Jun 2006

It is Sunday and it is pouring. Time to quickly write what has been happening in the last few days.

Monday, Elmer more or less jumped out of bed because I almost screwed it up for him by re-setting the alarm to the wrong time. He had to literally run to work in 5 minutes flat. They get fined for every minute they are late 10Q so that can add up quickly ... I felt so bad about it because it was work and of course he was swearing in lovely Spanish! I started out with house cleaning and than going to the laundry place. Elmer called and asked me to bring him some food since he was starving, having had no breakfast. I felt so bad for him and hurried up to get him something. I did lots of shopping in the market for fruit and finally bought a used blender. I just couldn’t believe the price they were asking in the shop like 3x more for a new one. No way! For the difference I could have bought 2 more jeans. By now I am good in calculating what I could have bought for it and I start thinking in Q and not anymore in USD or EUR. I also got our pictures from the vacation printed off. Some of them are very nice and others are a bit like aha ... I was planning on making a collage but have changed my mind since I got soaked on the way back to the house. I was visiting his sister and when I was about to leave it started pouring and since there was no chance of it stopping I had to go for it. The streets here are so used and down trodden that the middle part is very deep and the water catches in there quickly and depending how good the drains work you can either be facing a river that is running or standing water that is very deep and there is no way around it. You have to literally walk through it and get your shoes soaking wet. I was walking through knee deep water which was very dirty and disgusting smelling. Barefoot though is no option since you might step into God's know what! I was thinking I was being smart taking the shortest way but no luck since when I as about to turn the corner into my street the walkway was under water and the fire trucks were pulling cars free that had been parked and where the water was up to the middle of the doors. I got home and dumped my things. I got the rain jacket for Elmer and brought it to him. He thought I hadn't gotten soaked but my back was completely wet and I got told to go home take a shower and change clothes. I was so glad that the guy had fixed the shower that day so we finally have warm water (hot in my book is something different). Hanna, thank you so much for leaving me your sweat pants. They are great and so nice and warm in the house! I was finally all bundled up in dry clothes and was about to fix myself a warm tea to warm up from the inside as well when the next wet person showed up. Our room has got a certain smell to it now due to drying clothes ... very yummy - NOT! We tend to go out Monday night's but we both didn't feel like getting all soaked again since it was still pouring so we stayed in. Actually it was good fun since we had long chats and watched TV.

Tuesday, we both slept in and felt refreshed. He was going to see his parents and his son after brunch and I had my date with Ema. Oh for those of you who haven't heard the news yet?!? There is a prospectus buyer for our place in Vleuten but since no papers are signed yet it is too early to cheer so just all keep you fingers crossed that it will happen and that I can close the last chapter in the Netherlands! I should know more by start of next week ... I met Ema for her birthday coffee. She was really happy with her gifts. I got her a scarf, chocolates and a card which I signed off with daughter and she was like yes that is what you are to me. I just love her! I tried a chocolate cake and that piece was huge and so rich that I decided to take it home with me I managed not even half of it. I had to buy more clothes since with the rain too many clothes are wet. I bought another jeans, sneakers and a sweater. I am starting to get used to the white bread but only with butter and honey or even better with frijoles.

Thursday when I left the house with Elmer I had planned to go the market and buy fresh things and he had to go visit his parents and son. I bumped into Genevieve right when I stepped out of the house. She was also on the way to the market so we went shopping together. We made some really good deals when buying fruit. I thought her Spanish was better than mine and she thought mine was so that was very funny. We ended up with so much stuff that we went to my place and left it all tear and divided the fruit up and afterwards we went back out shopping. First a quick stop at McDonald's though since I finally wanted to meet Elmer's son in person. Since I was with her it was normal to bump into each other since his son doesn't need to know right now that we are dating. He looks so much like him and is so adorable and although shy with us I bet he can be a handful. They went shipping for shoes for him and we girls also did some more shopping. I had in the end finally some more pans and Tupperware as well. Elmer was impressed with my shopping but at least we can fix ourselves some decent food. At night we were supposed to go out dancing but I just wasn't in the mood and felt kind of out of it. I had fixed dinner though and it was good. He was like okay I am going out and I was like I might go out later ... so we split up and I did go out very briefly. La Sala was too crowded and I just couldn't be asked to deal with it all. Although I wasn't alone and had good company I just couldn't be asked. Just when I was about to go Elmer showed up and was a bit upset that I didn't want to dance with him or anyone else for that matter. He stayed but said that it was full and hardly any girls to dance with. Oh well!

Friday I said that I need a lab since I had a pretty good idea what was wrong with me - bladder infection! So I let them do their work and I could go and collect the results after 5pm. Elmer took me to all the right places ... We had gotten up very early since we had to go to Guate for my visa. I have never been so grateful to him for coming with me. I would have been lost in Guate. It is a chicken bus but it goes directly to Guate. Elmer had asked his Dad the night before what street to get off best. He was all prepared and than the bus driver decided that he can’t be asked to go to the end and says today it ends here. HERE was somewhere in zone 3 and no taxi no nothing around. He asked some guy and we waked a bit and than waited for a bus. We had to change buses and walk around until we found the INGUAT and than we got told that they had moved office as well. Filling out a form and paying 15USD for a visa was okay. Afterwards we went to a shopping center and that was huge it felt as if being back in the States only the people didn't look that way. We had a huge pizza there since we were both starving by than. On the way back to Antigua we were both beat and almost fell asleep in the bus. I was ready to go home and straight to bed before work. I had a bit of sleep and went by the lab and got my results than had to wait for the doc to have time for me. Got my medicine and went to work.

Weekend> I think I was working, sleeping, watching soccer games, shopping, watching TV etc. Nothing out of the ordinary going on.

