Today, I woke up at 6:30 am and I had eggs 🍳 and a mandarin 🍊for breakfast. Then, all of us walked to school 🏫 together and me, Tia, Aunt Patti (Tia’s mom). While we were walking to school I was the leader and I knew all the streets and I knew where to go so it was cool to know everything about the streets and where to go. When we walked in, everyone met their teachers and I met my teacher, her name is Ms. Kenia. I had her last year and she’s nice and knows a bit of English in case I need help with any of the hard words I don’t know. I felt comfortable around her because she’s very nice. I had a lucky day because it was my first day and we didn’t do any work, and I peeked out the window to see Tia and I saw that she was struggling with all of the words that were in her board and she had homework, and I didn’t ! We played games together like Uno, I know how to play Uno now, do you know how? We also played the opposites where it is a card came where you had to ask the other person if they had that card, in Spanish. Like, if you had the card hot you would say, tienes el opuesto de caliente? And if the other person has that card, they would give it to you and if they don’t have that card you would have to take another card from the pile. We also made a town for my hot wheel car and it was really fun. Then I checked on Mrs. Patti and she was doing well which surprised me a little ! Then we had to go to Pausa, which means break in English, and it’s where you have thirty minutes to do whatever you want and rest from learning Spanish. Then after the break, we walked back to the school and continued on with what we were doing, for me I did games, but I don’t know about Aunt Patti and Tia. When we were done with school we walked home and I was the leader and knew where to go. Once we got home I had spaghetti and meat sauce and then after lunch, we went to play tennis. When we were ready we all walked for a long time because it was pretty far away and we had gone past it the first time and then we realized it was up a hill so we had to climb it in order to get up there. Once we finally got up there I rested on the chair and Mr. Michael John (Tias brother) went to see if we had to go to the bottom court or if we could stay at the top court. We went to the bottom court so we walked down and signed in and rented rackets so we could play. Me and Tia were the only ones who were playing at first and then Mommy came to play and she lasted about three minutes. Once me and Tia played for long time, Mr. Michael John and his girlfriend Ms. Rachel came to play after they played alone at the top court and we played together. Me and Ms. Rachel were on a team and Tia and Mr. Michael John were on a team. We were just playing for fun. After we played for like 10-15 minutes, they kicked us off the court because there was a lesson about to happen and we had been there a long time so we decided to stay and rest and watch the other players that were there for a bit. Then we walked home and once we got home I didn’t feel like walking anymore. Then I rested for a bit and when it was time for dinner I had chipotle for dinner. After that I went and took a shower and went to bed.

Today I woke up at 7:15 and I surprisingly didn’t eat breakfast at all except a banana! Then, we finally went to breakfast and I ate an egg and bacon bagel with some yuca fries. Then, we walked around a bit of the town and then we went to the market where we had to get flowers for our house. While we were looking for the flowers, me and Tia stayed to watch a religious ceremony where they put down grass and flowers so they could honor the saint. I honestly had no idea what was going on but I enjoyed it. Mommy and Tia’s mom (Aunt Patti I call her) were looking for flowers. After that, we went to a store called Dollarcity and we bought some stuff we needed for the house. Then, we took a tuk tuk home (it is a motor taxi with 3 wheels). Once we got home, we rested for a little while and then Mommy and Tia went to get a massage while I stayed home with Aunt Patti. I also watched the World Cup game today with Norway 🇳🇴 and England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and England won 2-1. Once Mommy and Tia got home, we rested at the house for a bit and then we went to dinner and I had spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner. Then after dinner, we walked back home and then I took a shower and then I went to bed.

The End.

Today I woke up at grandma’s house at 6:00 in the morning so I could eat before the plane. Me and grandpa went to go pick up Aunt Patti who was all packed up and ready for Guatemala. Then we picked up Mommy and Tia and we stayed at our house because we realized our flight was delayed. Grandpa drove us all to the airport and we said our last goodbyes to Grandpa. We got through security and checked in and our flight was a little bit later but not too bad. At first at thought we would be late but we had one hour before leaving, it felt like so long. Once it was finally time, security checked our passports and we boarded the plane. Two and a half hours felt like the longest time but then when we got off the plane we had to take a one and a half hour drive but because it was such bad traffic it took three hours. Once we reached the rocky roads I knew we were in Antigua and I knew we were pretty close to our house. Once we got to our house, I remembered what all of this was and I remembered it in my brain. I was so tired from all the driving I didn’t want to go anywhere but we went to a restaurant called Adras. It was a rooftop restaurant and guess what I had? A hamburger! I know you all are surprised, but I had a hamburger! We played cards while we were up there and we taught Aunt Patti how to play. Then we went home and took a shower and went to bed.

