Mexican Grandparents in Guate: Check

It's been a long couple days but I'm still a little shocked that this is finally getting started! 

Lesson learned: it IS possible to make a one-hour connection at the San Salvador airport, you don't need to be cautious and take the one 4 hours later. Especially since the airport is not air conditioned and there is little food. What luck the Phillies were on (and beat the Mets)! I had a great 45min flight to Guatemala  with two men that work for the Guate government, one in economics and the other for an electric company. I got the first guy's card and we all had an awesome convo en route to Guate. 

My hotel, Dos Lunas, was a great place if you just need a good place for a stopover in the City, a little overpriced but great people and they take care of you well. And wouldn't you know, the first guest I see in the lobby goes to Vanderbilt. Even better - we had class together last semester! Amazing that three students in the same class ended up in Guate for the summer. And that I ran into her - I love how small this world is. Makes me believe that we really can impact each other and reminds me that my words and actions are always important.

This morning the shuttle picked me up at 6am with Marcia and Arturo, grandparents from Chihuahua, Mexico but have moved to Guatemala. They are so wonderfully kind- they even bought my breakfast! Naturally the bus is never direct - had to get a new bus and new people, drop things off with the driver's friends somewhere in the middle... 

I went and had lunch at the same place that Melissa, Andy, Hada and I finished our trip in March with and still have no idea what it's called. Had good food and was just reading when a middle-aged guy came in and we started chatting. He's Guatemalan but lives in NH with two girls in college. Had a good convo going, then he bought my lunch and coffees, and then he wanted to have a cigarette so we went to a great but very simple restaurant off the main street and right on the lake with an incredible view and had a beer. 

After all this free food and friends I ran into Marcia & Arturo again, looked at a few stalls and we had another soda together. Arturo gave me his card and I promised that when I got back and settled in the City I would call them and they want to have us over for dinner (Mario- free food!). Successful first day in Pana - we now have Mexican grandparents in the City!

The people you meet and the life stories you learn by talking to fellow travelers are so enriching and important to understanding not just the world but also yourself and where you fit. It is one of the things I love most about travel and have tried to open myself up to new people not only when traveling but also to remember to do it when I'm home. Sometimes we get so caught up in deadlines and meetings that we forget to let the person on the Starbucks deck that needs the outlet change seats with us, or to chat with the backpacker on the Metro who just wants to connect with someone in a new place. Because one day that will be you. Right now I'm just a traveler, but soon I will be doing much more and this ability to open up to others and let them teach me while I try to help them is going to be of the utmost importance, and possibly what I'm most nervous about - how personal our project is going to be when we are sitting in these families' homes day after day.

Entonces, classes start at 8am tomorrow for the rest of the week at Jabel Tinamit. Can't wait for how much improved my Spanish will be... Off to find dinner and sleep early, tengo sueño.