Nos Vemos

One of my favorite Spanish expressions, “nos vemos” literally means “we will see each other (again)” as opposed to “adios” which does not express a hope of a future meeting. On Friday morning, we met with the most of the PCI staff in Huehuetenango to have a breakfast and to say goodbye. One of the customs when you have a “reunión (meeting) is to have speeches with affectionate language, and this day was no exception. Bal Maria (PCI director in Huehue) spoke about her appreciation for the work we do in partnering with them. Our sense is that our partnership with PCI and Casa Materna continues to build and strengthen.

The staff of PCI prepared and served the meal which was excellent. We said goodbye to Bal Maria, our drivers (Danilo, Juan Carlos, Josue, Henry, & Roni), our nurse partners José & Yasmín, Dra. Susan, Dali, Vilma, and staff too numerous to count. And of course there was lots of photos, hugs, tears, and thanks. 

Breakfast at PCI Headquarters

We boarded the Los Halcones (Falcons) bus for the seven hour trip back to the capital where we arrived at our hotel and met up with Abesaida (our normal host in Huehue who was undergoing treatment in the capital.) We also met Arnoldo, Paty, Abesaida’s brother William and his wife, Paty’s friend Miku, and Natalia, a graduate from Landívar University, currently working as a hospitalist.

Jemie, Chris, Kristen, Karin, Miku, Arnoldo, Pablito, Carly, Suzy, Abesaida, Brenda, Paty, Conchis, and William

We spent a quiet night at Hotel Ciudad Vieja and had a second round of hugs and tears. We expressed our hopes for the future with the simple expression “nos vemos”.

Pablito celebrating his second birthday