Stree

Market day

Cooking class

Free day today.  Groups did hiking to the volcano, horse back riding,  butterfly garden/rain forest, trying new restaurants and shopping.  9 of us signed up for the cooking class.  First we went to the market.  Chicken feet, vegetables, fresh tortillas,  etc.  Then to Anita's house where the second story has a veranda / open air kitchen.  Fun time preparing a mayan meal over looking the lake.
Bonfire at hotel lake front and then 5:30 AM  homeward bound.

Tradional dress

We see this town jumping ahead centuries in just a few years.  The men have already abandoned their traditional dress for jeans and t shirts.  Most women still wear mayan dress but the intricate blouse designs are becoming plain white with red and green trim.  Younger girls are beginning to be seen in skinny jeans. I am glad the coop is preserving traditional weaving methods

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More flowers

Flowers verywhere

Clinc closed

Hard to believe the clinic closed at noon today.  After lunch everyone headed out in different directions to explore or shop.  I visited the weaving coop where from growing the cotton to natural plant dying and traditional weaving older women are passing on the tradition to younger women. Tomorrow a cooking class.

Wifi

Living in the land of WiFi or no WiFi.   Connected,  not connected.
Another busy day in the clinic. Hope to be able to send photos. The son of one of the doctors was the cross bearer tonight at mass.  Lots of incense, candles and music.

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Streets

Life happens in the street.
. Walmart, Food Lion, chicos,etc.  All are on the ethe cobble stones.  Houses are small so visiting, eating, socializing included. And dogs, lots of dogs just hangin out.

A day in the clinic

Coffee is available at 5 am. Fresh and hot bit not the capuccino I had been spoiled with in Australia.  By 6:45 we are off to the

clinic in a tuk tuk taxi.  Streets are steep, narrow and busy.  A car and our tuk tuk won't  both fit.  All meals are shared in the convent garden before seeing patients.

Moonrise

Although there usually is no mass on monday, father Benjamin put together a full mass for us in english, spanish and tzuitagil, a chorus,  4 altar biys, incense, candles and a warm  welcome.  Daily mass is at 6pm followed by dinner.  We bought a bottle of wine on the way home and six of us sat in the garden overlooking the dark lake and lights on mountains far side.  We began to notice a glowing light on the far ridge.   As it got brighter we tried to guess what was causing it.  Slowly the giant yellow moon began to emerge.  It was like a sunrise with the moon.  Slowly its full splendor was revealed mirrored in the lake.  What an experience!

Lake Atitlan

Morning on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.  A long day traveling, arriving in the dark to the full moon over the lake.  Coffee on the vetanda overlooking the lake.  Next...catching a tuc tuc

Flowers

Here are just a few photos of amazing flowers everywhere.

Aborigines

Although there are probably not any aborigines in Geelong anymore, names of places and plaques recognize them.  The landmark low mountains always in view are called the Youyangs. At the chocolate factory this sign acknowledges them.

Candover Street

The Parkinsons live on Candover Street.  In fact, Chris grew up on this street.  I would call this the historic district although the houses are cottages and not mansions.  Their house was built in 1885. Houses from this period had fences at the sidewalk, small front yards with flowers, a small front porch, center hall with 2 rooms on each side, each with a fireplace, high ceilings, lovely ceiling molding, and a small kitchen and lounge at rear.
Porches with intricate metal lace like trim are called Victorian, more geometric patterned trim, Edwardian and later version

s into the 1930s with more art nouveaux features.  Factory workers could have lived here since there were many clothing, shoe, rug and even a Ford plant nearby.  The harbor and train station are near.
There is a lot of interest in maintaining  / restoring these houses.  Chris and Rachel have added a large country kitchen and den plus updated/ added bathrooms.  Work is still underway on the porch paint, stain glass windows and metal trim.
Sadly,  some are torn down, let run down or add ill suited 2 story additions behind. Here are just a few.

Kangaroos, golf and chocolate

 Kangaroos are everywhere here...on labels, in logos, even browsing casually on golf courses and life size at the chocolate factory.  The chocolateria is a chocolate factory, gelateria and pastry shop. Chocolate from around the world is blended, shaped and seasoned in an amaz

ing variety.  It was hard to pick a few flavors to bring home.
Rachel's mom and sister joined us for cappuccino while the kids enjoyed gelato.
Then off to check out a nearby golf course for kangaroos.  Yes, there they were, some reclining others grazing while golfers played the links. Quite a sight!