541 220-104

Nebaj, Guatamala.
Dec. 20th., 1954.

Dear énnette: If the weather gives us a
break, we will depart from Nebaj tomorrow. The last
Week has been exceptional as far as weather is con-
Cerned-ralned all the time and temperatures at noon
between 45 and 50° Fahr.-one of those exceptional
spelis, I am told. The artic was never like this.
Our problem 1s to get a dry day so we can negotiate
about 35,000 feet of steep grade. The road contimes
thru the cloud forests which have received a con-
tinuous downpour since we have bedn here. If the
road is washed out we may spend X'mas and New Year
in Nebaj.

On my way to Chemal, which is about 12,000
ft. alte, I will drop Carios at Huchuetaenago-he re-
turns to Guatamala City for X'mas, then, he will be
back and remain with me until Jan. lst when we will
return to Guatamala City. The work at Chemal will
finish the northwest part of Guat, and the areas of
high elevation. then, I can concentrate on the lower
regions ~~ the plateaus and the tropies.

I never realized that X'mas was so popular
in Ventral america. The people have been planning
for this holiday sinoe 1 came to Guatamala. On
X'mas I will be about as far out of ciroulation as
One Can get in this country but I will be with you
in spirit on that day.

Last night the Elliotts invited Carlos ana
me to suppere In their front
room stood their tree decorated in the traditional
ways Tho Blliotts live in a comfortable house ex
cept it lacks heat ( 1 just about frose)-large
enough for the four children. It is Spanish in
design and crude but adequate. The bathroom tub
and sink are made of cement. The cook stove is
‘made o¢ brickS ANA cement,