Look out Pana: Ross Furbush in town!!!

Wow oh wow oh woooowzers it has been ages since this gal has made a blog entry and yes I have a million excuses but who needs em?! Where do I begin.

Let’s go back to the end of March when my dearest pal Ross Furbush came for a visit. It is always so fun having visitors because it means you get to prioritize the things you always want to do but don’t have excuses to do them. While he was here we did a hike traversing parts of the lake that I had never seen before and wow did we do some BIRDING! I love love love having a birding partner in crime that never takes NO as an answer when deciding whether or not to stop to whip out our binoculars… sweat dripping, way behind schedule but nothing better in the world to be doing! AND birds we did find. I am embarrassed to say he pointed out species I had been missing, and yes he probably noted more species in his 7 days here than my 10 months but hey, that’s what happens when you are working with a pro.

Our hike dropped us in San Marcos where there is a great platform to hurl yourself from into the lake. Quite refreshing and we took turns attempting to get some great action shots! We also befriended a girl from Spain to take a picture of both of us. She had my favorite species of the King Fisher bird tattooed on her leg and was very impressed with Ross and my’s knowledge about the species of her tattoo so she was honored to take our jumping picture.

Hiking out of Santa Cruz into the next town. Pepsi....spotted! 

Birdman on the loose! 

Me taking a plunge

And...the dynamic duo! 

Ross also wanted to be a fly on the wall in my class for a few days but in a classroom the size of mine, no fly goes unseen…he was right in the mix folks. Crammed into a kids size chair, taking our spelling tests (acing it…just barely) and helping with our multiplication facts. The kids loved him and his attempt at Spanish and continue to ask about Ross (pronounced Rose) a few times a week even months later.

My friend Meghan, teaches high school language arts, and her friend was also in town the same week as Ross. So as leadership opportunities for her 10^th graders, and presentation opportunities for my 2^nd and 3^rd graders we combined forces and had our classes split into teams and create some sort of presentation or welcome for Ross and Jojo into our AMA community. It was such a blast! We had posters explaining Pana culture, and teaching chapin slang, we were taught some traditional Guatemalan games, and they were even given some traditional snacks…yes Ross was given a napkin with 6 homemade tortillas wrapped carefully inside.

Traditional Guatemalan Game - Agua Shuka 

In Science we were learning about the water cycle, and lucky for Ross I had a great water cycle song and dance to teach my kiddos conveniently the day Ross was visiting our Science class. He also was a trooper and participated in our weekly karaoke nights, awed the Guatemalans with his soccer skills, and got a tour of Pana on the back of Pin’s moto. Pin also hooked us up with a sunrise kayak around the lake. What a beautiful start to a day….we were on the water before the majesty of the volcanoes were even illuminated. So humbling. What a treat!? See photos below.

Sunrise Kayak ride 

"Water moves in a cycle, yes it does!"

"It goes up as evaporation"

Lake Atitlán Sunset

It was just a blast having him here, jumping into my everyday life, meeting the locals, saying hi to the random people that know my name down the streets and sharing that great smile of his to the beautiful people of Panajachel.

The weekend of mom and Brian’s birthday, March 31, I boarded a plane…told only 2 souls (Dad and Dan) and surprised my mom and brother by coming home for their birthday. It was the greatest night and greatest surprise. Dan picked me up from the airport, while Dad stalled with mom at home. I literally rang the doorbell and mom answered. We all had a beautiful weekend together or birthday celebrations, and a friend’s wedding. Being home for those short days, in the company of my beautiful and hilarious family, confirmed my desire to be back in the NW next year…yes ladies and gentlemen I am coming home!

Surprise!!! 

See you soon beautiful Kenmore!