homeward...

From our very last country to wherever you are, 'Hola!' 

For 3 weeks, we have been enjoying the beauty of Guatemala and the warmth of its people. We have grown quite fond of the children we are teaching--both in the after school program and in the public school, though some of them aren't quite as easy to love... Manos de Colores is an after school program where community kids come for homework help, as well as English and art lessons. The 5 to 14-year-old kids greet us with cheery hellos and bid us farewell with besitos. Tuesdays and Thursdays, we trek to teach English at a public school just outside of the city. The 5th and 6th grade students can be a delight to teach, but can also be less of a delight--especially when blowing spit wads at us. 

We have been living in Xela with our host family, who feeds us delightful Mexican-esque things, which is just warming us up for home. They are patient and kind as we try to communicate with our broken Spanish (Taylor's a little less broken Spanish than mine) and their non-existent English. All in all, they've been a treat, but at this point, home is sounding better and better. 

Like all of the other countries we have visited, Guatemala has character to boot. With stray dogs EVERYWHERE and buses crowded full of people, to babies wrapped in colorful woven cloths and apron-donning women slapping fresh tortillas, our eyes are constantly entertained as we walk our daily miles. 

Not only have we walked, but we have also had the pleasure of joining our Guate-mama on her frequent morning runs. Although on the first day we were a little unprepared and found ourselves jogging in flip-flops behind a little Guatemalan grandma, we have since wisened up and are sure to leave the house in shoes. 

Our spare time has been filled with the beautiful lake vistas of Atitlan, climbing up the hill just outside of town to see the nearby volcano, strolling through vibrant markets, and playing with our newfound gatito. 

We had an unexpected change of plans when our commitment here ended a week early, so we thought: "Why not head home and surprise the pants off of our friends and families??" (who we are more than excited to see after 7 long, but wonderful months away). By the time you read this, we will be settled into our more permanent places of residence, so if you live near us and would like to hear more stories or to see pictures of faraway places, please let us know. 

But whether you live far or near, we would both just like to say: thank you, dhannyevad, webale nyo, teshekular, grazi, danke, obrigada, gracias, and THANK YOU again--for caring and for praying and for coming along for the ride. We couldn't have done it without so many of you, and it's been a dream--maybe even more. 

With SO much love, 

Taylor and Corie

Brasil pictures

Tiff painting with the girls, from the walls to faces

Taylor washing sweet little Emily's hair

Corie painting hands to print on the walls

Home of the Good Shepher

Brasil: Que Legal!! (translation: So Cool!!)

"Oi! Tudu bang?" (Hi! Everything good?) the words we were greeted with each morning as we arrived at the children's home, usually accompanied with big hugs despite little arms. For three weeks we were surrounded by beautiful children with whom we shared lots of laughter and love, despite our inability to speak Portuguese. They were a hoot! Plus, our dear friend Tiffany came along for the Brazilian portion of our adventure, and she was just a treat to have around.

We split our time between the boys' and girls' sites; each was fun in it's own way. We were given the project of painting the boys' homes.  The boys started out watching us and keeping us company, but were so eager to help that we turned the task over to them, one boy after another, until there weren't enough paint brushes for us. Thus, our role became monitoring the scene: washing paint drips off the wall before they dried, turning a puddle of spilt paint into a soccer ball and washing paint out of the boys' hair. All that said, it was so fun to watch them focus intently the job they had been given, and show it off proudly every few minutes. We took breaks to eat oranges that they had picked from the trees for us, or to sing along with them to Justin Beiber. 

Our time at the girls site was split between baking cookies, playing voleyball, tye-dying shirts and painting nails.  We even got to treat them to a salon day, using a hair washing sink that the local hair stylist donated. We shampooed and braided 25 beautiful heads of hair. Mondy and Wednesday nights the boys and girls came together to play 2 games of soccer. The first was for the younger kids, the only ones we were qualified to play with. It was fun to cheer and watch the second game, but they would have run circles around us, because by age 10, a Brazilian can school almost anyone at soccer.