Saturday I was working in the morning and didn't have all that much to eat so I send Elmer a text knowing that I would get something since he doesn't like it when I don't eat enough. Right on the mark! He brought me lunch and since it was quiet we had it together. He went off to work out and I continued work as normal. Due to the Mundial the morning shift is usually very quiet and boring which means I can reply to emails. Once I got off work I went home and freshened up and got ready to go out. I had a date with Hedda in the park for one of our last dinners. Camilla was there as well and we went to Travelers menu. This time they also got the orders wrong and the last time I thought it was because our group was bigger than 10! Their Spanish is worse than mine but hey they have a business so that is kind of surprising. The food was okay and afterwards Camilla had a date and left. Hedda and I went to La Sala but it was still pretty empty so we went to Monoloco for a drink. I talked Marcela into having a drink with us upstairs. She came and we all went to La Sala. Now it was full and they had live music. Not really my style at the start but we girls sure had fun. The guys from the dinner place where there as well and we all chatted and danced a bit. Jose looks to be my new companion when Elmer is working which suits me just fine. We all had a blast to the end and by the time I went to Monoloco Elmer was a bit worried about me since I hadn't answered my phone or replied to his text. I had a bit too much to drink and a hang over was programmed. Once he was done we went to my place. I had to knock forever on the door and make a racket since Karin’s keys had been stolen so now the place is locked up like Fort Knox. We went all to bed than and Morgan is getting sick so we heard him coughing and twisting and turning – fabulous!

Sunday, I had to let Elmer out of the front door and lock it all up again. I could sleep a bit longer since I had my date with Hedda in the park at 10am for breakfast. She brought a new roommate with her, Vinnie and we had breakfast in La Fuente which was fun. Afterwards we went to the market and I bought new sandals and rings. Gee, I still play with my fingers and don't wear any rings - so that is now taken care of! We had a date with Luis for lunch and where supposed to wait for him the park but no show for an hour and no answer to phone calls or texts. We went to Funky and afterwards to a cafe for some cake. I returned to Funky and waited for Elmer since we had to return together to my place for a shower. He had to go to work and I was meeting the others for dinner. It was kind of difficult to focus since I was so tired. They all left early so I stayed behind and chatted with Jordan for a while. I was more than glad that they closed up early and we were home before Morgan and Mike.

Monday, he had again to get up very early and I woke up with stomach cramps. They didn't leave me alone until way past mid day. I had to move all our stuff from one place to the new apartment alone. I was bathed in sweat after each walk which was only like 5-6 blocks but when you aren't feeling good it is very far. I had to rest after each one! The place was a mess when I arrived and looked only slightly better when Elmer got home by around 7pm. We both were like tomorrow we need to clean some more because this isn't nice. He was really worried about me and I got spoiled. The only surprise we were in for was that the warm water wasn't to be had so that needs to get fixed. Since I wasn't up for proper dinner I was like I'll try some noodle soup and it stayed down. He prepared his own dinner since he didn't want me to exhaust myself. I got a shoulder rub since my shoulders were aching from carrying all the stuff I had to make 4 trips back and forth with my big backpack and a huge bag as well. We watched TV and I was gone pretty early.

Tuesday, he had a staff meeting which took place very early and I set my alarm for 9am to watch the game Alemania/ Ecuador from my bed. After that I got up and started house cleaning. Rosa, my landlady, explained to me how to use the cleaning equipment so different than at home. Elmer phoned in to tell me that he was done at work and would run some errands. He asked me later on if I wanted anything and how I was. So when he came back I was in for a surprise he had bought everything that we needed to stock up the fridge. He saw that I was cleaning and chipped in right away and even washed the table cloth. For you guys that sounds very normal and what is so important about that, well, here the guys are still macho and it is very unusual that they help with house hold chores. In the afternoon we were napping a bit and I wrote some post cards - finally! My phone went off and it was Lea asking if I could cover for her today since she now ended up with the stomach being weird. I said no problem. I had some very plain pasta today and was off to work. Elmer was off to the gym and showed up before work to say hello. Today is a good day maybe because I had a good nights sleep and am generally relaxed and happy. I am making lots of tips today which I will spend in Monoloco on a soup I think today since I still don't trust my stomach although the pasta stayed down. I got to chat some more today with the regulars here and got invited for a dance later on which I happily declined. I called Ema up today though I wanted to do that for a while but every time I remembered it was way too late. She was happy to hear from me since I am like her other daughter. She has got a new student in her place. We chatted for a while and since her birthday is on Saturday I have to buy her a present and maybe she wants to come and visit me in my place her. She is really happy that I am doing okay and have a fun time here. I also got a compliment for my improvement in my Spanish. I guess talking day in day out helps even if it doesn't seem like it some day’s o,))) After I had closed up here I went to Monoloco and had a soup since my stomach wanted something to eat. I ordered and saw someone waving at me, it was Jose. I joined him and his table and after they had finished their beer and I my dinner we went off dancing in Sin Ventura. I really hadn’t intended to go since I wasn’t planning on getting soaked in sweat. Oh well, Jose and I had fun and he will stop by tomorrow in Funky Monkey for a drink together. I had given a friend my number and was in for a surprise that he called me at 1.30am to tell me good night and than bug the hell out of me today around 9.30am when I was still partly in sleepy land.

