Journey to the Summit This journal records progress to my first goal, a long time desire to learn, converse & dream in Spanish and a 2nd goal continue training in Guatemala for my future summit of Mt. Rainier, Washington.

I decided that I was do for a change. This meant shaving my beard off. It is kind of a  chore to do it oneself so I decided to have my first professional shave today. It was quite an adventure. I asked Daniel, our house Dad, if he would take me to the barber.  We left at 10 am and walked and walked and walked. I finally asked if we were going to a friend of his (since we probably have 3 barbers in the neighborhood and passed several along the way).  He answer in the affirmative. When we arrived the barbershop was closed. We sat on the steps in front and waited. It proved to  be an opportunity for me to get to know Daniel better while practicing my elementary Spanish. We talked about his trade of tailoring, his 12 years working in the States, construction practices in Xela, and the rainy season. Still, his barber friend did not show. We talked about that. Final I suggested we get a Pepsi (no Coke, Pepsi!) and set off for another shop around the corner. The barber was there sitting in his empty chair. We discovered he did not have any “crema para mi barba.” I assume that meant he didn’t do shave. We walked back around the corner to a 3rd barber that was full of boys and a man waiting for haircuts. I was 4th so Daniel and I stood outside and talked some more about the rainy season, rooftop water containers, and with the singer of his church who rode up on his bicycle to get a haircut.  When it was nearly my turn I saw someone opening the first barbershop across the street and it proved to be Florencio Alberto. We walked over. I got my shave complete with hot towels, “crema,” a hand razor, a Spanish chat between Florencio and Daniel and Mexican music. It was a wonderful experience having my face pampered and massaged and shaved. Florencio must have worked on me for 45 minutes or more. It was such a close shave that I did not shave for 2 days. When my adventure was over it was not about 2 pm and we had missed the mid-day meal. Daniel and I hopped a chicken bus for the return trip and only a mile walk or so home.