The Lloyd's in...

RETURN TO CHIMALTENANGO

50 years ago Spence served in this town. It was a quiet little spot but has changed into a traffic jam. On the main road to Quetzaltenango you must travel through this congested portion of the highway. I always thought it was an ugly truck town. Along the side of the road are dozen of car/truck parts for sale and traffic crawls as the road goes from 4 lanes to 2 lanes.

On one of our Saturday explorations, Spence decided to take me to the 'real' Chimaltenango. And oh, was I surprised! Turning off to the right of the main highway takes you to congested...not with cars, trucks, and ugly exhaust, but to a bustling town of people and the real Chimaltenango. Every Guatemalan town has its town square and Catholic church plus a few vendors selling their wares and Chimaltenango is no exception.

 Every Guatemalan town has its market. These places fascinate and amaze me. The smells are less than welcoming, but the people are endearing. They shop daily for what they need and nothing goes to waste.

Spence was not sure he could find the house where he once lived as a young missionary, but he certainly was going to try. He did it! He found it! It is no longer a house but rather a restaurant. He remembered the inner open garden area and how they had to walk through it to get to their room. The restaurant was gracious and let us take pictures.