Guatemala

Once again time to borrow Chad’s laptop to catch up on what has been happening here. .
I did join the guys in the end for the climb of Acotenango 3976m! I wasn’t really sure what I had gotten myself into but by the end of the day I knew. We got up around 4.15am and the shuttle was there about an hour later. We got dropped off in a town and started walking around 6.15am I was prepared for cold but it wasn’t as cold as we had expected. I didn’t start taking layers off right away but the higher we got I took of some layers but decided to keep some on although others were running around in T-Shirts. I was so sweaty that I didn’t want to risk getting all cold. In the beginning it was very steep through fields and going up. Once we hit the tree line it was more like a curvy path leading up. I was okay at that point still and was also able to carry the backpack. Once we hit the first peak I was beat. My head started pounding and I was falling behind more and more. Elmer stuck with me and the last part up to the top was really tough. I have never been that high up before in my life and had no idea what to expect. The first time that I had the experience that I had hit my limit when climbing up. Pictures that he took prove it. I mean I was out of breath, head aching and trying to draw a breath … heart racing … I look really pale in the pictures but I have never been a quitter and this volcano wasn’t going to make me. We made it to the top 30 minutes behind the rest and we had a break to eat and drink. While we were up there we had a perfect view of Fuego and it had twice eruptions. Smoke and ash was being blown very high in the air and we could see the lava flowing down on the sides. It was a great spectacular but when you think about the fact that some of the towns further down are still lived in and not evacuated … I don’t know if I could get used to the idea that any day it could blow and you might not make it … Going up took us about 6,5 hours and down 3 hours with breaks of course. By the time we were down my head felt as if it would explode. I was expecting knee trouble as usual when I overdo it on exercise but none this time. We took a shower and felt clean again afterwards. My muscles though the next day hurt like hell and walking up and down stairs were hell. The one surprise I was in for though was that only my upper leg muscles hurt really bad! I was looking forward to a lovely Sunday of chilling and all … instead I got a phone call from Jose asking me if I could help him out since he had fired a waitress. Big surprise there since it was more a matter of time. The girl was already stealing money from Funky and running up a tab so I was actually surprised he hired her at all. Guess he isn’t so tuned in to the gossip line here. The problem is that it is a very small town and once you have a bad reputation it takes very long and very much hard work until it changes. Doors for work will slam in your face although they will always be very polite about it.
Today 12-12-2006 means only 12 more days and than it is Christmas and the room isn’t even decorated yet. Our place looks rather messy and although there is time to do stuff during the day it just seems we don’t find the time or energy to do that. I am having a day off. I must have caught another little bug except this time I spent the night in the bathroom and last night wasn’t the best one either. I just can’t figure out how since Elmer and me had the same food and he is fine. Although the last time he caught something, I was fine. I guess that evens it out o,)) I feel a bit out of it and don’t have the energy for gym yet but hopefully Thursday I will have the energy again. I miss my work out. The last time I went Manolo showed me some nice arm workouts and the next day my arms and shoulders were killing me. I guess I am a little whimp o,))) although I am proud of the figure that I am starting to have again.
Since I started working again I hardly go out at night. I might go for literally one beer and than I just want my bed and on other days I just can’t be asked for any of that. Elmer was looking for ages for a new job and it was usually we would call you when there is an opening blabla. I told him not to worry and rather use the time to see his son and family and study. I know that time is flying and before he knows it we will be packing our bags and leaving. His Mum is having a hard time with knowing that he will be gone soon. Her nerves have already been acting up and the other day she was crying. His Dad is sad about him leaving as well but hides it better. I don’t know how much his son has understood of it and has really absorbed yet but it is starting to hit Elmer as well now. There are nights when I am beat and asleep and he is still lying awake since there are still too many thoughts in his head going around. He isn’t ready yet to talk about how it will look like in reality and how he will feel but he knows that it won’t be easy. When I went to the States for a year it was more like an adventure and of course I missed my family especially around Christmas time but I knew exactly when I would see them again. Elmer can’t look forward to that yet since it will depend on so many factors. He is taking in a way a far bigger step than I ever did but I am sure that we can make it together. I mean right now again being the Christmas period I miss my family, the cookies etc. everything that makes me think of a Christmas at home. I know though that I will have that next year and this year I get to celebrate it with my colleagues at work 24.12. and at night after work with Elmer and the next day with his family. It is supposed to be great fun and the whole town is up and about and eating tamales … I am looking forward to seeing how that will be. The only thing that I won’t be able to participate in will be to go to church since the last service is around 10pm and I will still be at work.
We enjoy though our “Adventskalandar” filled with chocolates and he has the even numbers and I have got the uneven numbers. Nidia, my boss, gave me a straw angel, who now sits on top of my little tree o,))) She also invited me the other day to a party at her place around Christmas. They are all so nice to me here and I already know that for me it will also be hard to leave.
On the personal front the wedding certificate finally got legalized and the next step was to get it translated and that one legalized than. We than requested the visa for him and if we are lucky than we might have one before the end of year and if we are unlucky than hopefully first week in the new year. To us the embassy is wonderful and very helpful although I have heard other stories as well.
I started my new job like almost 2 weeks ago as a hostess in Restaurant Welten www.weltenrestaurant.com and I enjoy it a lot. There was also a wedding held there for about 80 guests. It was for me not extremely busy but the bartender was snowed under so I helped him out and was busy enough. Elmer was working that night as well. It was fun to work together and to see how we each did our jobs. For me it was very interesting to see how people dress here for such an occasion. Women came in long gowns as well as cocktail dresses; men were dressed from suit to jeans … the few kids that were there all dressed up. They were kind of annoying since they were running around and the waiters really had to watch it where they were going.
The waiters Don Carlos, Ramiro, Nerry and Erik are nice and we have lots of laughs together. I don’t have all that much to do with the kitchen but they are always nice to me as well. Don Carlos is the oldest and is wonderful. The others call him sometimes “abuelo” but it fits since he has adopted me from the start. I guess I have managed to gain their approval quickly since they tell me what is really going on. Nerry e.g. is the handyman for pretty much everything since although not the youngest one he is small and fit and gets to climb on the ladders (which are rather scary to climb up since they are everything but stable) and decorate for Christmas the garden e.g. Erik is nice enough and a bit the on heavy side and a bit lazy. Ramiro is always good for a laugh and a massage or a hug. The first time he gave me one he lost his watch and we all burst out laughing what a cheap watch he has. Ramiro and Don Carlos have already told me that they love me and that they will miss me. I was like but guys I am not leaving yet and anyway I will than only have worked with you for a shirt time period. So they told me that the turn over of hostesses has been quite high lately but that doesn’t mean that they really like the person and they just have to work with them. Point taken! Ramiro and me left the other day together work and got an ice cream on the way home. Don Carlos is always checking if I am okay at night walking the last two blocks by myself but there are always enough people around and the police are also around. Okay, maybe the security they give is an illusion but hey … The last time when I was in the embassy and read the note about lots of crime in Antigua and around I was like that is so odd I mean I feel safer here than at home when I walk the streets at night. I shouldn’t leave Sergio out, our bartender. He is my close by companion since the reception is right across from the bar. I help him out if he has got too much going on at once. I guess the other hostesses didn’t do that and I help putting things on the trays for the guys or clear their trays quickly so that they can go and wait on the guests. We have by now a routine and they appreciate the help. Roberto who is responsible for marketing but also works as host some nights does crap all and only talks to Nidia as if the others are beneath him so that doesn’t exactly get him any brownie points. I admire Nidia since she has started out in the kitchen and worked herself up to manager without any so-called education. She is great with details and other things that guests will appreciate and no college education will ever teach you it is only experience. Roberto is German but has a Peruan passport and in most ways he is typically German. He is nice to the guests but it always comes out as trying hard. The other night he was like that was a short round for you. We had two groups and they were all talking animatedly and I just asked if everything was fine and wished them to enjoy your meal. I was like sorry but they were happy and hungry so I will check up on them when they have finished the meal. I know when they are basically saying thanks for asking but you can leave now. Other guests want to chat especially Americans like that but Germans as well sometimes. The Spanish speakers depend on the combination. I had two ladies from Colombia and we started chatting and in the end they wanted a picture from all three of us taken. I chatted with a big family where the brother and sister were running around the pool until the little girl feel in … She didn’t hurt herself was just soaking wet. She ended up in her Daddy’s parka and enjoyed the attention she got. She was cute and the brother rather subdued afterwards. The reaction though was so different than what I have observed. I mean they dote here on the kid and no screaming and harsh words. Everyone is just occupied with making sure kid is okay, warm and taken care of. There is always something or other going on and I love it. When lunch hour is slow than they will be in front with me and keep me company. We chat about everything and nothing and just joke around. At the beginning it was weird for me that they would wait on me since they don’t get a free meal. By now I can’t say that I am used to it but I have grown more costumed to it. Ramiro usually if it is his turn will tell me your queen dinner has been served at the usual table. He gets a smile and a court courtesy and we both just laugh. Whoever passes wishes me a nice meal and asks if I am happy with my meal. For that short time I am like a customer. Maybe it also helped that I went with them on the excursion. I guess that I can count myself lucky. I had just worked for Nidia like 5 days and they had the Christmas outing. It was all the staff with families. We went by bus to an amusement park near Guate and spend the day there. Usually people who work for 3 years for a company have the right to obtain a certain card that will give them access to certain parks and than they can come and go as often as they like for five years and than they get renewed. Of course, I didn’t have a card and on the card you can take 4 or 5 people with you. Angelica also didn’t have one she became the daughter of one the cooks. I ended up being the wife of Ramiro for that day (why that? because he is about my height and all the others are rather small and wrong age). It sure was funny since he also had his kids with him. We were the first one’s in line … He showed the card and than more or less pushed me through with the kids and went love take care of them and I will be right there. His card has expired and the guy from park was doing paper work for him but therefore didn’t ask for my identification or anything. Lucky me! Angelica and I spend the day together hanging out. We found a picknick spot and all had breakfast (hot tortillas, sodas or water, crème and beans). Yummy! After that we walked around first in a group and going on rides and having fun and later on split up in smaller groups. For lunch we all meet up again. The cooks had made meat and salad, tortillas and also dessert. Ramiro and his kids ended up behind us at the table. He was like love you deserted me. Angelica was like of course any woman would if she would be married to you for a day and have 4 kids. We were all laughing and kidding around some more. Afterwards since we had seen pretty much everything we all waited a bit and than we went off to the pool. Angelica didn’t have a bathing suit or bikini with her so only I could enter but she got my camera and took pictures. Ramiro and kids and Erik where in the big pool while the one’s with the little kids where in the smaller one. I showed them how to swim and than they were eager for me to show them how. The water was cold but as long as you moved around it was fine and than drying of in the sun was the best. We were the last one’s out and than we all took the bus back to Antigua. The only bummer was that some of us had to work at night and we had like 1,5 hours time to get ready for work but were actually rather tired from the day. Oh well, it was a fun day out! Angelica worked me in and we got along very well from the start. I hope to see her again one day. She left to study in Pana and live with her family again since although she loves Antigua she misses the lake and the fish etc.
We already celebrated our 1-month-wedding anniversary and due to our work hours a romantic dinner was out of the question as well as a nice and long tea break since he had to work overtime. It was nothing more than buying a piece of cake and splitting it o,))) It also being “Nikolaus” he got a nice big chocolate one and he is still enjoying it!
On my day off I met up with Anne for coffee. She is an ex-colleague from Flor. It was nice to sit and chat and of course we got chatted up in the café – at least the guys got the hint not interested! Before I leave we will meet again that is for sure! She gave me a good tip about what to do about my stomach. I should eat a spoonful of Papaya seeds and any diarrhea will be gone shortly afterwards and it kills all the little suckers in the stomach. The seeds taste horrible but now I just have to wait and see if they will do the trick!
Today if things go according to plan Sonja will come to Antigua the last time and give me her adapter since I was stupid enough to leave mine at home. Possibly I get to meet her boy friend as well. Elmer won’t be joining us since he has to work and his schedule is still kind of weird. So also no salsa classes at the moment since schedules overlap too much. I hope that once the restaurant is open than he will have a more normal schedule and we can do stuff again.
Elmer told me the good news last night. Marcela has got her visa and has to be out of the country before the 24.01. and she is overjoyed. They felt the whole time that their life was put on hold and now they can plan and move forwards. Chad must be so relieved since he can hardly wait to work again and study again. Marcela is just happy that she will leave soon since they were both getting more and more worried that they would have to separate again due to finances. I have to drop by before work since I want to congratulate her on that.

