Botanical Gardens

      Well, our two week break is over and the temple opens today. YEA!! We were ready for some rest but two weeks without attending the temple is just way too long for us. We are ready and excited to return.

 

      This week we visited the Botanical Gardens. It is located in the volcanic crater right next to the flour mill where we got our whole wheat flour. The orchids were not in bloom yet but the wide variety of plants was amazing.

 The Clarks loved the cactus section. It reminded them of home, Arizona.

The bamboo trees were one of our favorites. They were huge!

There are fish ponds and a very big iguana living in the park. We didn't see it, but the Wall's did. This rich volcanic soil grows amazing plants. If the country would not build so many houses and keep some of the land to grow things on they wouldn't have to import all their fruits and veggies from Guatemala. There are just way too many people here for the size of the country.

 

Didn't get a chance to finish this yesterday. We got called to come to the temple to help with some Americans who were visiting our temple. It did feel good to be back to the temple. We love the work we are doing here.

 

The Alas's invited us to breakfast for pupusas in Antique Cuscatlan. They do not have a car and walk or ride buses everywhere so we were in for an adventure. We walked there, about a 30 minute walk. We again ate at Lillies Pupusaria then President Alas wanted us to experience a ride on one of the coasters that zip around town, usually overfull. He wouldn't let us on one of the school buses. We had to wait for about 30 minutes for the right bus to come along. While we were waiting, the shop across the street started making their tortilla's for the day.  The picture shows a mound of dough ready to cook. The ladies used a trowel as a spatula.

 This is the neighborhood we were waiting in.

 

The picture below is for my brother-in-law, Mike. We were not sure that the wiring was up to code. The coaster finally arrived and we climbed in, at a cost of 25 cents apiece. President Alas yelled hang on and off we went. We grabbed the overhead rung, poor Sister Alas was too short to reach it. You never knew when they were going to stop or start. It was a very bumpy squirrely ride. It is always fun to go with the Alas's because we get to experience how most of the people here live. They are very poor, but with the gospel in their lives, they are very happy and love to serve.

     We had a great Easter Devotional on Sunday. It is hard to believe that it will be our last here. We get to sing with the choir once more this Sunday for Stake Conference then that part of our experience here will be over. Lon will really miss the two hour practices every Sunday, NOT!!! But we will miss the people and the music.

      We send our love to all. We hope you are enjoying a beautiful spring. Tracy and his family are moving into Jerome this Saturday. Those in Jerome, please take good care of them til we return. Lon and Nancy, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma