newyorkneworleansguatemala

For those of you keeping track (and good luck there) I am indeed back in Guatemala.

I returned Wednesday evening after having spent two months in the U.S. that ran the emotional gamut from "simply blissful" to "extremely difficult".

The most exhausting, and yet perhaps the most rewarding, part of my time in the States was working with my sister and brother to help our father make the transition from his apartment in New Orleans to an assisted-living center closer to his family in New York.

We found an amazing place called the Country House in Yorktown Heights, about 10 minutes away from each of our homes (well, when I'm in NY, that is.)

The staff who work there are a rare find: they somehow manage to be both exceptionally friendly and exceedingly helpful. Dad's new apartment is so nice that my brother tried to talk him into buying a bunk bed so that they could share the room. (He was kidding... I think.)

As for my Dad's health, it seems to be improving. He's had a ton of tests of done so far: the poor man has been prodded and probed, stripped and stuck so many times that he's afraid to get into the car with us anymore. (And that has nothing to do with my sister's driving... I think.)

At least we made it up to him by making sure that every medical trip was followed by a visit to Dunkin Donuts. Most of his test results haven't come back yet, so we're still anxiously awaiting word on what might be the cause of his memory lapses.

With so much still unfinished, I have to admit that my return to Guatemala this time was a very reluctant one.

After all, through the miracle of the internet, I was able to do my work with Incidencia Democrática from both New Orleans and New York.

(A special shout-out here to the fine folks at CC's Coffee House on Royal Street in N.O. While it may be true that there is no such thing as a free lunch, at CC's there was free wireless internet and free refills on their delicious coffee. Which, incidentally, were both essential to getting my work done every morning.)

So I had the best of both worlds... my work in Guatemala and my family in New York... and I was able to help Dad settle into his new life.

Unfortunately, American Airlines was super-strict about their 30 day extension to my ticket. My original departure date of January 15th could only be prolonged until February 15th. (In fact one particularly anal AA agent demanded that I return on the 14th because "January has 31 days" and she "knows how to count". I had to hang up on her.)

So, to take this journal entry full circle... I am indeed back in Guatemala.

Although I already miss being with my family, at least I know that Dad is in good hands. And I have to confess that I am glad to be back in mi querida Guatemala, surrounded by my friends and coworkers, and all those other wonderful things that make this place, too, feel like home.

One final word of thanks... to all of you who have sent letters to me with best wishes for my dad or compliments on this website. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to reply to you yet, but please know that I am enormously grateful for your kind words and thoughts. Your emails have most definitely lifted my spirit and brightened my days! Thank-you.

Tags: Guatemala, New York, New Orleans, Dad, Family

Posted by elcanche at February 17, 2006 06:04 PM