During the flight I got to chat with the girls behind me and they had booked the night in a hotel in Guate already and were planning on heading out to Antigua the next day. We stuck together and went together through customs. I was looking for a shuttle to take me back to Antigua when a girl started chatting with us and asking where we had to go. It was her first time in Guatemala. She also wanted to go to Antigua and we teamed up. I managed to get a good deal on the price since it is usually 10 USD but I got us a deal for 8USD. By the time I was back in Antigua it was around 8pm although I had arrived don time 5.30pm. We got of course stuck in traffic and the construction on the highway didn’t help things. I was glad that I was back home and it was all clean and tidy. Elmer did a great job but I was in for a great surprise once I was upstairs. He had decorated the bed with roses and chocolates in the shape of a heart and had hung balloons up and Garfield was holding a message for me. The red roses were in a vase and I was so touched by it that I cried out of pure joy. No one had ever done something like that for me. I went right away to Funky thinking that I could use their phone there but instead it was closed. I had to go home and get some money to buy a card for my phone. I called Elmer to tell him that I had returned home and he told me what time he would get home from work. I started making the so tidy room messy by putting my stuff in unloading presents and reorganizing the closet o,))) It was good fun and time passed quickly. Only by the time he came home I was so sleepy and hardly able to keep a conversation up – disappointing! Although when he was finally tired I was wide-awake and at least was quicker awake than me … o,))) No Halloween party for us but the whole city was out and about as well as the usual crows from Guate.
I was supposed to work since it was the 1. November but I couldn’t open Funky up since I had no key. I called Marcela and she told me that they had rescheduled me so I wouldn’t have to work that day. I chilled and enjoyed the time with Elmer before he had to go to work. Abbie called my cell and asked who was working today … than Lea told me she opened Funky up and that I could work now … fine with me. I caught up with the news from her and from Marcela who came by later. It wasn’t really looking good for the business and it was like we thought just a matter of time until Funky would have to close down. After I got briefed on how it looked I only asked Marcela if there was enough money to pay me my outstanding wages. I got paid and was glad about that. I got the key back to the place but was scheduled to work next week. Instead one guy called din sick and I got asked to cover and than Marcela told me that the place is closed and won’t ever open again. The question that remained was only who would buy it? Lea had been busy planning to buy it but we were never sure how serious she was about that. In the end it was sold to some guy who was supposed to be a friend of lea’s but he basically backstabbed her and kept it too himself so now it will serve as office space. I wasn’t all that closely involved since I was busy with our wedding plan preparations. We were in for some surprises … On Thursday we went to Guate to the Minsterio de Relaciones Exteriores got told we could pick up my papers next week Monday. Wedding day!!!! Fab! So we called the notary and told him that the originals are now with the Ministry a dif he could pick them us for us. He needed of course the receipt for it and it was a bit of a bit back and fourth until that was taken care has. Than he told us that everything is done and he had translator for the German papers but none for the Dutch one’s. We were like what he tells us that now … Great! I called the Dutch embassy and asked for names’ of translators that they use or recommend. I called done lady up and asked dif I could email it over and if she could have it done by Monday – being a rush job! I had to wait though till the notary gave us a copy since the originals where with the Ministry it was some organizing. In the end it was all sorted to but I was nervous until Monday and the notary was there and said all sorted out now. Elmer and I did more preparation work on the weekend and I started getting sick. I had a bit of a cold before I left but thought it would go away really quickly. No such luck I ended with a proper cold and painful earache. In the end I went to the pharmacy and told them what was up and got told that I might have an ear infection and that I should use the antibiotic eardrops. I did but now it had moved from left to right side and my face was slightly swollen on the right side. Eating was very enjoyable since it only hurt to chew. I had no fever though and I was only glad that the swelling went down before the wedding and I didn’t end up looking like a hamster for that day. Oh yes, Thursday we want to the jewelry store for the rings and I was sin for a surprise since I couldn’t remember if we had agreed to get tear if fitted for my right or left ring finger. Anyway it didn’t fit on neither so I guess that means I gained weight in the month away. The guy was like sure we could have the ring changed for next week Wednesday. We were like well the wedding is Monday so can you still manage it. The guy promised to call us Monday first thing and to our surprise he did just that 8am sharp. This time it fitted for my left hand. Elmer had a change of mind when the big day cam closer and he wanted to invite more people. Monday we woke up and were both so excited that the day had finally arrived that we had waited for so long. There were still last things to arrange in the morning and than around 1.30pm I was at the spa. Mary one of Marcela’s bosses had given her half the day off but the other one didn’t know anything about it and she had to stay and work until 4pm. The wedding was supposed to take place at 3pm. Good start! Chad went with me to their place where her sister did my hair and her Mum the make-up. We were running late … Rosa our landlady had already in the morning arranged flowers for us and also got us a rain cover and decorated the patio. Chad was supposed to help Elmer out with getting ready but since the whole schedule was a bit screwed up he stayed at his place and we all left together. Sophie, Marcel’s’ sister got dropped off at work and we got dropped off at our place. We were running late so I changed shoos in the car and got the right jewelry on … By the way we got there the noatry was already there but he told him that we were waiting for our witness … since he is a friend of Rosa’s that a no problem. He later on got his wife and we all waited for Marcela to show up. The joke was she finally showed up and thought that all she had to do was sign her name and when we told her she had 5 minutes to change and get ready she was like my God you guys haven’t even started yet. She changed in a flash and we got started. I was kind of nervous and excited … but I was also so happy as you can tell when looking at the pictures. The ceremony was over and than I was in for a surprise. Marcela knew our notary’s wife because her brothers used to play with her son’s. Such a small world! We had champagne afterwards and suddenly some more people showed up with a very obnoxious little boy. He was more annoying than any show shine boy and that can mean something. Once that was done and dusted we arranged the food and drinks for the night. The boys went out later to get more since the first guests finished off so much! Most of our friends that we had invited showed up. Ema and Mario came to and than I found out the she was actually the sister-in-law from Rosa but they don’
T really gets along. Great! Since I didn’t know that they made civil conversation and all and I only found out the next day. We had a really fun night with all the friends here. In the end I was cold and tired and so was Elmer. We were glad whenever had left and we cleaned up outside a bit and went off to bed. Our first day as a married couple we spend with getting up and having brunch at Café Sky and visiting Marcela in the Spa. Afterwards we were so tired that we went home and slept, woke up had dinner and went back to bed. I think it was all the stress that we were so beat since we didn’t drink that much. He was the perfect host made sure everyone was taken care of while I made my round for small talk etc. We even got to dance to bit just to get warm again o,)) the best thing though is that my dream has come true. Nothing has changed we are still the same people are only feeling more secure and are even more in love than before. We wake u every morning and just smile at each other or tease each other but there is always laughter and that is what life is about. I found the love that I was looking for and we will make it although it isn’t always easy since we are similar but the culture is different and not to forget the difference man and woman (“man are from Venus and woman are from Mars”).
The side of my face was getting better and the earache was getting better but every now and than it was more persistent and I decided that it was time to see the doctor. He checked my ears first and told me that they are fine. I was like but I don’t understand why they hurt than. I showed him than the swollen part of my face and he looked at me in surprise and told me that I had mumps. I could only recall that it was a kiddie’s disease but not anymore what it was and what the symptoms are etc. I had to look that one up in the Internet later. Anyway he gave me some pills and I got told that minimum for 5 days better 10 days I was ordered to do nothing. Any of you think well should be fun think again. I mean I didn’t have fever or major pain so I felt fine it was just there and therefore a few days it is fun sleeping in, reading a book in the sun and getting a tan, going out at night every now and than or just watching TV … gets boring after a while. I was more upset about the fact that I wasn’t able to continue my salsa classes and couldn’t sign up for the gym. I am feeling so unfit right now and have the feeling because I hardly do anything that I will be fat and unfit in no time and it is frustrating. I have waited my 10 days and it is almost gone now. I will visit the doctor again Monday and find out what I am now allowed to do … we had taken two classes so far with Mike. It sure was fun starting from scratch but suddenly you start thinking about your steps and because you think too much you start messing up stuff that usually you don’t even think about. Elmer is enrolled in his English classes. We found a good teacher and maximum hours for a good price. He now has 6 hours per week and it is he and two other people it level. He is really excited about learning something new. The first weekend after the wedding we went to Pana on Saturday and from there we took a shuttle to Chichi in the morning. The market is really amazing and worth visiting for a couple of hours. I was thinking about buying a little wallet and maybe a purse if I could fin one that I liked. Elmer was excited about trying out his new backpack. He was surprised how quickly it was full with changed of clothes, clothes for going out and rain jackets. Being close to Lago Atitlan the weather can be very chilly and cold – differently cold than in Antigua and surrounding! In the end we really used all the clothes except for the rain jackets. I still had to get used to change in temperature. It is more extreme now than it was the months before. We found a really nice hotel in Pana. It was s new it wasn’t even on any map yet which means the bed was a dream and the hit shower was great. The nightlife wasn’t really our cup of tea as far the music went to many people from Guate around. The place were we had dinner though was wonderful and very original. We did almost everything by chicken bus and had our snacks in the difference comedores on the way. I like that way of traveling since we never have any problem and it is one of those times when I think my background come sin handy. The few gringos that also take the chicken buses stick out like sore thumbs. We had breakfast in chichi and grabbed a bit before leaving. There are still lots of things on the menu here that are new for me. If he likes it he buys it and than I get to try it and if I like it than I will have it as well. We took the bus from Chichi to Chimal which goes through to Guate and that is how that guy was driving. If you know the route than you know there are lots of serpentines and the guy was overtaking other buses and trucks going uphill and stuff. I have long ago decided not to look out ahead and just try not to think about it. This time it was kind if scary though since the bus was full to the last seat (imagine a US school bus and normally 3 people on one side and 2 on the other side but here you juts let 2 more people support each the by sitting in the middle and market day so the overhead was full and lots of bundles on the roof as well). Elmer was more scared than I was and he was more than happy to get of that bus and to change to the one to Antigua. We made it with changing buses in 2,5 hours from Chichi to Antigua and that is even faster than a shuttle ride. So go figure how well the drivers’ go here! It was good to see some more of the country.
In the week from the 13.11. We had almost every night full house. It had started out with Marcela and me deciding to fix dinner and out place. We had wanted to do that for ages but it never happened. In the beginning I was very tired and I don’t know if it was because I was sick or not but because my ears hart ever now and than my balance was slightly impaired if I walked around to long. I old Elmer I would take a nap and he said he would go out to make photocopies and than come back. Instead I wake up realize what time it is and call him. He was having drinks with his buddy in Monoloco … someone was knocking on the door and it was Marcela. We were talking about where our husbands were and what they were up to. So we started preparing dinner and hoping that they would show up. Chad did and he was drunk which is so funny since he starts talking only in Spanish than and is even more fun than usual. Once he heard that Elmer was in Monoloco he was like I will go get him … we called Elmer and told him that Chad as on his way and that they should please come together. In the end dinner was doe and they didn’t show up so we decided to have dinner and some cubas. We girls had fun and when they showed up we were in high spirits. Chad had some food while Elmer just wanted water. The four of us went out since we wanted to dance but nothing came of it. The boys had had more rounds in Monoloco and hadn’t told us girls but the result was that Chad disappeared of to the bathroom. Elmer went looking for him since Marcela was getting worried about him. In the end Fernando and Hiroko showed up and Fernando told us that Chad was sitting in the street not looking all that hot. Marcela took him hem and we stayed a while longer with them. I had reached my limit for the day and declined any more offers but Elmer was game … He had a nice hang over the next day. Marcela and me were just grinning since we don’t cross our limits but occasionally the boys do - must be a macho thing! Since there was so much food left over we had invited Fernando and Hiroko over for dinner. It was fun and not very long since we were still tired from the night before and fern ado had to get up early. The Friday night was Hiroko’s good-bye dinner at our place. It was fun to watch them. Hiroko and two other japans friend fixed a salad and Chow Mein for all of us. It was a MIX OUT OF Spanish, English and Japanese since the language skills are very differently distributed. Fernando had to work longer than claimed that he had been knocking on the door forever but no one answered and no answered their cell phones etc. so in the end he decided to go home and sulk. I was like what he can’t do that it is he good-bye dinner and he goes home and sulks … what a boyfriend, loser! Of course he was out and about a d not at home since the remedy here is called lets forget sorrow in the bottle. Dinner was entertaining and Hiroko wasn’t too upset about it. Elmer gave a speech and we had lots of laughs. Afterwards we went out and started out in rainbow. They were celebrating their 14th year anniversary. Elmer and me can’t stand the place. Must be beastie the people who hang around there are either drug users or dealers. We bumped into Hugo and the boys from the gym and danced a bit and had some drinks. It was so quiet that e than went to Sin Ventura where we found Fernando. From there we went home and I was glad about that because I was tired by than. Saturday night it was Marcela’s surprise birthday party. Chad had invited some friends over and it was fun. I got to meet her best friends and more of her family. We had drinks and some food and than went to town. Since she lives on the outskirts we took a car and we managed to get 9 people into the car. It was fun! We checked out different places for dancing and at 1am called it a night. Sunday was spent with being lazy since we had enough of all the partying. During the days we were busy with our marriage license getting that one legalized. This week we took it to the German embassy and got told that fir the German authorities it will have to get translated. Fine since in the same house there is translator we decided to take it there straight away. The only thing that is still open is that we once we have that than we have to wait for his visa for Germany as for the Spanish side I still don’t quite buy it that he needs absolutely nothing. My embassy recommended that I speak to the consul directly and get more information that way. Today being Friday Elmer is off to his English classes while I have borrowed Chad’s PC to catch up on my log since I am so far behind. Tomorrow Elmer might join Fernando on a trip up the volcano at 5am until 3pm. I would like to go to since I haven’t seen that one yet and it will be freezing cold that much is for sure. On the other hand Sonja might come from Guate and visit me tomorrow but than again maybe on Sunday … I guess I will have o check my mail and make some phone calls to find out what is going on.
Weather: During the day there are still some sun hours where I can sit in the garden here and enjoy about 3 hours in the sun there and than move into the apartment and get some sun there for maybe another 2 hours. That is the time while the apartment will warm up slightly. I am already using my turtlenecks and sometimes also the thermal underwear like when I am cold and just get warm again. The warm water bottles came in handy as well. The sleeping bag was the best investment that is for sure. To give you can example during the day in the sun the temperature can be above 30 degrees C and at night they go down to 10degrees C and in December it will drop even more. Right now lot of locals has colds no big surprise there. We try to eat enough vitamins and using the vitamin & mineral pills will hopefully help to fight off any cold.
Washing clothes once again by hand in the basin outside is good fun and the water is so freezing cold. Only the sleeping bag gets taken to the washing salon o,)))
Time is flying once again here but I enjoy my time although I wish I could do more … because Elmer and me are together again.

