San Pedro Highlights

1. BESOS de los NIÑOS! (kisses from the kids) There was no opportunity to feel down in San Pedro because the LOVE of the children was everywhere! My host sister Sindy always had hugs and kisses to share whenever she saw me. While Kristen was posing [en Vogue) for the camera, an 8 year old bread vender by the name of Rosenda Rosalia, came over to me, sat in my lap and whispered into my ear how beautiful I was. She gave me lots of kisses while we kept KRisten entertained and in good spirits to look natural for the camera.

2. THERE WAS A BLACKOUT one night in the entire town of San Pedro. At that moment, I was walking along the cobble stone streets with my host mom, both of us in a traditional Mayan shawl, heading up the mountain to a FIESTA of Evangelical churches. Two things happened the moment the lights went out: first, the NIGHT SKY came alive at once, as the stars shone brightly and innumerably in the utter darkness. Second, my little host mom (we´re talking half the size of me), grabs my hand and we continue up the hill, walking hand in hand with her leading the way by memory. When we arrived at the church, all was still dark, but as we entered, we were met with the wonderful sounds of a live mariachi band - playing from memory in the dark!!! I was blown away! I had never expected a mariachi band at church, but why not!? The darkness made for a great ambiance and the fiesta of music and preaching was wonderfully entertaining. Groups of women, including my host mom, went up on stage to sing. I was struck by the beauty of the mayan women, especially the wrinkly old ladies up there singing their hearts out!

3. 7am MORNING SWIMS with uncle PEdro ... Every morning, my uncle pedro headed down to the lake to bathe and every day he asked me, are you going with me tomorrow?? Finally I said yes. As we headed down to the lake just past sunrise, I was surprised to see the rocky shoreline lined with mayan women washing their clothes and bathing in the water. I dove in and being in the water made a refreshing start to another wonderful day.