For those of you who do not know, what looks like "Hughie Hughie" is really pronounced "way way." While it is only about 265 kilometers from Guatemala City, it takes 5-1/2 hours to drive. We start at about 5,500 feet elevation and climb around and around and around mountain roads to 10,000+ feet then back to about 6,500 feet. The highest point is called "Alaska" and it is the highest point on the entire Pan American Highway which stretches from the US state of Alaska to the tip of South America. It's a little confusing to newbies when we reach a certain part of the journey and they are told, "Hey look!! We are in Alaska."
Last Tuesday, as planned, I made my fifth trip in thirteen days up the Pan Am Highway. Edwin and Rob, the leader of the Kalamazoo group, picked me up in Antigua and we headed for Huehue. Rob, his wife, Sharon, and their two children stayed a few days longer than their group. Rob accompanied his team to Guatemala City to see them off and then returned to Huehue.
Our trip was very pleasant. Even the delay for road work gave us a chance to stretch our legs some. We stopped at a little comedor (restaurant) and enjoyed some local cuisine then continued our journey. It was good to be back "home" in my "own" room.
There's always work to be done at the house in Huehue especially between teams. The laundry takes center stage but the cooking and cleaning also continue. Beds must be stripped and all the linens including towels and such must be washed, folded and put back into place for the next group. After the chores are done there's time for play. Tuesday night we piled into the back of the pick up truck and drove up above the city to see the lights. Every year it seems that the city lights take up more space. Huehue is growing.
On Wednesday, Edwin took us to the fish farm. Like every trip in Guatemala, the countryside is beautiful and a truck full of gringos attracts a lot of attention. Some just stare, some giggle and wave, and usually we hear at least one call out, "gringos!" The fish farm is also a day trip destination with a pool and horseback rides and a little zoo. Last year it seemed to have only birds and an iguana. This year there was a puma who did not look happy and a coyote who was even less amused. The parrots stole the show. They whistled at all of of us -- even the guys -- and very plainly said, "Hola." We were only there for fish and a quick look at the animals but it was an interesting cultural experience.
Thursday was our day for some fun. Rob, Sharon, and the kids were leaving Friday so this was our last day to enjoy a treat. After the breakfast dishes were done, we loaded up the van and truck and drove. We drove and drove and drove. Our destination was Nebaj way up the Cuchumatanes. Lindsey, Rachel, Karen and I had been to Nebaj once before. It's one of those communities that anthropologists used to study for it indigenous peoples.
About eleven years ago, Edwin decided he wanted to take some of us to Nebaj. One of his brothers had done ministry there and it seemed like a good time for us to check it out. We drove about four hours over mostly dirt roads. When we arrived, the Parque Central was fenced off for renovation. There really wasn't much to see so we got a snack and went home. When I posted to Facebook that we were taking a day trip to Nebaj, Lindsey quipped, "were you that desperate for a Pepsi?" Karen's commented, "was that the place we went for a coke?" So much for their memories of Nebaj. I wish they could have been with us Thursday.
Like eleven years ago, we drove several hours but the roads are much better and the country side is breathtaking. The real surprise still awaited us. We parked the van in the city and continued driving. This time we were on dirt roads. We finally arrived at a dairy farm named Hacienda Mil Amores -- Thousand Loves. The family who owns it operates a sort of bed and breakfast. We sat down in a beautiful dining room at an enormous table and were fed an amazing meal. We started with soup which was probably a cream of some kind of squash. It was wonderful. Next came the main course: thin melt in your mouth grilled to perfection steak, rice, and a cucumber and tomato salad. At the same time we got tortillas with fresh cheese melted between them. Dessert was a pudding of some kind. We think it was rice but whatever it was, it was delicious. The meal, the home, the countryside, and the company blended to create a little slice of heaven on earth. For me, Nebaj is no longer a long way to get a coke. I hope someday I can share it with my children.
Friday brought the changes. The Bradford family left very early and the Canadians finally arrived. That's the subject of my next blog. For now it's way past time for bed. The house is quiet. I'm the only one up. We are getting up early in the morning to pack the truck and head to Agua Dulce for three days. The laundry is almost done and it's my time to sleep!
Blessings!
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