We woke up and heard the builders on the other side of the apartments since they are building another one. We talked about what we each had to take care of today. I was going to make him fix breakfast but he honestly didn’t know how to make pan cakes. I had a willing student and we managed it with very limited utensils (like 2 not very sharp knifes, a butcher knife, one fork, wooden spoons that are moldy, spoons, plates that came in plastic, no cutting board etc.). We had a discussion therefore what we should buy and where and what to do with the stuff if I leave??? He wants to take an unfurnished apartment and than at least he can use whatever we buy. Wuschel, kommt es Dir irgend wie bekannt vor? I want some more things in the kitchen so that I can fix some proper food and also store it, right now a pan will just end up in the fridge since we can’t store food in Tupperware. I also want to buy a blender so that I can mush the beans and make smoothies … very important. Further I would like a dish rack, a proper pan that doesn’t flake … would prefer my food without the ingredients of the material from my pan! In the bathroom there is no mirror for him to shave so we improvised. We took a tiny mirror from upstairs and I got to hold it – nice exercise for my arms! Today I had after breakfast something like 3.5hours before I had to be at work and change clothes etc. We went together to the supermarket and bought a few things than off to the laundry place and wash clothes with the freshly purchased soap. In the mean time while the wash was running we had copies made for the house keys. He went off to see his son and I returned to the laundry place to take my wash from the washing machine to the dryer. I left and went to get myself some food and drop of the food that we had bought. I returned to the laundry place and had some sushi – quite different but okay! Once the wash was done, folded it up and raced back to my place and just made it made it before it started raining. Quick unloading and change of clothes and race to Funky for work. I love it that I live so central now because I otherwise I could never manage it all. Tonight when I am done I can walk home by myself for the first time... fix myself a noodle soup e.g. and watch TV and either wait up or go to sleep …since he has his own set of keys. I just really love it! I love it that our life is starting to fall into a pattern and is very relaxed and easy and we are both happy which is the most important thing. We both love the stability that we have. We both don’t drink much and don’t go to after-parties. For him they are dangerous since too many people give him free drinks and than he does get drunk against his better intentions and there circulate too many drugs as well. I know some people here who are really messed up and we both stay clear of them.

I must say that I really can't remember exactly what I was up to. I was working of course Saturday and Sunday nights and during the day I think it was normal life nothing spectacular. Oh yes, there was one incident when Morgan handed his shift over to me he also dropped a little bombshell on me about us living together (one of my room mates) in two minutes flat and than ran off to his other job and gave me no chance to respond. Elmer and me discussed it and decided we both can do without all that crap and we started looking for a new place to live. The strange thing is here that all the prices for rents are quoted in USD not in Q which makes it hard to translate to Q depending on which rate is being used. We viewed a couple of objects and there was one we both liked more on the costly side but than again it is safe for me to walk home from work at night which is important as well. It is very quiet there and the landlady and I hit it off right away. We can socialize more as well since we can have his family come over, friends, Ema for a cup of tea etc. It has lots of plus points and right now I am not worried about money. I am working here and although what I earn right now is not the world it is enough to buy food and being rainy season I am not too keen on traveling and spending money that way anyway. In this country getting paid is 1. and 15. but for me it is more like asking if I could please get paid. So the first time I had 200Q in my hand I was like cool my first self made money here. I was really proud and spend it right away for food o,))) It was leaving drinks one night after another since all my friends are leaving first one was Hanna than Heidi and upcoming week Hedda and Camilla. Since they have all been partying a lot they were pretty tired and called it early nights. I was around and waited up for Elmer to go home with him.
Oh yes, the other night was rather entertaining when some guy bought me a drink and later on when he gave me his card he turned out to be a doctor. He was pretty strange though!
The only other thing here is the rain that gets one down. Usually it is proper afternoon rain but lately it rains like during lunch hours and than stops and than pours at night but not in the afternoons. So I always carry my little umbrella with me and a raincoat sometimes. The shoes are more tricky carrying spares or not??? Better to wear flip flops yes or no (and worst case fall on your butt since the sidewalks tend to get very slippery)? Oh, the other day it was sunny and it burnt so I put my sandals out in the sun to dry properly since they have been soaked for ages. They were finally dry and I walked around with Elmer when I almost fell on my face because the strap broke. He had a laughing fit for a while at my expense. For me nothing to get upset about since they lasted a while and cost like 15Q! The quiz question is only should they be replaced or should I rather buy plastic a different pair of flip flops.
Sunday right after work I raced to the laundry service to get a big wash load done and had packed my big backpack to carry it all. It was so much like not only my clothes, his and the bed spreads and linen as well. Another girl was also doing laundry there and we started chatting. I had to use two washing machines and since it all fitted into the dryer I was in for a surprise since it was all only partly dry. I guess the SEARS dryer can't handle too many clothes although there was plenty of space left. Nicky was nice enough to give me a ride to parque central. I walked to Monoloco to meet Elmer in Funky. We went back to my place and decorated my room with laundry which was very funny since I don't have a closet to hang clothes or even clothes hangers for that matter or so ... It also meant that there was no chance to sleep in my bed so we went back to his place at night after we had cooked ourselves a wonderful dinner!

Monday, he had to get up very early since they open for the Mundial at 8am but have to be there an hour earlier. I was allowed to sleep a bit longer but the two little dogs at his place were making a racket and it was hard to get some sleep. I got up and the whole family had left for school or work. I went to the school and was all by myself. I think some of the kids were sick since it was only 10 of them. They were playing with their marbles and being occupied little angels. When I got the books out to get them to do their exercises it was a no go. So I decided to try a different tack. I started folding little baskets and that got their attention and Jonathan wanted one but with color. The others came running and wanted some as well. They were water colorizing as well and had good fun. Camilla showed up and brought gifts with her. Her timing was not good though since all the other classes were running around and wanted a piece of the action. She had bought toys and they started fighting about who should have what. The older kids started taking things away from the little ones. My charges just screamed for Wilson and he would take on the older boys to get the toys back. However when someone would take something away from the girls than all the little guys would try to get the toys back for them. It was rather entertaining just to observe and I regretted not having my camera with me. Camilla went with Cash to the market and bought him some new shoes since his are like at least 3 sizes to big and he couldn’t really play soccer the other day with the guys. She had also bought some socks so the one's who weren’t' wearing any got some. They very proudly took their shoes of and put on the new socks. Their shoes are partly in a very sad condition which isn't apparent when one just looks at them. Their feet are black with dirt but they would wipe them first before putting the socks on and would proudly pull their pants up and show them to anyone who was walking by or the other kids. The toys were appreciated but clothes even more. They were smiling very much when we left them. Camilla had a date with Hedda and I walked with her to parque central. I had planned to go home and fix myself some lunch. It turned out a bit different because in the park suddenly someone was in front of me going hola Claudia. It was Nena, Elmer's niece and his sister. We chatted for a bit and I asked how to prepare the beans best and she said just come with me and I'll show you. So we had lunch together and I got taught the different ways how to prepare beans. I played with the kids in the afternoon and learnt so many new words that my head was spinning real soon. I called it quits after 3 hours and asked who wanted ice-cream. We all got some and returned after buying crème and bread (I get taught where to buy what and what stuff costs etc.). I took my backpack and picked up Elmer from work. He was surprised when he heard that I spent all afternoon spontaneously with his family. Monday night we also prepared our dinner at my place and it was really nice.

