http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/ St. Pats Edina - Youth in Coban Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:15:01 PDT http://www.blogdrive.com Copyright 2008. Catholicism Travel Teens http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/archive/7.html Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:56:10 GMT Hello all, Today my thighs hurt from yesterday's adventure up a mountain to an aldea whose people had never met American's except for the American monks. April, Keeler, Matt, and I went with Padre Pedro and another priest. After rock/mountain/farm climbing in the rain for an hour we were welcomed by smiling faces and "chicken soup"... at 9 in the morning. We then sat through mass where numerous babies were being baptized outside as we, different looking Americans, distracted the misbehaving children inside. Since it was the day of the Blessed Mary, Padre Pedro asked us to speak in front... (more) http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/comments?id=7 http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/archive/6.html Sat, 31 May 2008 05:21:44 GMT Sitting in the back of a 1970's Isuzu pickup with a topper that gives us just enough room to sit up straight doesn't bother me. Even roads that are steep, muddy, and really bumpy with an old truck that makes many strange noises doesn't bother me. Blum saying, "he got his drivers license yesterday," and the constant jerking and killing of the truck doesn't bother me. The black exhaust pouring into the back of the pickup and us holding our shirts over our faces doesn't bother me. It doesn't bother me because it is great to have transportation when most people don't have it in Guatemala. ... (more) http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/comments?id=6 http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/archive/4.html Fri, 30 May 2008 15:54:07 GMT Hola from Guatemala! We had one of the most interesting and exciting days today that I have ever had. This morning we left for an Aldea in a Toyota from 1970. It rained the whole way there, which made us all increasingly nervous as we made our way up a "road" leading into the mountains. Once we got to the Aldea, we unloaded the water filters and an eager group of people carried them even further up into the misty hills. We followed their lead and began climbing as well. Before long, we could hear the sound of welcoming music and their community church and gathering area came into view.... (more) http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/comments?id=4 http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/archive/3.html Wed, 28 May 2008 23:06:06 GMT Yesterday was possibly the worst day of travel I've ever encountered. I don't necessarily think I'm a sissy, but maybe I am. That bus ride was HARD. By the end of the day I was hungry, tired, and physically worn out. Today, after 2 showers, lots of food, and even more sleep, I'm starting to really enjoy myself. This has to be the biggest emotional turnaround I've ever had in a 24 hour period. Yesterday I was so completely filled with regret for deciding to come here. Today I think it's going to be a great week. So far my favorite part is praying with the monks. It's been a while since I've... (more) http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/comments?id=3 http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/archive/2.html Wed, 28 May 2008 21:12:45 GMT I'm writing the first blog from the trip. Please excuse my typing... I'm writing from a laptop in a room only lit by one small lamp. Currently, we are drinking orange Fantas while Matt is playing the guitar and and we are all singing. The monks are teaching us Guatemalan songs while we are teaching them songs such as "Light the Fire" (I insisted after being shot down a couple times), "Piano Man" and "Brown Eyed Girl." I've never felt so out of place yet so welcome at the same time. It is only the first day but I feel somewhat overwhelmed, uncomfortable and lost. Yet all of those emotions do... (more) http://cobanmay2008.blogdrive.com/comments?id=2