Tactic to Antigua: 225 KMTactic to Antigua yesterday: 5 Hours, 14 minutesThats 43 km/hr. Before leaving, I changed a flat and bought a new tire at the pinchazo in San Julian. Listened to some Ron Sexsmith, Arcade Fire, and a mix CD from Salomé. I passed some trucks in the passing lane of oncoming traffic … [Read more…]
Nearly four years ago, I visited Tikal with Amber, Saison, Dean, and Mariah. Very little has changed since that time. Most noticeably, more areas are restricted to the public – not to be considered a deterrent however as none of the signs are obeyed by anyone (well, I obeyed them) (mostly). The other thing that … [Read more…]
Driving to the World Heritage Site of Tikal in the Peten of Guatemala, one must be exceedingly cautious. (though I only saw 4 of the pictured animals the entire trip)
…in a river of molten lava, let ’em go, cause man, they’re gone! I climbed Volcano Pacaya with my sister, Saison a couple weeks ago. The hike lasted 2 hours to cover 4 kms (2.5 miles). The vertical increase was 800 m (about 2600 feet), the last 400 m was very steep and over volcanic … [Read more…]
I turned 30 on the day after the Ides of March and the day before St. Patrick’s Day. The only real difference I can see is that my gotee seems to be thicker, but it could just be soup… I spent my birthday morning teaching English and Music to grades 8-10. I then abruptly packed … [Read more…]
As I prepared a turkey and did dishes and squeezed oranges this morning, I cranked iTunes and let Stan Rogers echo through my cement block house. [drawing by Anthony Hare] Those not familiar with Canadian folk legend Stan Rogers should get to know his work. From my memory, I remember that he was a son … [Read more…]
One of my life goals is to keep a daily journal for 5 years. I have attempted this goal at least 10 times. Inevitably I get 2 days behind and spend half an hour trying to recollect those 2 days. This exhausts some cortex in my head so that by the time I get at … [Read more…]
[Ervin and Estuardo carrying blankets] Friday: I was in San Lucas Tolimán delivering aid to the victims of Hurricane Stan, walking down this pictured street, speaking to Amber on the phone when behold! I had to jump to the left because I was about to step into a fountain of urine proudly spouting from a … [Read more…]
2:50 AM is our rendez-vous time outside my house. I meet up with Walter my neighbour, Oscar (a fellow teacher) and Eddie, Heber, and Johnny (students at Beerseba) in the light rain. Les picks us up in his Kia van and we hook up with Estuardo and Erwin and their big cattle truck. Eric misses … [Read more…]
What a priviledge to carry the gifts from our church here in Tactic and gifts from Canadian Donors to the refugees of the mudslides southwest of us. According to some reports there are as many as 200,000 homes destroyed or damaged. Mixed reports say that 652 people are confirmed dead with the number rising possibly … [Read more…]