Elmer and I have developed a rhythm by now and it feels like being married and all. The whole week can be summarized as passing very quickly with good-bye dinners and drinks with Heidi, Hedda, Hanna, Camilla, Carmen etc. I knew therefore that this week would mean little sleep and lots of partying. That is pretty much how it turned out. I didn’t see the kids this week since I am currently having a dispute with Praktikwelten and might take legal action against them. I was working Wednesday night which broke my normal rhythm a bit. Friday Elmer and I went to visit his family and I took lots of pictures and want to copy them over so that they can be emailed to his brother. Right now I am in an internet cafe and trying to do just that but with no luck. My memory stick got all screwy too and now it tells me that it needs to be formatted and that I lost all my data on it which is just no good like losing my CV and attachments to go with it etc. The other stuff is on the laptop at home which means not accessible at the moment but at least not completely lost. Other than that I had the prints done here and the pictures turned out very nicely. I have also blown one up to see the result and I must say it is very nice ... I will be glad when today is over and I don’t have to deal with Morgan anymore. He is just such a pain and I just want my peace and quiet. Elmer says that even after I leave he will find his own place since he is clashing more and more with his sister. I guess the characters are just too different and it doesn’t click very well.

I am coming close to half time here and since everyone is packing up and leaving it is more and more on my mind as well. I really just want the apartment to be sold so that I am free of everything that entails and can make my own decisions about what to do next with my life.

I think that I spent the Sunday night in Monoloco being freezing cold because my clothes were slightly damp and it was just cold. I had a wonderful soup and was reading a book waiting for him to finish up. I spent the night at his as there was no point in going to see the kids. I was too tired and had to arrange my move properly.

Monday we couldn't really sleep in since he had to work at 10am. So we had a quick breakfast and tried out the bread that I was given from Ema - being Danish with lots of grains - it isn't very liked here o,))) It was fun trying it out with his family who are like me lets try everything once ... Elmer didn't really like it too much and happily left it to me. He had to rush off to work since he was late and I finished my breakfast with Marisol. Suddenly her aunt showed up to say hello so I got introduced to the next family member. After breakfast I stopped by Funky Monkey hoping that Morgan would be there but no such luck. I called him and asked if I could come by and collect my bag. He said sure. I went by and met Benny who was staying in the room that I was taking over. He gave me the house key so that part is sorted. I could move my stuff into the room. Xela the dog likes me and always wants to come in to visit and lick my hands. I left and went back to Jocotenango on my way I meet Marisol who had picked up Maria Fernanda from school. We chatted most of the way and than I took the bus home to Ema. I had a nice lunch and than packed my last few belongings which tend to get more and more here. I settled my bill with her for the laundry but she couldn't change it all so we said that I would stop by next day and settle up and get the last few things. The rain stopped when I was ready to go so I took the bus and walked the 390 minutes to my new place. I settled kind of in and than I had to get the essentials for which I had compiled the list with the help from Ema. Not only what I need but also what brand to buy and what is good and what isn't. I also wanted to buy fresh things on the market so I quickly stopped by Elmer's place. I asked Marisol if she could tell me which part of the market would have the best things ... Her husband Vincenzo asked her why don't you join her and show her where to go. So in the end we went together and Maria Fernanda joined us as well. She loves the market. I got to know where to buy stuff, when is market days to get fresh things, what are the prices, when to haggle ... I bought a very big bag to carry all the stuff (Sara bought one also and had to pay 15Q while I only had to pay 5Q). In the end we had bought everything and were hunting for some good bananas inside. That place was also selling "dulces tipicos". I asked them what is good and in the end I bought the family something and I got to try a whole variety and found out that some stuff is edible and others is just too sweet for my taste. At her place we sorted the groceries out since she had also bought some things that she had forgotten earlier. I carried all the stuff home and than had to rush to Monoloco to meet Elmer when he got off work. I had already bought some things in the supermarket but not everything. He had said that he would help me carry the things home. When we were ready to leave the supermarket the street was a river and the only way to get home would be by tuc-tuc. In the end we got lucky since a friend of his took us along. We arrived home in my place and got soaked just getting out and in. Once I had arranged everything in the cupboard space and in the fridge we started preparing dinner. It was good fun to do it together. His sister was dying laughing earlier about the fact hat he would cook since I got to hear that he wouldn't be able to do more than an egg or pasta. As a matter of fact that isn't quite true. He is very good and putting all the stuff and overseeing what is in the pan. We fixed ourselves very tasty pasta with sauce and as dessert mango and to drink a smoothie. We were both pretty beat and watched a bit of TV but didn't go out. Well, in the end he was zapping through the channels which drove me insane so I went off to bed. He came later and we both slept kind of bad the first night. For me the strange new sounds, different smells etc. and for him it was not his bed. Oh I forget to mention that we were in for a surprise which neither Mike nor Morgan had mentioned. We were both ready to freshen up with a shower but no water at around 10pm. The shower was one thing but not being able to brush teeth... no way it just had to be done with agua pura.

