It’s 6pm on Saturday 23rd and while Jen is preparing dinner from our well stocked larder and fridge. I’m sitting in front of the wide opened windows listening to thunder rolling around the volcano’s on the opposite side of a grey lake Atitlan. It’s getting darker, with heavy cumulus clouds slowly working their way towards us. It’s 23.8degC and almost breathless outside. Grackles and other birds are flitting from tree to tree as if looking for somewhere to hide from the coming storm. Lightning will soon be flashing and we can expect a downpour.
Grackle
This is the wet season and the scene is repeated every day, with varying amounts of inundation.
A couple of nights ago, during a torrential downpour, water started to pour into our apartment under the door from the hallway. Once the drains were cleared of leaves and debris we were soon able to sweep the water out, without damage.
Virus numbers in Guatemala are starting to rise significantly. This has led to stricter lockdown laws, further reducing movement. All movement, from 5pm Thursday to 5am Monday.
On Wednesday Tim and I walked into town to secure additional supplies. Police manning the checkpoint into town are becoming familiar with us now. Last time they took my temperature with a digital thermometer to my forehead, I dropped to the ground like I had been shot. The guy with the thermometer jumped back in horror as if to say “that wasn’t supposed to happen”! He was greatly relieved when I got up again and laughed his head off. Now all I have to do is wave and smile and after a quick temperature check, pass unmolested.
For entertainment Jen put on another popular quiz for children and adults too. She has also been very busy writing up apartment descriptions for Aska & Pierre, enjoying the challenge. We have enjoyed the occasional diner with Tim & Sarah and children too.
The kids keeping us occupied.
There is news from Russia, Sergei has arrived home again in Moscow. An excellent outcome for him and his family. Well done Sergei. We look forward to hearing of your journey.
We have, along with Tim & Sarah, decided to review our situation here again, in a weeks time. However, until restrictions on travel outside our region are lifted, we wont be going anywhere. Our latest thought is that if we decide to move and southward travel is unlikely, will look to ship Poki back to the UK from Mexico. Spend the summer there and decide options later.
Our daily routine is largely made up of scanning the internet, reading, walking up to the garden plot to view progress. Some of our tomato plants propagated in egg boxes inside, are starting to grow. There are water melon plants growing all over the plot. This is the result of digging in a fermenting melon from the compost bin! The rains are making a big difference to the whole property.
Reading material.
‘Sapiens : A Brief History of Humankind’ by Yuval Noah Harari. Great read.
‘Silent Invasion : China’s Influence in Australia’ by Clive Hamilton. Eye opening to see the level of covert Chinese penetration in both our countries, Aus & NZ. Not a well composed book however. I got the message early on and lost interest.
While listening to Radio NZ, Brian Sargent brilliantly read an excerpt of ‘Bright Side of my Condition’ by Charlotte Randal. An historical novel about four escapees from Norfolk Island in the early 1800’s. Abandoned on the Snares Islands 200 miles south of New Zealand for 10 years before being picked up again. Written in coarse, illiterate, English vernacular. I managed to download and am enjoying it immensely. Brings back Robinson Crusoe.
Jen is reading ‘Bitter Fruit’.
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Great to hear from you again. I did hear bits of that podcast Bright Side of my Condition but it required more concentration than I could muster while driving. How many people are there locked down in the camp?
Hi! Ash, how are you doing? We have 13 adults and children who are travellers. Two Swiss, four Canadians, four Germans, an American and a Kiwi and a Pom…:) Also a small number of residents.
How’s Michelle?
Big smile.
Good news about Sergei, just hope you will enjoy the same good fortune. The storms must be fascinating, I used to love the storms in Goondiwindi although they were mainly dry ones. Had to laugh at your ‘dead possum’ act with the cop. Winter has set in here, looks like it might be a wet one, reminds me of Wellington when it blows, which it does a fair bit. Good luck bro and Jen1. P.S. don’t read too much, it will fill your little head with conspiracy theories.
Laughing….it’s too late, it’s already filled up!..:). We heading out Friday a.m. a few of us. Why…her indoors said so…:)
Hi both. Glad you two are OK. Although I would think your situation is not great for the morale. A good chance to read and brush up on your Spanish. Talking of reading I have finished a book by Dervla Murphy called Full Tilt. She cycled from Ireland to India in the early sisties. An excellent read. Ignore it if I have mentioned it before. Keep well both of you.
Mike and Wend xx
Hi Mike & Wend, great to hear from you. Yes, have heard of Dervla. Now that’s gutsy! Will check the book out.
Hope you both safe and relaxed in your estate..:) Will write.