About 8:30 a.m. we pulled together what we were taking with us - an English-language paperback missal that Susan was able to get for us, a Spanish-language Mass guide and a small Spanish dictionary. Together with our walking sticks (very handy when crossing uneven surfaces and all surfaces in La Antigua are uneven), floppy hats, cell phones and cash, we were traveling the lightest we've been for this trip.
A chicken bus picked us up at about 8:45 a.m. and we were in La Antigua by about 9:15 a.m. As usual, no seat went unused. Getting off on the south end of town, we walked the seven blocks east to the church, which was originally part of a large monastary, now a ruins that can be viewed for a small fee. Since we arrived about 30 minutes early, we examined the market stalls and gift shop within the church grounds. There's even a small comedar, should you want to eat following the service.
The church service was well attended. San Francisco is managed by the Franciscans, who are celebrating 800 years of service this year. Unlike our experience during our last trip, the service began with a procession down the center aisle, much like is done back home. There was a cross bearer, two candle bearers flanking him, three lectors, four other altar servers (both boys and girls) and a Franciscan priest. Unlike our experience during our 2007 trip, there was a printed order of Mass handout that included all the readings. Without a doubt, we were able to participate to a greater extent during this service than we could during our last trip. The music was loud and spirited, with accompaniment by a clavicord (I had hoped it was an organ) and a bass fiddle. Man, could that bass fiddle player jive. We even recognized two of the hymn that were sung, although we didn't have the words and couldn't sing along. Communion is a free for all. You just get us and go. There is no waiting your turn. During communion, I noticed that the family in front of us went in two shifts and realized that by doing so, they were keeping an eye on their possessions.
After Mass, we decided to have lunch at a traditional Guatemalan restaurant with a lovely courtyard that has a fountain in the center and a view of Volcan Agua - McDonald's. It took us some time to find it, since, while we knew about where it was, we went down some wrong streets. Actually, we had gone down the right street previously, but had not realized how close to Parque Central it actually was. Businesses in La Antigua must comply with a very strict sign code. Signs must be designed in accordance with the city ordinance and must be flat against the wall of the business. It was only when we were at the door of McDonald's that we were able to see their sign. As usual, their guard was on duty at the door. For lunch, we had the "Big and Tasty" combo. It was just as good as it had been the last time we were in Guatemala. After returning to Iowa in 2007, we tried it at the local McDonalds. It tasted like cardboard there. After lunch, we called family to check in and then decided to go to the mercado for a shoulder bag for Linda and some cleaning supplies.
The mercado is very much like a rabbit warren. We probably walked at least a mile while there and were lost most of the time. We did find what we were looking for or at least a reasonable substitute. As we left the mercado, we decided to stop by Pollo Camperso for a small salad. This has been a very safe way to include lettuce-based salads in our diet and for only Q10 (about $1.20). We also had a small "cono helado suave" (soft-serve ice cream cone) because we could!
Walking over to the street where we pick up our chicken bust back to the apartment, we were finally able to talk with Robyn. It seems that I had one digit of her telephone number wrong. I also had both her US calling number and the one we use in Guatemala. Somehow, I used the US number and reached someone in Guatemala who still wonders who was calling him.
The first chicken bus to arrive was one going to Dueña, which is on the road on the other side of the cemetery that is across the road from our apartment. It let us off at the intersection, which worked just fine as the road is downhill from there.
Back at the apartment, we showered and rested. I burned three CDs of educational software that I'm going to try to install tomorrow at the Melotto School. We watched a funny movie (in English with Spanish subtitles), worked on our blogs and surfed the web. While watching the movie, we had a short power failure that only lasted about 5 minutes. Later it rained for about two hours. This was the first rain we've experienced on this trip, since this is the "dry" season. We decided to put plastic bags on our shoes for our walk to the road tomorrow, unless the dirt road we live on has dried out. If we need to do that, we'll carry another plastic bag to put the muddy ones in and will drop them in a trash can in La Antigua. After having supper (the remainder of our last soup, scrambled eggs and fruit), we're finishing our blogging for the day and may watch another movie, if there are any that interest us. We'll be packing it in by 10:00 p.m. at the latest, since tomorrow has a 5:00 a.m. wake-up call (alarm clock). Life is good!
