We tried to fit in to the bubble-lined envelope we sent to Jennifer but we couldn't fit with the candy and news articles,etc. So here we sit at home wishing we could be in Guatemala with the crew and our Anna (Anita) just for one meal or two. Can't wait to hear the reports from the parents who went. Meanwhile, on the History Channel, there is a show about ancient warriors and where was our ex-Marine host but at Tikal playing ball in the very court the girls had had their class back long ago (seemingly) when they were in Tikal. Great to hear the academic reports. The 42 mile backpacking adventure sounded fierce and challenging in a great way. From Anna's email from Xela they are looking forward to the family stays.
Patty
Monday, March 16, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Voice from San Cristobal!
It was a wonderful day at the Smail house in Fairview, North Carolina! We finally got to talk to Merritt and for a whole 15 minutes! The only other time we heard her voice since they left was on the 2nd day and then only 4 scratchy words in an otherwise inaudible voice mail left on my cell phone. We had also gotten ONE short email from her but we knew she was fine. She had exchanged a number of Facebook encounters with her sister Cammie and that was good enough for us. Between these sisters, absence has truly made the heart grow fonder! And for this we are very grateful.
It would be hard to describe with words the excitement and enthusiasm in her voice. She is without doubt having a glorious time and you can already tell this experience is growing her mentally, emotionally, maturity-wise and physically. Merritt had been away from home for 2 years at boarding school so we knew what it was like for her not to be in the house every day. She was used to being gone and we never really had any worries about her being homesick. But her school was local and we could at least talk to her regularly as well as see her pretty frequently. Being a couple thousand miles away with no possible way to even force a communication was a bit tougher to get used to however! So getting the call today was Chicken Soup to be sure!
She could barely contain herself as she rattled off the many different animals she had never seen in the wild before and the spectacle of seeing not one and not two but THREE volcanoes at once in the same vista and one of them was smoking. Then of course the hike up one of them and seeing the lava flow. The sight of the thousands of fruit bats flying from the mouth of the cavern at dusk was apparently pretty magnificent. Apparently the rafting trip was a big hit. Merritt was particularly glad she was on the raft that turned over, as in "You know I really liked that part, Mom!" She was very impressed with the motorized canoe trip up the river traveling from Guatemala to Mexico.
She absolutely loves the girls she is traveling with and adores her teachers. We got to speak to Cara for a couple of moments and she assured us Merritt was doing absolutely great. She very much enjoys her classes and was crowing about learning time management, a major obstacle in Merritt's academic life. We suspect the absence of text messaging, Facebook, Instant Messaging and the cell phone in general may play a big part here! Really one of the compelling reasons for sending her on this adventure. We have never heard enthusiasm when it came to academics, so this was a welcome first! She announced she didn't even want to come home because she loves being with all these new friends and adventures, except she misses us. At least she's saying the right things!
Probably one of the most interesting observations she made was seeing the Guatemalan and Mexican children exhibit real responsibility. "Mom, you wouldn't believe how responsible these little kids are. They're maybe 5 and 6 years old but they are actually carrying their mom's babies around and taking care of them because they HAVE to. And they do it because they know it's their job and responsibility. Or a six-year old chopping wood with his dad or a little girl washing their clothes down on the river. Not like when you ask me to do something just for the sole purpose of TEACHING me responsibility." A six-year old is teaching my 17 year-old. It doesn't get much better than that!
I've gone on long enough but just want you to hear from us how well our own daughter is doing and bet yours are doing the same. We sure hope you are getting communications from your girls and we'd love to hear their stories too!
Cam and Wendy
It would be hard to describe with words the excitement and enthusiasm in her voice. She is without doubt having a glorious time and you can already tell this experience is growing her mentally, emotionally, maturity-wise and physically. Merritt had been away from home for 2 years at boarding school so we knew what it was like for her not to be in the house every day. She was used to being gone and we never really had any worries about her being homesick. But her school was local and we could at least talk to her regularly as well as see her pretty frequently. Being a couple thousand miles away with no possible way to even force a communication was a bit tougher to get used to however! So getting the call today was Chicken Soup to be sure!
She could barely contain herself as she rattled off the many different animals she had never seen in the wild before and the spectacle of seeing not one and not two but THREE volcanoes at once in the same vista and one of them was smoking. Then of course the hike up one of them and seeing the lava flow. The sight of the thousands of fruit bats flying from the mouth of the cavern at dusk was apparently pretty magnificent. Apparently the rafting trip was a big hit. Merritt was particularly glad she was on the raft that turned over, as in "You know I really liked that part, Mom!" She was very impressed with the motorized canoe trip up the river traveling from Guatemala to Mexico.
She absolutely loves the girls she is traveling with and adores her teachers. We got to speak to Cara for a couple of moments and she assured us Merritt was doing absolutely great. She very much enjoys her classes and was crowing about learning time management, a major obstacle in Merritt's academic life. We suspect the absence of text messaging, Facebook, Instant Messaging and the cell phone in general may play a big part here! Really one of the compelling reasons for sending her on this adventure. We have never heard enthusiasm when it came to academics, so this was a welcome first! She announced she didn't even want to come home because she loves being with all these new friends and adventures, except she misses us. At least she's saying the right things!
Probably one of the most interesting observations she made was seeing the Guatemalan and Mexican children exhibit real responsibility. "Mom, you wouldn't believe how responsible these little kids are. They're maybe 5 and 6 years old but they are actually carrying their mom's babies around and taking care of them because they HAVE to. And they do it because they know it's their job and responsibility. Or a six-year old chopping wood with his dad or a little girl washing their clothes down on the river. Not like when you ask me to do something just for the sole purpose of TEACHING me responsibility." A six-year old is teaching my 17 year-old. It doesn't get much better than that!
I've gone on long enough but just want you to hear from us how well our own daughter is doing and bet yours are doing the same. We sure hope you are getting communications from your girls and we'd love to hear their stories too!
Cam and Wendy
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