Was I glad to finally arrive at my destination! After having had to actually enter the States (just to leave again after a few hours - someone shall understand?!) and pick up my bags in Miami in order to go through customs and then drop them again straight after customs, I was quite lucky that all went well and that I finally arrived in Guatemala City! I was also especially glad that someone picked me up from the airport and dropped me at Angie´s place (the founder and director of Casa Guatemala) as it was late at night and you don´t really wanna be in the city at that time, if you know what I mean!

Anyway, the next morning I made my way to beautiful Rio Dulce and I am simply happy to be here :) I am telling you, the moment you step in, you automatically relax as you feel the calmness and see the people just smiling all the time! It is amazing and I just love the Guatemalans...they are so warm and open and you always have a chat to one - if it´s when waiting for the bus, when sitting on the bus, when getting of the bus, when taking a taxi or tuk-tuk, when going shopping or whatever you do - I just love it!!!

Since I am here I have been pretty much doing NOTHING! Now I know you can´t imagine me doing nothing but yes, it´s possible and I actually enjoy it for now :) Just hanging around, talking to staff, other guests or the other volunteers who come and go (central point for going to and coming from Casa Guatemala), studying Spanish, day-dreaming, doing some yoga or sometimes just sitting together with others and enjoying the silence and quietness at this place!

Now me and Marie, the other volunteer who started with me and probably also stays until January (and guess where she is from? - North Sydney!!!), we are supposed to work in the restaurant as well and we do; however, what is called work here is not really what is called work in Europe, if you know what I mean?! Everything just happens at a slower pace and no one is really stressed about anything - no matter if there is a big group of 20 people sudenly coming out of the blue or not, it doesn´t matter :) and we can´t complain as it gives us enough time, at least, to practice our Spanish and chat to all staff and volunteers! It also gives us time to settle down and build relationships to the staff...they are all adorable and we are having a lot of fun :)

The volunteers from Casa Guatemala (Americans, Spaniards, Italians, Frenchmen, 1 German, 2 Australians, Israeli etc) have been telling us many different things but I will now just wait and see...Marie and I are just glad that we have each other meaning that we can share the experience! We are now looking forward to finally going to Casa Guatemala which will be in approximately 1 1/2 weeks or so...can´t wait to see the kids!!!