The roads of Guat (pronounced Whhhhought)are not the safest place to travel, but we took all precautions and started on our journey. Chris and I understand that crime is high in this region, but we refuse to hole up in our apartment in hopes of avoiding an unfortunate event. We can’t really blend in, but we can leave our money, watches and rings at home when we go out. We don’t travel with things we can’t live without. If you are approached you are instructed by the force protection agents to hand over whatever you have or whatever they want. Do not put up a fight. Many people told us that we shouldn't’t drive to Antigua, they of course were the ones who had never done it. The people who had driven didn’t even think twice, their advice... be smart and have fun.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Road Trip
The roads of Guat (pronounced Whhhhought)are not the safest place to travel, but we took all precautions and started on our journey. Chris and I understand that crime is high in this region, but we refuse to hole up in our apartment in hopes of avoiding an unfortunate event. We can’t really blend in, but we can leave our money, watches and rings at home when we go out. We don’t travel with things we can’t live without. If you are approached you are instructed by the force protection agents to hand over whatever you have or whatever they want. Do not put up a fight. Many people told us that we shouldn't’t drive to Antigua, they of course were the ones who had never done it. The people who had driven didn’t even think twice, their advice... be smart and have fun.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Teniete Coronel
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Chris’s commanding officer served as the MC and began the ceremony by telling a story about the first time she met Chris…. “I called up Chris while he was still in Nebraska to talk to him about the position. I remember thinking after I hung up the phone…What are we getting ourselves into…but we were desperate.”
After getting a few laughs from the crowd she went on to recount many of the accolades and accomplishments of Chris’s 20 years of service leading up to today. As Chris’s biggest fan, I was especially proud to hear all his praises sung in front of his friends, colleagues, family members and Embassy dignitaries.
She said that Chris was such a humble guy… (yes, I actually laughed out loud, but they were not joking). Chris’s easy going personality is not what you would expect from a decorated war veteran with 3 tours in Iraq and Afganistan. Many in attendance had no idea he was among one of the bravest, honorable and select few A-10 fighter pilots providing close, slow moving air support to the soldiers on the ground. Many in attendance had no idea that Chris’s father was a retired two-star General, or that the Nebraska Attorney General was a personal friend and traveled down to help pin on his oak leaf clusters. She made her point by saying that Chris was a good, God fearing, earnest man, raised in the heartland of America, who works his tail off without telling everyone how cool he is. The MC joked that she wouldn’t be surprised if President Bush was waiting in the next room.
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The second best event of the day was the party following the ceremony at pool. There were margaritas, mariachis, and a fabulous balloon arch. At the risk of being a corny cheese ball, I have to say that I am so honored to share my life with my unassuming husband. He is an inspiration to me and I look forward to the day when we pin on the star.
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Saturday, February 2, 2008
Chris's take on Antigua
Friday, February 1, 2008
Habla espanol?
After returning from the states for the holidays we decided the most effective way to learn spanish would be to go to Antigua Guatemala to study everyday at an official lanuguage school. I enrolled in Francisco Moroquin Proyecto Linguistico for four weeks of 7 hours a day of one-on-one instruction - ALL SPANISH.