Toto, I don't think we're in Upstate NY anymore

Well, actually, the Butlers have already come and gone. The mid-August visit of los padres Butler was round 2 of the Butler invasion here in San Mateo. The first wave of attack came in May, when little miss Mary Beth arrived in town and mercilessly plundered the hearts of the male population of Yinhatil Nab’en. There is many a young tercero lad still pining away for senorita Meribet and frequently enquiring as to when my sister is going to return.

I believe there was slightly less romance and heartbreak involved in my parents’ stay, but it was a thrilling and beautiful week nonetheless. Wayne and Molly’s Guatemalan adventure began in the lovely colonial town of Antigua, where I met them lounging in the garden courtyard of the luxury digs of Hotel Aurora. (Lounging can here be interpreted as pacing nervously, because my bus was caught in construction all day and I was about 2 hours late in arriving.) After a full day of travelling, my own appearance frankly frightened me as I passed a mirror, but loving parents that they are, they were happy to see me, and forgave my bedraggled presentation and the unreliability of the camionetas.  Following this joyous reunion, we enjoyed a mini-weekend-vacation in Antigua and Lake Atitlan.  Having grown accustomed to Pullman buses and the Governator Hotel as the ultimate in luxury, I could hardly believe the star-quality accomodations and transport that my mom had arranged- I felt like a Guatemalan princess.

Of course, this royal treatment couldn’t last forever, and after feasting and fiestaing our way through Atitlan, we soon found ourselves on the chicken bus on the 5-hour ride from Huehue to the mountains of SMI.  Much to the delight of my mom (at least at first) this was a very tipico camioneta ride- very crowded, very bumpy and there were even live chickens as fellow passengers.  The novelty soon wore off, sadly, but I was so proud of the way Mom and Dad rose to the challenge and accepted it all with an adventurous spirit.  On this particular bus ride, I was lost to all the charm of mass transport, as I was completely abosorbed in the world of Hogwarts through the gift of the final installment of Harry Potter which my dad had kindly brought for me.  I did however emerge from wizard battle long enough to purchase the essential chuchitos in Soloma – no one could resist the siren call of this old woman’s feeble, hoarse voice beckoning you to buy her delicious wares of this quintessential bus food. Chuchitos are like Mexcian corn tamales with chicken filling, but moister because they’re wrapped in huge green leaves rather than corn husks.

Travel-worn and dust-covered, we finally arrived in the grand centro of San Mateo, where I’m sure my parents were awe-struck by the display of several fried chicken stands and hot dog vendors that our central park has to offer.  I dare to conjecture that they were even more starry-eyed when they saw the faaabulous hotel room I had booked for them.  OK, so it was slightly less majestic than the Hotel Aurora (seriously, check out the website for that place!)…..or maybe it was a bare room with nothing more than a bed, a toilet and an odd odor.  But once again, troopers that they are, my parents said it was just what they needed, and settled right in.  I feel so appreciative that in everything that they encountered during the week, from slight food poisoning to gaping stares from townspeople to long Disney medleys sung at dinner at the house, mom and dad greeted everything with flexibility and good nature.

It was a really lovely week.  Mom got to spend a lot of time with the kids, working on some really fun sewing projects she brought with her, and did a wonderful job using her Spanish!  The kids got a kick out of her being there and learning some more English.  They’re still saying “In the bag!” and “Reaalllllyy??!”  Mom and Dad both got to finally experience the manic nature of primero classes.  Sadly, not classroom management at its best, but you have to love the energy these kids have.  We also celebrated Mom’s birthday here, went to Thursday market, took some nice walks and ate some delicious food, both in and out of the Foundation.  Mom’s birthday festivities resulted in the serendipitious creation of a new dessert that I dubbed Chocobanano Custard Crunch a la Mateana.  Someone get me a publisher- I’m dreaming up a cookbook.

The week ended with a fantastic kings of Hooey Hooey tour.  Since we have to go through Huehuetenango every time we travel anywhere, the Foundationers have developed a criterium of essential destinations whenever we stay there.  We have our favorite hotel, The Governator (part of Schwarzaneger’s holdings in Guatemala) where Chat is a preferred client and always gets us a room.  There’s also a fancy schmancy bar and several eateries that we enjoy.  Mom and Dad gamely followed me around as I showed them all of our favorites and we had a wonderful last day together.  The next day we had breakfast at our usual joint and took a taxi to the bus terminal where we tearfully said goodbye.  Beyond the fact that the Huehue terminal is just one of the most depressing places in the world, it was tough to send them off on their bus to Antigua.  (I did pin a note with their destination on their shirts and make sure they had enough lunch money.)  They had come at a perfect time when I really needed a little break and support from my family.  The week before had been a really difficult  one- my grandpa passed away, our friend Fer left to go back to the states and there were a bunch of guests in and out of the Foundation.  Nothing could have been better for me than to see my mom and dad and get to spend nice Butler family time together.  It really helped everything get back into order for me, and since then, things have been a lot better.  I miss Mom and Dad now and all the rest of my family and friends too- it’s been a long time!  Can’t wait to see you all in November!!

P.S. Happy Labor Day!  They celebrate it on a different day here in Guatemala, but coincidentally we didn’t really have to work today either, cause they school is practicing for the band competition in 2 weeks during Feria.  Hooray!