Once again we got up at 4:30 but we didn't get underway until 5:45. We had no problems driving to where we had arrived yesterday. By maintaining our momentum and remaining spaced apart, neither van was forced to stop.

Since everyone knew what to do, the observation stations were up ad running a half an hour earlier than yesterday. I stayed at the lowest station with Kirsten and Chad . We saw 4 decent eruptions and a lot of spectacular rock falls with huge boulders bouncing down the steep slope. Unfortunately, the clouds engulfed the volcano around 10:00 and ended the observation. We convened around the vans and discussed the 84-year history of Santiaguito.

We descended to the entrance and advised the guard that we would return in the evening to see the incandescence at night. We headed up the canyon toward Zunil, intending to stop at the 1991 debris flow that Stan and Chad worked on but we missed the turnoff and just continued on into Zunil. Things got a little complicated getting into the town center but eventually both vans made it and we parked. Stan took us to a textile cooperative organized by a Peace Corps worker to help the local women. The textiles were very nice but pricier than normal. One of the women taught me how to say hello (Sha-ehk) and thank you (Matiósh) in Quíche. She also told me that the best restaurant in town was the Mariana on the plaza. I said, "Matiósh!" and we went up to the plaza and found the comedor. The owner was delighted to have 15 foreign guests and made us a traditional meal of meat, rice, potatoes, frijoles, and tortillas. The dining room had a great view of Santa María which was beginning to clear as we arrived and was totally clear by the time we finished at twilight.

We drove back down the highway and once again ascended the roads through the fincas but only went as far as the observatory. As we arrived the volcano put on a brilliant show of incandescence awing everyone. We spent about two hours watching the volcano in the dark seeing a couple of small eruptions and numerous incandescent rock falls. The best show was definitely the one we saw as we arrived. I was able to guide us back to the finca gates with out getting lost. Back at the hotel, everything was closed so the students emptied the bungalow refrigerators of beer and the guys went to their bungalow and watched the Guatemalan porn channel. Those of us in the women's bungalow sat around and talked before turning in around midnight.