It's safe to say that the kids stole our hearts and every minute spent with them was packed with fun, even if a lot of it was at our expense. Our time outside the home was spent with our wonderful hosts Randy and Carla.  We were constantly impressed and inspired by their love for the children and the time and energy they pour into the home. If you're looking for a cause to support, Home of the Good Shepherd is a great one to look into. Carla, one of the warmest and most hilarious people we've encountered, never failed to provide us with entertainment and laughter. She also provided is with jars of salsa and the closest thing to a DQ Blizzard outside America--two things we've been craving for months.

On our way out of Brazil we spent two amazing days at Iguazu Falls, a place that cannot be done justice with words. Not only did we get to admire the expansive falls from afar, we were soaked by the cascading water as sped under it in a boat--so incredible!! This was followed by a day in Rio de Janeiro, where passed the moring at the beach and summited Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car in the afternon. We bid Tiff farewell at the airport, before having the privilege of sleeping there (one of the things we certainly won't miss about budget traveling). En route to our final destination...how crazy is that?! and just like that, we are back on the home continent. PS. Pictures to come later...maybe.              

A hop, skip and a jump through Europe

Way back when, in the beginning of June, we enjoyed a fantastic 4 days in Switzerland.  The Best family wins the prize for being great hosts, for not only did they spoil us--rotten, in fact--but they also allowed our friends, Diana and Tiffany to join in on the fun. (They came to meet us from Hungary and Germany, respectively).  While Taylor enjoyed reconnecting with old Colorado friends and getting a taste of their life in Switzerland, the rest of us were thrilled to meet such warm, new friends and to experience such a gorgeous country. 4 days might seem short, but we sure packed in a lot.  We strolled over the flower-covered wooden bridge in the city of Lucerne, drove up and down the vivid green hills, feasted Swiss-style at a family barbecue, and sipped countless lattes from Tanya's in-home coffee shop. What a treat it was to be both in Switzerland and with the Bests (Corey, Tanya, Livia, Silas, and Sarah).  En route to Brazil, with Tiffany along for the ride, we had a one-day pit stop in Lisbon. And man--what a COOL city. With colored plastic chairs along the ocean, cute cobblestone streets, and statues galore, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. It was great to escape the airport and soak up some Vitamin D, all before crossing the Atlantic--and the equator. For the first time in 6 months, we will be now on land connected to the good 'ol US of A (in the words of Taylor). 

A little trip to the Mediterranean

For the first time in 5 months, we had 7 days to do a whole bunch of nothing. We didn't realize how needed it was until we were in the midst of thorough appreciation of our poolside days. Basically, we rotated through laying by the pool, catching the bus to the beach, and browsing the shops up and down the cobblestone streets. It sure was hot, but the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean were ever offering refreshment. Plus, we had a kick-start to fitness after months of far too much eating (as food was often offered as a gift) and far too little activity (aside from picking up kids and walking around cities). So thanks, Malta, for the health. We even spent a day at the Blue Lagoon--home of quite arguably the clearest water on earth. Google it if you don't believe us. We are currently boarding a plane to Switzerland, where we will spend 4 lovely days with the Bests, while also reuniting with our dear friends, Tiff and Diana. So perhaps you'll hear more from us there before we hop back over the pond to South America. Hope all is well wherever you may be reading!

the stunning BLUE Lagoon

The streets of historic Mdina

The harbor in the capital city of Valleta.

Turkish Delights

Turkey has been a very pleasant surprise. It's not that we were expecting anything bad--we just didn't know what to expect at all. But as it turns out, Turkey (Istanbul specifically) is incredible. Moral of the story: if you ever have the chance to frequent this country, do it. Plain and simple.

As has become the norm, our time in Turkey has flown by. It has been a whirlwind with people coming and going (so great having you, Tristan and Jessie), and our 3 weeks are down to days. It's unfair to clump a people group, but we're going to do it anyway :). The Turkish people are surely some of the most kind and generous out there (we are the grateful recipients of small gifts almost every day). The language barrier has put us in our fair share of uncertain situations, but it helps to know that our Turkish friends are laughing with us and not at us (or so we think...ha). With the aroma of fresh-baked bread around every corner and servers hired specifically to shout the specialties as people pass by, the food is dangerously delicious (and cheap, so it's not easy to turn down).

