outside.
This weekend, Chelsea, the insanely organized, easily excitable (similar to Sara), OCD girl, has a whole plan made out for most of the housemates to go and do some sightseeing/tours (Sara is traveling out alone to the beach – black sand and all - until Sat evening) – so we’ll see how it goes!
In the morning, after my Spanish class, I had to ask Jean at Maximo Nivel about where to buy Japanese ingredients in the area, and she said there’s a Japanese restaurant named Origami in the market where the people there are Japanese, and they get their ingredients from another shop in the market. She had offered to call them (they didn't open until noon) and to ask where they buy their ingredients from because she couldn’t remember what they told her.
I’d say so far the shower comes in a close second (next to me not knowing enough Spanish) for what bothers me here. We’re so spoiled being used to a hot warm shower every morning. It also doesn’t help that the shower I have here is in a “hut” outside my room. The mornings have been somewhat cool, and taking a shower in mostly luke-warm water has been a bit rough.
Lunch. Yummy. Of course. (Although I prob could have skippped the fried chicken)
On the bus to San Antonio for my volunteer project, the bus took a detour at the gas station to add some gas. Same thing on the way back to Antigua later that day. Odd.
There are places out in open areas where women (yes, supposedly it’s a “woman’s job” here… *sigh*) wash clothes in these “tubs”:
Some pictures from the area around the childcare project:
Thursdays is Futbol day and we played soccer at a local field (had to pay 75 Quetzals – about US$10) from 2:30 – 4pm.
Lesvi split up the younger kids against each other (plus Noga and Dorothy), and the older (boys) with Lesvi, Dorothy, myself, and a few of the older girls. Tino later joined us. The older boys were really good. When Joe, Lesvi’s son, was on the ground, I sat on him (a common thing I do with my kids) – and one time Lesvi (a large lady) sat on me. It was a lot of fun but I wished I had worn shorts since it was the warmest day so far. Pretty much everyone else – the kids and Lesvi – all wore shorts, knowing it was “Futbol” day.
Today, they made me try a “Carabaza” (the next day, my Spanish teacher Sandra told me it was probably a type of Carabaza called “Ayote”) – it tasted like an insanely sweet potato – although it seems like the darker parts are not as sweet, my bowl had mostly the lighter-green parts which were way too sweet for me (but I ate it all, of course). Sandra told me they usually add sugar to it - so maybe that's why? Or maybe my Spanish is still so bad I misunderstood her...
Before leaving the childcare, I bought 4 of the calendars from Lesvi that the childcare sells for fundraising for 100 Quetzales each – about US$13 each. I also got a chance to look at some of the (beautiful) jewelry they have for sale – but since it was so extensive, Lesvi said I can spend some more time next week to look at them. I’ll probably buy a few for my girls – I did promise them I’ll bring something back
After getting back to Antigua, I went shopping for “Japanese ingredients” at the supermarket. We decided to skip swinging by the Maximo Office because it was already 6pm, our dinner time was at 7pm, and Noga was already starving.
As we went though the supermarket – we had decided to just look for some noodles and soy sauce. We initially found dry Asian noodles (similar to ramen) without soup base or soy sauce, but after about 15 minutes, we were only able to find the dry ramen packages with the soup base. I couldn’t find any Chinese cabbage (Napa) or Bokchoi to cut up into the noodles. Probably after some frustration and/or hunger, Noga offered to switch tomorrow’s meal into Isreali food – after an idea of using couscous and some vegetables in a discussion with Dorothy during our walk towards the supermarket. We quickly found the couscous and got some vegetables – so that would give me enough time to go see Jean and find out where the Japanese ingredients can be bought – if any – for next Friday. Worst case, I’ll have to settle with the (not-so-genuine or healthy) dry ramen noodle packages.
Yesterday evening, I did learn that Sara (from Melbourne) had already been to Mexico and Costa Rica, and she’s staying in Guatemala until January 9th. I’m so jealous of all of these people being able to travel and experience the different cultures around the world. I can definitely see myself living here or in a similar place (obviously need to improve my Spanish) – the simplicity of things, the affordability, but mainly knowing I’d have the ability to give back and help in many ways, makes it a great place to retire. Yep, give me another 15 years – but I am definitely interested in coming back here – or other similar places. Did I mention I need to improve my Spanish (a lot) before I do it again?
Dinner time: it seems as the days go on, our conversation starts to go downhill. Or maybe uphill. Or “interesting.” Depends on who you ask.
And, of course, it was another yummy dinner:
What did we learn today at dinner time? That the words for spoon (cuchara) and bread (pan) also have a different (perverted) meaning here. I’ll leave it at that.
Not sure why. At one point, we were talking about what time I went to bed (usually between 11:30-midnight) and I explained it was because I’d spend about 1.5 hours writing my blog. My honestly and bluntness eventually broke down as usual - I kinda got “forced” into telling Sara, Chelsea, and Sue the name of this blog. So. Hello.
I don’t think I said anything bad about them - yet – maybe a bit TMI somewhere… Somewhere along the discussions, Chelsea made a random comment about me buying them ice cream. I said I would because I “am senior” (even if Sue is in her 50s) but only if I can take a picture of them. Sooooo… we went out for ice cream! I broke down and bought one myself. Peer pressure!
(Left-to-right: Chelsea, Sue, Sara)
Then the 4 of us walked out to the Central Park and sat on the bench (while I froze) and talked about random fun stuff before walking back to the house to pass out. At least I did. Although when I took off my shoes, I had a bunch of those black rubber pieces from the soccer field pour out of my shoes and socks – I had to sweep them and throw them out outside.
This weekend, Chelsea, the insanely organized, easily excitable (similar to Sara), OCD girl, has a whole plan made out for most of the housemates to go and do some sightseeing/tours (Sara is traveling out alone to the beach – black sand and all - until Sat evening) – so we’ll see how it goes!
Great to read! Thanks for posting...
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