OVERWHELMING to say the least. I was in a van with 7 of Lara’s family members, including her grandmother, not understanding a word they are saying. They were all so nice and understanding though. We drove through Guatemala City which is a shit hole. It is a dirty east LA. Mc Donalds, Ford, Nike and even a Waffle House was the sites. I was so glad once we were out of the city and on our way to Antigua, well a village a mile outside of Antigua. Antigua is all cobble stone and the buildings are brightly colored and stucko: It was like a stucko 9th ward. I was instantly in love. We left the walls of Antigua and entered a village of tin and stucko. People everywhere walking and happy.  Once we arrived at her grandmothers house I walked into a courtyard full of fruit trees such as Orange, lime, advocado, and fruits I have never had before. Family members from all around came to greet us. "Mucho Gusto" "Mucho Gusto" hugs kisses. Oooohs and Aaaahs, I was so overwhelmed. It was the most genuine people I have ever met. We were shown our rooms and went straight to the table where food was prepared. We had pan fried beef,salsa, homemade tortillas, rice and sopa de asperago. Our personal tour guide, Victorito (Lara’s 13 year old cousin) brought us through the village. People were walking around around dusk heading home with needed goods. Women carried huge piles of goods balanced on there heads. "Bueno Noches" from everyone we passed. No discrimination at all. I really can not put this experience into words. My eyes were filled and I had a lump in my throat. It was like being in a Grand Isle fishing camp a hundred years ago except these people are ancient. They are happy to be alive, nothing more. I took a short nap and went to her great grandmother old house which is being used for a recption hall for her Cousin Rigo’s wedding. About 15 people were there helping to prepare the room for a fiesta. Everything is handmade. Rigo’s dad is a tailor who prepared the cloth to be wrapped aroung the small strung lights. Rigo’s fiancee’s brother made small light shades to go over the hanging light bulbs. Young girls were oiling bannana leaves for decoration. I helped by string lights to reach across the room. More to come… Check out these pics .

Note: Nobody was drinking or smoking.