It's near 10:00am. I've only been up and out for a few. Although, during those "few" I've already bumped into 4 people whom I know. It really is interesting how close of a community this area is. Especially, considering the amount of people. Yet, I guess, it's what happens when the majority of business is focused in one central area. It's a rather nice way of living... that is, if you don't mind continuing to bump into people.... Just as I was about to publish this post, another person whom I know stepped into the cafe where I now write this.

Pushing Cars

While walking yesterday afternoon. I passed a man who had one hand on his steering while, while the other was on the body of the car. In the rear, were 3 women, all -the man included- were struggling to maneuver the vehicle. I joined in the action. We pushed the car several blocks. Another, joined to help. The 6 of us pushed the car another 4 or so blocks (uphill and in traffic) to the nearest gas station. The group was quite thankful for the assistance.

Today, I awoke and immediately headed out to take a group of children to what one might call an inspirational program. It's mission is to give children a feeling of belonging. The desire is to show the children that there are people who care about them. They do this through several hours of music, singing and dancing.

Later today, I went with some friends to a child's celebratory birthday and possession. She's a women from Holland, who has had a little struggle adopting a child, but has finally --mostly-- managed to obtain sole custody. The event was filled with leagues upon leagues of happy kids, people whom I've never met, and a few friends.

I was awakened by a drunken Juan, last night

Around 2:30am, I left from a dance. Several friends were there, including Juan (whom I'd spent much of the night with). My walk home was quick. And, after cleaning-up, I went to bed.
I awoke to my cell. Leaning over the bed, I retrieved the phone and pressed talk.
"Hello" I said in a overly groggy tone
"Dude, we are going to the lake, right now. Are you in? Or, are you out?" The voice on the other line said enthusiastically.
"Juan?"
"Yeah man. We are going right now. I'm too drunk to drive. But, Steve says he will."
"What? Right now? Juan, it's flippin early. Count me out. You guys are crazy."
"Come on man. Be in. Also, I'm not driving. Steve is. He says he's fine to drive my car to the lake."
"I'm tired. Count me out."
"OK dude, well, maybe we'll all go a little later. I'll call you in a few hours."
"OK"
Ending the call, I looked over at the time. It was 4:30am. I immediately shutoff the cell.

Sometimes...

Returning to a place can many times feel like a homecoming. And, other times, be like the homecoming one always attempts to avoid. I´m not really sure which category my ¨returning to Guat will conjure¨.

I just arrived into Xela. A place that has acted as one of my ¨homes¨ away from home. As I think I´d mentioned in a previous posting. I hadn´t informed anyone of my arrival. I called a friend a few hours before I got into the city. He was pleasantly surprised. When I arrived into the city, he promptly picked me up. It´s not really his surprise that has we writing the words above, but my surprise of all the drama that apparently has been going on around here. I guess one could label it as your run of the mill bickering- One friend is apparently not talking to another because of something that was said. Another, who is quote-un-quote married, got caught kissing a newly divorcee. And, then, someone told someone else that the best man of another ones wedding wasn´t happy the person was getting married. When his friend heard about the comment, he pulled the best man and swapped him with the guy who informed him. If this is the type of stuff I´ll be around, I´m not sure I´ll stay in the area two long.

D27 - DFW Airport

I currently sit at the Dallas Airport. I'm awaiting a 5:50 flight to Guatemala. People walk nimbly across my power cord that's stretched across the floor. I'm drawing free internet from a T-Mobile promotion I found last night. They forced me to sign up with a regular HotSpot rate plan. Although, I can easily cancel --at least, I better be able to-- after this one time free connection. A man, just sat beside me. I initiated the invite. He has a laptop and, like me, has made the preceptive observation that Terminal D, at the Dallas Airport, does not have many available power outlets. We was gracious enough to try and stand, keeping his distance while talking on his phone. However, I insisted that he not worry about his talking, and that it wouldn't disturb me. His current conversation is about some book-- maybe academic, maybe brochure, maybe employee training book. Words he continues to use are "Age Demographics"; "Relative" "Club membership trend"; "Analysis". He seems nice enough.

Upon my arrival into Guatemala, a shuttle should be awaiting with a sign. I'll be staying the evening at Dos Lunas. Tomorrow, I'll take a 4 hour bus ride (Linea Dorada) to Xela. My intent for this trip is to write and catch-up with friends (friends whom I've not told I'll be there tomorrow). So, one can imagine, tomorrow should be rather fun.

Flights leaving in about an hour. I need to get some food before I board.

...

An appropriate scolding might be appropriate. As my words have not graced the pages of this blog for some time. for shame... For Shame.... FOR SHAME!!! Sorry... hmm, I really don't have much to say. I think I'll just stop writing now-

Kidding. Alright, a lot has happened-- meaning a lot of words that I should place on this blank, poorly miss treated site, but I won't. I will, however say "Scott, you owe me an e-mail. I wrote you about a month ago with questions. You have yet to respond to me."

I'm currently in Houston. I was happily pilfering internet from my friends next door neighbors, but it appears that they cut us off. That will mean that this "Was" written yesterday, but had to wait until "today" to be published.

Why am I here? Well, I'm visiting a friend, Son. ...long story. "We" were supposed to have gone to Mexico, but someone (not me) shipped his passport and didn't have a way of getting into the country. So, instead we headed to New Orleans. Four days were spent touring the city. As some might remember, I was in the city some months after their disaster. Not much had been cleaned at that time. I'm happy to say--although there is still a "LOT" more work that needs to be done, they are at least --appear to be-- moving in the right direction.

A turn of events happened in New Orleans. As we roamed the streets, touring the area, an image, more like a beauty passed in front of me. It was with this image, things created for an interest in attempting to rent a place in New Orleans-- so I could get away and write. My initial plan was to go to Guatemala from New Orleans. But, since that initial thought, I decided to to rethink the thought. The new thought, which had me spending most of my day searching, was to spend some time in New Orleans. However, it has become more difficult then I expected to find a month rental that spans across the Mardi Gras weekend. This has brought me to another thought... my current thought. I may go to Guatemala, spend a few weeks there, and then, after Mardi Gras, spend a month in New Orleans. But, at the moment, these are all thoughts.

I hope everyone is well-

Arin