Being here has brought up so many good memories of being here with the “duo” (Kianna and Michael). There’s been things that I have missed about not having them here with me again this time.  Including daily basketball games,  Kianna yelling perro everywhere we went, and our house and the people in it, to name a few things.  There’s so much that hasn’t changed since I was last here 4 years ago and so many things that have.  4 years ago covid didn’t exist in the form we now know it. There were no mask. The dog that we all where obsessed with in Atitlan (Chula) is still there living her best life catching rocks. I haven’t seen Kianna’s favorite dog Tocino (bacon) in town at all. Cafe no Se is closed.  Our house is still there but with new people living in it.  We are at the same school but in different buildings and with different teachers.  So much is the same and yet so different. Today I found out that our house mother that we lived with passed away due to covid. She couldn’t have been more than 38 years old.  People have died all over the world from covid and some like the people here, died because of lack of access to healthcare when they had covid.  One of the hardest quotes for me to accept and yet the truest about life is that “Change is the only constant in life.” I struggle with change so much. Before this trip I was filled with the normal excitement that comes with a trip,  yet I also had to sit with an my anxieties about the unknown, all the things that would be out off my control,  all of the fear I have of not being able to communicate and looking dumb,  all of it… bubbled up to the surface.  Change often times feels so scary to me. Yet I consciously make a decision to mix things up try something new even if it leaves me scared and vulnerable. This trip has been so so good. I can’t wait to look back at this trip with the same fondness and longing to replicate it like I did after my first trip.  My teacher today in class said “you are just becoming a little Guatemalan, you love everything about our culture.”  It is true there is so much I love here.

Here are some pictures of then (4 years ago) and now

Well in truth being the only one left standing blogging with Nicole and Luca gone has made blogging less fun.  But I don’t want to miss out on continuing to benefit from the intention of the blog.  The blog forces me to pause and reflect on the stuff that’s been happening… both in the fast pace moments of our day and in the very routine and mundane moments that happen from just living somewhere. We have 3 days left here and I can’t seem to wrap my brain around the fact that it is ending so soon.  Week 3 tends to be when you goet your stride in a new place and really start to just settle into the new norm.  School continues to be incredibly hard for me and I despise having homework at 41 years old, even when it’s something I truly want to learn.  My teacher continues to tell wild stories that force me to listen to an exhausting end. We finished it last week at school with learning to make tortillas and pairing them with delicious guacamole and beans.   MJ and I wandered around the city a little the end of last week. We walked into churches and Ruins and absorbed some of the history in our own back yard. We ended the day with pizza with a view from a rooftop restaurant. This weekend we ventured out on Saturday for a day trip to Iximche. The Mayan Ruins that are closest to us. Remembering back 4 years ago when MJ suggested we go to Tikal and I was like um how could that ever been entertaining. Only to be blown away once I arrived. So this time I was way more excited about going.  There’s just something so powerful and mind boggling about seeing Ruins from a time long before that were literally eaten up by the earth only to be found by radars and if left untouched they would once again disappear into the earth.  Iximche was interesting in that the local Myans still hold fire ceremonies here.  Our guide was a young Mayan who basically was like “hey let me tell you about my people.” This is how I love to learn.  Driving back into town we noticed a huge crowd and people in jerseys….I had literally a couple days before said that I wanted to go to a football (soccer) game.  Little did I know we had a stadium in our backyard.  So we rerouted and we’re able to watch Antigua vs Xela (The town where MJ did language school before living in Honduras). So much fun Soccer in Central America has a whole different vibe. Sunday I spent at one of my favorite cafes doing boat loads of homework and eating some of the tastiest food ever (the food made the homework part not so bad) Monday began our final week in language school.  Not long into the day MJ text saying hey it’s a gorgeous day let’s go climb Pacaya. Maggie and I ditched school early,  grabbed lunch at my favorite Cafe and headed out to roast marshmallows on an active volcano. Maggie and I decided that we wanted to do the trip in the most enjoyable way possible so we opted to get a horse for the climb and MJ braved the 15000ft incline on his own. I have never been more thankful for a horse in my entire life.  “Carmelo” was my horse, and me hero…..I once had a horse named Bob but I digress. I can’t speak for MJ but the ascend up was so much fun.  I got to chat with the other girls in on our group who were also on horseback and really just enjoy the simply beauty of the Volcano around us, instead of struggling to breathe which came soon after. The horses were only allowed up to a certain point and then we were forced to foot it the rest of the way like all the others in our group.  The initial incline up before we leveled off to cross the volcano sent my post covid x4 (1x covid pneumonia) lungs into a tizzy. I am talking full on lungs that felt like they were gonna burst. So while my legs didn’t mind the climb my lungs were definitely thankful for Carmelo carrying me up most of the acsent. Once we started across the volcano horizontally life got better and literally the view become overwhelming. We roasted marshmallows that were actually delicious on the heat from below our feet.  We stood on volcanic rock from the big eruption that just happened in March. We looked out over Volcan Fuego and Volcan Agua. We watched as Fuego sent clouds of smoke up into the air with each eruption. And said to ourselves….. not many people can say they climbed an active volcano today. We literally were above the clouds.  Moments…. Taking in moments.  Maggie mentioned earlier in this trip the two types of fun that her and MJ talk about all the time. The first type of fun are things that are fun in the moment, simple and just fun.  The second type are things that are not actually fun in the moment but are fun to think about after.  Thanks to my lungs I can truly say that this was both. We ended up with a really great group of people and it was a beautiful reminder that when you do things that are cool, exciting, difficult, and different; you will find others that are open and interesting.  That couldn’t be more different than you, yet the commonalities that are found simply because you’re both there trying something new connects you.  Also people who do things outside the box tend to be more interesting, accepting, and friendlier people in general.  We ended our trip having dinner with a couple of the girls we met in our group that included delicious tacos at Fridas and Zacapa in frozen lemonade.  While my lungs still haven’t recovered and I still sound like I have croup, these are the moments that make life worth living.  The pictures do this trip no justice but I hope you can feel the beauty in them.