The last few days went by in a flash and we did manage to arrange everything. We were two days in Guate either for shopping or running errands. We did some more shopping in Antigua as well. Finally found a notary that knows what he is doing. Rosa our landlady said that he is a friend but once we talked to him we were both like yes, we will use him. Since we were running against the deadline for hiring one to put the announcement in the paper. It was a bit of a rush job but okay. In the end we managed to get it all done and now all I need is my papers so that we can be officially married. The newspapers were the announcements have to be placed are some that I had never heard of but at the airport in Guate I found one and had a look. The notary will keep an example for us as well with our announcement.
I had quit work for the last week and the last few days as well and it was the best decision of that I am sure. What happened at Funky was crazy! Abbie was still in the States and Cesar had once again dropped off the face of the earth. So Marcela sits in Funky when suddenly all the lights go off and all the PCs. What had happened was that they hadn't paid their bills for so long that the electricity company cut off the electricity! Now Marcela got stuck with finding money, making phone calls etc. She sure had fun with that one. No surprise I still haven't been paid yet but who knows they might pay Elmer while I am still gone so that he can pay the rent. In the meantime they must have borrowed money since they are suddenly able to hire more staff and all.
In the end we went to Monterrico for the weekend Friday until Sunday. We got picked up and I did a double take on the driver. He was the same one that drove us (Chelsea and Camilla and me) to Coban with his family. He also recognized me and asked me how I was etc. He told me that I look to 80% like his daughter. The next surprise was when we arrived at the travel agency. They switch drivers there. One collects all the people while the other one drives the people to the destination. It was Marcela's Dad who did the driving. We stayed again in the same hotel as the last time and even got the same room. Marcela and Chad joined us a day later. Unfortunately the owner said that we weren’t staying in that hotel and they ended up in one at the other end of town. Not so great but it meant we had to walk a lot o,))) Friday at the beach Elmer and I were talking that we just managed all the paperwork in time and now we could actually more or less relax on that front. I was like we don’t even have a day as such that we could call our engagement day. He was like that can be changed right now. He proposed there on the beach and it was wonderful! Saturday we celebrated our 6 months and around midnight we toasted to my 30th birthday. I think we were back in the room pretty early since the 1am deadline doesn’t apply there o,))) That weekend was filled with lots of laughter. It also seemed that half of Antigua was in Monterrico that weekend!
Elmer was able to bring me to the airport. There I was in for a surprise. I mean I had changed my dates sometime in august and I had reconfirmed my flights etc. At the airport though it was that they could see that I had the reservation in the system with Conti but they couldn’t issue me a ticket since they said that Delta hadn’t given them access. Great! After waiting for what seemed like forever I got told that I could fly out with Delta instead and would arrive 15 minutes later in JFK. Better than nothing so of course I took that one and sent a text out to Mike and Mandy for the pick-up time and airline change. Elmer and I exchanged a few more words and than he had to get back to Antigua and I went through the security check. The waiting area was the literal freezer and I couldn't wait to get on board and hope that it would be slightly warmer.
I was looking out of the window and thinking, gee, that is what I will be missing for a while and I can tell you guys even knowing that it is only for 26 days made no difference since I sure missed Elmer and the people and the country already than.

