May 29, 2008

Hello Friends,

I don't have any pictures to post today. I was too busy working on some last minute details. I had to meet with the hotel manager and the kitchen manager. Some more handouts needed to be made. I met with the head translator (Br. Michael French) to get a final rate for translation services. While that doesn't seem like much, it pretty much kept me busy all day.

I'm grateful that Joan Landeros has arrived. She and I went out for a beer late this afternoon to compare notes. Even though she had very bad jet lag and kept randomly sliping back and forth between English and Spanish, it was fun to hang out for a bit at the little bar down the street.

Two more people arrived today. One from Manhattan College and one from the College of SantaFe. Tomorrow we should have about 10 more arrive. So I will be busy playing hostess.

After dinner Joan, John and I took them out for gelato. I had chocolate/orange and lavendar. That's a good combination for those of you who are planning your next gelato experience. Tomorrow I'm going to try the ginger/cinnamon. That sounds wonderful.

Although the program doesn't officially start until Sunday, it now feels like we're getting in to it. The best part is the interesting people who will be here. On the roster we have 3 from Palestine, 3 from the Phillipines, 1 from France, 3 from Spain, 1 from Haiti, 9 from Mexico, 1 from Brazil, 1 from Kenya and 19 from the US. I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone. It should be a fun two weeks.

I promise I will take some photos tomorrow. Now it is time for this pilgrim to go to bed.