Feliz Navidad!

Sorry for the long wait for an update.  I was back in WI until the first week in January, then jumped right back into school.  The last two weeks have been super stressful and now that we're two weeks away from mid-terms there's even more work to do.  I also received two more students after break.
 
Looking Back:  Christmastime in Guatemala...

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
In the Santo Domingo hotel (5-star hotel built into 16th century cathedral ruins), Charlotte and I attended a concert by the Guatemala Community Choir- Handel's Messiah and Christmas Concert.  
The concert was beautiful and performed in the sanctuary (? don't know what it's called in a Catholic church) of the cathedral.  

Lights decorating the fountain in the hotel

They handed out Christmas cookies after the concert!!

Some scenes from around Antigua...

Parque Central

La Virgen de Guadalupe
I had an awesome experience in November, but unfortunately only have 1 picture as it wouldn't have been appropriate to take any more. (photo from Blanca)
This is a "float"- a mini version of the large religious "floats" carried in processions on holy days.  (see next set of pictures)

 We were invited by the family at my house to join in their procession for the Virgin of Guadalupe.  I believe this is only the second year they have done this, so the group was rather small- between 12 and 20 people each night.  
Over the course of nine nights, the statue was carried to a different house.  The rosary was prayed and typical Guatemalan snacks were served.  
My favorite part was getting a peak behind those misleading Central American doors, designed to conceal any details from would-be thieves and nosey tourists.

Advent
 Here is a larger procession for the first Sunday in Advent.

"Y un gran portento aparecio' en el Cielo"

More coming later!