Luke goes Mayan!

Since we arrived here I have been wanting to get some pictures of Luke with some of the beautiful Mayan people who are always so thrilled to interact with him...but I've not wanted to ruin a sweet moment by pulling out my camera and clicking away. I was afraid we would leave without getting any pictures for Luke to have of the people who loved him so much here. Then I realized I should just ask some of the ladies from our church group who take Luke off my hands any chance they get. Of course, they were happy to do it and our friend Will was an impromptu photographer (he has a great eye and a lovely camera).

Since I met Elena & Linda I have found them (like so many of the indigenous people here) incredibly beautiful. I have tried to put my finger on what quality it is that they seem to possess and I have yet to figure it out entirely. I know that their clothing fascinates me -- especially as this is not a special occasion costume, this is everyday clothing. I know that the people here have some of the best smiles around - even though many of them are missing teeth - their whole face just lights up and they seem almost more attractive because of their "flaws." Perhaps it is because there is no shame, just a pure smile? Their flaws freely shown as reminders of life lived without any cover-up. Whatever it is, it is an amazing quality.

I've thought about this concept a lot since Will passed on the great pictures he took -- looking at the two-dimensional photos of these beautiful women who have become our friends, I saw them through westerner eyes and was so shocked by how it seemed the depth of their beauty had been snatched away from them by the camera.

I hope that you might be able to catch a glimpse of them through different eyes -- these women come from a family of 14, they make and sell handicrafts for tourists and clean houses and do whatever other work they can come by to support themselves. They always seem to be smiling and I will treasure these photos of them with Luke.

Belle of Panajachel no longer

I'm afraid that Luke's time as the star baby in Pana has come to an end. There's a new gringo baby in town who is sure to steal the show! My friend Amber had this little sweetie last Monday (@ 11:59 pm!). He will most certainly be incredibly popular with the people here. Welcome to Pana baby Salem!!

NJ --> PA --> MD --> VA --> W.VA = Leesburg & Harpers Ferry

After a stop in the Bronx to visit Jason's old school (the 8th graders he taught there are graduating this year!),  we headed straight for Amish country -- Lancaster County, PA.  A bit of a change in scenery. 

Also in Pennsylvania was Gettysburg.  I had not been before and had no concept of what a huge space that battle area encompassed.  I thought it would be one big field, when in fact the fighting happened all over the entire town area.  A 24-mile driving tour is set-up for those who want to see it all.

While staying at our friend's in Leesburg, VA, we got to take a day trip to Harpers Ferry -- another place made famous by John Brown's famous raid prior to the Civil War.  Today, it's a beautiful spot where you can stand in West Virginia and see both Maryland and Virginia across the way.

Another point of interest at Harpers Ferry is the headquarters/conservancy for the Appalachian Trail  something Jason was pretty excited to get to visit.

VT --> MA --> CT --> NY = NYC !!!

Four states down ... many more to go!

Had a BLAST in NYC - hanging with an awesome Peace Corps friend and enjoying the stomping grounds from our first year of marriage.

Food on sticks -- ahh, we have missed street food sooooo much!

 

Amazing soup dumplings! 

And, like we should be eating still more  -- doughnuts from doughnut planet!

Ferry out to Govenors Island with William and his girlfriend.  Heading to a funky art show in the park -- Figment -- where you get to be part of the art.  So fun!

 

1%

When we arrived Saturday night at Cape Cod with our mouths agape at the fabulous location we were in, Jessie greeted us, saying "welcome to the 1%."  She was not kidding.  The wealth that was so abundant in the area was truly mind boggling.  We were invited to dinner at a neighbor's house across the street.  Inside, it felt more like we were walking through a museum that people just happened to liv in ... it was just one of their three houses at Cape Cod.  Seriously.  I don't think I can really wrap my mind around what it must be like to have one vacation home, let alone three.

And then there is Jessie ... who grew up summering around the corner from the Kennedy's and had the President at her house and yet who is incredibly down to earth and now has chosen to literally clean up the garbage of her wealthy friends/neighbors.  She runs a recycling business at the Cape during the summer and REALLY gets an inside look into the lives of the ultra-wealthy.  Scary.  Jessie reminded me this weekend about how she knew Jason and I should be together -- a long time before either one of us ever knew.  I love that.

Ironically, this weekend often felt like we were back in Tonga ... being in a place that we really didn't fit in, but getting to enjoy it nonetheless.  It wasn't a great weather for a beach weekend, windy, rainy and cold, but we had a blast!

Views inside our beautiful accommodations

 The church next door -- that Jessie has the keys to!

Anyone recognize this historic home???