July 2nd and 3rd

July 2^nd through July 3^rd:   Monday began the two week closure at the temple for maintenance, so we packed up and headed for Xela and a visit to the Quetzaltenango temple.  Xela is the ancient name for Quetzaltnenago, the second largest city in Guatemala.  The Jensons and the Holmans joined us for our adventure.  

We started our trip with a stop at Ronnie's place.

We first stopped in Solola for a quick trip to the market.  We then drove to San Antonio Palopo on Lake Atitlan to show the Jensons the pottery that is made there.  Mom found her anniversary gift, a beautiful vase with flowers and a bird painted on it.  Boy that sure takes the pressure off.  As we were leaving, we saw a hotel and decided to check it out to see if it would work for Alex, Miles and Ellie who will be arriving next Sunday.  It is owned by an American and it is kind of funky.  We saw one room that would accommodate us all with a tree growing through it.  It is reasonably priced so it is an option.  

The volcanoes are always so impressive.

These are the pants the men ware here in Solola.  They cost about $100.00.  

Looking at the volcano Toliman from Solola.

Santa Catarina Palopo.

Mom found her anniversary present.  She makes it so easy.

Mom's anniversary gift.  I  have such good taste.

The room with the tree growing through it.

We then went and checked out another hotel in Panajachel.  The rooms were double price of the one in San Antonio, but we had lunch in their restaurant.  We then checked into our hotel, Hotel Atitlan.  Hotel Atitlan is 4 times the cost of the one in San Antonio, but it is filled with antiques and is very charming.  It is one of mom’s favorite places and is amazing, but we are not sure 11 year old grand children would enjoy the beautiful gardens like old people do.  We went straight to the hot tub, but got chased off by a thunderstorm after only 45 minutes in the water.  

Lunch in Panajachel.

They let the birds out during the day at Hotel Atitlan.

Infinity hot tub with the lake and the volcanoes in the background.

Tuesday morning we got up and had breakfast and decided to go and visit Tonoticapan.  It is kind of on the way to Xela and the temple where we will be staying.  It was market day and the municipal band was playing in the main plaza.  The markets are so interesting and fun to walk through.  Mom and I found 2 used huipiles to make a few more pillows.  

The view from our balcony to start the day.

Breakfast at Hotel Atitlan.

View from the restaurant.

Totonicapan.

Church in Totonicapan.

Inside the church.

The City Band was playing just for us.

Click below to hear the band.

Band Playing

The market was great.

They sell everything.

How would you like to carry a bushel of corn around on your head.  No wonder the people are so short here.

I think it must be empty.

This gal made me some blue corn tortillas.

Eating blue tortillas in Totonicapan.

The Holmans purchased a table cloth.

I found 2 huipiles. This is #1.

Huipil #2 

These two young boys sold us some pineapple empanadas.  So yummy.

We next drove to Xela and had lunch at Tacos Tabascos.  We have eaten there a couple of times and we like the Mexican type tacos.  After lunch, Sister Jenson said she had read that the cemetery is something worth seeing.  So we put the cemetery into our GPS.  The pictures tell the story.  

The cemetery was huge.

Some of the monuments were impressive.

Some of the crypts elaborate.

We then drove to the temple.  We got settled and rested and then went to the temple and did a sealing session with our and the Jenson’s family names.  The temple is beautiful and so very peaceful.  We have so many pictures I am going to divide this week into 2 blog post. 

View of the temple from our window.