From Mayan Families, an NGO in Panajachel, Guatemala

Christmas Spirit

This is a family that we visited this week.
As you can see their home is very humble and they are in desperate need of stove to be able to cook over and have many other needs.
But what struck us most was the Christmas spirit they showed with this very sweet little Christmas tree in their home. There were no presents to put under the tree and not much food in the house but they had this little tree to be able to celebrate Christmas.
For those of us who were lucky enough to have all the comforts of a home, a refrigerator full of food, a tree laden with decorations and lots of presents underneath.......we should spare a moment to think about this family ( and so many like them ) and what it takes to still have the spirit of Christmas with so very little, at this time of year.

www.mayanfamilies.org



The kitchen. Its outside in the usual one room home.
The Christmas tree.

Repairs have to be put off when there is hardly any money for food.

This family was fortunate enough to receive a Tamale Basket for the Christmas festivities.

Lighting the stove.

Christmas in Wolcott, Part 2

Christmas Eve dinner was held at my daughter Barbara's house.

With a traditional baked ham.

Dominic decided to dress in his Power Rangers costume for the occasion.

Then the family headed to Williamson for the Christmas Eve service...our favorite.

Dominic did his best to behave.

The presents are beginning to pile up under the tree at my house where we had Christmas Day Dinner.

Followed by a trip to my Grandaughter Christine's house in Williamson to watch the children open their giftsCarlos couldn't resist trying on Dominic's Rudolph hat.

Still more gifts for under the tree.

Then the children were turned loose.

And what did I get? This adorable fan for one thing.

Christmas 2011 in Wolcott, Part 1

The house is cleaned (more or less) and the tree is up and trimmed. Well, ok, its a small fake tree which was pre-decorated. But its the point isn't it?

My poor cat is so exhausted from all this activity that she is sleeping with her head off the chair.

Truck Spills 40,000 Pounds Of Ice Cream, Freezes Indiana Traffic

WHAT A CATASTROPHE!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat Pauly's Annual Christmas Party

On Friday it was time for the annual Christmas Party at Pat Pauly's beautiful home. As usual we brought way too much food.

Beautiful decorations and wonderful gifts of course.

We took time out for a little shopping from a box of goodies I found on my trip to Guatemala this month.

And great desserts of course. The cookies spelled Happy Birthday.

And Marcia's terrific pecan tarts. Bet you can't eat just one.

The squirrels have been having a great time with the Halloween Pumpkins in Pat's yard.

From Mayan Families, An NGO in Panajachel, Guatemala

Families Receiving Tamale Baskets

Thank you all for donating for families to receive Tamale Baskets! Families are filling the streets waiting to receive theirs, and it is a beautiful, joyful sight.

However, some families are coming around that have not had confirmation of receiving their donation. These families are crowding our gate, hoping to receive word.


Donate now to give the feeling of relief and gift of a Tamale Basket for Christmas. Just $35 will feed up to 10 people. To donate go to:

www.mayanfamilies.org/DonateOnline

Trip to Guatemala Part Four- Last Days in Panajachel

Up to the lovely little Vegetarian Restaurant just up the street for some wonderful Dutch Tomato Soup full of basil and some garlic bread. Isn't the condiment dish they serve with it a beauty. Made just next door in San Antonio Palopo. Soup, garlic bread and a diet coke costs about $8.70. Plus tip of course.

Ok, ok. Here's the banana split photo. Actually there are at least four places in town for one. One is them is half a block from my hotel. And two spots for delicious cheesecake. One just a block away. Its really rough being here. A banana split is about $3.70.

On weekends there are more people in town, usually from Guatemala City so there are more vendors set up on the main street.

I have gotten very well acquainted with this women from Santiago Atitlan who is a sort of huipil broker...selling huipils for other women for a small commission. I see her in Santiago and this time here in Panajachel in the restaurant where I was eating lunch. I have bought quite a few from her but prefer to purchase them from the makers.

The view from the restaurant. It doesn't get much better than this.

Every once in awhile I find a really nice piece on my travels. This trip a woman sold me what I assume was a small baby carrier which is really heavily embroidered. There is even a little mended spot around the middle of the stripe down the center. Really quite lovely in person. A soft dark green.

Trip to Guatemala Part 3- Parade in Panajachel

After what seemed like a long wait the parade finally began. Fortunately it was in front of my hotel so I could go in and out of my room while I was waiting.

The parade was in celebration of the "Burn the Devil" Festival . Or a Feast of the Virgin. Or Both? These are supposed to be two famous Soccer Players or something like that. I have no idea who.

After parading for awhile they danced up and down the street.

I am not quite sure what these figures have to do with beating the devil but they were very popular.

There have been firecrackers going off for days and fireworks over the Lake at night.

We had seen the same parade during the day in Solola , up the mountain and in Chichicastenango , an hour or so away. The paraders must be awfully hot under those costumes and tired by now.

Trip To Guatemala Part Two, Chichicastenango Market

Thursday and Sunday are Market Day in Chichicastenango. There are always flower sellers and a flurry of activity in front of the main church on the square.

There was also a Mayan ceremony in the church. No photos allowed of course.

Restaurant inside the market. The market wasn't as crowded today. There were fewer tourists around.
On the way back to Panajachel we stopped for some photos of Lake Atitlan at the overlook.

Back in Panajachel a crowd was gathering in front of my hotel for a parade. The view across the street.
And food vendors were setting up of course.