Life is full of transitions. We are constantly experiencing them and for the most part I don’t much notice them. Currently, I am acutely aware of them. It is 17 degrees in Santa Fe today (warmer than the night before when it was 7 degrees), 33 in Houston (yes 33 degrees) and we are awaiting our flight to Guatemala where it is 66 in Antigua. Not such a hard transition but I always notice it more when I have to pack when it is cold and snowy and am going to where it is warm. I seem to never believe it and take too many cold weather clothes. I’m sure this trip will be no exception.
Our second snow this winter along with Arctic temperatures. We’ve not seen this early snow in quite a few years.
It is always a big transition traveling from one country to another and having never been to Guatemala, it is a bit bigger change; you don’t really know what to expect despite all the reading and preparation. That is one of the things Jim and I love about travel and international travel in particular. The unexpected, learning the customs and how to navigate a culture and language. The thrill and heightened awareness is half of it. This particular trip is a bit more of a challenge in that we have had limited time to prepare both emotionally and physically – that reading and preparation. Thus, we are feeling a bit more apprehensive than normal. This too shall pass, but it is not typical for us.
A little camping/picnic in the Manzano Mountains east of Albuquerque. Jim, Liz and brother Bob under the hat.
Beyond the nervousness we are feeling due to lack of preparation, we are a bit torn in going at all right now. Jim’s Mom Liz blacked out unexpectedly 3-weeks ago today and in falling, incurred some very serious injuries. She spent a week in ICU and then two more weeks in the hospital regaining her strength. She has now transitioned to a rehab hospital for a quick tune-up before heading home. It is truly miraculous how quickly she has come back and will for the most part be fully whole after this episode. Such a strong woman with an incredible will. Something to admire. As you might imagine, we are a bit apprehensive in leaving at this point, but she seems fully herself sans a bit of body strength. If we stayed home, what would we do? Just live life. So, we might as well go to Guatemala and live life. There are quick flights – only about 8 hours transit if we need to get back.
The older I get, the more I become aware of how precious life is and how important it is to treasure it, and to live it. Nothing new; people have been learning this lesson for centuries. These last few weeks have accelerated my awareness of this ancient wisdom.
Off to Guatemala for some relaxation, excitement and learning. Nos vemos!