Michele has been giving me a hard time for not posting much. I was thinking about it on my walk to the store tonight and realizing that our life here has settled a bit into a routine. In some ways we don’t have a ton to say.

Take today for example. We got up, Maggie had Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast, I had banana bread. She went to school, I worked. I made mac and cheese for lunch. Worked a little more in the afternoon and made a few doctors appointments. Maggie napped. Walked to the store. Made spaghetti carbonara for dinner and watched Pitch Perfect.

In some ways the most remarkable thing about our lives here is how routine it is. The big things that stand out are the little things. Maggie’s new after school routine is to stop at the mango lady at the end of our block on her way home from school where she buys a bag of cut up mangos with salt and lime juice. We discovered a new delicious cookie called Emo Giraffes. Not sure what makes them emo but they are chocolatey and delicious.

But that was part of the plan. To be in one place long enough to have it become routine. It really has and there is beauty in that.

Pretty sure that with Luca gone I may be the last standing blogger.  Though we are trying to convince MJs friends to join our story.  We spent Sunday afternoon at Centro Cultural la Azotea. A coffee bean Plantation turned into a family fun park including putt putt golf and a beer garden with live music.  I was so confused why they were playing American music. MJ compared it to us going to a Mexican restaurant in the states.  While it was very gringoesk (and not quite what MJ envisioned) it was a lot of fun and a beautiful day to be outside.  We headed back to town and decided to make our way through the fair that was happening in town.  Maggie and MJ braved (rather stupidly) the farris wheel. I hope Maggie will blog and tell you more about that.  Monday was back to school time.  Maggie willingly came along to salsa lessons (and did so good with some really hard moves). Then Andrea and Matthew’s family came over for dinner and fireworks to end the biggest celebration of the year in Antigua.  The actual fireworks didn’t take place till well past our bedtimes but from the sounds of them they were pretty amazing. I also finally discovered the creature that’s been making noises in my room at night.  While at first glance it appeared to be a bat, luckily it was just a giant moth. My brother came to my rescue and with the help of a laundry basket and a broom we were able to trap it…..though either it returned or it got away in the last moments because it has one again been fluttering around my room once it goes pitch black at night.  So I resolved to putting my ear plugs in and letting it flutter, at least for now.  Yesterday I spent the afternoon at private salsa lessons with one of my old inductors from 4 years ago.  This made for a much better experience than the group lessons with just basic steps. After lessons I sat in the park to do some homework and enjoy the sights of the city.  Out of no where there were sirens and announcements about moving if you don’t want to get wet.  I looked up and saw the fire department and assumed there was a fire inside the bar. As I got closer I quickly realized whatever was happening was not an emergency and seemed to be in fun.  I later learned that there was a fire fighter being promoted to captain and he was being hosed down in front of the crowd as his initiation.  Very amusing for all those watching.  It started to rain so I headed to Cafe Sky a restaurant at the top of one of the hostels.  This is where Michael, Kianna and I spend all of our breaks because it was right next to our old language school.  So I did my tarea (homework) with a view of Volcan Fuego and a licuado de sandia (watermelon smoothie). MJ and Maggie joined me for dinner there and Maggie practiced her verbs.  We compared our classes and how we are learning but in a very  different way.  It was a pretty great way to end the night.  

