Splish Splash March 4, 2017
Thursday, the 2nd of March, was the day for an outing with "our" boys from Safe Passage: Jordie, age 12 (whom First Parish sponsors); Charly, age 11 (whom we sponsor); his brother, Pablo, age 7 (whom Matt & Izik sponsor). We had traveled in the morning from Antigua to Guatemala City, where the boys live, a journey of about an hour. Our plan was to stay at the elegant Barcelo Hotel for just that night so that we'd be close to the airport for our flight to Florida the next day - AND so that we could host the boys at the swimming pool there.
This idea had been sloshing around in my mind for about a year, since we had stayed at Barcelo last year (pretty soggy idea, by now :). We had checked things out when we were at the Barcelo on arrival in Guate a month ago. Not only did the swimming pool seem like it would work for the kids, but amazingly, there was a McDonald's next door! Perfect set up. My only worry was that we might not be welcome to invite guests. We had decided not to ask but to just do it. As it turned out, it was fine - more than fine.
I had purchased swim suits for the three boys, which was a bit of an ordeal in itself. Swim suits for boys are not all that plentiful in Guate, especially in my price range. But, between a street vendor in Panajachel, as well as one of many "pacas" (used clothing stores), and a vendor in the sprawling mercado in Antigua, we got the job done.
Carlos, the sponsorship worker from Safe Passage, had done his homework by asking the advice of the social workers at SP, who had advised him, of course, to seek permission from the boys' parents. Both sets of parents had agreed.
It was arranged that Carlos would meet the boys at the Safe Passage project and bring them in a taxi to the Barcelo in time for lunch at Mickey D's.
Front row: Charly, Pablo, & Jordie
Then we'd find our way through the glossy tiled lobby of the Barcelo with its gilded ceiling and past the upscale shops to the pool area. I had been a bit awed the first time I had seen all of this splendor and wondered how it would affect the boys. They seemed to take it in stride :).
I also wondered how Charly, especially, would feel about this adventure, given the fact that he had told us last year that he is afraid of water. He seemed ok with it, and I was hopeful that the experience might help to build some confidence. It seemed that might not be the case, however, when, within the first minute of getting into the water, little Pablo went under unexpectedly. I pulled him up immediately, but it was clear that he was scared and was struggling not to cry. Carlos came to the rescue, as did the life guard on duty, both of whom saved the day by talking gently to Pablo and reassuring him (in Spanish, of course). Within just a few minutes, all three boys were splashing and kicking and trying out various maneuvers that they'd seen somewhere.
Over the course of the next hour, the boys seemed to evolve before our very eyes! All three challenged themselves to put their faces into the water. Charly and Jordie began floating and then trying out some strokes to propel themselves and finally were racing each other (albeit for short distances)! We were amazed and very, very pleased.
Carlos didn't join us in the water but kept a close eye on the boys while chatting with the life guard. He learned that it's fine for guests of the hotel to invite their friends for a swim. He told us that this had never been done with any kids from Safe Passage - but he felt it had been a good experience for them. So...how about it, First Parish members, does anyone want to visit Guate and stay at the Barcelo and invite the boys for a swim? (Carlos will be there to do any necessary translating :).
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