First From Guatemala

Good Evening Good Evening!

This post comes from a tiny internet cafe in the ever so small city of San Pedro, a community along the shore of Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala. I have been here four days, spending almost all of each day in a hammock by the water. The atmosphere here is tranquil, healthy, beautiful, enriching, purifying, the list goes on. San Pedro is well known in Guatemala, but has remained out of sight to most of the world. Lago de Atitlan is incredibly beautiful, protected by sleeping volcanoes, towering mountains, and providing shelter for a very small indigenous population. It is no wonder travellers get stuck here for weeks on end.

From San Cristobal I took a shuttel to Antigua, Guatemala. It was a true day of travel; four buses, two sets of immigration facilities, six cities, 13 hours, seven roadside hold-ups, one meal, and two bathroom breaks. I slept like a baby that first night in Antigua.

I was not so excited to see Antigua. From what I heard, read, and ultimately witnessed, Antigua is nothing like Guatemala. Clean manicured streets, endless restaurants, fashionable shops, more tourists than locals, expensive meals, theater, the notion that life is good and easy, Antigua is simply a little paradise city. One does not spend time there in search of the 'real' Guatemala. However, the city does boast nearly 75 language schools, which is precisely why I chose to spend nine days there. I enrolled in a language school almost immediatly. For one week, five days, it was back to the books; four hours of class, four hours of homework and self-study, not being able to hide in the back of a classroom because it was one on one, the week was long but fun and well worth every moment of study.

Even though it took me a while to warm up to Antigua, I found myself sad to leave the city. Antigua is cozy, very warm with people that are both helpful and fun, the surrounding volcanoes make for a stunning backdrop, and it has a generally good feel to it. I had trouble with Antigua because I found it to exhibit a false sense of Guatemala, nevertheless, I enjoyed my time there very much. I had a wonderful experience in the hostal for nearly one and a half weeks, I met new people every day, and the class gave me a real push forward in learning the language.

I have spent the past few days here in San Pedro with three great guys - two Germans and an Israeli. One of the Germans, Kevin, is 19 years old (the youngest backpacker I have met thus far!!!). He and I immediatly clicked, and we've been having a great time together. Kevin started in Panama City five months ago, and just pushed his flight back for another four months. I envy what he has done and will do, though I'll be happy coming home after just a few months.

Tomorrow I'm jumping on a bus from San Pedro over to Guatemala City and up to Coban. I look forward to passing through Guatemala City as fast as possible. Coban should be a nice city for a few days, though the nearby waterfalls and cliff-jumping of Semuc Champey are the real visions in mind.

I continue to read and write, and read and write all the time. The emotions have quieted as I have become comfortable with the changing environment, with the backpack, and with myself. Part of me wishes I could be home tomorrow. This trip has brought me to understand the idea of - valuing what one has only after he has lost it - under a completely new light. I miss just about everything from home, though not enough to cut this trip short for even a moment!

Growth and maturity are an every day occurance. Finding the strength to do certain things, overcome various emotions, finding the inner peace and tranquility to breath, relax, take in my surroundings, these are objects of my every day.

I look upon the people I meet with wide eyes and respect. The stories Shared between me and friends, both comedic and serious, have given shape to my time away from home.

I am learning and have learned more during this year off than I have ever learned in six months time. I feel rich, healthy, and ready for all that is coming my way between here and South America.

I miss you all and look forward to being in touch again soon.

Hope everyone is well, in good health, and in good spirits.

I've been in the lake a lot so my feet don't stink right now -

(notso) SF