I'm Being Robbed!

During our Guatemalan house build with Habitat for Humanity this past February, we had a day of R&R in the beautiful city of Antigua.  Antigua was founded in 1524 and has endured fires, earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions throughout it's history.

Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre

I enjoy the Central Parks that adorn most Central American cities and Antigua is no exception.  Sunday found the park fairly crowded with local people and tourists alike.  We sat on a bench to take part in some "people watching" and listen to a group of musicians called "Artesanos del Vientos" or Artists of the Wind.

Enjoy the Artists of the Wind

A young Guatemalan lady sat down beside me with her small baby.  I am always very careful in public with my belongings, and this day was no different.  I tucked my backpack tightly next to me as I shared the bench with the lady and her baby.

The music the band was playing had the attention of everyone.  Even though the group was right in front of us, the music seemed to be flowing in from the volcanic mountains that surround the city.

Suddenly, my backpack, which I thought I had a good grip on, moved.  The vision of a thief grabbing it from behind the bench flashed through my head.  Before I really had time to think, I jumped up, turned and was ready to leap over bench to save my belongings.  I couldn't believe it was happening!  As I turned expecting to look into the eyes of a "ladron" tugging at my backpack, the baby the lady was holding on her lap kicked me again.  The mother laughed, my wife laughed more, and I sunk back into my seat feeling sheepish, but very relieved.