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Zoe and I are settled into life in Antigua. We arrived late Thursday night to stay in our (first) family homestay with Trinis, Ernesto & Sergio & their three perros. Ful immersion without benefit of classes was challenging particularly for me. And it was good reminder of what we take for granted - our room had no hot water, no towels, no soap and the meals were all carbs (rice, bread, small amount of carne but no fruits or veggies).
On Friday, we were fortunate to walk into a travel place that was taking a trip to Lake Atilan over the weekend - and the only folks who had signed up were a Mom & her 15 year old son. We had great weekend - more vacation than traveling - with them, biking down to lake with incredible views, staying at lovely place on hill above lake (Casa del Mundo) that had incredible food (and hot showers!) and then kayaking around part of lake next day and hiking back. We are meeting them for a goodbye dinner on Wed. (they are returning to CA) at a restored convent - Casa Santo Domingo - thanks to recommendation and treat from Zoe's Grandpa Jack.
Moved to new family today (Monday) and doing much better with the home stay part. Sylvia is a lovely hostess (the others mostly watched us eat but didn't say much) who is a great cook and sits and eats with us and has a 15 year old boy we'll meet tonight. Warm energy in house and even though it is much smaller space, we are very happy with it. Also started language school today - six hours of classes, and my head is spinning and haven't even done my homework yet - but I think it will start to sink in after a couple of days. Zoe had fun with her teacher and is improving rapidly and being very patient with me, teaching me basics over and over again.
Overall, first few days have reminded me of what I love most about traveling - unlike my every day life, where I do what I know best, go to same places that I know how to get to, can expect what will excite/challenge/annoy/please me and seek it out - travel has unexpected and more extreme highs and lows. One moment I thought my ATM card was lost/stolen and Zoe's allergies were really bad from dankness at first house and it was raining and I couldn't find internet to check my bank account to see if money was gone and had to eat terrible spam and eggs and the next we were cruising through beautiful, sunny countryside with ever-chaning view of Lake Atilan, talking with new friends, eating incredible Guatemalan enchiladas (more like what we would call a tostada but with lots of different vegetables including beets) and then watching lightening storm over Lake.
- comments
Rick What a great start to what will be an amazing adventure.
Sue Spam? You're a better woman than I and I admire your spirit of adventure!
Mike We LOVED Casa Del Mundo!
Rich Nothing better than adventure!