Iglesia El Calvario (Calvary Church)

Now that the BIG TRIP is behind us, what is next on the horizon?

We have several plans in the works, starting with a trip to Guatemala at the end of November to attend a wedding. We first met Curtis and Augusta in early 2007 when they so graciously opened their home in Panajachel for those of us volunteering with Miracles in Action. I remember commenting that I would love to be able to have a fraction of the skills that Augusta has in being the supreme hostess. 

Arco de Santa Catalina ~ Antigua, Guatemala

Initially they seem to be an unusual pairing – Augusta, a refined, successful business woman, originally from Barcelona, with adult children. She is the epitome of class. Curtis, is more of a rough and tumble free spirit, with amazing tales to tell from his wild days as an expat from the states. If I was trying to be a match maker, I’m not sure I would have been smart enough to have paired them.

But they have a strength of commitment to each other that is beautiful and after many years together, seeing each other through rough times, illness and the normal ups and downs of every day life they have decided to make their long-time partnership a legal marriage and we are thrilled to be included on the guest list for this very special day.

Ruins of the original Saint Joseph Cathedral, Antigua

When the wedding invitation came in the mail the other day, I was tickled and humbled by how they chose to handle “wedding gifts”. As a well established couple, they certainly do not need another toaster, towels or knickknacks.

A small envelope was tucked inside of the invite with several options from which to choose. This has got to be THE BEST gift registry I have ever seen:

1 hen 6 weeks old                      $ 4.00

1 pig 8 weeks old                       $20.00

1 solar lamp per family            $45.00

30′ water line from spring       $15.00

We will mark the item(s) we wish to give as a gift, include the appropriate amount in the tiny envelope and place it inside an urn for that purpose at the celebration.

Mayan wedding reenactment

And how will these items be utilized you might be curious to know…

They will be donated to support the vision of Michael Ewens who is bringing water, light and nourishment to small villages in Guatemala through The Ripple Effect. You can follow his achievements here or check out their website here.

After the wedding we are planning on spending a couple of days in Antigua. I have also contacted Expeditions Guatemala, a tour company we used in the past for a long weekend trip. I asked them to work with me to put together a 5-7 day trip to Tikal, Livingston and a return to Semuc Champey. Tim was not with me when I traveled there before and I am really looking forward to him seeing this amazing place for himself.  Click here to see why I think this is one of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL travel destinations.

More church ruins due to frequent earthquakes

Gratitude Moment: Today I am grateful for people like Penny (founder of Miracles in Action) and Michael (The Ripple Effect) and Chris (Days for Girls) who have taken a bold leap. They are actively making a difference in the lives of others.

And of course for Curtis and Augusta for inviting us to what is shaping up to be THE wedding of the year in my books!

P.S. The pictures shown in this blog are ones I took when I stayed in Antigua, Guatemala for three weeks in 2011 to take Spanish classes. The photography part of the trip was much more successful than the learning part, not through any fault of my excellent teacher, but through my own foggy mind post radiation treatments. I have not given up on learning to be conversationally literate in another language!

P.P.S. Those are coffee beans at the top of the page. Guatemala grows some pretty good coffee in case you have not already tried it.