Santa Maria de Jesus is located on the side of Volcano Agua. The population is about 20,000 people. The primary language spoken is Kaqchikel and the secondary language is spanish. If you like incredible views the ride up to SMDJ is for you. Today as we enter Santa Maria there is Norma, one of the children that the Dickerson's built for the first year they were here. She walked down from her home to welcome them. Everyones faces lit up when they saw her. She jumped in the back of the truck and we were on our way. Marissa and I got out of the truck and we agreed to meet back at a certain spot at 11:30.
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| Maria, Vilma, Marissa, and Catherine |
The walk up to the main square is along a street with many small stores offering the same things. As we approach the square we can see it is bustling with shoppers. I am looking to the church for Maria and her family to meet us, I don't see them, but then I realize they are sitting on the left. I get many stares because I am a tall gringo in a place where the majority of people are brown skinned and short. I really stand out!! Marissa of course fits in perfectly although there are puzzled looks, curious about our relationship, I am sure. Maria and her Mom greet us with big smiles and warm embraces. Her Mom is carrying her youngest son, Henry, on her back and her three daughters are walking, ages 9,7 and 2. They are all wearing brightly colored native garb. It looks like a flea market with most of the people selling fruits and vegetables. There is an indoor area that has small "grocery store" looking spaces. I always take Maria's mother shopping when I visit them. I am amazed how many groceries she can purchase for about 25 dollars. We should be so lucky, in that respect. After she buys the groceries I ask her if she would like some carne or pollo, beef or chicken. She always chooses chicken and we always go to the same vendor. Marissa and I are a little blown away at the "chicken bin" breasts, thighs, legs, rooster heads, fingers. I ask her Mom if she eats the "cabeza" of the chicken and she actually reacts just like I do when I look at it. So we have that in common, neither of us eats chicken heads.
I also bought the children "pelotas"(balls) and they played while Maria's Mom and I sat and talked. Her primary language is Kaqchikel and secondary spanish, and I speak some spanish...we actually are able to communicate while we watch our children play, it felt no different then when I sit with Mom's in the US and talk about school, kids, homework. It was quite a good time. The kids had so much fun. The smiles on their faces were ear to ear.
We decide to walk to their "casa" (house). They live in a home built by FHTH. The walk through the village is interesting. Everything is different from home, the look of the buildings and houses, the smells that are in the air, the whole social situation is different. Children make do with odd "toys" such as plastic bags, broken kitchenware, and sometime you even see a toy or two. These children have learned to adapt to their situation with grand smiles. Of course, there are more dogs then you count and they are all sickly looking. This is what poverty looks like here, however as you walk through the streets people are very social and smiling at one another. The one thing I have never heard here is a complaint, and I have made many, many trips here at this point. As we arrive at Maria's house we turn down a short lane and enter a door that is hidden in a cornstalk fence. There is a chicken coop, and a small kitchen area with an open fire to cook over. The children are really excited that the chicken laid one egg. They handed it to me, and I have to say it was quite heavy. takes me back to the fact that my Mom only liked fresh eggs and would drive out of her way to get them. We enter the small block home which is impeccably neat, with 3 beds in it for the 8 people that live here. Maria's family are very content people, they attend church up on the square together every Sunday Morning as a family, and they are also a very handsome family. I got out my IPhone to take some pictures of the girls. Maria's dad and her 2 brothers were working today. Guatemalan children, and sometimes their parents get a bog kick out of seeing their picture on the back of a phone or camera. I then decided to do a little Cam Wow with them...it is an APP on the phone that distorts the pictures. Well let me tell you, these kids were rolling on the ground laughing, and so was Mom. I actually was a little worried that it might scare them but they got it immediately and had a ball with it. They all tried taking pictures. It was a hoot!!
It was time for me to go. They were kind enough to walk me back to the location I would meet my ride. Santa Maria is like a big maze, I have always thought it would be a great place for The Amazing race. My ride was not there because The Dickerson's were having lunch with one of the families they built for, no worries, I decided to hop in a Toyota Van with Marissa.
We had to wait until it was almost filled before we headed down the mountain.....I have to say I was a little nervous. The road is very curvy with spectacular views, however if you have any fear of heights, the views may not thrill you. I was pleased when we headed down the mountain slowly behind a big oil truck.....until we passed the truck..... on a curve...thank God we survived. By the time we got out of that 11/12 seat van there were 21 of us. Some of them hang out the sliding door but hold on inside, this is very common in Guatemala. Of course since we were first in, and now were first out, we had to climb over quite a few people. Marissa and I are making memories for sure. The rest of the day was meant for relaxing.
Marissa and I went for a walk through town and a number of people approached to express their condolences regarding the passing of Joe. Again, not surprised, but surprised that so many people from so many walks of life down here made mention of his death. Shoeshine boys, Lily, The Newspaper Lady, and of course the young ladies who sell their goods in the streets. They feel the loss, and they express their condolence with sincere sadness.
I went to Panza Verde for dinner with some volunteers from Seattle. One of our big supporters, Michael Chansler, had gone deep sea fishing and caught dinner. Tuna and Dorado which the restaurant had agreed earlier in the week that they would prepare it for him. I didn't think that I would like it so I ordered a steak. I had some samples and it was very delicious!! The group that volunteered all expressed the desire to return again next year. As usual, it does not surprise me.
As I reflect on this very busy day I am reminded again how much I love it here, especially Santa Maria de Jesus. I feel very at home here, no fear, just a feeling of gratitude, and belonging. At this point I have established a familiarity and it too, feels like home.
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