Antigua Trip and Other Happenings

We went to Antigua today and just under the wire, apparently. Since it is Holy Week and Antigua has the largest Easter processional in all of Guatemala, Antigua is overrun with tourists. It is a beautiful town, but there were too many people and that can spoil a beautiful place. According to a local shop owner, what we saw today was nothing.

Fortunately, we had gorgeous weather, the little girls were well behaved and we saw a lot. Before we arrived in Antigua, our driver took us to a nearby town called San Antonio. It's a lovely village that has been there since 1528. Shortly after we arrived and shopped for a bit, we were able to see the townspeople assembling the beautiful flower path for the Easter processional to pass over. They use flowers to create "rugs" on the ground and the float (for lack of a better word), depicting Christ carrying his cross, is carried over it. Music is played as the parade passes through the town and into the local church. It really was beautiful. We felt so lucky to have stumbled upon this processional without really planning it.

Once we arrived in Antigua, we ate lunch and hit the shops. We walked through some boutiques, visited a church, saw a market and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of this lovely town. I marvel at the kindness of the Guatemalan people. They smile and talk to the babies and ask about our journey to Guatemala. They're so warm. And to top it off, I think Savannah really enjoyed our adventure today. It isn't easy to satisfy adults, and 18 year old and toddlers all in one sweep. Apparently, Antigua has it all. I can't wait to get back there on Sunday.

Gabi has not really been appeasing us in the saying "mama, dada" department. But today, on several different occasions she said both of these. And even when she doesn't say it, when one of us says "mama" or "dada" she smiles like she knows what it means.

Finally, we took Gabi down to the baby lounge to expend some energy tonight and there were several families in there. We put her in the jumperoo contraption and she held court. She jumped and twirled and when everyone oohed and aahed, she laughed and did it again. So funny!! She's quite the ham. It's so funny to see what makes her proud. Her balance is getting better every day. She actually stood unassisted for several seconds today. I really think she'll be walking before she gets home. She loves to be on the move!!! Enough chatter... here are some pics.