Guatemala and Ecuador 6/30/16 - 7/20/16

Wednesday, 7/20/16 - Departure

Today was a long travel day. We got up at 5:30 a.m. so that we could get to Guatemala City in time for our 12:46 p.m. American Airlines flight to Miami.

There were some of the usual airport unpleasantries in Miami (par for the course), but we would up landing in Boston at midnight, only 30 minutes after our scheduled arrival time.

We got back to our house at around 1:15 a.m., exhausted, but satisfied. We were so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend so much quality time with both sets of compadres during a single extended trip. It was especially rewarding to have been able to introduce Aracely and Vanesa to he Ecuadorian family.

Preparations would soon begin for a similar trip next summer, when we would take Paulina and Eddy to Ecuador!

Epilogue

Many people who know us are aware that we first met each other in 1994 via the fan e-mail list for indie Boston band Tribe. Last year, our dear friend Jared went to the Jersey City Art Studio Tour (JCAST), and randomly ended up in the art studio of Janet LaValley, Tribe's lead singer. She was amazed that he knew Tribe, as they had broken up over 20 years ago. Jared told her that Craig and I had met because of the band, and had been married for 17 years.

After that, we were able to connect with Janet via e-mail. She was very friendly and we kept in touch. She was interested in our godchildren and we would occasionally send her photos from our travels.

In September of 2016, we were surprised and delighted to receive a package in the mail from Janet. She had transformed a photo that we had sent her (us with our Guatemalan and Ecuadorian godchildren in traditional Otavalan dress) and created a lovely collage with a vibrant hand painted background. We were so honored. She said she had been inspired by the photo. it was an amazing work of art. She was a bit shy and said she hoped she wasn't overstepping by using the photo. Exactly the opposite; we are so humbled and appreciative!

We would visit Janet in person several weeks later during JCAST 2016.
Mixed Media Collage by Janet LaValley

Mixed Media Collage by Janet LaValley



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