This past week was full of stuff. On Tuesday we drove up to the Mexican border to do some semi-legal paper filing in order to sell my truck to this guy named Cristian. It was a long, hard, hot drive. The road is, um, let's just say quite crappy. Potholes so big you could seriously ruin your vehicle if you didn't see them in time. We got up at 5 am and made it to the El Carmen border around noon and were promptly informed by our semi-legal tramitadores that it we'd be ready to leave by 4 pm, meaning we weren't gonna make it back to Antigua the same day. We stayed the night in Malacatan, San Marcos, which was sorta fun I guess. The next day the bar that is attached to each side of the chassis broke. Two mechanics assured us we'd be fine continuing on our way and a slightly decreased speed. I went like 15-25 MPH for 150 miles. Sigh.

 
On the road.

We met some characters along the way. You can't really not meet characters if you're out in the Guatemalan "wild" aka in public. There was the young gas station attendant who made smoochy faces at Arlo, the 95 year old lady who gave Arlo a blessing then exclaimed that God was in fact talking to him because he touched his hands together as if to pray after the blessing, the wild-eyed glue sniffing cell phone case seller at the border who loved Arlo and every time he passed us he respectfully gave his approval of our little dude, the little kids at the border who forgot about pestering us for money once they realized they could make Arlo giggle, and more... 

Arlo was such a good sport. It was so hot, though. He was a sweaty little baby.


The comedor at the El Carmen border where we lunched on beans & eggs was all pink. Actually, it was a very nice place that gave me a good vibe because it was all women. Something about so much femininity in such a macho place was assuring.


Day 2: Last stop along the coast highway before heading up into the mountains into Antigua.

Then on Wednesday evening, my dad arrived for a visit! First time any family member has visited me down here. It was awesome! Thanks dad :)

Today I knitted this pumpkin: