Hola

The Sweeney family this past Monday October 10th prior to visiting Dzibilchaltun.  Their donations were much appreciated.

Hi to everyone.  I am back from my summer vacation in Canada and back into the thick of it here in Chicxulub where it is lovely and warm.  The summer went well with Rita, Kim, Brin and Charley working together to do the despensas and keep things on the straight and narrow.  Thanks for a job well done.

It is that time of year again…time to take a break and return to Canada for my annual vacation and time with my family and friends.  This year will be different in that it is my first summer without my mom who died this March 8th at 92 years of age.  It will be different and I will miss telling her all the exciting things that happened this year in Chix with the program.  Mom always liked to hear about what I was doing here in this strange country.

I have volunteers doing the despensas for July through September when I return.  We have 84 families to maintain over the summer and all of the children have received their vitamins for the summer. 

Yeri’s new baby arrives late June and she is set with her formula and vitamins and newborn package.  The next one is Teresita due in September after I return so all is in order.

I will miss this place and my life here but look forward to reconnecting with my grandkids and family during the summer months.  See you in the fall…sharon

I know it seems a tad early to be talking about next fall when summer has not yet arrived but I need to stay on top of things.  My right hand person Carmita talked with me about some fundraising/cultural events for the community.  This is exciting because the ideas are coming from her and the community which indicates they are taking this program under their wings.

Carmita is talking about a Noche Mexicana event but a simple affair with some typical games and dancing and food from the community and then a display of altars in the town square during the month of November when all of Mexico honour their deceased.  Initially she thought the snowbirds should create the altars and be judged to see who wins but I convinced her there should be at least a joint effort.   These seem like simple things but to me they are drawing the two cultures together for a better understanding and appreciation of the other.

Stay tuned for more information.

This week I had two groups scheduled to visit and I missed both of them.  Monday 2 ships arrived and I was excited because the family coming was my first one from Canada.  I was there early and stayed for almost an hour but no luck. 

The new artisan area (moved there about 3 weeks ago) was like both a zoo and a crazy house!  There are still some kinks to work out and I need to rethink my meeting place.

Then I was back on Wednesday for my group from Texas…only one ship so I was sure it would work ok.  But again I got there early and waitied almost an hour to no avail.  The buses were coming in half full so I figured the group changed their minds.

I have since learned that the group on Monday found Buddy’s on the malecon and left their donations there soI will go and pick them up.  The second group I am waiting to see if I hear from anyone in downtown Progreso who met up with them.

Sorry to both groups.

like I said a madhouse!!!

A group of 4 ladies stopped by today from Georgia.  Keeva, Darcy, Anita and Kay spent some time in Chix getting to know the area.

The Food Bank has had a successful season this winter with many activities benefitting the residents of the village and the visiting snowbirds.  The local residents in the nursing home benefitted by almost daily exercising while the building itself was maintained by volunteers. There was the work with the children and their english that everyone enjoyed

Michael and his family arrived from Mississippi and spent time visiting the school, walking the town and helping prepare the despensas for the following day.  They had a real good opportunity to see how things work here with the project and they were a delight to have visit.

Melanie and her group from Texas arrived with assistance then off to Merdia