Time passes here differently but maybe it's also just me. I mean Elmer and I talked and I told him that I really like it here but I couldn’t do what I am doing right now all the time unless I would own a place. Why? It is a no brainier and if I ever have a family than I still won't be sitting at home all day. He was like I know that you want more and that is why you also work more hours than I do. He said that he wouldn't expect me to be sitting home with kiddos and not have a life anymore and especially not go out with male friends since that is just not done here. For the standard here I am cheating on him every time I have a drink with some guy other than him. We both just laugh at it. His buddies are really worried but he is like we are fine and there is nothing going on they are having a drink. Gosh, if I would have a fit every time some girl is clinging to him or drooling after him I would be really busy and wasting my time and energy. Our philosophy is they can all look but can't touch and we come home to each other and not to anyone else. Recently I had a nice compliment. I got told that I looked too young to ever have been married in my life. The guy was from Ireland and is buying ipod music from me and has lots of very different requests so he makes me work which I really appreciate since time passes more quickly for me. He told me that he has been thinking about me and than hastily added not that way but he feels like he should show his appreciation with something ... wonder if he was serious or just talking. He sure makes me laugh and I just love the Irish accent. His buddy is also pretty funny. We were chatting and trying to get the ipod which was Mac formatted to work on the Windows one by restoring it to factory settings but that just wasn't happening. Some guy wanted a disc burned with his pictures. The guys were like we will look for a shop that can do it and than come back and in the mean time you serve him and we will be back later. He was from Belgium and we chatted a bit while the discs were being burnt since he had 1 GB of pictures. It reminded me that I still have to take more pictures from Antigua and Jocotenango. I don't have any from Ema and her family or anything like that only a few from Jocotenango. I guess because it just is all so normal and I wonder what would be worth taking pictures off. Oh well, I better take some more before coming home. The week has been okay so far although the money hasn't really been great and Cesar is like a week late with paying me. I hope that he will pay me next week so that I can pay my rent.