As you might know, the city is unique in that it spans 2 continents--we are staying on the Asian side, so a ferry ride to Europe is not uncommon in our daily commute. Our home is in the heart of a local area and we absolutely love walking to get our produce (or to run any errand, for that matter) in the nearby shops, where the lively and friendly atmosphere is thick in the air. Our weeks are varied and quite exciting. While some of our time is spent giving moms a break from their tots by doing crafts and teaching English, we have also inspected hundreds of beautifully handcrafted necklaces and bracelets. Other days, we practice English with some lovely adults--and make friends in the process--what a treat!

With weekends off to tromp around Turkey, we have been awed and amazed by the beauty and history with which this country is rich. Not only have we seen most of the major sites in Istanbul (mosques, bazaars,and palaces galore), but we have also bussed it to Ephesus and back (that's right, folks--home of the Ephesians)! And now, as we write this, we are sitting at a picnic table amidst the mind-blowing landscape of Cappadocia; it is truly a one-of-a-kind place full of cave dwellings and underground cities (seriously, if you don't believe us, google image that business). Plus, we were given the gift of Australian parents for a day. Debbie and Peter, if you ever read this, you are one FUN and all too generous couple.

Tristan and one of our many servers turned friends

Corie and Taylor dwarfed by the stadium in Ephesus. Capacity: 26,000.

A little sample of the heaps of fairy chimneys and other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia.  These things used to  be the homes of people!!

The waterfront of Kadikoy, just a short jaunt from our apartment and where we catch our ferry to Europe .

As we head into our last week in Turkey, the whirlwind continues with nearly every hour mapped out. We will be sad to leave our newfound love of a country, but the beaches of Malta are calling us (pity, we know). So merhaba from Turkey and thanks for reading. Pictures may come at some point. Just wait for it.

Leaving the Pearl Behind...with a little piece of our hearts

Our month in Uganda has come and gone; it seems like we were just settling in here and now we are getting ready to leave.  In our first weeks here, we were learning to roll paper beads with some seriously talented and hard-working women in the I Choose You Microfinance Program next door. Otherwise, we were walking through the slums of Namatala with kids grasping every finger (actually, though), visiting Taylor’s friends from years passed, and cleaning/dressing wounds.  We also painted a church blue.  Really blue. 

Corie and Tristan stand in front of our masterpiece, 3 days in the making

The last two weeks were spent with 109 precious souls at Lulwanda Children’s Home, and with the wonderfully loving staff that cares for them.  Since the kids were on holiday from school, we got to partake in a plethora of fun activities and outings.

We went swimming with the 48 singers and dancers from the home, which basically meant that we served as lifeguards and flotation devices, but the kids had a blast—splashing and being shuttled around the pool for hours.  We baked cakes in preparation for the quarterly Birthday Bash, where we celebrated with songs, sodas, and goodie bags for the birthday kids.  Several field trips were taken to St. Kizito Baby Home, where we held, fed, and bathed babies alongside the Lulwanda children.  Afterward, we were rewarded with ice cream from the local supermarket (and for those of you who know Tay, you know how fitting such a reward is). 

Corie and little miss Bondina, one of many precious babes at the Baby Home

Elated Ugandan kiddos look skyward to the beach ball they have flung into the air

During the last 5 days, Lulwanda hosted a Christian conference for youth; our job was to

clearly enjoying the task of baking cakes for their birthday friends

organize and play games with the kids from surrounding villages and to be an audience for the singing and dancing (let me tell you—much easier here where musical talent and rhythm is far more abundant than at home).  And aside from all these things, we squeezed in soccer matches and learned (well, tried to learn) the countless rules of the kid-created card games.  So from baking cakes to swimming to visiting a baby home and playing every afternoon, our time at the home has been nothing but joy-filled—and full of hugs and smiles.  The sun setting over the lush African landscape was a lovely close to each of our days spent with the incredible children here—all before journeying home down the red dirt (or mud, given it’s rainy season), pothole-filled roads that our friend and host, Natalie, navigated like a champ. 

As usual, pictures will probably be able to show more than we can say, so from the cameras of all 3 of us,here are some snapshots from our time in Uganda, The Pearl of Africa.  Enjoy.

Taylor and Shadia clapping and laughing away the language barrier.