Antigua feels like home

12/14/11

Great first few days in Antigua. Can't believe I left when it was in the 20's and now its in the 70's. Having trouble posting pictures but will do my best when possible. Climbed Cerro de La Cruz which overlooks the city yesterday. Great workout and great pictures. 5 more days here and then to Lake Atitlan for a week or so. Will miss seeing Kade and Madison for Christmas but sure they will be busy with friends and family.

GUATEMALA, Antigua

12/15/11

Spent most of the day taking pictures and looking for new inexpensive places to eat since I do not have kitchen access at my current residence. Hopefully Itzamna Spanish School will have an opening soon. So many ideas about where to travel. The beach (Playa Tunco) in El Salvador is great, diving in Utila in Honduras, visiting Lake Atitlan or 7 day catamaran cruise to Belize. The latter would be stretching my budget at $395 for the 7 days. All I know is that my plans will be geared so that on January 9th I am in a sports bar with access to the soon to be LSU National Champions.

Low light photos at dusk in Antigua

Love my new Sony camera which has a special low light feature. These pictures were taken when it was almost completely dark without a flash.

Random photos of Antigua

San Pedro de Laguna on Lake Atitlan

12/19/11

Caught the 9 am shuttle to San Pedro on beautiful Lake Atitlan, called by many the most beautiful lake in the world. Staying same place as last year at Hotel Villa del Lago. A private room/private bath with television and internet for $6.25 with a beautiful patio view of the lake. Very fortunate the room was available. Not as much to do here but that also is the beauty. Will try and visit some of the many villages around the lake by boat and maybe hike another volcano like last time I was here.

San Pedro de Laguna on Lake Atitlan (Tuesday)

12/20/11

Love the laid back atmosphere of San Pedro and The Lake. Walked around and got reacquainted and also found some new spots. Met 2 "mature" travelers who were sisters and one was from South Africa and the other from England. We had nice chat over breakfast (ham & cheese omelet, bread, fruit, fried beans, guacamole and coffee for $2.50) and I gave them some backpacking knowledge that I had acquired about Guatemala.

Close to Christmas

12/23/11

As it gets closer to Christmas, my decision to leave before Christmas makes me second guess whether I should have waited. However, since none of my family or friends use heat in the freezing winter, I had no choice or either freeze. LOL Actually everyday seems like Christmas when I am with Kade and Madison.

My decision to come back to Guatemala was done to save up money for future travels next winter and hopefully a new travel business when I return in a few months. I am doing really well on my budget in San Pedro. My budget is $20 a day for everything, room, food, and entertainment. So far I have been under that budget and many days spending about $13 a day. It is so hard to believe that my beautiful , private room with tv (and HBO) only cost $6.25 a night and has a balcony overlooking Lake Atitlan.

There was an incident with a "mature" traveler who was leaving and thought he should get a refund for prepaying. He started screaming at the owner, Gladys, and then grabbed her by the shoulders and started shaking her. Luckily I was standing nearby and stepped in between him and her. I am not a hero but could not just stand around and let a man physically abuse a woman.

Loving the lake and its tranquility. Learning the latin way, to slow everything down and just enjoy life. I am learning to walk slower , trying to talk slower and pay more attention to my surroundings. Every child here seems to be selling something but they also seem very happy.