Tuesday morning though also no water for brushing teeth or washing one's face. Great, we had to get up really early since the whole Monoloco crew was supposed to show up at 7am at the soccer field because they had to cheer for the other team. We arrived and had good fun there and he had to go to a staff meeting afterwards and I went to the school. It was a normal working day with the kids for me. The only unusual thing was that one of the classes was in the yard and therefore they were little angels while it was time for tasks afterwards they turned back into little devils. Camilla and I were both tired but we took them to the playground. Oh boy what were we in for ... they kind of behaved while being in the playground but when we had to go back to the school they really didn't move this time except for the girls. It took us a good 20 minutes just too literally carry them off the playground. Once we were done with that and got them back to school safe and sound we walked together home until our paths parted. She told me that she will really miss Terry but she has already her life planned in Scotland without him and without her ex. I had to buy on the way home a phone card to call Ema and tell her that I wouldn’t make it for lunch but if I could drop by for dinner. Of course, no problem! I bought some more things that I had forgotten the day before for cooking. I was ready than and I called Elmer and told him that I was starving. He was like okay start of fixing lunch and I'll be there in 30. Yeah, right! He had the nerve to call me 1.5 hours later and by than I was so mad that his food had ended up in the bin. He heard that I sounded mad and decided to come by and smooth things over. He was laughing at my temper and made up very well I must say o,))) We had our siesta and than we both got ready to go. I went to Funky for a pit stop to check my mail and than onwards to Ema. He went to work. I arrived at Ema's and I always get treated like a long lost daughter now since I move out. We had lots to talk about and had a very entertaining dinner with Mario. I got to try out more cakes. Ema was a love and gave me some old newspapers so that I could stuff our shoes to get them to dry more quickly. I had to take a tuc-tuc back to Antigua and started haggling for a good price when he said wait I'll ask my colleague. They talked and the other one took me to Antigua. I was in for a surprise since the driver turned out to be Isaac - Chelsea's friend. He took me as far as he could and I didn’t' have to walk very far at all. In Monoloco I found the usual crowd for Monoloco night and it was kind of fun seeing everyone getting drunk etc. although personally not my cup of tea. I bought my drinks one at a time from Victor and he wouldn’t take my money. I guess by now I am in since I cheer for the soccer games as well o,))) I had gotten Marcela to agree to come up for one drink and than we would see what to do. I was waiting for her and had arranged a drink for her when Morgan showed up with her slightly drunk. He wanted to dance so we all went to Sin Ventura where of course several guys wanted to dance with me. In the end I got introduced to her friends and ended up with a guy who was a terrific dancer and later I found out that he was a dancing instructor. So that was really good fun until he started hitting on me and saying that I have a boy-friend didn't really impress him. I decided high time to up and leave and pretended that I had to go find someone. I escaped to Monoloco since Marcela had already left ages ago and Morgan was just too drunk. Once Elmer got of his shift we went home and gee I was in a happy mood. Jordan and I had a shot of something and that really kicked in nicely so I was singing all the way home “Singing in the rain" - very fitting as well!

Wednesday it was his turn to play soccer. I am getting better at fixing his coffee since I never taste - it is all just good measure. We had yoghurt with fresh fruit. The game was hilarious this time. The place was soaking wet. The guys they had to play against where tall and huge in comparison to them. I must say that it was like watching giants playing smurfs. The smurfs won though big style! Mauritio had to call time out and at first I didn't get it why that was. The reason: his shoe had literally fallen apart. The soles had decided to separate into 3 parts and he proudly declared that they had lasted for 2 years. The guys started making jokes about how much money you spent on buying shoes and how long they might last you ... The other thing that was also funny was that Mauricio lost his balance earlier and fell of the chair and made a spectacular fall from the stand which earned him lots of laughs. I had a good laugh when some guy told me that Gato was a good player and that I should cheer for him since I didn't know him. Kenny and the others just smirked and went no of course she doesn't know him. We had such good laughs that day! We went back to the apartment and had a bite there or at least that was the original plan instead we took a shower and went to bed since we were both so tired. Afterwards he went home to get some things and run some errands and I went interneting and nothing really exciting happened during the day. I was chilling at home for a while and watched TV. I had promised the girls that I would join them for the last round of trivia as Barbie Dolls. It was pouring when I left and I had my sandals soaked in the water so that really sucked and in the other spare shoes I was carrying my feet wouldn't get warm which really sucked. I was wearing a skirt because I was getting kind of tired of wet pants. It might not have been the best place to try it since we ended up with seats where the wind was blowing in. We sucked big time for that round and ended up last place. I was so tired that night it was unbelievable and I was sure that if I would have gone home that I would have fallen asleep and not heard him knocking or even my cell going off. I stayed and chatted with Kate for a while until they were done. We walked home and went straight to bed.

