September 16, 2008

3 Months in Antigua

We have been here over three months and are ready to come home. While we´ve enjoyed our time here, being apart from Daniel and Liat for this much time is wearing on us. But that being said, we´ve tried to look on the bright side and keep ourselves busy down here. These photos can show you what we´ve been up to these last few weeks:

Shira (wearing mommy´s shoes) and Ravi are getting along great!

Ravi with one of her teachers at school. Yes, they all wear uniforms.


A display of huipiles--traditional shirts worn by the indigenous women in Guatemala. The type of fabric used, colors and designs are specific to the regions in which the women live.

Shira wears her baby on her back while playing with Mommy Jane.


Ravi snaps a picture of me and Mommy Jane while we are at a restaurant.

Shira plays with her friend Luis while visiting Ravi´s school.


Ruins of a beautiful church that Ravi and I walk past each morning.


Ravi and her friends dressed up in Colonial garb to celebrate Independence Day.


The truck that delivers water bottles to our house twice a week.


4 brave women fostering their children in Antigua (including me on the left).


Fun with friends (Ravi is in the middle).


The market where I buy our fruits and vegetables.


Ravi signing the Guatemalan Declaration of Independence at her school.

View of my 2nd and 3rd favorite volcanoes (Acotenango and Fuego) over the market.



Ravi having fun in a hammock.

Do you often wonder where I am when sending emails or updating the blog? Here is a picture of me in my favorite internet cafe.

A chicken bus, which is a former New Jersey schoolbus that failed emissions testing and was shipped down south for another life.


Ravi singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in her school´s talent show.


Ravi in front of La Merced church.




Buying bananas in Panajachel on our very first outing from Antigua in almost 12 weeks!



Beautiful Panajachel!!!!! (on the shores of Lake Atitlan with gorgeous views of three volcanoes)


Sleeping Beauties





Me and Meravi hanging out






Mommy Jane and Shira take a swim


Ravi draws a picture of her Abba.












Gorgeous Antigua scenes!!!!!



Mommy Jane reads nightly books to Ravi and Shira.









Ravi´s school celebrates the Olympics with relay races in gorgeous old ruins nearby!!

Mommy and Ravi prepare to walk to school each morning.


We attend a dance recital to help children raise money to stay in school (even public school costs money here so the very poor cannot attend). This dance was to celebrate the corn harvest.


Ravi and Shira ride the giraffe in our house.



































12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mommy,
I did not now they could ride the giraff. I like the pichurs.


Love, Liat

Anonymous said...

YAY! Great to see updated pics. We miss seeing Liat included in the pics with the little ones and are praying for the reunification of the Fisher-Shapiro clan ASAP!
Much love,
--Melanie (& Hope & Aaron)

Anonymous said...

Did you feel safe in Panajachel? We were told not to bring the kids to Santiago Atitlan, so we didn't, although I think Mimi would have really enjoyed it.

Valerie

Anonymous said...

Thanks for drawing the beautiful picture of me, Ravi!

See you soon!

Love, Abba

Esther said...

Great pictures! It's nice to see what you guys are doing. Ravi, your Guatemalan school looks like a lot of fun.

Love,
Esther and Ellie

Hope said...

these pictures are all spectacular, but i think sleeping beauties is my favorite!! can't wait to be able to curl up with you and the cuties--soon!

xxoo
hopie

Anonymous said...

What beautiful girls (including Julie and Mommy Jane of course!) The sleeping beauties picture is the best. Please kiss both of them for me!
Love,
Carolyn

Anonymous said...

This is from Natanel. How's Ravi doing? I hope you come next time at the new place. They have a playground. Do you miss Liat?
Shira, how are you doing there? I love your video and watch it all the time. I hope I get to meet you.

Love, naTanEL

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! these pictures are a phenomenal capturing of "a day in the life in Guatemala." I felt myself holding my breath transported even if briefly to Antigua and Panajachel. I think it's a majority vote for favorite picture--the beautiful sleeping beauties. But there are so many favorites. Julie, you look radiant. Ravi you look like such a BIG 4 year-old preschooler. Are you having a birthday maybe very soon?!!! And Shira, you are working so hard to catch up, but are such a delicious toddler!! And Mommy Jane, what an adventure?!!!
I love the picture that Ravi took of both Mommy Jane and Julie!!
Thank you for sharing these memorable moments and for letting us see how you all have been faring.

We miss you so!
XOXOX,
Avi

margie said...

Julie, the pix of the kids and Antigua are fabulous -- you don't look so bad either! Looking forward to seeing you soon and giving you a gigantic welcome home hug!

Glad you got to Pana and hope you got around the lake to see all the amazing villages, but I imagine Santiago Atitlan could have been overwhelming with two small girls in tow!

Margie Siegel

Anonymous said...

Julie,
In your free time--when you finish Spanish school and taking care of your kids--you will lead a photography seminar, won't you? Fab pics and the girls seem happy. Please hurry home to your friend Gil, Shira!
-Sharon

Unknown said...

Julie, the pictures are wonderful and the idea that you might be home by November even better!! Although hard to be separated, this is truly a fantastic opportunity to really get to know and understand the homeland of two of your children -- if only you could all be doing it together -- but sounds like the reunion is in sight! take care, alisa