Monday Elmer had swapped his shift against a Thursday one since he wanted to have a day off to chill. I took time off from work as well and had only to work from 12-16h. We had a nice breakfast after I came back from Funky Monkey. I had to buy some more disks and make some phone calls. Then it was time to see the guy for our rings. We sure had fun on the way talking on the way on which hand the ring would be. I told him for me it would be normal to wear it on the right and he told mar that for him the normal way is left. I must have lost weight since I can't remember since my size was that small. Oh well! I guess I should be grateful since a lot of Europeans and Americans who stay here for a while turn flabby and fat. After we stated what we wanted and the guy told us that he would make of Elmer's ring a silver sample and we could come back in like two weeks and have a look if that is what we want. We left smiling to ourselves that it all will be very real soon! He had the idea to invite his parents over for dinner. I was sure I only have to work for four hours and than could prepare dinner. He ran some errands while I was working and than we went shopping and got started with dinner. We made Spaghetti Bolognese and it was delicious. We had also bought some nice candles in the market and so it all looked very good. For after dinner we lighted some scented sticks and it was all very agreeable. His little brother was rather bored and I felt a bit sorry for him ... We all left together since we escorted them to the street so that they cold catch a tuc-tuc there to take them home. Of course when you need one not one to be seen so he called his buddy who makes his living by driving people around. He came by eventually and Elmer and me than went to Ricky’s for a drink. We bumped into some people we knew and I was greatly amused by some Swiss guys. Sometimes it is great that you can understand people and they think if at all you can barely speak English.

