hnteacher

I moved to Fremont summer 2005, and it is not only worth visiting, it is worth sticking around for awhile. I kicked off my new life here with the Solstice Parade, thinking maybe next year I would be in the parade. Probably not naked (I have’t lived here that long, yet), but possibly doing something artsy to join in the festivities. I live right by the Troll under the Aurora Bridge, walk to the Sunday market regularly to buy flowers, live in a the cool upper apartment of an 1898 house overlooking Lake Union, stumble home from Dad Watsons, the Dubliner or the Ballroom depending on what kind of weekend it is, run Greenlake and Burke-Gilman trail, eat breakfast at the Essential Bakery or Varsity Inn and wander the shops, usually only buying from Ophelia’s Used Books and drooling over creative stuff at Frank and Dunya’s. I love it here!

I visited Quetzaltenango, or Xela, in 2004. My friend, Yener, lives there with his mother, Dehlia. They are beautiful people. I spent time in the city and time with the kids in PEILE, an educational group for indigenous people. I met Glendy, the girl I sponsor, and it was a thrilling experience. We visited Santiago, a tiny town where Yener grew up. I met his ancient grandmother and cousins. It’s on Lake Atitlan, so it is near other tourist destinations, but it is generally not flocked by tourists. Stayed in the Posada de Santiago, which was one of the best memories of the trip—gorgeous! I hope to return someday.