A change in plans

Not that anyone is actually reading this blog anymore--OK, so the assumption here is that at one time this blog actually enjoyed an identifiable readership--but I come bearing revisions to my plans for finding ways of keeping busy during my seemingly interminable winter vacation (I just got an email from my director Rob saying he hasn't gotten final word yet as to whether classes start the 9th, 13th, or 18th of February!).

Originally, I was to return a couple days ago and then the next day jump into a local archaeological dig sponsored by la Universidad de Veracruzana. However, Rob informed me a couple days before coming back from Argentina that the dig I had been hoping to work on wasn't given proper government authorization and as a result, is as likely as a major US economic recession. O wait. Anyway, you get the point (I'm not actually sure that's the case).

With no dig to work on, my next two, but maybe even three or four, weeks have opened up. SO--I know right about now your body's convulsing in anticipation for what's inevitably gonna come next--I have new plans...I'm heading south.

I'll make my way back through the Mexican state of Chiapas, maybe stop for a day to see some stuff Chris and I didn't have time for (you'd be surprised though by how much you can cover in nine days) and eventually end up in Quetzaltenango, known locally as Xela, Guatemala. There, I'll meet up with bud Ryan Richards who has been working at the Miguel Angel Asturias Academy for a year and a half since graduating from Juniata. From there? I really have no idea. I mean, there is no shortage of beautiful, easily visitable sites: Antigua, the capital Guatemala City, Tecal, Lake Atitlan...etc. And if I really do have until February 18, why not make my way up to the Yucatan? Maybe I'll even take a day to unwind on the white-sand beaches of Cancún. That is, if I can make room in my schedule.

Anyway, I'm sorry for the limited scope of these latest posts. I promise, upon my return, I'll do my best to cover Obama's democratic nomination to an extent the skeptics in Washington never thought possible.

PEACE again