Thursday is the day that I wish that I could erode from my calendar that is how bad it was! It started with Sweety calling me as a surprise - nice enough for me but not for Elmer! It put him a very grumpy mood but he wouldn’t talk to me why or what had happened. Hanna came by to give me same of her gym clothes since she doesn't need them anymore when she goes traveling. So we also didn't manage to resolve the little difference that was there and the mood was kind of weird. I had breakfast with Hanna in my place and we watched some TV and later on went downtown. She wanted to have lunch in the Bagel Barn and I had never eaten there before so I was like okay sure. It was nice enough and than my phone went off. It was Elmer and he sounded more like himself again. His parents had asked why I didn't come along and asked how I was etc. maybe that it is why he decided to call me. Who knows? It sounded as if things might get back on track. I went to Funky with Hanna to check my mail and than I went to Cafe 2000 to watch a movie but instead they didn't show any movies. So I decided time to do some grocery shopping and than I went home and was pretty bored and unhappy. I watched TV and than Mike was suddenly back from his trip; we took Xela for a walk and chatted a bit. He was relying tired and just wanted a shower some food and his bed. I must say that all I wanted was a shower to. So we took turns in screaming out you can use the other one now without stealing the water from the other one. I was about ready to go out when I got a text from Hanna telling me that e would meet in the park. Elmer and I had talked a lot in the afternoon since his plans were constantly changing due to phone calls eh received. It was all such a big misunderstanding that we both sounded very frustrated and he was in the end forgets it I am going out with my friends. I at it when he sys that since they sally make him drink way more than is good for him. The diner we had was cap since I wasn't so not paying any attention and had no hunger at all. The whole group moved on to Monoloco and I was really no good company so I left and went to Funky instead to check my mail Lea was there and said sorry for being rather curt earlier today. I was like don’t worry about it. She is like I don’t want you to think that I am a bitch so I'll tell you when you have got a minute. What she told me was horrific. She was dating Jeff for a while. I had kind of gathered that. Jeff is a real nice guy and would stop rather regularly at Funky and I hadn't seen him in a couple of days but big deal around here when people move round. She told that she had even crying 5 days straight after she had found Jeff in his apartment with a bullet in his head. I way so stunned and just couldn't take it in since he didn't seem like that kind of guy who would commit suicide. I was like I can’t stay here I have to leave and walk around a bit which I did and than I went to La Sala. I was sitting at the bar and was rather upset and was just debating if I should have a drink or not when Jose showed up. He kind of cheered me up and asked me to join him and his friends which sounded like a good idea. I was right about Elmer showing up slightly drunk. We danced for a while but my heart wasn't really in it. So we left rather early and sat in the park for a while. He told me that he was feeling miserable and I said me too. In the end we sorted it all out and went home together.

Friday 09-06-2006, start of the MUNDIAL!!! We got up on time to get a seat in Cafe 2000. The shower was freezing cold again but we were wide awake after that. We ordered a nice breakfast and watched the game. During the game it started raining again and it got a bit chilly so we needed warm drinks while other people were having beers but that at 11am or noon just isn’t my style. The game was good fun since he was for Costa Rica more because they are Latino than because he thinks that they are great. We had good fun watching the opening and than the game. Afterwards we were debating what to do first. I needed to fill up the fridge a little bit so we went to the supermarket. Walked around town a bit and than we realized that we had forgotten some very important items like a pillow, pillow case and we got lucky and found a rain jacket for him. He told me that he can't afford it right now but I was like right you just get and sick and than I will get sick to - no thanks! I'll buy it for you. I really don't care about spending money on the essentials and we don’t spend the money on ridiculous things. We had some more stops to make in town and by the end of it we were both beat and just wanted to sleep. We went back home and Mike and Morgan were out. Couldn’t overhear them coming back though! I had set the alarm for 5pm since he had to be at work around 6pm and I was going to fix myself some dinner and call the girls to find out what they were up to. Instead I got a phone call at around 4.20pm Abbie asking if I could come in and work. I was like I was just sleeping but give me 30 minutes and I'll be there. So I ended up working while he was still sleeping. Funny in a way because I left my phone and key with him, told Mike that he was in and left. Elmer came by on his way to work in his new raincoat since it was pouring again outside. He is such a sweety and happily handed me the things back. We are getting good at swapping things around since he didn't have room in his locker I got the coat to hang up and later when I don't want my backpack than I can hand it to him. I am so glad that things are back on track we are both just too stubborn sometimes, I am starting to have a temper here as well but we both are good in talking things out and making it right again and we both end up apologizing. My languages are getting a bit mixed here. I was talking Dutch the other night with some people than English with someone else and than I turned around to Jose and addressed him in Dutch, he was like what. I was like sorry and said everything in Spanish. Today when I had to explain something in Dutch the words that came out first were in Spanish. I guess that means that I am getting better at this although it really doesn’t seem that way. Camilla showed up here at Funky and can't find her friend so if she stays here until I close up than we might hang tonight until the others call me and tell me were they will be later. Right now they are all in Guatemala with Luis and Diego.

Elmer is wearing the bracelet rather proudly although of course his loyalty is with Brazil. Monday I was alone with the kids and after the four hours I was ready to have a screaming fit. They just don’t listen to anything you say and do what they please, whenever they please. They decided they wanted playdoo to play with and they all crowded in front of the closet where the material is kept and started fighting who would get it first etc. I had it by than I told them to sit down or nobody would get anything to play with. That actually worked because I got a bit louder and I guess they could tell that I was serious. Small victory but hey kept them in line for a little while! Sometimes I feel really bad about what kind of life they have. I don’t only mean the clothes but their skin has a look to them which I guess comes from malnutrition and no body lotion etc. Their faces are fine and they are cute mostly but got runny noses which just get wiped on their sleeves. They fight and hit each other a lot so in the end someone is crying. All the things we take more or less for granted and they are missing/ lacking gets to me sometimes. After my lunch I needed my nap since I was beat. I went home for freshening up since Elmer and I had a date at night. Being Monday usually no hairdresser shop is open but Ema took me to one and I got my hair cut. I just love this place where you can just walk in and get served. The lady did it slightly differently but than again it isn't that difficult to just cut the split ends in a straight line. At night of course he wasn't on time for our date but neither was I. He was working out in the gym and came straight from there. In the park Hanna and Hedda were waiting with me. Elmer and I went to Queso y Vino because I craved a good wine for a change. It was pretty funny since there I bumped into Carmen, Fabian and Bianca, Elio etc. all the German speakers since someone was leaving and they had the good-bye dinner there. We were celebrating our 2 months one day early because he was working during the day and otherwise usually nights. It was a fun night together, really crazy talks, stopped for a final drink in Reilly’s and they had a bar quiz going on and if you got the right answer you would win free beer. It was good for many laughs but I couldn't for the live of me think of the answer since they were music questions or about English soccer (PLEASE!!!). After that we were like let’s get some sleep and sleep in...

