US Servas - Meet Me in Guatemala

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Meet Me in Guatemala

September 28, 2025 7:27 AM | Bill Magargal (Administrator)

by Bill Magargal

Editor’s Note: Deet Lewis is a long-time US Servas host now in her nineties whom Marie and I met in 1998 when she first visited us in Nebraska. She visited us several times in Nebraska and kept inviting us to visit her in Antigua, Guatemala where she has lived since 1993. Finally, in 2013, we did. The photos below are a few that we took during our wonderful visit there. Although Deet’s apartment is too small for overnight hosting, she is a wonderful day host and can give many tips about what to do and see in Guatemala. Below is a recent note from Deet inviting travelers to visit her in Antiqua.

I think you know that I talk to everyone (who might be a foreigner) every morning in the central park. Today I met my first Greek family and a couple from Utah and Alaska. And yesterday, I took my friend (Sara Diamond) to the Chabad for a delicious Shabbat meal (the rabbi's wife's family is from Morocco, so the food is FABULOUS!) Sara took this photo of me (below) in front of my house and garden (mainly weeds, but also lettuce, spinach and lemongrass -- for a delicious herbal tea!)

I invite you to visit me (and a beautiful town in a marvelous country) in the winter ... especially if you live in a cold place. I came here 32 years ago to spend one Chicago winter in a warmer place ... and stayed ... other than birthing my wonderful, beautiful children, the best thing I ever did!

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September 29, 2025 8:44 PM | Kate Haber

Wow! I knew Deet from years back! I was a friend of hers and her son Zakai! So good to hear about her again. I will try to visit her!!

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September 29, 2025 11:28 PM | Tim Sullivan

Thanks Bill for sharing this great story about Deet.

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- September 30, 2025 5:34 AM | Gina from Arkansas
  
  She visited us too in rural Arkansas over 20 years ago. Deet was a big inspiration to me to travel when old. In fact, in my 70’s now, I just got back from a two week Japan trip with the Sister City Committee of Springfield, Missouri.
  
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September 30, 2025 4:47 PM | Jay Davidson

My guess is that Deet knows an American named Sue who lives in Antigua and used to work for the State Department.

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October 04, 2025 3:16 PM | Anonymous member

What a delight! I wonder if this bike is the same one Deet rode in Antigua the day I met her in 2001. She took my husband, Davis Bernstein, and me under her wing, told us about Servas, introduced us to her social circle, made our Christmas holidays more special by including us, and invited us to her birthday gathering. Since then we've told Deet stories, run into people who know her - a U.S. couple in Wellington, New Zealand, a merchant Marine in Honolulu looking to visit with Servas members, and our drama teacher in Santa Rosa, California. That teacher met Deet when he and his wife had an extended time in Antigua as they were adopting two children, and Deet was in his production.

We are ever grateful for Deet leading us to Servas and our world friends met through hosting and traveling. Vaya con Dios, Deet! Patti

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October 08, 2025 6:58 AM | Anonymous member

Loved your story of the lovely Deet! I hope to meet her some day; she is an inspiration!

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