First Day in Guatemala

  Antigua, Guatemala, Guatemala
Sunday, December 17, 2006

Buenos tardes! I love it here! Antigua is a really beautiful city

Antigua

, and thus far Iīve had 0 traveling troubles. My flight got in one hr late last night, so I took a taxi to my hotel. It is an interesting sight as you walk out of the airport literally into a barn full of people! As the driver weaved (a llittle too fast in my opinion) up and down the mountains on the way to Antigua, we passed muliple pick-ups with 12-13 people hanging off the back. And, I found it really interesting that instead of using flares to show you construction, they just literally start fires in buckets. How clever!
My hotel was really nice..even had my own private bathroom I may try to stay there again in a couple of weeks when I return to Antigua. Unfortunately, my first Guatemalan friend, a grande cucaracha ....es muerte. (I know itīs not nice, but I just couldnīt sleep knowing he was crawling around in the shower.) Since I hadnīt seen much on the way to the hotel, I was shocked to walk out on the street and literally be staring right at an uninterrupted view of a volcano.

Outside of my hotel

I spent the morning walking around the city and had a delicious breakfast and really, really good coffee.

Breakfast--muy delicioso

Baby parrots in the restaurant- so cute!

At first I was shocked when I saw the price...then realized that 22 quetzales is like, 3 US dollars! Saw the Parque Centrale (gorgeous), some ruins of an old convent/church,

Ruins at Santa Clara

and ate some yummy ice cream.

Sarita Ice Cream

This afternoon, I moved in with my host family for the week. Sylvia is quite a character and is certainly not spoiling me by speaking English... this is going to be a total immersion experience. Met her son, Francesco and dog, Terje... I think we will be good friends! I won Sylvia over by offering her a snack (thanks for sending the goodies, Richelle!). It will be nice to live with a local family for a while. My house doesnīt even have a roof! Very cool. Sylvia took me up the ladder and we have a table and chairs up there with views of both volcanoes. I will try to take some pics...she told me that they are active at night.
Now, Iīm across the street from the (very loud) market. I think it might be time for some shopping! And, letīs be honest... more eating! Richelle and Nani-Lei have requested that I talk about food, so I will try to post some pictures of everything yummy I eat.
I start spanish school tomorrow for one week--very exciting. I am wishing right now that I knew a little more espaņol!

Me in a hammock

Thatīs all for now. I will try to post often!
Love, Sara