Teddy Bears Around the World

¡Hola from Jose the Bear! My buddies, Jesse & Jameson , wanted me to go on another adventure…to GUATEMALA.

I asked, “¿Dónde en el mundo está Guatemala?” (Where in the world is Guatemala?) They didn’t know either, so we found a little round globe & there it was~ in Central America~ you know, the strip of land that connects great big U.S.A. in North America to the great big continent below called South America? Traveling closer to the equator sounded warm & sunny so I replied, “¡Vamos!” (Let’s go!)

The family packed seis maletas (6 suitcases), but not me~ I am a free spirit when it comes to travel. Sí, mis amigos, Jose just takes Jose. Jesse told me we had to drive to Miami & fly to Guatemala on TACA airlines. I told him that I did not know TACOS could fly! (hee hee, just a little bear humor). I was kind of embarrassed going through airport security because everyone was looking at me. But it was clear that I was not sneaking anything on the plane since I was wearing solamente mi piel (only my fur) !

El nuevo avión (the new airplane) served la comida caliente deliciosa (a yummy, hot meal ) which made me take una siesta (a nap). When I awoke, I saw something that Florida bears don’t usually see: ¡montañas y volcánes! (mountains and volcanoes!) The Guatemalans built their villages on the flat part of the mountains and the farmers planted crops on the slanted sides of the mountains. ¿Cómo hacen eso? (How do they do that?) How do they keep el maíz (the corn) from rolling down the mountain side? They must be really smart.

We landed at the Guatemala City Airport which was very shiny & new. Then we found nuestras maletas (our suitcases) & walked to our bus. So many smiling, hardworking children tried to help us with our suitcases, or sell us toys, or shine our shoes. I asked, “¿Por qué? Why are these nice children not in school today?” Our bus driver explained that the children did not realize how very, very important school is. I, Jose the Bear, wanted all children to have a school as special as SJEDS so they would be able to grow & learn & help others one day.

The main reason Jesse and Jameson invited me to travel to Guatemala was to meet their sisters!!! We had a blast together. Here are some names we called the girls:

~las muñecas (the dolls)

~las princesas mayan (the Mayan princesses)

~muchachas preciosas (precious girls)

Jesse and Jameson are already the best big brothers and their family CAN’T WAIT to bring the girls to their Florida home!

One day, we met some new Guatemalan friends who were doctors. Se llaman la familia de Hernandez (They are called the Hernandez family). The Hernandez family loved Jesus so much that they saved their own money for 16 years so they could build a hospital for their community. Here I am in a hospital bed. ¿Usted sabe por qué? (Do you know why?) Because I was homesick for SJEDS and all of you! (Hee Hee…actuallly, I was just pretending. We bears can be very funny. Jameson told me he would have to operate, so I quickly jumped OFF the bed!) ¡Adiós Hernandezes! Dios te bendiga. (Goodbye & God bless you.)

One of my favorite trips was to Hotel Atitlan in Panajachel, about 3 hours from Guatemala City. Lake Atitlan may be the most beautiful blue lake in the world with a view of THREE volcanos!!! They are called: Atitlan, Toliman and San Pedro. If you want to read about this amazing hotel…and the volcanos… and the boat ride… and butterfly gardens… and zip lines (better than any ride at the fair!)… and monkeys… and crazy parrots…and banana plants you can touch…then visit this website to read all about it:

http://www.hotelatitlan.com/eng/index.html

At the end of our trip, the parents of Jesse and Jameson bought me this traditional Guatemalan outfit at an open street market in Panajachel. The happy lady behind me thought it was very, very funny to buy an outfit for un oso (a bear). She did not realize that I am not just ANY bear.

No, ¡Soy Jose, the travel bear, el Oso de SJEDS!