If anyone knows me, you know I don’t do well with goodbyes or even see you laters much less with goodbyes that change the dynamics of a trip for me. I am so lucky that I have gotten the chance to travel with my bff again and introduce her to a world that holds such a happy place in my heart.  On top of that I have gotten to share in learning with Luca and in turn he’s made learning more fun for me.  You know how when you fake excitement for a child to help them through… you then in turn tend to be more excited about things in general.  Part of my joy was sitting with my teacher and hearing Luca squeal in excitement or laugh at something he was doing with his teacher.  My teacher and I would both pause in our long intense conversation to smile and look over at him.  I will miss those moments, but I am so grateful for them.  Grateful that he had a wonderful teacher; who was childlike enough to jumped over cracked sidewalks with him as we walked through town, who showed care and concern for him as she put her arm around him to cross the streets, and who made learning fun for him.  I am thankful for both of them adding to the joy of my experience.  Yesterday was a rainy day here so we didn’t get to go out and about. I got a brand new bed (I’ve been sleeping on an incline since we arrived). As luck would have it the rain made its way through my roof and onto my brand new bed (luckily I saw it in time and did some furniture rearranging) The rest of our day consisted of a movie day in the Sala, dinner out (and wandering through parque central with a live production), and then Nicole and I wandered out to watch the locals dance. Having this big amazing house has been amazing but there is something to be said about living in community with strangers. It gives you connections and ties to people other than your own. I will miss having my best friend around and someone to hang out with dearly.  I will also miss my nightly snuggles in bed with Luca as we blogged together (he promised me he would call me tonight to write his last blog, as we can only blog at night according to him😊) The shift in dynamics is a hard adjustment for me.  It’s almost as if the party has ended and it’s time to focus on what I came here for… to learn some Spanish, wish me luck. 

Yesterday I woke up.  I went to my last day of school on Friday.  On my last day I played the game las memorias (you have to try and find the matching card using your memory). Then we walked back to the main school and Maggie saw her friends. We presented the Guatemalan candies that we learned about in school. I did not present because I was shy. Maggie presented sweet potatoes. I got to taste the candy and they were both good. I got a certificate from Ms. Lucia (my teacher) because it was my last day of school.  Then we went to a special place for lunch.  They had fun music and we played cards.  The bathroom had a view of the mountain in it.  I got locked inside the bathroom and they had to get a key and unlock the door.  I was ok but also a tiny bit worried because I didn’t think I was gonna get out.  Tía put her phone under the door so I could see the way to open it but it did not work.  Then finally the chef opened it with a key.  We walked home and got my bathing suit went to Maggie’s friends house to swim.  Mommy and Tia went to a massage that took 3 hours.  While they were gone I went swimming and then we got out and went into the hot tub. Maggie’s friend Ben said it was a cold tub. Then we went back into the regular pool.  After the pool we dried off. Mrs. Andrea (Maggie’s friend’s mom) and Michael-John went to get food.  I ate 6 wings and 3 sips of water.  Then I was playing on Maggie’s friend Tessa’s tablet.  We got to play minecraft, subway surfers, and word search. I got to play Super Mario.  Maggie’s friend Jonathon, Ben, Maggie, Tessa and Elisa played games too. Then we went home.  I didn’t get to take a shower or brush my teeth and I just put on my pajamas and went right to bed because it was late.  That’s our blog/story

