Friday, April 4, 2014

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.