Christmas in Guatemala City

I drove a microbus full of little ones to the capital city yesterday (about 65 miles from NPH). During the month of December, there is a holiday festival in the main city square with free ice skating, machine-made snow, and lots of yummy food. Though I was super nervous about the responsibility of driving everyone such a long distance with all of the crazy drivers out there on the roads, we said lots of prayers and arrived safely home last night. Only 4 of the kids from my section of children with special needs came, but I think they really enjoyed it. The entire Casa de Bebes went, and I know they were thrilled to experience all of the winter activities. In the end it was worth it, but I don't think I ever want to do that again :)

Everyone loading up in the microbus

Thankful my dad made us learn how to drive stick-shift.

My copilot helped me navigate and park in the parking garage (scary)

A little room to spare ;)

Making snow

It was this tia's first time playing in the snow. :)

I'm pretty sure they didn't like how cold the snow was on their hands.

Attemping a group shot with these guys :)

There were lots of pigeons around and all he wanted to do was chase them!

Where we ate lunch

There were tons of the typical dresses being sold at the street market. I bought a teeny tiny one for one of the tia's who is pregnant with a little girl. She loved it!

Walking on the famous 6th street here.

Some of the boys from Casa de Bebes trying to get Santa to let them feel his beard.

Mas Fotos

I am working as a tia (caregiver) in the home for children with special needs for the month of December, as the regular employees all have vacation through Christmas. All of the volunteers work 48-hour shifts with the kids, and then we have 48 hours off. Here is a picture from this past week, when we walked to the town of Parramos, only about a mile from NPH.

A picture of a camioneta in Guatemala City.

The local in-town busses in Guatemala City must be from the 1950's. I rode in one with a few other volunteers when we went to Pamela's graduation from dental school, and I hope I never have to ride in one again.

Some super employees at our holiday convivio.

My friend Pamela, who spent her final year of dental school working here at NPH. She lived in my house (Casa 4) during the week and returned home to her family in the capital on the weekends.

The convivio with the employees of NPH.

Dancing at the convivio...

More dancing.

We had a raffle with lots of prizes...

I won a soccer ball!

Tias from Castillo Magico (the nickname of the home for kids with special needs here)

9 of us made the trip home to NPH in the back of a pick-up truck.

There was a walk in Antigua for children with disabilities that we got to go to. It was a fun event for everyone and we got free food :) 

Thanksgiving

The Gringos of the casa made our own Thanksgiving dinner for all of the volunteers last week. Though we had chicken instead of turkey, and there was no gravy to be found in the city, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We got to go around and say what we were thankful for as well, which was great to hear :)

Additionally, I was invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with a Notre Dame family who lives in Antigua. There were nearly 40 people in attendance, all of them very friendly and with fascinating lives. I am so blessed to get to meet such incredible people here in Guatemala!