The Ups & Downs of Guatemala...what I learned

Baggage Claim is Hilarious:
After customs, you head to baggage claim. The baggage claim at the Guat airport is all of about 30 feet long. Take all 135 people times 2 bags/duct taped boxes/cellophane wrapped bags and you have one heck of a crapshoot! We managed to get out unscathed...


Foreigner Parade:
After baggage claim you walk through the hotel/rental car area which basically looks like carnival booths with signs containing the corporate name. You then go to your right and greeted by at least 100+ Guatemalans standing behind a barricade (metal type fencing like they use for American Idol). They are all there waiting for family and friends to arrive. You (the foreigner),on the other hand, feel like you are on parade for the people of Guatemala. This is the first time in my life to feel what it is like to be the minority...

Exiting the Airport:
HOLY CRAP!!! Where's the MARRIOTT shuttle?!?!?! You are completely surrounded by men with signs for hotels, car services, honking cars, people selling their stuff-total madness. In order to avoid the madness-look for the men in blue shirts who are there to carry your luggage (if you so choose). They were really great and helpful. He took us right to the Marriott shuttle!!

Marriott Hotel:
I will never be able to express the hospitality that was shown to us throughout the entire stay!! Unbelievable!!! They catered to every thing we requested-crib, bathtub, water from the pharmacy, formula from the pharmacy, and who could forget Dominos Pizza!!! All charged to our room.

Baby Lounge at the Marriott:
This was a great place to catch up with people and learn about their various takes on the adoption process in Guatemala. For the most part, people were really GREAT and there were some who really didn't want to talk to you. Why the HECK do you come into the baby lounge if you don't want to meet & greet!! SHEEZ!! One particular guy I met from Rhode Island (he looked like Adam Sandler) had a huge personality and he even said in that RI accent, "My buhddies ara gonna bust my chahps". Forget it-I can't type out how he said it! He was great and so was his wife!!! They were taking their son home at 8mths. We also met Drew, Bekah, & Eloisa of www.adventuresinadoption.blogspot.com. They are fantastic and it was a joy to meet blogger pals in person.


Food in the 'Mala:
After a week of non-American food, for which I was desperately craving, I found out that the poolside bar served hotdogs!! YES!!! Wait a second!! Since when do they put mayonnaise and guacamole (sp?) on a hotdog!! DUH!! Since your in the 'Mala!! It wasn't to bad actually. FYI-if you need an American fix-ask them to hold the mayo & guac on your "dog"....
PS-Milk in the 'Mala is NOT the same as the US!! Someone should have told me this before I took a giant swig and about spewed upon my precious Analise.....
PSS-The chocolate cookies sold in the gift shop are YUM-O!!

Poolside Visual:
Here, in America, we are spoiled by men who actually where swimming trunks. That's right folks-there were dudes sportin' speedos at the pool. Now, before you go and get all excited, these were old and older dudes (minus the swimming teacher). One old guy, had a speedo with bright orange flames on the front!! LOL!!! It was quite a spectacle to behold!! Just thinking about it makes me laugh!!

Sweet Little Nothings:
Just about everyone who saw Analise would ooh and ahh. The local hotel staff would say things to her that I didn't understand but she did because she would always smile...it kinda felt like getting your nails done. Know what I mean??

Best for Last:
This is what I learned about my daughter-

1. She does not like her arms covered when she sleeps. She will inevitably end up like this:


or this:



2. She loves her Daddy very much and loved listening to him every night. She would smile and coo when she heard his voice.


3. She does NOT like to be dressed up! She prefers to always be relaxed. See example below.


4. She would also rather smell than be clean.


5. Analise is a gentle spirit who loves to snuggle and give HUGE smiles. I know she will have an infectious laugh-because it is what I prayed for. I look forward to hearing it in the near future...