Me Gusta Mucho Antigua!

Well, here we are in Antigua! The weather is beautiful and sunny and at 5000 feet, there is next to no humidity which ahs been a welcome surprise

It has taken me a while to find longer than 15 minutes to actually have enough time to compose a proper entry. It has been a jam-packed trip so far. Where to start? Our flight was excellent in the sense that we left Calgary at 1pm and had a lovely 50-minute connection in Houston (who needs to spend any longer in Texas, I mean really?) So although it gave us enough time to get off the plane, grab a bite and walk the two minutes down to the flight, it was not enough time for our luggage to make it. We just got it this morning and are all more than ready for a proper shower and another change of clothes. It’s a trade-off. Either you have a longer flight and arrive with your luggage or a shorter one and wait a day.

We started yesterday morning with a 3-hour walking tour of Antigua by a very competent ex-pat from America who has done some work restoring all the damage done from the various earthquakes and the long civil war which more or less ravaged the country. It’s an interesting little place, and I am feeling awfully proprietary of this city. Antigua is surrounded by 3 volcanoes, Volcano Agua (water) and Volcano Fuego (fire) being the most well-known. Volcano Fuego is an active volcano and we are hoping it will erupt during our stay so that we can see it! The volcanoes protect Antigua from hurricanes, but not from earthquakes (obviously.) Their last earthquake was four-weeks ago and measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. It lasted 49 seconds. Their most damaging earthquake was in 1969. It lasted 35 seconds and measured 7.5 on the Richter. Antigua is a very cosmopolitan city and any thoughts I had of Mayan women walking to the river with large pots on their heads were banished the minute I arrived. I feel like it is the best-kept secret, this little gem of a town, except that it really isn’t! There are a ton of tourists but I love it here all the same.

And the coffee is to die for! I woke up extra early this morning (6:15) to try and get a picture of Volcano Fuego before it was shrouded in cloud. Too late, though! And only on vacation would you get me up that early! I was particularly touched when I ordered my café this morning and the lady remembered me from yesterday! Aw, I’m already a regular!

We were welcomed at the Guatemalan airport by a surprising array of musicians, women in traditional dress handing out gift bags in the most sooped-up airport I have ever seen. We were a little disappointed to find that this welcome wasn’t in fact for us, but for the members of the I.O.C. committee who were here to decide which city would win the 2014 (?) Olympic bid. This was abruptly followed by a power-outage which caused little to no problems at all. I can only imagine a similar incident in Canada or the States, which would have resulted in a complete evacuation of the airport and general pandemonium.

No luggage, but were welcomed into humble and warm surroundings at our homestays.

The afternoon was spent doing one-on-one Spanish lessons, and I am feeling really impressed by the amount of Spanish I have learned so far! When I went to Mexico this time last year, I knew next to no Spanish at all. I had to learn the days of the week, the months, numbers, colours and I understood next to nothing. It was all just a jumble of nonsense. Basico. Now I am understanding about 90%, due in part largely to the Guatemalans, who bless them, speak slowly and clearly. So I am learning more and more every day and more than a little pleased with myself.

So much more to write about , but such little time! 8 hours Spanish lessons today followed by a salsa lesson followed by a night out at Ricardo’s! Tomorrow, 4-hours of Spanish and then we are hiking volacano Pacaya.

More later when I get a chance. Time to go home for lunch.

Hasta luego!