A week of family

Hi guys,

Last week was the family week here. Sue came on Monday, and Jon on Thurs. Sue left on Friday and Jon on Sunday. So really all I did was visit! It was great! We really had a good time. Here are some pictures....

Here are Sue and I at the McDonalds. Yes, I know what you are thinking...why would ANYONE in their right mind go to McDonald's in a foreign country, much less in the US, but LOOK at it. Isn't it beautiful? I go here a lot to study. It's a beautiful garden, and very peaceful in the mornings....

Here's one of Jon at McDonald's as well, since you just have to see the place...and then you have to have a picture.

Sue took this one of my home away from home at Casa Rustica...

Here are Sue and I at my favorite breakfast spot...I study so much here the guys have started correcting my homework!

I took both Sue and Jon to Santo Domingo (you all have seen pictures) and Sue took this picture of Jon and I....

I think I have told you the history of Antigua but here is a quick refresher. Antigua was the capital of this part of Central America, established by the Spanish crown in the 16th century. What they didn't plan on was the city being repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally, in the 18th century, Spain moved the capital to the current location of Guatemala City, and it became illegal for anyone to live here. People still did, but the big landowners, namely the churches, all were forced to move. Jon an I visited a church which has been pretty much left as it fell. The rubble tells the story better than I could about why this city was abandoned.

Here is Jon at the entrance to the church...you can see the rubble in the background.

And here is a picture from inside the ruins. Just imagine all this falling down at once!

Pretty scary, huh!

Well, this is my last week here. Today I booked a ticket for Panama City, Panama. I leave Friday. I'll come back next Wednesday and spend my birthday at Earth Lodge. Then I leave the following Saturday for Mexico, where I'll travel around Mexico City for a while. A part of me is kind of sad. I've had a good time here, and made a couple of friends I think I'll keep with me. I don't have firm return plans yet, but I have to be back in Houston by December 10, since Jon graduates on Dec 14 and Nicole and Ryan arrive Dec 12. The kids and I will then leave for Playa del Carmen for a few days to chill and have Christmas together. As soon as I get back, I'm headed to Monroe, where Sue and I will take off for Oklahoma, and the Kouri Christmas. We'll be back just after the first. I'm planning more travel starting early in the new year, so I won't be in Houston long...just long enough to get different clothes!

Let me know when the Christmas party at TWU is.. If I can be back for that, I will!

Take care, all of you.

Earline