33

We set out for Jalapa which took us out into the mountains passing cactus, poor homes, seeing more litter & bars on windows and large industries...lots of truck traffic.  Jalalpa is a large city and the first tuk tuk we saw was parked in a gas station...where luckily the gas attendant spoke some English so he happily told the tuk tuk driver where we wanted to go.  He dropped us at the door of the Marta y Maria convent.  Let me explain....last summer, Aaron's (our nephew) in-laws visited us in Michigan and told us their housekeeper, Rita was from Jalapa. I phoned her and asked if she knew of a place where we might do some volunteer work and she gave me the address of Marta y Maria.  So with that little bit of information and our prayers asking God for guidance, we stood at the convent gate trusting we were in the right place.  After several confusing minutes trying to use the little Spanish we know, another Sister was called who spoke some English.  She led us into a room and said to please wait.  Shortly she returned and led us into a courtroom filled with about 100 nuns and novices who broke into jubilant welcoming songs accompanied by guitars, three marimbas, a bass violin and drums!!!  Finally they chanted with great vigor, "Bienvenidos y gracias!!"  (Welcome and thank you for coming).  My eyes filled with tears and my heart with gratitude.  We were asked if we would honor them by joining them at their simple meal...rice, beans, boiled eggs, tomato sauce & watermellon..as honored guest they set before us toast and jam for dessert and coffee.  Sister Monica from Kenya spoke English and sat with us a gave us some background infomation about the convent and their two missions in Jalapa.  After we finished, the nuns again loudly chanted how pleased they were that we had come and eaten with them.  

32

Our stop in Rio Hondo gave us the chance to visit a museum filed with fossils of giant sloths, giant armadillos, mastedons & saber tooth tigers. ...all were found near here.  We also found where some of the clothes we donate to Goodwill end up...here.  I actually bought a shirt with a USA Goodwill tag...for 60 cents.  Just a little ways away, there is a fancy and expensive mall.  Our hotel is also very nice with topiary bushes in the shape of animals, with hundreds of monstrous hanging ferns which surround several pools that had cleverly designed slides in the shape of butterflies, snails, castles, spirals, etc.  Seating in the restruant for 100's with place settings elegantly set...and we are the only ones eating except for the many workers and only saw one other couple in the pool.  It felt like a ghost hotel...or a hollywood movie set.

31

The further we get from the tourist area, the harder it is to find something I want to eat.  I was glad to see corn flakes and milk on the menu...but it didn't say the milk would be hot!  Rog of course, loves the opportunity to try the new and unusual local cuisine with a satisfying smile on his face.  Lucky for me, I have been able to locate, with just a little detective work, a Coke Light or Coke Zero and I can always nibble on my peanuts or spead my peanut butter on something.  

30

After having a plush seat on a big bus for several hours, we got into a mini van for the next part of our trip and since we were the last in, Rog had to crouch standing on one leg while his butt was held into the van by the guy standing in the doorway (most of his body was outside the van & he held on to the roof)...I sat side saddle with my legs hanging out the open door.  Beats being squished in the back with no air & 3 or 4 others!

29

Walking the narrow mainstreet of Rio Dulce meant avoiding the many large busses, semis, and livestock trucks that barely missed pedestrians as they passed who were dodging in and out of the small stands that lined the streets.  We noticed one man who nonchalantly sat polishing someone´s shoes sitting just inches away from the giant wheels of the vehicles as they rolled past.  Rog said...that´s proof that an inch is as good as a mile.