Yesterday we had a fun morning at school with presentations on typical sweets from Guatemala. It was part of our class assignments to present.  I being the not so great student opted to be an observer lol.  However, Maggie did an amazing job but I’ll let her tell you more about that.  After the break Nicole informed my teacher that she was kidnapping me for the rest of the day. We wandered and got coffee and sat in a garden and played cards and enjoyed just hanging out in the city. We picked Luca up and had lunch in one of our favorite spots. MJ’s friends arrived with 5 of their kids so we headed to their house for some pool time. MJ took over watch and Nicole and I went to get pampered again. Nicole got a mom’s night out and we headed to salsa lessons then dancing. You know you’re old when you have no desire to drink yet rather just enjoy the music and be in bed by 12:30am. I had forgotten how quiet the city gets at night (aside from the few drunk college boys strewn about the streets). I love the feeling of being in a small city like this where you run into people you have met at every turn. It’s nice to see familiar faces. It gives you more of feeling of belonging when you’re an outsider in a very different place.

I haven’t had the chance to blog in a few days. We’ve been so busy that my little down time I do have is spent blogging with Luca, which I’d take over doing my own blog any day. Wednesday I got Guatemala (the funk) but started meds the same day so it never hit me hard.  I also used it as an excuse even though Nicole and I planned it the night before I got sick lol) to play hooky from school. Nicole and I haven’t had any time to just have fun and wander so with Maggie and Luca in school and MJ in charge of them we were free to do as we pleased for a few hours.  So we decided to pamper ourselves with amazing massages and Nicole even convinced me to go into the sauna where I am pretty sure the the vix vapor rub that was in the magical bottle of water we doused the furnace with cleansed my soul.  Between the heat and the cold shower I have to admit it was pretty invigorating. I then conceded to and embraced the hippiness of this town (and my best friend) and went to a vegan place for lunch (you know the give and take that comes in all friendships,  I make her try sketchy places and she makes me eat vegan) Not only was the restaurant gorgeous, it was delicious. We picked up Luca from school and headed out to see some sights of the city. I took Luca to one of my favorite spots; the basketball courts by the ruins. I spent almost every afternoon with Michael and the boys at this court after school. Such a fun contrast of kids playing basketball with ancient Mayan ruins as their backdrop. We wandered through a convent that was destroyed by two different earthquakes and last used as a prison. The last two pictures in this post (while they are by far the least attractive pictures of ourselves) have to by my favorite taken by Luca. All I hear in my head when I see those pictures are “bad girls bad girls whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you” (sing it with me). I am so lucky I was able to drag my bff on this adventure and introduce her to a world I love. It’s fun to be in a place with so much history and totally worth playing hookie from school.  

As I sit here in Parque Central I find myself pondering how pigeons got the market on all of the park fountains. No matter where you are in the world, if there is a park with a fountain, there are pigeons. How did they win the Aves bidding war ? Was there one? Did nature somehow randomly allocate them here? Why are fountains their preferred domain? Was it the opportunity to crap on passersby what made this prime real estate? Are the other fowl jealous? Or is this considered less desirable housing in the aviary world? Questions I have, none important, but questions nonetheless…

Nicole writes…After nature’s colon cleansing came to an end I talked Michele into skipping school (thank you Maggie and MJ for taking care of Luca) so we could wander for the day. I had an amazing $25 (fee+tip+Uber ride) hour massage with an incredibly strong yet tiny lady named Elsa. We followed it by a steam in the sauna with a solution much like vapor rub cleansing and purifying what felt like the depths of our souls. I kindly declined the colonic offered by the spa explaining I had my very own unwelcome and free experience just a few days ago. We lounged and got coffee before having a delicious vegan lunch (its a vegan hippy heaven here) and then watched Luca play basketball along side the ruins. After walking through the convent of the barefoot nuns (and as Luca interpreted it- where Jesus lived) I can’t wait to get home to hang more laundry on the line (truly 😂)