We sure slept in nicely. When the alarm went off I pushed the wrong buttons on my phone and turned the alarm completely off which was pretty stupid to do. I was planning on returning home to get my play-with-the-kiddies clothes and than go to work. Instead I woke up when his alarm went off very early because he had to be at Monoloco already at 9am for a staff meeting. I took the bus home and Ema was like where have you been ... so we ended up chatting and spending lots of time together so that in the end it just wasn't worth going anymore to see the kids that day. I was about to take my nap but than decided against it. I had to arrange a couple of other things. In the afternoon I was supposed to meet Carmen but she didn't show up or call or answer her phone so I went to Funky Monkey for a chat. I bumped into her later since she knows where I usually hang out. She looked bad, red eyes, sniffy nose ... I was like what has happened. She told me that she was upset about the phone call she had with her boy-friend. I guess it gets difficult even if it is only 3 months that people are separated. I returned to Ema's and freshened up and had dinner. I went with Carmen by tuc-tuc and that meant finally only 5Q fare per person. At night I went to Monoloco and met all the usual suspects there. I got to know her friend Jose and that was a fun conversation. I am sure my Spanish is still a disaster but at least I get to practice it. Going home as good fun since we were in the end a group of about 7 people who all live in Jocotenango. I found us a driver who I knew who would give us a good price. He is a friend of Elmer’s and of course asked where he is. I was home pretty early and called Elmer to let him know that I got home safe and sound.

Wednesday - not much to tell except went to work as usual. Oh yes Camilla and me were in for a surprise because the director told us that there was no food for the kids except rice and bread. So we took some money with us and went to the market and bought the most basic things for them. Still the whole thing is kind of weird. At home had lunch, slept for a while and in the afternoon was in Funky Monkey and called it an early night at home, being in bed by 8.30pm.

Thursday I went to work as well. The usual thing except for some reason they were angels in the school but once we got to the playground they turned into devils and we had 15 kids to take care of. I was beat afterwards. I had my alarm set because I had a date with Marcela to go shopping for clothes and I can proudly say that I found new clothes two new pairs of jeans, 4 new tops, shoes etc. So now I can really blend in here at least optically since my Spanish still gives me away. I had sent Elmer's brother an email with a picture from us as promised and since than we are emailing and I get to practice my written Spanish which is good for me. I found a good online dictionary so my vocabulary is also getting bigger since I tend to learn more words every day without noticing it. Although it was Elmer's day off he wasn't here in Antigua since Monoloco had an excursion planned for the staff. They were all gone from 6am-6pm to a fun park. So we had agreed that I would come by his place and than we would go out at night. Sure enough the tuc-tuc driver took for me a ride because he didn't know where he lived although I gave him the address. Loser! His brother in law was getting a hair cut when I arrived than it was a late dinner for them and the kids were tired. We were all chatting and I am getting better at it. I guess the biggest difference is that because I chat with Elmer non-stop, chat with the kids and his sister means just more and different topics than with Ema. It is better for my Spanish to hang out there more and chat with them. Maria Fernanda e.g. shows me proudly her homework and other things she shares happily. She loves to hug me ... her brother is a bit more reserved being a boy of course but than again he also likes to laugh and joke. I feel very good there and Ema is just laughing at me when I tell her what we have been up to. He told me to close my eyes once they had had dinner and I got a gift. A little cute stuffed toy flower! I just love him and he is such a sweetheart. He was like I went away for a day so I thought I should get you something. He is a real sweety! We went to La Sala and found a place to dance which was good fun. In the break I was ready for a beer for a change. After the break from the live band the floor cleared quickly and we had lots of space. Carmen and José were there as well and danced. Elmer and I tried out new moves and more turns it was a fun and sweaty night out. We went back to his and stopped on the way to get more water since we were still thirsty. Another thing here is at 2 or 3am in the morning some stores are open and will sell you stuff like drinks, cosmetic artikles etc.

Friday morning {02-06} we slept in and around noon time we showed up in The Black Cat for our breakfast. Connor was just laughing and asking the usual for our drinks ... I had no real plans for that day except that I had a date with Camilla to go shopping and another one for 4pm. Elmer had to work at 6pm so there was plenty of time. I thought he was going to visit his parents and son so I would stop by the internet and write some more. No, he came up with a nice surprise like why don't we visit my parents ... great, I had not bought a gift or anything ... since it is far away he was like either we could rent a motor bike or take a tuc-tuc. We stopped by Frank {he is German and has been here for ages and is a bit weird but he likes me a lot from all the Germans that are hanging around he says I am the only normal one} who gave me a flyer for his motor bike shop the other day and told me to stop by. He was there and we asked how much it would cost to rent a bike for an hour ... in the end he made me a special price. So off we went and I felt really stupid since I was wearing a jeans skirt and it hiked up nicely. His parents live in a very nice place with lots of space and air. I hadn't realized until than that he also has a little brother who is only 11 years old. Introductions were made and I was shown around. Than Elmer brought his brother to school and visited his son while I was left to chat with his parents. I have no idea how good my Spanish was but the conversation was flowing and it was interesting to get to know them. It was so different from my meeting of the parents in Europe. None of this stiff lets sit down and have a tea, no we were outside and they were in the shade while I was sitting in the sun and playing with the dog. Elmer came back and we had lunch except that we both weren't that hungry. He had some salad and I tried it since I try everything here once. I must say that by now I love the food here and would really miss it. Since I mentioned that I love mangos I was given one without a knife. So I was like okay what is the correct manner to go about to eat it. It was freshly washed and they take a bite and suck the juice out and than you start peeling off the skin and eating the flesh. At least I wasn't looking afterwards as if I was in a war with a mango. It was time for us than to get back to Antigua. We made a stop at his since he needed his gym clothes. The kids saw the helmets on the table and got all excited about it. We had a little commitee that waved us good-bye. We brought the bike back and than he went off to the gym and I went off to my appointment. Since Camilla doesn't have a phone I couldn't tell her that I wasn't going to make it for our meeting. I had decided to get a tatoo. It is really cool and it is a sun on the inside of my left ankle. Might be a surprise for some of you o,))) Anyway after that I went by the internet place and Elmer came by before work. I went home than and had a very akward shower since no water contact where the tatoo is. I had my dinner an headed out again. I was planning on going out with Marcella and just wanted to say quickly hi to Elmer in Monoloco. However Hanna, Hedda, Luis etc. were there so I joined them for a while. Marcela came by since she was early I was really surprised. Abbie decided since it as really dead to close early. We went together to Sin Ventura for some dancing. I had a dance partner and she told me later that he was an instructor. No wonder that I felt like whoa this is very different. It was good fun with him until it changed and he started hitting on me. He wasn't even impressed when I told that I have a boy-friend I guess he had a bit too much to drink. I left at around 1am and went back to Monoloco. Elmer didn't have dinner so he asked me if I could buy it since the policy there is that they aren't allowed to buy food. So we had a very late snack at his and by the time we went to sleep it was like 3am.