Tuesday I was working at Funky in the morning and at Flor at night. It was pretty dead. I wonder if I made more than 5Q in tips since it is really bad right now. Sandra and I had some parts to laugh about though. Francine who I didn't know until that night is actually Dutch showed up with a girl-friend for dinner. There is no love lost between Sandra and her and it was funny to observe. Sandra is as straight as can be and she said hello but did not go kiss-kiss. Francine greeted me as if we were best friends and I am polite to her and oblige her with the perfunctionary kiss but think by myself what an arrogant bitch. She is the type who needs to be center of attention whole time and you need to cater to her very whim otherwise she sulks and bitches all the time. At the moment in Flor we have during the week and for ladies only a 50% discount on the main meal. So what happened after she got told that she could choose between her regular discount and taking the special? She started bitching than of course in Dutch about the fact that poor little she got mistreated … Sandra and I just grinned inwards and the cooks were just smiling since they also can't stand her. I am still trying to understand the rules for the card game the cooks are playing and every time I think that I have got it they play a card and I am like why, someone won ... it is all very much fun ... I think they all like me since they treat all the waitresses in different manners but my favorite is the cook's daughter. I think she is like 15 or 16 and we laugh a lot together.

Wednesday I had the morning off so I got to sleep slightly longer than usually. Elmer had to get up early for a change and had a reunion. I got dressed and than went to a travel agency to find out what the process would-be if would book my flight back from here. It is kind of funny all the prices like for flights, overland buses and jewelry get quoted in USD while all the little day to day things get quote in Q. The guy took forever and that the electricity has constantly spikes didn’t really help to access the reservation system. Elmer called me while I was waiting for them and told me that he would go for a drink with his buddies from Monoloco since they were all mad. I was like okay tell me later what has happened. Once I was done with that I stopped by Funky Monkey to check the going rates online for flights. The first quote the agency gave me was return ticket for 1.800 USD via the States which is a no go since when I return to Europe with him he can't go via US. I found something but it wasn't great! I spend that day and the next hunting for a good price since all the cheap fares where already gone I ended up with a one way flight BUT it only cost like 615EUR including insurance so that wasn’t a bad deal all round.

Thursday called the German embassy first to clarify something and later tried the Spanish embassy. They score in my book really bad as one of the most unprofessional embassies that I had to deal with yet. Not only unhelpful but don't seem to know what they are talking about either in English or Spanish ... So we decided to go to Guate and sort it out in person.

As or the rest nothing special to report all same old same old ... and too much work...

Monoloco fired Elmer on in my opinion flimsy excuse that wouldn’t stand up for anything in our system. I thought it was really bad for him especially since he always got told that he is a good and hard worker and keep up the good work etc. He has gotten a lot better at being on time for work as well – his fines have been a lot lower lately. Than they use an incident as the reason to give him his papers … I was furious because I thought it was so unfair. The first day he was basically in shock and close to crying – being a mixture of being mad and thinking of now what … I told him not too worry too much about the money we will be fine and can manage. What interested me more was if Victor would write him a recommendation or not … I guess I am getting more practical. However the whole incident and politics behind it reminded me of Dresdner. I tried to cheer him up a bit once I got off work. I spoke to Cesar and told him about it. He was like sorry buddy but yes that is how they run their business if for some reason they don’t want you anymore or prefer to hire someone else than you are quicker out than you can imagine. I told him that is unfair where is the law that protects the worker. All I got was a smirk like laws are there to be bent. I don’t think that I could be happy to work like that here …

Anyway he kept busy with household, seeing his son and when I had time off we would spend it together. He has gotten over the shock and is looking now for other work. I guess I worked too many hours lately because I am lately always tired so I decided to call it quits a week earlier than planned. The good part is that we will get to spend more time together and might even go away for a few days. I guess it will all depend a bit on how Monday will be … What am I referring to? Here is my idea of what I want to do the next few months. I will return we will get married 06.11.2006, we will celebrate Christmas and New Year’s here than we will make our way to Colombia start January and come back to Europe mid February. I therefore have to think in terms of what shall I buy now and take with me so that I won’t be burdened later on with too much stuff … and in case something gets stolen that I won’t be like if only I had … So we have both got some planning and thinking to do of what to take on my trip home already - especially considering that things here are cheaper. I bought the other day handmade boots for a great price compared to at home. It is now shopping time and spending money time I guess. On the other hand I hardly spent big money so far so it is more a toss up between what to purchase here if it is good quality and what to buy new at home for myself. GRIN!

So what has been going on last week since this week is almost up.

Monday worked during the day and did grocery shopping after work. We both wanted to have fish but once I got in the market I was really like well I don't want to buy THAT and be sick. I asked if they had some refrigerated shrimps and of course they did and they did look fresh so I bought them. I had before looked at recipes online for a proper sauce. So I got started on that at night once we had both relaxed a little bit ... Elmer had a little accident when adding spices since the cap fell off and we ended up with lots of ginger in the sauce. I just thought it was funny! We had a romantic candle light dinner and that was partly forced since electricity died on us for a while though not very long. I was home the week before too much for my taste so I wanted to go out for drinks. We didn't bump into Fernando and Hiroko but instead he found an old friend. That guy was buying us a round of good rum but on the rocks just isn't my style of drinking it. I was feeling slightly drunk after that! It was an entertaining evening and we got home early.

