Thanksgiving and Althea's Birthday

There must be at least 30 different countries represented in San Marcos, population less than 3500, and Internationals make up about 3-5 per cent of the population depending on the season. Nearly all Gringos speak fluent Spanish and have their own social circle. They rarely pass up an opportunity for a party, and we have been invited to most of them. Josh and Courtney, who founded their school here in 2007, are well known. Most Internationals prefer to send their children to private rather than public school.

The annual Thanksgiving dinner is a meal not to be missed. Last year Gloria cooked the turkey, and we hosted the dinner. This year, Shad and Colleen, managers of the Unicorn Hotel (see cabins), did the hosting and prepared many of the delectable side dishes. Guests also contributed. We took a boat trip to Panajachel to purchase the bird, thus sparing the life of the fine rooster shown here. Roasting the turkey became Courtney’s challenge—her first big bird effort. Her mom gave a few hints and furnished a digital meat thermometer. After providing breakfast for Courtney’s family at their home high on the mountainside, we returned to our cozy casa and got out of the way. Courtney called only once for suggestions; she did a fabulous job. Everyone in attendance at the Unicorn loved the turkey, which was tender, juicy, and tasty. A good time was had by all beginning at 5 p.m. Some of the guests gathered around an outside open fire, and others helped the hosts. Children were running around the cottage, and of course the dogs were salivating. Most of the resident Gringos have dogs, and they wander in and out of every dining area as if they were family. Leroy, the big Dane belonging to Courtney and Josh, goes with them everywhere. However, at our house, he is relegated to the veranda.

On Nov. 27 we celebrated Althea’s eighth birthday at San Marcos’s only international restaurant. Saeko, a friendly, loquacious Japanese woman, settled here several years ago and established her unique restaurant in a remote part of town. The roof, like over most restaurants in San Marcos, consists of big trees with a patchwork covering of corrugated plastic over other areas. If you like an Oriental cuisine along with a Japanese décor, Saeko’s restaurant is the place to go. It is one different course after another, and everything is cooked to perfection. The only thing missing is fortune cookies. But not to worry--If you want to engage in fortune telling, massage, shiatsu, yoga, or simply experience some other kind of “woo woo” studies, just interact with some of the Internationals around the lakefront who support themselves with this kind of new age “find yourself religion.” One poor fellow was going to visit a hypnotist because of losing his motivation. We gave him a dose of reality therapy by telling him that he was just getting old. As for us, if we haven’t found ourselves by now, it’s too late.

Getting back to Althea, she had a wonderful night at the restaurant of her choice. We provided our gifts, and Courtney brought a birthday cake adorned with eight candles that Althea had no problem extinguishing. Little Mirabai, age one, was on her best behavior. Other guests included two Guatemalan sisters who work for Josh and Courtney. Maribel is one of Althea’s favorite teachers, and Lidia (left) is Courtney’s Girl Friday. She cooks, does dishes, cleans, and cares for the girls when Courtney needs to be away. She also works at the school. It was a celebration to remember..