Pause for a moment and picture Guatemala in your mind. What do you see? Do you see tired dusty towns? Impoverished people? Gangs and violence? Or is it a place you might like to visit or learn more about? Stan and I are certainly not Guatemalan authorities after only a few days in the country, but …
Author Archives: janie.weeks
Viva El Salvador!
Tropical El Salvador has just two seasons, one is hot and rainy and the other is hot and dry. November to April are summer months which are typically hot, humid, and hazy. Winter is in full force here now with more moderate temperatures, high humidity, cloudy skies, and abundant rainfall. Along the coast, the weather …
El Salvador, a Deeper Dive
If you like fruit . . . I mean sweet, juicy fruit like pineapple and papaya this is the place to be. El Salvadorian fruit is indescribably good! The central market is the best place to find a bounty of gorgeous, colorful produce. Although I can never buy much, the fresh fruits and vegetables …
Oh, El Salvador!
The Land of Waves and Volcanos We realized El Salvador was a phenomenal place the moment we first stepped foot in this incredible spot in the world. The first thing we noticed is that it is green, very green—up, down, and all around! Everything is lush. If one should camp under a tree, he might …
The Amazon
Oh, what an adventure!!! The Amazon can be accessed from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil. Our ship’s departure port was Manaus, Brazil. We weren’t prepared for the heat in Manaus, Brazil. Stan and I come from the south and spent our early youth with window fans and we’ve spent many a summer week in the …
Manaus, Brazil
More than two million people live here in this year-round sweltering heat, and they love it. They are accustomed to this “tropical climate” near the equator and would not live elsewhere but it was exhausting for us. Once Brazil ruled the world as the only supplier of rubber; Manaus was its center. The enormous demand …
End of Chapter
September 9, 2024 This is it. Our last appointment here in Paraguay was to attend service at our tiny, but mighty chapel for the last time this Sunday. These lovely people had us stand as they said goodbye and prayed for us. It brought tears to my eyes. Oh my, what a kind and loving group! We …
Paraguay, a Place Becoming
There are fabulous restaurants and a handful of luxurious hotels here especially in Asuncion, but is Paraguay a place that people who only travel in luxurious style might seek? Is it a place where visitors can stroll down famous boulevards and take photos at the foot of famous monuments? Is it a place to pick up …
The Gran Chaco
“Very dusty,” was the comment the young man at the rental car counter said when we told him we were driving to Chaco. The Gran Chaco is a sparsely populated and unique area in Paraguay across the Paraguay River to the north and west of Asuncion. Twice the size of California, the Gran Chaco lies mainly …
On the Road Again
Determined to see as much of this country as possible, we packed a lunch and an overnight bag and headed out early trying to beat the morning traffic, a real contender here! The city is a tangled mess each morning from seven to ten and evenings from four to seven. And in between it is not …