Today was a social day from beginning to end. Kier ended up sleeping over at her friend’s house, so I went and picked her up first thing in the morning. She’s totally set with friends here. I mentioned this before, but the group of friends she has here is amazing. The kids have a lot of fun when they are with each other, but are careful and look out for each other. They all come from such different backgrounds and at this age many of them have already done a fair bit of travelling, have lived in different places. One of the girls’ mom died of cancer a year ago and she is basically raising her little sister. This girl’s friend-time is important to her, and her friends are still helping her with the grieving process. It’s a tribute to the tight little community these kids have, and how they take care of each other. I’m thrilled Kier has this group. In the last year or so she has developed a close knit group of kids from church back home. They see each other at least 2 but sometimes 3 times a week. I knew she would miss that, so it’s nice that she has something similar here.
Cali had her friend over for the day, and Madi played with them. There were no disagreements, smooth sailing. They take over the upstairs.
After I picked up Kier from her friend’s house, we walked up to the market. She was amazed how big it is on the inside. The last time we lived here it was located in a field and when it rained the muddy water would rush between the make-shift stalls. It was not ideal shopping in the rainy season. Now most of the marked is covered and it’s oh so civilized.
Church was early this week, because they had to set up for the Superbowl party, which was directly following. The church meets in a bar. I can hear some of your loud thinking from here. The people who run this church have groups down from the States on a regular basis. The group down this week are a dozen men who are building two small houses in the mountains. Apparently they will get them done in a week. Just like the extreme home make-over show, Guatemala style. There were three families living in a corn stalk and mud hut. Many of the people who live up in the mountains are extremely poor. The volunteers who come down raise funds for the house, then come down and build it. Making a tangible difference in the lives of the 10 or so people who were living in this hut.
The Superbowl party was fun, even if the whole place was unevenly stacked for the Saints. Course that meant there were more happy people when the game was over. The place was full, mostly of Americans, which makes sense. Before the game we were walking by a soccer field full of young men playing pick-up, and Madi said, “Why aren’t these guys watching the superBowl?” Yes, we are an ethnocentric people. Since we have a Superbowl party every year, we assume the rest of the world is doing the same. At the party Kier hung out with three guys she knows. Like each adult who ends up living here, each of these boys have a unique story as to how their families ended up living here. Living in a different culture can add a certain element of depth, especially to a teen’s personality. I sat next to my neighbor, who I only see at events like these.
It’s 3am here. I’m having a bit of trouble sleeping, obviously, and I can’t even blame roof noises. The night is calm and silent. Perhaps that’s why I can’t sleep.
Somehow I forgot to go to the Art show on Saturday night. Don’t know how that slipped my mind. I suppose there was enough going on already. I’ll stop by the Galeria this week to see if the paintings are still here.
Even though we have fewer extracurriculars for the kids, life is full enough. Each day I’m enjoying myself.