Terrible at this.

Man, I really slacked off on this blog lately.
My trip to Guatemala was wonderful. Tikal was breathtaking, the beach in Panama hot, and the randomness of the last weekend indescribable. I had a fantastic time with Cailan, and cannot wait until we reunite at her next teaching gig in.... Egypt!!
Returned to Canada and dove into spring with a lot of outdoors outings, skiing, hiking, more recently paddling and camping. Quick trips to Edmonton, Twin Falls and Hay River. Summing it up in this past weekend's trip back to Pensive Lake.

This year four of us returned to do the Pensive Lake Wilderness Tour that we did over Canada Day last year. Jocelyne and Julian came last year, Graham was new and the plan was to meet Daniel and Blair who were there last year too on Cameron and all descend the river together the last day. Turns out portaging in one go is a thousand times more productive than not. Jocelyne and I carried all the gear, and the boys carried the canoes.
We did the first leg, and camped at the same location as last year... about six hours faster. Ditto with the second day. The weather was fabulous, like last year, minus the headwinds.
We leisurely paddled all afternoon Saturday, passing last years camping and heading down to Lower Pensive Lake to meet Daniel, Blair, Graham and Andrew.

Sunday morning we headed back down Cameron, which I was nervous for, but I felt a lot better knowing that I'd have the choice of paddling with Joce or Julian, who have some idea what they're doing. We were totally successful this run down. There were a couple little delays in the rapids, but the water was so much lower, that they were not as intimidating.
All in all, great weekend in the sun! Cannot wait till next camping trip! Where I hopefully will be much more diligent at reporting.

Guatemala

Well, this morning I woke up in Guatemala City!
I've come down to visit my best friend Cailan, who's been living and teaching here for the past three years... and this will be her last. I needed to come down while I had a personal guide and a place to stay. 
Had a long day of flying yesterday, I wasn't actually sure we'd make it out of Edmonton... weather and mechanical delays :( But I made it to Houston and didnt miss my connection, like the majority of people sitting around me. Continued on to Guatemala City, where I went through customs and the guy didn't even look at me, got two new stamps in my passport and didn't get my bag x-rayed because I'm a foreigner. 
Outside was a mass throng of people waiting, and I heard my name haha. It was great. Cailan picked me up and we went out to this little bar to meet her boyfriend Jorges and their friends. The driving is chaotic and erratic, the bar was wooden outdoor benches and large bottles just continuously brought over. Got some salsa dancing lessons and some practical information about the country, how great it is and learnt some random words in Spanish. 

Tonight Cailan and I are going out to celebrate her being finished her Masters in International Education that she's been working on here... then were jumping in a van and driving overnight to Semuc Champey, a national park that every person at home that I told I was coming here insisted I go to.  After I'm not really sure. I want to go to Tikal, Pacaya Volcano, Antigua and who else knows. 

Apparently Holy Week is a BIG deal here. So I'm going to head to Antigua on Easter Sunday for mass and check out all the processions and other hoopla that's on the go. 

Other than that.... I'm just taking everyday in stride.