WOW is my word for the day

Hello everyone!

Before I get to my word for the day, I'll back up a bit to last night and how overnight went. First off, I left off one of my listings from last night. I am also a bit fearful of what personality might lie behind Gabriella. She might have some strong willed tendencies (as told by foster mom and as already experienced.) I do believe it is too soon to really tell, but when I stopped her from doing something last night and she screamed and then refused to finish dinner, nor look at me, it made me wonder. Again, too soon to tell, but how will I handle a stronger willed child? Well, the Lord knows what he is doing.

Anyway, enough of that. On to overnight. Close to hourly wakings. However, on a positive note, she never had the same kind of screaming episode from the night before. So that was good.

Now, on to today's word for the day. WOW. Today is a big holiday in Guatemala- All Saints Day. It is a day to commemorate the loved ones that have passed. So, the traveling conneseur that I am- (haha) insisted that we partake in this cultural experience since we are here. So, off we were to Santiago Sacatapequez. Our guide from last year, Jacobo, was available, so he picked us up at 9am. And off we went.

Santiago is a small town, say, I don't know, 45 minutes from GC. We arrived early, which Jacobo said is the best, in order to find good parking. We walked through the entire town, which was very hilly and had lots of vendors lining the streets. We went up a big final hill to the courtyard and then large graveyard. In this graveyard is where the festivities really lie.

There are HUNDREDS, maybe thousands of people gathered into this graveyard. And in this graveyard are HUMONGOUS circular kites. I mean, 15-40 feet tall kites. And with the exception of the 40 footers, they FLY THESE KITES!!! They have huge, long ropes and many people holding on to them, to get them into the air. When one gets into the air, everyone cheers, yells, etc. They are handmade- made of tissue like paper, depicting religious scenes, activities, etc. They look like kaleidescope's, they are so pretty and ornate.

We were sitting right amongst everyone- actually, almost right in the runway of some of the kites paths. In fact, one time, the rope of one of the kites that was falling down smacked my right in the side of the face and ear!!! It was so fun and invigorating! There were so many people there watching all of this occur. First WOW of the day. Really cool.

So, the point of these kites? The belief is that this is a way to communicate with their dead loved ones. They arrive early to the gravesites, bring food, and pray that the spirits would come to their homes and visit them this day. The kites are a way of communication/and maybe even transportation. Our guide said that people still believe this, though I am sure that for some, its just good fun and tradition. They have judging of the kites, too. There were quite a few tourists watching the kites, but walking up to them, I thought we were the only tourists. But, we weren't.

We eventually left the kite site, heading back down the mountain through town. Ok, so here is more WOW. Little did I know that this event brings 70-75,000 people into this town of "20" as my guide said. As soon as we started to head down, we couldn't go any further. We were literally cram packed into the street, wall, to wall, shoulder to shoulder and closer packed with people. We were sardines in a can, going nowhere. People shoving to get through, people stuck, babies crying, everyone just sort of flowing every now and then. Holy cow. I know Barry didn't love that. Heck, I didn't either. I could totally envision a crowd crushing.

On the way down, I noticed a young girl that I could swear was Antonio and Gabriella's birth mother. I don't know, I doubt it was, but I sure felt like it could have been. I need to look at her picture again. I wished I had asked her her name. I couldn't stop staring at her. I am sure she thought I was a psychotic gringoe!

Anyway, we made it down eventually. Barry seemed to fare without any lasting damage. We got a little sunburned, FILTHY, but quite frankly, I had a blast!!!! What an experience!!! We were a part of a huge yearly Guatemalan tradition!

How did the children do? Gabriella was an angel. She slept on the way, slept up the mountain, slept down the mountain, in the car on the way home. That girl could sleep anywhere today! She cried a bit during the mob. I didn't blame her for that! It was kind of horrible in a fascinating way. Antonio also did great. He enjoyed the kites, of course fell asleep ten minutes before we got home (hahah!) and was an angel as well. He continues to adore Gabriella (except for just throwing a playdough dish in the air and hitting her! ah two year olds. hahah!)
Gabriella continues to adjust well- and even let Barry hold her just a few minutes ago! She was pulling her hair a bit though- which we think might be a fear reaction.

Well, I've blabbed enough for now! What a day! Barry just mentioned going to dinner outside of the hotel. What, he can handle anything now that he handled a Guatemalan mob crushing! You go Barry!! :)

Tomorrow we meet Anderson, our compassion little 'en and then Jacobo is going to take us to Antigua to go to a coffee museum, jade factory and do some shopping. Yeah shopping!! You speaka to my heart, shopping!

More later- and thanks to all for your kind comments after my thoughts last night!!
Love you all!
From the Guat gang,
B, J, A and G

Ps, I don't know what is going on, but pics don't seem to want to post lately. I'll keep trying!