Archive for the 'Guatemala' Category

04
Apr

Cerro de la Cruz, old amigos, y lava!

By guerrero 0 Comments
Categories: Guatemala

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(A Mayan Mama adjusting her baby wrap )

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Yesterday was another day of relaxing, revelations, and rejuvenating. The main event was wandering through the streets of Antigua with tourism police officer as a guide. We hiked through the city and up 379 stone steps to see Cerro de la Cruz. The view was beautiful. All of Antigua spread across the horizon with a fantastic view of Volcan Agua. Kiera slept all the way up on my back but was able to enjoy the scenery just before leaving as she awoke greeting everyone in our presence. She of course found time as well to “share her nummies” to all, giving everyone good reason to smile.

This morning we met with an old friend of Sarah´s who lives down here with his wife doing missions work for quite some time now. He treated us to breakfast and great conversation in a quaint cafe. The visit started as Breakfast but ended well after lunch. Kiera occupied herself with a meow meow and beautiful Mayan women making their works of arts in the garden (Kiera helped too!). We left in a hustle to be sure we could pack our gear for a hike up a volcanoe.

With a few minutes to spare we made it to a shuttle which brought us to Volcan Pacaya. The hike up took nearly 2 hours through rain, wind, and clouds but it was well worth it (the postman would be proud). When we reached the top we were in awe of the lava that was running below or what we could see of it through the driving clouds and rain. We immediately began snapping photos left and right trying to capture the moment but the guide kept hustling us off to the side… to the side where a faintly visible trail that would lead us right down to the lava. We traversed across cold and jagged volcanic rock that sliced into our shoes. Each step was made nerously in fear of being shreaded and left to the dogs. We were coaxed along by a cool breeze and failed to notice the increase in temperature under our feet with each step. As we got closer to the running lava the temperature became unbearable, our shoes even started to burn, we were that close!!! Some girls from Israel even brought marshmallows to toast. Not doubt Kiera was right there eating them. The lava was incredible, flaming red, orange, black… intense. Imaging Hell but way ¨cooler¨. It was a full on sensory experience.

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(Yup, that is what lava looks like, up close and personal)

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HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT

(Kiera on top of her third volcanoe, not bad for two years of age!)

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(Lava toasted mallow, well worth the heat!)

Tomorrow will brings swimming pools, more friends and packing for our adventure to Honduras. We continue to send our love to all and know that we miss you all too!

02
Apr

Guatemala has been invaded…

By guerrero 0 Comments
Categories: Guatemala

By First Class flying Central America traveling Minnesotans. It was a pleasant surprise when we boarded the plane and were looking for our seats that seats 3c, 3d and 3f are located in First Class… We weren´t going to argue. A full meal of Chicken breast, potatoe salad, peach cake all you can drink beverages. The seat were luxuriously spacious that  Kiera had enough room to run around. It was a bit humours and all we could do was laugh at the thought of us flying 1st class…

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We arrived in Guatemala City at 1015 yesterday and grabbed a shuttle to Antigua right away. It is definitely a nice thing to arrive early in the day… The drive was quick and the view was spectacular as we drove out of the big city with its colonial architectural features, up and over the mountain then down into the ancient capital of Central America, Antigua.

Antigua is a beautiful city rich with history and a laid-back lifestyle. Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes the city feels isolated. The streets are ancient much like all the decaying buildings and churches lining them. Paved in stones, traffic moves at a comfortable pace and gives the city a unique feel. I feel bad for the passengers on the back of the many motos that zip around the town.

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Our shuttle dropped us off in central park and Sarah ditched us to wander around the streets looking for a place to stay for a few nights. Things have changed since the last time she was here and it took a while for her to find the hostel she was looking for. Kiera and I sat in the park and she quickly made friends with every one… again the blondie is a focus of everyones attention.

We checked into the hostel and made our way to the market to look at all the goods for sale and to buy some fresh foods for dinner. We ended up with, you guessed it, rice and beans, a couple mangoes, and avocados… Sarah showed us around the city, the landmarks and the bus station that brings back vivid memories.

Back at the hostel I was put in charge of cooking dinner while Sarah and Kiera read books, made friends with the other tenants on the roof-top patio. We spent a few hours basking in the afternoon sun as we dined on our tuna-rice and beans and fresh mango.

It is quite amazing to see how Kiera has become so relaxed and comfortable in this new culture. She wakes up each morning with such excitement and energy, it is sometimes overwhelming… especially at 6 in the morning. She wants to see her friends, eat nummies and go outside. Throughout the day she greets everyone she passes ¨hola¨ and approaches all the kid and babies she sees. Her vocabulary is growing and it surprises us when she will respond or blurt something out in Spanish completely unprovoked. Her pronunciation impresses the locals as well as us… I just hope that she will be able to retain it.

Last night, after dark, we took a walk around the city to look at the illuminated churches and historical structures. Sarah guided us through the concrete jungle around the cobblestone streets. This leg of our journey is beginning to feel like a vacation. Antigua is so calm and peaceful that it seems to affect me in a positive way. It is interesting how much this city looks and feels like Mexico mostly because of the large Mayan presence and the colonial structures that make up the cities here. I am excited to see what the rest of Guate and Honduras have to present us.

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