Amo mi bicicleta

We arrived in Quezteltenango on Saturday after a beautiful van ride through the mountains. We spent that afternoon unpacking and touring the city. I also was determined to find a bike shop where we could rent bikes from. Eventually I stumbled upon one and we rented 8 bikes for an amazing ride to Los Fuentes Georgeinas natural springs on Sunday. It was a great all day ride full of ups and downs.




There was a REAL bike race during our little trek...



The last 8km hugged the side of a mountain that is used by hundreds of farmers. While I was waiting, I stopped and "helped," well sort of, a family harvesting carrots. I have a new appreciation for the process of farming my favorite food.


Mientras esperaba por el group "ayude" un familia con sus zanhorias.

This morning I went for one more ride before we had to get the bikes back. I wound my way up into the clouds. I stopped at an especially steep part to take a break and grab some water and an elderly women with a huge sack of onions on her back walked right passed me and gave me a little smirk. I then walked my bike up the rest of the climb with a fella named Roberto. He is twenty and works Monday-Saturday, 10 hours a day, on construciton. He bikes to all of the construction sites regardless of the distance. Roberto and the old women are only two examples of the Guatemalan work ethic. Anyway, the rest of the ride was amazing and beautiful...


Mi Carro!


Una familia con verduads en su tierra.


Mi carro y la ciudad.

Today I hunted down an orphanage that welcomes volunteers. I spent an hour or so walking and asking around for an orphanage in the area until Fina, an extremely nice women took me by the arm and dragged me onto a bus with her. She and the fellow riders discussed and eventually came to the consensus that I would continue riding with them until somebody got on the bus who knew the location of the orphange I was hunting for. After twenty minutes, a women got on the bus and Fina assualted her with the question. This women happened to know of an orphanage. So after another ten minutes on the bus I was pushed off the bus and told "Sigue recto!" I continued straight and found the place I had been looking for. I went in and had a nice chat with the director, Franciso. He is a fine fellow and told me about the different ways the group could help the center. I'm headed back there again tomorrow to tell him some of the activities, games, and work we could provide for the center. Looks promising!
It is the people like Fina who make this world such a beautiful place. Que bueno!


El Parque Central por la manana

Muchos gracias todos!