El Angelito

Less than two weeks left and I am falling more deeply in love with everything here. That is always how it happens. I finished up my sermons - three in a row- and now I`m busy baking cookies and cakes and making little regalitos for the theological students. I have been spending more time with my neighbor Maribel´s son, Angel, who has suddenly warmed up to me. Yesterday we swept my room together. I swept and he used a kitchen utensil of some sort to pick up tissues and paper.
On Sunday we (Maribel and her children, Livni and Angel) went to the zoo. We saw monkeys, some parrots, a rare bird called "pigeon", and the new tiger that just arrived at the zoo. We arrived just as the zoo was closing so Angel had to run to beat the guard to the slides before he ushered everyone out. Fortunately? Unfortunately? the guard was distracted by several bolos, drunk men who had passed out near the horses. While they were dragged out yelling obscenities, Angel made the rounds on the slides, the swings, and other playground equipment. He didn`t even notice what had occupied the guard.
Monday afternoon I participated in a traje tipica photo shoot at Hermana Loyda´s house. Maya took hundreds of photos of Loyda in the traditional Quetzaltenango clothing. And then somehow we all ended up in corte (trad. skirt) and huipil (trad. shirt), photographer included. I will send photos soon. It was an honor to wear the traditional Mayan clothing, bearing the weight of tradition for a moment...the corte must weigh at least 7 pounds.
So many - too many - "last" things to do. My days are booked until I leave. This may be the last entry before I catch my breath in Austin to give the final report. I am already planning my return (to Guatemala). Email me if you`re interested...I`ll include you in the plan.