[AngelQT]

Ok... I am having second thought... or as someone said to me I am feeling Guilty...

My first instint is I AM GOING... I want to go...
I want to get together with family that I have been communicating with for a few years...

Then, I check on Airfair, figure how much I will need to send, think how much for tips, shopping, and other odds and ends stuff... Diapers - cause i don't want to have to Pack a bunch for a week, for 2 kids... That is like a case of diapers... Where would we put the clothes??? I add everything up, and think... WOW... That is A LOT of money, especially in this ecominical times...

Then I think, I have been wanting to go back to Guatemala on a mission trip... or maybe a vacation... I want to take the kids back there so they can see the foster family and meet someone else... My heart has been set to go back since the day i left there with Angelo...

The money it will cost for Guatoberfest vs the money to go to Guat... Going to Guatemala would be alot cheaper... And the money that I would have spent for Guatoberfest could go to help the poeple in Guatemala...

Ok... I know I am rambling... But, I as so torn right now...

Then reading the comments about the Cruise in right in the smack middle of Hurrican weather, and if you don't buy Travel Insurance, you will loose you money... Which means I have to add more travel insurance not only for the cruise, but for Airfaires too... Now, I know money don't grow on trees, and being a single mom, and the only bread winner in the family... I just don't know what to do...

I think I should go and sleep on it...

Sorry for rambling again...

Good Night
Ellie

[gwenrenee007]

I know what you mean....we aren't sure if we are going or not, but I doubt it. By the time we pay for airfare it will cost us $2000 + a hotel stay the night before and everything else. I really want to get together with some people that we had fun with at Guatoberfest 08, but it seems to make more sense to just meet in the middle of us or do something with just us.

I think the cruise is a great idea for those who leave near the port (or can afford the airfare), but for those who have travel long distances it doesn't seem as doable with airfare being so high. We could drive but that would be 24 hours in a car with 2 children (hopefully) under 3 !!

[JillnChris]

I am right there with you. This is the same thing that happened with us last year. We wanted to go so bad but when it came right down to it there were just other things we wanted to spend the money on.
I still haven't decided what to do. I think that it would be well worth the money because I am sure it will be awesome. Part of me thinks we just have to do it and take the plunge. But for you I think the trip to Guatemala sounds really important too. That would be a hard decision for me.

[ej-momtobe]

You could think about it another way too. Which trip would be more beneficial to your kids at their ages? Would they really get anything out of a guatemala visit? Or would they get more out of hanging around with a bunch of families just like them on a cruise?

I am not big on travel insurance. If I go I will just take my chances with the weather.

I want to go, but doubt that we will. DH will not be able to take time off work, and I dont think I want DS to be away from DH for a whole week. I could change my mind though.

[angel_bayou]

Ellie, I just wanted to let you know I do Project Santa in GUA in December. If you're interested in going back let me know and I can tell you more about it! My kids are also coming this year. You're only expenses are what it cost for your family!!

[GuatMommy2Be]

Each year I want to go but for some reason or another we never go! It also happens to fall upon my anniversary.. We were intending to vacation somewhere else for a few days over our anniversary this year but also considering the cruise. I'm torn.

[dac_cincy]

Ellie-

My first thougth when I saw the cruise, was that it is Hurricane season. But that said, I can not go becuase of the cost- for many of the same reasons as you.

I did just get back from Guatemala- Bug is 3.5 years old- he does still talk about it. it was awesome to spend time with this foster family and to see other places in Guatemala City that we coudl nto see when we were in process. i combined thsi visit with a sponsor visit to my students through Compassion International. Even though one student has left the program, seeing J, who is turning 14 was a awesome thing. while I plan on going back in another few years, Bug is still little for a full blown mission trips- but spending the day with J was our mission. J had been sponsored for many years by someone who never wrote him, so he was excited to meet us. Sharing with his mother- who had been a foster mother a few years ago and had never heard from the families after they came home- was humbling. She talked about the love she had for the 2 girls she fostered- one was with her for 2 years. As I listened, I thought about all the foster mothers out there who have loved our children and cared for them and who wonder how the children are doing. To stand there before her and say to her that I loved my son and honored his foster family by bringing him home made us both cry. You don't have to go back right now as a bug mission trip- it can jsut be a personal mission trip to see the friends you made along the journey. It can be about connecting again with the culture, the foster family and giving your children tangible memories of their homeland.

