This morning we left dark and early. Sally, Erv and I met everyone and we were suppose to leave 0530 We left around 0630, which is not bad when you consider there are about 25 people going and vans from several hours away came to provide some of the transportation.
This is Erv and Sally..........they will be my main side kicks for the trip. They have been here in Guatemala a few years now and have worked for different missionary groups. The balls inside the truck will be left for the children in the community we will visit.
When the vans arrived, people quickly loaded the stuff on top. They carried most of the food we would be eating, clothing for the children in Unilla Pacala and who knows what else!?!? I have packed like I will be gone a month but when you have no idea where you will be, what the weather will be like and knowing there are no stores, it is difficult........so the motto is, "Be prepared!"
How tight can you tie down the van??
We had been on the road for about two hours when the group stopped for breakfast. This area is named Sacapulas. This is the restaurant that they have used in the past and believe me, the food was great!!
This is the river below the restaurant.
We filled two tables and the lady quickly started taking our order. I was shocked when we received something of what we ordered. There was a lot of noise and confusion but eventually everyone ate. I had grilled steak, black beans, chili, tortillas and coffee.
After breakfast, we hit the road again. I had heard that it would be 4 hours of driving on the highway and then 6 hours on dirt road. It was going to be a long day. The view was beautiful and I enjoyed the ride.
The only problem came when the shock absorber broke. It started banging and felt like the floor of the truck was going to open up. There was fear that the muffler would break off. Erv just took it slow and easy, knowing there was nothing more that he could do.
Of course, after about another hour, the group wanted to stop for a bathroom break. This took another hour. We looked around the town as we waited for the group to reload.
We crossed either three or four rivers. They were not high but the water was moving.
This is the back of the one of the vans that they hired. Once we would get to Parroquia, we would have to regroup. Only trucks could make the trip from there.
Then it was time to stop for lunch. We had a great soup and more tortillas. This was the view from the restaurant. Yes, those are outhouses you pay to use.
Once we were in Parroquia, we waited for the trucks to arrive. Everything was removed from the vans and loaded in trucks. Many had to ride in the back for the last two hours of the trip. We were thankful that the weather was good and there was no rain.
Parroquia had an odd feel to it. Many people were already drinking alcohol in the streets and empty bottles were all over the place. Many young people were smoking and that is not something I am use to seeing here in Guatemala.
The truck and the group crossing a river. This one gave a little trouble when we came out due to it being slippery, steep and having to drive slow due to the shocks. We were carrying a lot of equipment, medicines and you can not forget those balls!!
We finally arrived in Unilla Pacala and it was getting dusk. The truck ahead of us unloaded their cargo and then drove back to Parroquia to bring back the rest of the group. Maybe next year they will consider to hire two vehicles instead of having to make the trip twice.
The children and neighbors gathered around as we arrived. You could tell that they were very excited to see us.
The community seemed small but I knew there were a lot of houses that you could not see from the road. The area is very beautiful and it is surrounded by mountains.
People gathered around to discuss where to put up tents and who would be where. The truck returned well over dark with the rest of the group.
This is the building that will be getting a cement floor.
Yes, it is beautiful and lush. It is deep in the mountain area and there is nothing here. Absolutely nothing! There ins minimal, minimal phone service. There is no running water. There is no electricity. This will be our home for the next three nights.
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