Saturday, we slept in until about noon. We started getting up and had a slice of bread. It took a while until we were ready to leave the house. I was chatting again with the whole family. They are just so nice. Elmer told me the other day that his sister was cracking a joke if I was his new girl-friend or new wife. I didn’t quite get it so I asked Ema and she told me that is just the way it is here especially since we spend so much time together. Okay, fine with me I don't care which title I get as long as I am happy. We wanted to see a movie but the best seats were already taken and the movie was stupid on top. So I stopped by Funky Monkey to ask if Morgan could cover for me an extra hour. Having swapped so often with him he owes me but he couldn't since he had to be at his other job. He told me though of a good place were we could have lunch. They actually had fish on the menu and guess what we had. It was a whole set menu and I got to try a new dessert some kind of fruit that gets boiled with sugar and cinnamon. Preparing it sounded like preparing cranberries but it tasted a bit like plums. I just love tying new dishes. So far there are only some veggies that I am not too keen on they remind me of pumpkins. After that for some reason I wanted an ice cream so we walked back to the park. He wanted a cold beer since it is humid and hot here. On the way to work I meet Hanna in one of these stores and we chatted a bit. Depending on where they will be tonight I might join them later. Elmer kept me company until he had to start work. I got to know some more artists since he helped me prepare a play list with Salsa, Merengue etc. Work has been bloody boring this afternoon and only picks up around 9pm when suddenly the place is full and everyone has weird requests of some reason or other. I haven’t made up my mind yet what I will do later on all I know that I will want my dinner in Monoloco and it will be quesadillas since I just love them with guacamole. That is what I had and was thinking about what to do next when some guy started chatting with me and suddenly Hanna was right next to me with her two friends. We checked out Sin Ventura. It was crowded, hot and sticky and the guys were drunk. I happily declined dancing with them. By now I know too many guys to be able to walk into any place and not at least know the face if not the name. We left and went to check out La Sala and there we would have had to pay 10Q to get in for 30 minutes that seemed stupid. So we left and since all the places were closing they decided to go home and I went back to Monoloco. I was kind of tired and expected him to finish up and to go and get some sleep. Instead Billy and his friends decided to have a party and part of the staff stayed on. They got so pissed that Chris whose hair was shoulder length was at the end of the evening 2mm. I wonder if he woke up and ha a fit when he looked in the mirror. Gee, we sure had really too much to drink. I hadn’t realized just how much Elmer had to drink. In the end he was really drunk and it took me forever to get him home. He managed to make such a racket that his sister woke up and let us in and his brother in law got him into his room and I took care of the rest.

Sunday, he really didn’t want to get up for work so I decided that the wet, cold wash cloth would do the trick it sure did after a while. No one felt sorry for him but they all felt sorry for me having to take care of him. In the end he managed to get to work just in time otherwise they get fined. I went home after a short chat with Marcela. Nobody was home when I arrived so I figured time for a shower and than a nap. Mario and Ema came back when I took my nap since they tried to open my door I woke up. They told me later that they saw the wet foot prints in the bathroom and wondered who was home. I said hello and chatted with Ema a bit since Mario was off napping. She asked me if I wanted lunch and I said sure. Today it consisted of rice and potatoes. I had to pack my first bag really quickly and of course it started pouring when I had to go and I was running late so a tuc-tuc it was. Mike opened the door and told me that the guy hasn’t cleared out of the room yet so I parked my bag in Morgan’s room. Tomorrow I will empty the bag and get the house key. It should be good fun because Mike will be gone until Friday to El Salvador for his visa and Morgan and me are okay with each other anyway. They both know Elmer and there isn’t a problem on that side either. So I got a quick tour today through the kitchen and the rest Morgan will tell me I am sure. I left with Morgan and we both went to work but to different places. I stopped in Monoloco real quick and I guess Elmer wasn’t the only one suffering from a major headache so were Jordan, Kenny and the rest. I went to work and Marcela was happy to leave since she said it was very boring. I can only say that I got busy straight away and had lots of different things going on. So I had no time to be bored and when it was a bit quieter I finally got to write more. Elmer stopped by on his break and I told him to please take the Danish bread {which they don’t like here at all, having to many grains, Elmer is like me though lets try everything once} home and we could all have it for breakfast with some jam. On his way back he brought me a soup so that I wouldn’t starve like yesterday. He is such a sweetheart! Sure feels sometimes like being married since we spend so much time together but the biggest difference is that we both still have our own lives but talk all the time about we have been doing in the absence of the other one and it is so much more my idea of what a marriage is supposed to be. It will be fun to find out how it will be if we cook together as well … Now I am just waiting for my shift to end and than I think I’ll have a small bite in Monoloco and wait for him to get of his shift. We still want to talk some more since we hadn’t proper time yet although we are both tired. I haven’t decided yet what I will do about work tomorrow since I have to arrange a couple of things and move and do some shopping in the market as well to get some fresh fruit etc. Jason was already asking me if I will watch and cheer theme soccer game again on Wednesday and I really don’t know yet. Maybe I should swap to working some days in the afternoon … Only 2 more hours of work and than I can call it a night here!