Days 5 and 6 in Guatemala and pictures of friends

The last 2 days have flown by. We have one more full day in Guatemala and then we fly home. Bug is ready to be home at his house, but he is loving the time with the girls. he plays hard with them and then is exhausted when it is time for them to go which leads to complete and utter melt downs.

Today we made an effort to get pictures in places and of friends from my first visit trip with Bug.

He is standing in the same seat in the bar area of the hotel. I have to pull up the old pictures when I get home and have more time on the computer. But he is in the same place. As we were sitting in the bar area today, Rafael from our agency walked through the hotel. Rafael was with us during the last trip and the first trip. His wife helped us on the second trip. Rafael says that our agency ahs 10 families in process still- not including the families whose birth mother did not come in for interview with CNA. It is sad. On the day we went to IRTRA we passed some young girls doing acrobatic tricks in traffic to earn money and I though of my friend's daughter I. I wondered as I looked at the younger girl if that is what I is doing now. It was so sad.

Nelda- she works at La Vista in the morning and evenings (depends on the week)

Fernando- he has been our waiter most nights

Edgar the door man- we spend time outside talkign with him many times.

The 3 amigos, Louis, Carlos and Mauricto

Gloria who makes my omelettes every morning.

Elianna (Illyanna) in the gift shop. She used to give all the babies a wooden guatemalan rattle on visit trips. We still have ours.

Nene - worned out yesterday from playing with the girls. He slept in this position for 2 hours.

Sitting in the highchair at La Vista. he barely fits.

Playing in the pool with the girls. he has learned to dog paddle on this trip and he happily paddled for 2 hours yesterday. We are going to miss swimming in the sun every day. Swimming at the Y, indoors is not the same.

Having fun

At McDonalds. He played for another hour here. So 3 hours of hard playing leads to on worned out Nene and a melt down. He refused to say good bye to the girls when they left and then screamed in frustration after they were gone. We have 2 days of this behavior.

the cars are all racing according to Nene

Some general thoughts on the Barcelo (formerly the Marriott)

Background: I stayed at the Marriott for all 3 trips I took toGuatemala to see Aidan and bring him home. I loved the Marriott.Previous trips, we stayed in the old tower (where the baby room islocated). this trip, we are in the new tower.

Room size: the same, same beddingbathroom- larger in this side, including a seperate area for thetoilet- so some measure of privacy with a toddler can be achived.

La Vista- the same- same staff, same food (delicious)- we love thestaff. We have seen Lesbia, Walter, carlos, fernando, etc- all the old staff.

The bar area- empty on this trip. I have not seen anyone- guests or otherwise in the bar.

Champions is now Strikers- we have not eaten there on any trip.

Gift shops- both are still open. The first one, near La Vista is still staffed with the same folks as before- the prices seem to bewhat they were before, a little higher than what you find outside the hotel. They definitely have more selection now and they still have all the baby supplies.

The second gift shop (up near the fitness center)- same owner, but she is in on the weekend. Selection is more high end, and the shop is not so cramped. I actually liked it better this time.

The Jade store- still the same. Love the selection.

front desk staff- excellent

Phone calls- HUGE CHANGE. The Marriott charged $4.00 per minute forcalls to the US from the room. The Barcelo charges $.23 cents perminute from the room. YES, you read that right- 23 cents perminute. The Ladatel cards for the phone in the lobby give you 5minutes max. So we have started calling from the room. This is a big savings.

other things:the little shops across the street from the hotel are still going full force- although the shop with the 2 teenagers has the worst prices as usual. We like the second shop and the shop near La Crepe.

The McDonalds is the same and this trip we have also eaten at Pizza Hut.

There continues to be armed gaurds everywhere- much more so than my previous trips. most tend to be located at in the parking lots for various businesses. I never saw them before, although they might have been there.

Overall- this has been the emptiest I have ever seen this hotel. many nights we are the only ones in La Vista and most mornings we are the only ones there too. Very sad. Most of the staff indicate that the economy is partly to blame and that is the low season for trevel/vacations, but I do see the impact of the adoption shut down. When I was here during Christmas 2006, there were 10 families in the hotel that I knew- all visiting. Now, until yesterday, Bug was the only child visable in the hotel. Today we saw 3 families- one of which was the rudiest family I have ever seen. She had the nerve, in front of my foster family, to complain about how the foster families spoil the children and how she was not happy with her son. My mother and I were shocked. I actually wasnot paying close attention to her because of Bug, and if I had been playing attention I might have smacked her right then and there. Her son was clearly loved, clearly healthy and very happy. I hope she is not on our flight on Thursday.

We have a day at the zoo with the young man I sponsor with Compassion International tomorrow, so I need to sign off.

Love and hugs to you,

Deb