Our Vacation - Part 7 - Antigua

...as I was saying, Mom and I beat the guys back to the hotel by a few minutes. When they got in, my brother and I were putzing around in the courtyard, trying to figure out when to go to Burger King for dinner. These two cute Mayan girls come up to us and say to my brother, "I remember you from the market. What was your name?" We're thinking, "Do we remember them? There are a million kids in the market. Did we really talk to them?" So they "re-introduce" themselves . Their names are F___ and V___. They are 9 and 8, respectively. They're making small talk, and all the while, we're looking for their parents, who are nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, it occurs to us that they must have followed us in. (There is a locked gate at the entrance, for security.)

So, one of the girls asks, very politely, "What are you going to get me for Christmas?"

"What?"

"For Christmas, what will you get me?"

"Why would I get you something for Christmas?"

"Because you're rich. And I'm not."

"Oh?, Oh."

"What sorts of things do you want for Christmas?"

"Shoes."

I'm thinking leather Sketchers or something, but they mean flip-flops. It's pretty late and we have no idea where to buy flip-flops. Secretly, I'm thinking about the bazillion pairs of unused/old flip-flops that clutter up our coat closet. They could have each had one in 5 different colors. If I'd only known.

So, my brother leans over and whispers, "Why don't we take them out to eat with us?"

Great idea!

"How about if we take you out to dinner for Christmas?"

"Oh, thank you. Thank you.", squeak two little voices.

"We're going to Burger King."

"Could we go to Pollo Campero, instead?"

By this time, we're almost rolling on the floor laughing at their boldness. But all the time, they are very sweet and humble... and a little bit mischievous.

On the way to Burger King, V___ ran off into Central Park. F___ tells us she is running to ask her mom. The mom comes over, says, "Good evening" to us, looks us over, and tells the girls to have fun.

The girls had a great time together. They are just Sugar's age, and they spoke very good English.

The conversation turned again to Christmas. We asked what would be a normal Christmas for them. V___ told us that they normally get a new shirt, pants, shoes and a jacket, except she won't get a jacket this year, because there is no money. I might add that it was a cool night, and she was not wearing a jacket. Sugar leans over to me and says, "Mom, she could have my sweatshirt."

We all had such a delightful time with them. After the meal, my brother asked if we could get their addresses, so we could keep in touch. V___ ran off again, to ask her mom. Mom must have said okay, because they gave us their addresses.

We headed back to the hotel to get Sugar's sweatshirt. On the way back, F___ starts rubbing my sweatshirt and admiring it.

Well, you guessed it. They both got new (gently used) jackets for Christmas. And dinner. And my mom gave them each enough money to buy flip-flops. I hope it was the best Christmas ever for those girls.

Now, here's the best part....

After we got home, I brought my pictures over to my friend's house. She has been such a blessing to us. She speaks Spanish and she is the one who introduced us to E___ and N___, who have the booth at the market. Well, my friend spent the summer in Guatemala, near Antigua. I'm showing her the pictures and she sees the one with F___ and V___. Her jaw drops open. She exclaims, "That's... that's..." She recognizes F___!! F___ happens to be E___'s niece!!!! NO WAY!

WAY! Isn't God cool?

It's a small world, after all. We will definitely, be keeping in touch with these two. :-D

Blessings to you,
Mamita J