Saturday, January 27, 2007

SHOPPING


This is Karen's favorite thing to do...NOT! Guatemala is very colorful.
email address ~
judy.stewart@scbbs-bo.com

Tuesday, January 16, 2007



Karen is on the Radio

So, Karen calls us this evening to let us know that she is on the radio up in Chicago, so I immediately tune into WMBI. Then I IM her and say we are listening to Roger Basick. Then she says "NO Mom! I'm on Moody Campus Radio". I tried to get the MCR on my computer but it wasn't working. So, Gary was able to connect to MCR. And Dad downstairs. So, they start interviewing Karen. She is a natural. She has lots of wit and great remarks. During some of the songs, Gary was IMing Karen and carrying on a conversation. Amazing.

Monday, January 15, 2007




Mike is the owner of the Cross Roads Cafe in Panajachel. We've been able to buy some speciality coffee from him, where the coffee has grown in the lake region and other coffee is havested up in Huehuetenango.

Coffee Anyone ?
This bottle represents the different stages the coffee goes through once the coffee beans are harvested, shelled, picked through, roasted, and then finally grounded. Interesting!

Judy
email
judy.stewart@scbbs-bo.com

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

BREAKFAST at CASA DEL MUNDO
We decided to take a boat over to the hotel Casa del Mundo. This is the only way to get to the hotel. What a beautiful view. The hotel is literally built on the side of the cliff.



The view was breathtaking. We had to watch our step. The flowers and vegetation was just gorgeous. The resort had several hammocks hung up along the hillside. Each of the rooms were decorated in typical Guatemalan bright colors and strong wooden furniture.

Saturday, January 06, 2007


NOT HARD ROCK CAFE
but PANA ROCK

(short for Panajachel, Guatemala)

Walking down Santander Ave, you can see all kinds of restaurants to eat at. I thought it was very interesting that we came across something very simular to HardRock Cafes that are world wide.

We did stop at a restaurant and had "Guacamole dip" and chips. I had pepper steak and the kids had pizza. Not like your deep dish pizza, however it reminded them of the pizza in Samaipata, Bolivia at Chancho Rango Restaurant.


email
judy.stewart@scbbs-bo.com

Friday, January 05, 2007

THE MUG SHOT



Gary decided to let his beard grow out during Christmas vacation. He enjoyed not having to shave. Here's a shot just before he shaved.

Gary remembers how Uncle Steve use to let his beard grow during Christmas break and then on New Years Eve, he would let his neice and nephews shave him. Gary definately does not have as much hair as Uncle Steve did.

Thursday, January 04, 2007


Fireworks Show at our Front door

Just before midnight on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, the city exploded in spectacular display of fireworks. I would venture to say most everyone was outside lighting the matches for the firecrackers and bombs. It actually felt like you were in the middle of a war zone. At the stroke of 12 midnight, the skies carried brilliant colors of fireworks.

Judy
judy.stewart@scbbs-bo.com

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Scenes in Panajachel

In the small village of Panajachel, situated on the banks of the famous Lake Atitlan, there are several modes of transportation. Our most favorite one is taking a 10q (equavalent to just over 1.00 US dollar) ride on the Tuk Tuk. These remind me so much of Thailand. But it is a cheap and fast way to get around town. Or you can walk.

We see ladies walking through the street with their "goods" on top of their head. And sometimes, they have a child strapped to their back. How do they do that? These ladies as they walk, yell out in English, "madame, I give you a good price! Buy from me". They're selling their colorful blankets and goods to the many tourists that walk up and down Santander Blvd.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

What is Gary thinking about?


Scene of Panajachel

One afternoon, we took a nice walk up through the small village of Panjachel. We stopped in at the CrossRoads Cafe, then continued up the street to the Catholic Church. In the court yard was a decorated Christmas Tree. We sat there for a while and soak in the sun and watch traffic and people walk by us. I remember the time we were in Cuzco, Peru and we played a game as a family where each family member would describe the person that was walking by us (example, "oh, the man with the brief case is late for his 3pm appointment with his lawyer where he'll file for personal bankruptcy" or "see the little girl, she is lost and looking for her mother".