
El Remate, where we have been staying since we arrived last Tuesday, is only 45 minutes away from the Mayan ruins at Tikal.
For our visit there this year we were joined by very special Maya friends. Those of you who followed us last year, and a few of you who met Vilma when she visited the United States in December will remember she is one of the GRACE facilitators trained by Genelle in Guatemala. She, along with her parents, Sotero y Nicolasa, travelled by bus overnight to join us for our visit to this very special place. Because it was raining most of the day - Linda took most of these photos. One of the biggest treats was a sighting of howler monkeys. It's not a great video but the sound is really startling. For all of us it was a very special day. Last night at dinner Vilma's mother shared with us her regret that she could neither read nor write. When she was a small child and wanted to go to school she was prevented from leaving the house. When Vilma, her 4th child wanted to be educated both Sotero y Nicolasa worked hard to make that happen. As they are Maya, it was an honor to be with them and Vilma on their first visit to this holy site. On my birthday eve - we celebrated being together - more on Sunday.
For our visit there this year we were joined by very special Maya friends. Those of you who followed us last year, and a few of you who met Vilma when she visited the United States in December will remember she is one of the GRACE facilitators trained by Genelle in Guatemala. She, along with her parents, Sotero y Nicolasa, travelled by bus overnight to join us for our visit to this very special place. Because it was raining most of the day - Linda took most of these photos. One of the biggest treats was a sighting of howler monkeys. It's not a great video but the sound is really startling. For all of us it was a very special day. Last night at dinner Vilma's mother shared with us her regret that she could neither read nor write. When she was a small child and wanted to go to school she was prevented from leaving the house. When Vilma, her 4th child wanted to be educated both Sotero y Nicolasa worked hard to make that happen. As they are Maya, it was an honor to be with them and Vilma on their first visit to this holy site. On my birthday eve - we celebrated being together - more on Sunday.