For me, going back to Guatemala and seeing the foster family and J was incrediable. I would not discount the impression it will make on your kids even though they are young.

This is not to say that Guatoberfest is not something we will not participate in in the future- it just was not the right fit for us this year and last year. I am hopeful that we can participate in future years. Global orphan team is doing great work and I am looking forward to be helping more physically in the future.

Love to you,

[Michelle Smiles]

I think the cruise is a great idea but I've talked a lot of families who have to opt out due to cost of getting there and/or vacation time issues.

A small group of us are talking about meeting up for a weekend somewhere central. Maybe you could do the same with the people you connected with last year?

[ana-mom]

We have already committed to a summer vacation on Topsail Island and can't possibly pay for that and Guatoberfest.

DH and I first said 'let's do it' but then reality set in. We can't go to Guatoberfest since we have already put down a deposit on the shore house (besides just completing J's adoption, doing a re-adoption and paying for a new car).

We are hoping 2010 will bring another opportunity to go and meet some other Guatemalan AP and families.

[6kidsforme]

We were at the '08, and we had a really good time. I was so hoping to go this year too, but there is no way we can afford airfare, the cruise, the registration fees, and a night in the hotel the night before (not to mention incidentals and spending money when off the ship). Also, we can't do a week off of work and kids out of school.

I do hope those who go have a fab time, we'll go next year!

[JillnChris]

Cindy,

I think that for such a great trip it is worth every penny. I'm sure it is going to be wonderful. It's just like you said, the economy is really weighing us down right now. I am determined to come up with the money some how though.
Honestly the part that makes it such a big expense for us is the airfare.

[adcollins]

I'm also a bit disappointed about the plan for this year (only for myself). I love the idea of adding educational components and special sessions on all these important issues. We went last year and had a great time and I'd really hoped to be able to go again this year.

As much as anything, having it last that long is what makes it impossible for us to attend. That's my husband's busy time at work, so even taking a day off to get down to Myrtle Beach was a stretch. Taking a whole week that month makes it impossible for us to attend. Also, the money required to get down there makes it much less possible for us.

Again, I think it sounds great and I envy those of you who can go. We had planned to go again, but this plan makes it impossible for us. I'd love to know about alternative, long-weekend gatherings on the East Coast.

Anne

[Slatond10]

My "heart" is really leading me to do a "mission" trip to Guatemala this year and go back for a visit. I wish I could financially afford both ( mission and guatoberfest )but don't think that is in the cards right now. My DD is 4 and I want to take her to visit bfamily b4 she starts school. So this mission trip would allow me the opportunity to re-introduce GC to her and then start preparations for next summer visit w/ bfamily.

I do have a couple friends that are Guat Families which will be going to Guatoberfest '09 and can't wait to hear about all the fun.

[JosieWales]

I agree w/most PPs--the money is just not there, even if it wasn't smack-dab in the middle of football season and the first few months of school. I can't take a whole week off, and neither can Shannon. I'm so glad we will have MOGUATE as well as a little St Louis/IL-area gathering.

[AngelQT]

FIRST OFF...

CINDY~ I know you are working hard on this, and I think this is an Amazing trip... My heart keeps telling me, if there is a will, there is a way... My pocket book on the other hand has slapped me silly, and asked what the heck are you thinking! HAHAHA>.. TO say the least!

Second - I want to do both, and as I just found out this morning... It doesn't even look like I am going to be going anywhere... (work issues)

Third... Anyone Hiring! (not that I have been axed yet, but I need a back up plan~!)

So, the $2 park down the street looks pretty good at this time... Maybe next year...

HUGS
and thank you to eveyone who replied