In 43 1/2 hours I will be on a plane headed back to Guatemala, this time for six weeks. I am heading out alone this time. Richard was supposed to join me for a week or so, but his company is VERY busy making skimmers that are going to help clean up the CF in the Gulf of Mexico. So solo it is.

Right now, my intention, after a week of intensive Spanish learning (it is true--use it or lose it. Sigh.), is to again spend many of my waking hours volunteering at Nuestro Futuro. Last year at this exact time, I was headed off to the same country with only a vaguely formed idea of volunteering somewhere that would make use of my many talents, talents that most definitely did not include health care of any kind nor working with severely handicapped kids. I know my boundaries. What I did not know was that I would become so smitten with a bunch of grubby-faced kids who didn't have the conventional sense to hate school. I am very excited to see them. During this last year, Richard and I have stayed in sporadic touch with the two kids we "adopted" as godchildren--Susana and Juan Antonio. They are second graders now. Someone who was a longer term volunteer started an EFL program for the first and second graders, so maybe I will help teach English. I don't have a real preference; I just want to GET THERE.

I am eager to see Antigua Guatemala again and make new, if temporary, best friends with people of all ages from all over the planet. Well, I don't recall anyone from Africa, although one cool guy I met last summer who was working on a Master's in Library Science did say that as an undergrad he was an "Africanist." (Hi, Steve, if you are reading this:)). I am not sure if I will d o any in-country travel this time. I have no set agenda, other than those kids.

Here is the short list of things I am trying to remember:

Mosquitos love me. Deep Woods Off is the ONLY thing that will keep me from going nuts.
I have a double prescription of the antibiotic that will keep me from wasting a way, should I (again) get travelers' troubles and will take it at the very first sign of distress. If it is grumbling, it will 99% mostly likely erupt.
Toilet paper goes in the basket, not in the actual toilet.
Don't touch the electric shower. Ever.
I don't need to pack so much. I mean really, the rain boots came out only once and mostly only on principle. Wet feet when it is 78 degrees F do not get chilblains.

If I have anything to say, I will post, and for those of you who are on my email list, I will let you know if/when there is something new to read. Last year, I loved getting comments from anyone who took the time or felt so moved. Even if I don' t know you, write me if you like!
!bueno verano a todos!
Amor,
Jali