¡Hola de Guatemala!

After digging my way out of the northeast snowstorm, and wrangling with the airlines over cancelled flights, I’m finally in Guatemala. Susan Leffler and I are sitting on our balcony of the Hotel Casa de las Fuentes, enjoying tragos of Flor de Cañ a rum and watching the sun set over Antigua Guatemala.

The hotel is beautiful, just a few blocks from the main square of downtown Antigua, owned by a lovely woman named Estella, who has been hosting us in Antigua since I first visited here in the early 90s. The rooms have gorgeous tile floors, large windows and - just recently - television sets! Hotel Casa de las Fuentes (House of the Fountains) is built around several gardens full of tropical plants and birds. Unfortunately the fountain is not running.

After getting settled, we spent a little time in the Parque Central (main square) shopping and people-watching. It’s very interesting to see the local observations of the season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. Balconies of public buildings are draped with purple cloth, and many establishment display a Lenten Cuarisma, similar to the way that American establishments display manger scenes at Christmas.

We hope to meet up with an American friend who lives here in Antigua for dinner a bit later this evening, and tomorrow will be a quiet day in town shopping, eating and people watching. Hasta mañana!

Winter Vacation 2010

This year I’m staying a little closer to home (than Australia) for my annual winter pilgrimage to warmer climes. My friend Susan and I are traveling to Guatemala for some R&R. Actually, thanks to the winter storm that hit the northeast last night and this morning, Susan is in Guatemala and I’m still traveling.

I was awakened in the middle of the night by a text message letting me know that my flight had been cancelled. I spent the next three hours wrangling with Delta Airlines to get the flights rebooked. They just couldn’t seem to understand why I didn’t want to wait a week to fly to Guatemala City. But I was able book a flight that is only 12 hours later than my original departure.

I had to do some digging out, particularly after the city plows created a mountain in front of my driveway. But I’m finally at the airport, watching the snow continue to fall, waiting to board a flight that still registers as “on time.” Maybe I will actually be in Guate by tomorrow!

Recital in Albuquerque

My goddaughter Linnea gave a fabulous recital in Albuquerque this past weekend. Check out the Rondo from Mozart's Oboe Quartet.