From single-digit temperatures to high winds...we're back in Guatemala!

Our wonderful Christmas break came to a sad end yesterday morning. Our very kind friend, Cara, got up with us at 4 a.m. and ventured out of the warm apartment and into a very, very chilly outside to drive us to the airport. Thankfully we had no issues getting to the airport, checking our bags, and departing on time.

We first had to fly to Charlotte, N.C., before flying to Guate. While in Charlotte, we reunited with some other teachers and caught up with them before we all boarded the plane to come back. The flight home was three hours and 40 minutes, so Beth and I put to good use our new Christmas gift: Travel Scrabble! We were so excited to get this and know we will use it a lot at home and on many of our weekend get-aways.

Both flights were some of the bumpiest we've ever been on. I'm not keen on flying, so I get pretty tense when the flight's not smooth. It got really shaky the last hour as Guatemala City was surrounded by dense clouds and 40 m.p.h. winds. To make matters worse, we had to circle the airport for an additional 10 minutes while the runway traffic cleared. By the time we finally landed (bumpily, I might add), my pulse was pretty high.

Beth and I were eager to get back to the spring-like weather, though we were greeted with thick clouds and the strongest gusts of wind we've ever experienced in Guate. The wind has not died down since and it continues to howl and shake our sliding doors as I type this. Our apartment stairwell makes a loud, annoying howl, too, due to it.

Once back, we set to unpacking and washing our clothes. Not two hours back then did our power go out. Power outages are common, and they usually restore within 10 minutes. We waited and waited and it didn't come back on. So, we decided to head out for a quick workout and also to buy groceries. By now the sun was nearly set and we should have known better how dark the gym would be. There was enough light coming from the busy avenue so we could work out, though it was really dark and certainly an odd situation. We called it after a half hour and headed home groceryless (the grocery store next door was also out of power and appeared closed).

When we got back we got some candles lit and made good use of our other new Christmas gift: high powered head lamps! These things really light up! We planned to shower up and hope the power came back on in the meantime. Well, being in Guatemala, it should have been no surprise that the water was not working either. (Does that make any sense?) So we sat on the couch in our smelly workout clothes and munched on some popcorn we made earlier.

Finally we decided to buy some bread from the tiendita and get by on sandwiches (keep in mind the most substantive meal we had all day was a bagel). Flashlight in hand, I descended the stairwell and out the building. Crossing the street I noticed some lights flicker on and heard someone yell "Tenemos luz!" (We have light!). Yay!

I got some tortillas, a can of refried beans, a red pepper, some tomatoes, and a squash and Beth and I made a pretty decent dinner with our limited resources. It wasn't how we pictured our first day back, but it was kind of fun and thankfully didn't go on too long.

It was great being home and seeing many of you. Thanks to all who helped us out while we were home! We really appreciate everyone's generosity and kindness.