I got up at 7 today and took a shower. As I was getting ready, I started feeling really ill. I spent a great deal of the morning in the bathroom, but I managed to go up to Sandy's and have some bread. I was a few minutes late to school since I had spent so much time in the bathroom, which was embarrassing because on Monday morning, they always have a meeting in the school to introduce new people and go over the week's activities. Today they went to Salcaja (a town outside of Xela) in the afternoon but I didn't feel well enough to go.
Carolina and I talked a lot today and I reviewed clauses that require the subjunctive (things like unless, if, so that, in case that, for the purpose of, etc.). We talked a lot. I felt rather ill for most of the morning. I drank some tea and that warmed me up. During the break, I checked my email and made a to-do list of all the things I need to do before I leave Xela on Wednesday. It poured all morning due to the tropical depression. Carolina told me that it is supposed to rain most of the next 48 hours, which is basically the rest of my time in Xela! We ended the break late, which meant that we got out a few minutes late from class. I headed back to Sandy's and did my homework while I waited for lunch. We had salty mushroom soup, small potatoes covered in sesame seeds, and a seed of tomatoes, avocado, and onions. I ate my soup and some potatoes. I was feeling better than I was this morning. I checked my email, but I hadn't heard anything from Andrea. After lunch, I called Angela to wish her a happy birthday, and then I went to arrange a shuttle to get me and my stuff to Antigua. Surprisingly, it was not raining! I easily found the place I was looking for and I booked my shuttle for 3pm on Wednesday. I am so excited to see Amber!
Next, I finally made it to TRAMA, a women's textile cooperative. I never made it here last year and then I was going to go on Friday until I found out about Andrea being in the hospital. There were two women weaving with backstrap looms when I got there. The women sit on the ground and have their weaving tied to a post or a tree and then they hold the looms close to them by wearing a strap that goes around their waists. It is amazing to see how much work goes into making a scarf or anything else. I looked around at all the items they had for sale. It is a fair trade organization, comprised of 98% women. The women are part of 17 cooperatives from around Xela. Each cooperative chooses two women who can read, write, and speak Spanish to represent them (many of the women speak only Mayan languages). The women decide together on fair prices for their work. I bought several things before leaving.
I next went to visit a fair trade cafe that sells coffee and other organic, fair trade items. I found it with little trouble, but I did not have enough money with me to buy what I wanted. The man there was really nice and explained the different types of coffee to me and let me smell the ground coffees to help me decide. I went back to the apartment, did my homework, and checked my email. I had a facebook message from Andrea saying that she was back at the hostel. I got more money, went to the cafe, and then headed over to the hostel. I brought playing cards for them to use tonight. They had a few complications in paying for her surgery and hospital stay, as might be expected, but the cost was much less than they had anticipated. They had to leave her mom's passport at the hospital so that Andrea could leave without paying the full total. When I got there, they were getting ready to head to Cafe Baveria. I decided to go with them. I had spearmint tea and they ate dinner. We had an enjoyable time talking. Andrea is still in a lot of pain, but she looked better today. All too soon, it was time for me to head back for dinner. It still was not raining!
I got to Sandy's about 7:25 and we ate within a half hour. Kristin had spilled a bag of milk in the refrigerator and on the floor so I helped her clean it up. She made a pasta bake for dinner with bacon and canned asparagus. After dinner, I went up on the terrace and took pictures of the cathedral lit up.
I came back to my apartment and got ready for bed. I tried to call Tammy when she got home from Bible study, but for some reason my calls would not go through. After emailing, texting, and calling her multiple times, I decided it probably wasn't going to work tonight. For some reason, the internet has been spotty today, although my picture uploaded faster than ever. I wrote my blog and I will soon go to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day! I am glad I am feeling better. I think I might have to blame that delicious corn that I bought on the street near the park! :(
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