Here at last, here at last!

So some people might be recalling, “wait, weren’t they supposed to start their grand adventure in Guatemala? In what.. January?” Well, yes; but plans change (frequently) and now we are here! We made our first land border crossing from Mexico into Guatemala without incident (amazing, no large fences to scale!) and boarded one of many “chicken buses” we would take throughout Guatemala. Chicken buses are essentially re-vamped US school buses from back in the ‘80s now painted 30 different bright colors with luggage piled high on top and full to the brim with locals. While we didn’t see any chickens, it is possibly because they are just squished into the few available cracks between people.

Our first night was in Huehuetenango (just say Way-Way, took us long enough to get it) then on to Cunen and the warm hospitality of Reina and Napallo, friends that we served with in Peace Corps Jamaica that had re-uped to serve again, this time in Guatemala where they’ve been a year and a half already. So we got the inside scoop on things while getting our bearing, learning some more Espanol, seeing their wonderful pueblo, and getting some work done. There was also the experiences of buying from the local market and trying new exotic fruits (how do you say in Spanish.. “can I try that liquidly brown mushy thing in the bag over there?”). All of it, OK most of it, was fantastic. We can’t say enough about there wonderful meals (everything from scratch), their patients with our first of many Spanish lessons, and their care as we learned the hard way “when they say don’t drink the water, then DON’T DRINK THE WATER!”.

Since our school was not starting until April 6, we had some time to explore Guatemala (and celebrate Brooke’s birthday). Guatemala has many natural treasures and top among these is Semuc Champie where beautiful turquoise waters cascade down from pool to pool and we swam in every one of them. We also got our exercise in as there was an incredible hike to a near aerial view from the top of a mountain. There would be more water in these pools but most of the river above roars into the earth to travel below our tranquil swimming holes and comes out in caves we got to go exploring as well. The spelunking was done with candles only which you often had to hold above your head as you swam through the water, exploring the far reaches. Besides all this fun there were also swings going out over the water from high up branches and a bridge to jump off of.

Our last stop as tourists was in Lanquin where we found a little slice of paradise at El Retiro hostel where a river runs by thatch-roofed huts and provides a perfect place to cool off after warming in a hammock. Traveling through Central America you join a self selecting bunch since not just anyone would pick up and go tromping around a developing country, and we are glad to be in the midst of some amazing people. It was a pleasure meeting many new friends (and seeing old ones) and we know there will be many more to encounter as we continue on our journey. But now it is now time to buckle down and start Spanish school, where we can finally learn if people here are in fact saying “Hello, welcome to our country and have a great day!” or putting a curse on us.