Tuesday I was working a double shift and Wednesday as well. Result> all I wanted to do was basically sleep!!!

Thursday once I got off work we met up. All I wanted to do was sleep instead we had to go to the laundry place since washing the clothes by hand is okay but after doing that for like 2 times it needs a proper machine wash. Although here there is nothing to be had like a hot wash like 90 degrees C so by now I try to wash the white clothes by cooking them on the stove since I refuse to use bleach. We had so much to wash that afterwards our room looked like a drying room. It smelled very clean and good though! At night for dinner he had bought fish. I was starving and already had some potatoes before we actually got started on the dinner. I wanted to go dancing later on that night. He was like okay but this time we are going to Toreros close to the market. Well, there was lots of space but the floor was tiles and rather slippery. I danced also with Fernando and he flipped me over (he is like up to my chin but boy the flip worked well enough) and when I landed on my feet I was trying to find sure footing but no luck. It must have looked really funny like in the movies! It was the first time that I danced with him but he is really good dancer and it was easy to follow what he wanted me to do. They closed early though since there were hardly people there. We all went for drinks in another place. Fernando and Hiroko told us that they will go traveling together and depending on how that will work out he might come back or maybe he will go with her to Japan for a visit. Beats me though how since he has hardly got any money and doesn't want to get a better paid job since that might be work. Elmer and me were just shaking or heads afterwards and saying that she must be a bit silly but hey not our problem.

Friday was my day off completely and I had a dinner date with Sonja - ex-colleague from Flor. Elmer had to get up like 05.30am and he was of with Miguel to Esquintla to get his papers for the wedding. They went by motorbike and one way is like 90km so the boys showed up again shortly before 11pm. Elmer was rather nervous for the photo shoot in the spa. In the end it was a lot less exciting and all than he had originally thought. He said hat it was actually rather boring ... since they didn’t pay him for it he got a voucher for a free massage. I wonder when they will publish the photos on the web. By the time he showed up at home I was dressed and had done some housework. We didn't have much time left together but we were both hungry so we went to a cheap place to eat and afterwards to Cafe Condessa for a hot chocolate and cake. Sweet tooth and it was cold! All I did afterwards was basically napped and than he went off to work and I was like I have to check my mail ... Sonja called me though and canceled our dinner date since she was sick. I chatted with Marcela instead, Chad had to go to some party, Elmer was working and that left us girls alone. I felt like getting a pizza and she was all for it. We girls had pizza and I got a margarita from Monoloco. They are trying to transfer money from here to Canada and it isn't really working because the word service here doesn't exist in banks. They basically got the standard form for a SWIFT payment and got told fill it out 100% correctly and than come back. They had questions like what is a Swift code and fed wire ... The girl just said ask your bank. Poor babies they were like no idea what to do or what questions to ask... I told Marcela that I would help her since she is always holding my hand for everything. The last time was when I had to go to police and I played dumb tourist and I needed a translator since my Spanish is so bad ... I was more than glad to help out. Also next week I will go with her to Guate by car and we want to hunting for a dress to wear for the wedding. This time I will have the one that I have always wanted – RED one! We will also look for other things as well that I want to take back home. After work she went to a party and I went home and cleaned up the kitchen and watched bit of TV and dropped off to sleep. I woke up when he got home.

Saturday usually is my day off but since it is kind of boring being all by myself I thought what the hell and put myself down for the nightshift in Funky. Elmer and I both almost feel out of our bed this morning though. Someone was calling his cell at around 07.30am and it made so much noise and I couldn’t place it at first and was thinking we don't have a fire alarm. His Dad needed some help with something. So we went back to sleep for a bit than I got up and made breakfast. I cleaned the whole house and especially the floors this time with detergent so it smelled really nice and fresh. I had my shower and waited for him to return. I had packed my things together so that we cold leave right away. We went to the market and bought lots of gifts and now almost everyone is covered. This year I already have to get my Christmas gifts with me when I return since they will be left at home. I guess this year I will be working and making hopefully some good money. Being on a shopping spree made him hungry and me sleepy. The last thing on the list was basically looking for wedding rings. We had found a design on the web that we liked but in the shops they only sell silver rings. So we asked if they are able to manufacture what we want here in Antigua since we aren't all that keen to go to Guate. They said that they could do it for us so that was great. Once we had agreed all the details since we needed to discuss the little details. The guy had disappeared of to an appointment and the lady couldn't quote us a price. Useless! We will set up an appointment with them for next week and than we have the next part sorted out. Yesterday he got hold of a friend who recommended a notary so that means that we can hopefully also set up an appointment there soon. I am so glad that things are looking so much better than we both thought at the beginning. By the looks of it I would say the wedding will take place in November. After all that I managed to sleep for about an hour than shower and off to work. Right now I am at Funky and am really tired. It is getting really chilly now at night and I am always wearing now my sweater.

Tomorrow I will work in the morning in Funky and than I will be off to Flor and than the weekend will be over.

Next week 15.09. will be a great fiesta here since it is their Independence Day. I will work and will get paid double so that will be worth it I hope for Funky and if I can get a shift lined up at Flor than I should also be making decent tips. The problem right now is that the season is very slow and works on the highway from Guate to Antigua and vice versa doesn’t really help that people want to come here and spend money since it means being underway something like 2hrs instead of 45 minutes if the traffic isn't too bad.