The End.

Yes, yes I am. It never fails that despite knowing a year in advance our travel dates,  I still fail to pack till the last minute.  We booked our stay in our house last summer before we left,  but our flights… well they were a different story.  Those didn’t get booked till just weeks before we left.  That was definitely our stressor this year.  The cost of flights due to gas and Spirit going bankrupt left or normal flights that usually cost $250 running upwards of $900. In the end we were lucky enough to get them much lower. But the thought of how one airline can impact travel so heavily got me thinking about all the access a cheap no frills airline can create for families that otherwise wouldn’t be able to travel.  Spirit flights may have been the “greyhound” of the sky but it’s routes were mostly to the Caribbean,  South America and Central America allowing so many south Florida families access to their families back home. 

The blog title is the reaction I get every summer when people ask my summer plans.  I love that for an entire year I get to look forward to coming back to a place that feels like a second home at this point.  I am greatful once again to be returning.

Usually by the time I make it back to the states the blog goes by the wayside and I neglect talking about the reentry. 

Coming back to the states is this weird out of body experience. It leaves you feeling discombobulated. I found myself wandering about my house last night feeling out of place and as if it wasn’t mine. 

Just for perspective I hadn’t driven a car in 23 days until yesterday. Aside from weekend trips in Guatemala, commuting was no more than a 10 minute walk anywhere in town.

I hated going to the grocery store last night.  Produce options are terrible here,  prices are insane,  and I don’t understand why I can’t negotiate cost based on the quality I am finding.  I also don’t understand why I can’t just buy one of something and not an entire package.

Having so many clothing options is something I no longer value.  Driving me to wonder why I own so many things.  I loved living for 23 days with only 10 items of clothing on rotation.  I spent zero time worried about what I was going to wear and worried very little about how I looked.  People’s kindness outshined their outfits in Guatemala and most woman wore traditional clothing.

I miss having my laundry done for me (courtesy of Nicole,  I never managed to have more then 2 things in the hamper at a time), and having my house cleaned 3x a week.  I miss having a garden to sit in that is up kept by someone else.  I miss living in community.  I miss morning walks to school.  I miss cool mornings and weather that makes you wanna be outside.  I miss kind friendly people everywhere you go.  I have yet to have a negative interaction with someone in Guatemala. Everyone is kind and helpful.  One of the most bizarre things I miss are the bathrooms.  While it seems odd to mention it is really one of the things I appreciate the most.  I have never been in a country that has the level of clean bathrooms as Guatemala. While you may not be able to flush the toilet paper, even in the most remote of places the bathrooms are always impeccable. I think it’s a combination of others being courteous of eachother and and just a value for taking care of what you do have when you have so little. 

Coming home is always harder than one would think it would be.  Modern conveniences seem less important when the pace of life is slower.  I am grateful to get to live in both worlds,  and understand that I exists in both with great privilege.

Today I woke up and had eggs and fruit for breakfast 🍳. I got dressed and then we walked to our second to last day of school 🏫. At break, we went to the ping pong 🏓 place and I ate a croissant 🥐. Then, we walked back to school and we finished our day. Then, we walked home 🏡 and I ate lunch and I had spaghetti 🍝 and meatballs. Then, we chilled for a bit and then, me and Mommy went out to walk to the rock climbing 🧗‍♀️ place!!!!! But there was a little problem that we could solve, it was raining 🌧️ so we had to wear our rain jackets 🧥. Once we got there, I had to change my shoes 👟 and then I was ready to climb. I made it to the 6th wall and surpassed my record in Guatemala 🇬🇹! I had the best time trying different walls and doing pretty good on them. 1 and a half hours later……. It was time for dinner 🍽️ and we walked to a place called Como Como, and I had a 10 out of 10 pasta 🍝 with meat sauce! It was so delicious 🤤. Then, we walked home 🏠 and took a shower 🚿 and then hanged out for a bit and then I went to bed 🛌.

I am pretty sure I write the same thing each year at the end of my time in Antigua….I am not ready.    This is the only vacation that I’ve ever taken where I don’t get that feeling of being ready to be home.  I think it’s mainly because this place feels so much like home.  I am going to miss these cobblestone roads that by the very nature of them and not wanting to fall,  force me to slow down. They force me to be present in the moment,  not looking at my phone or distracted.  Things are slower here but the days have flown by.  I am thankful for another year of spending my days walking the city, sitting outside,  rooftop coffee breaks and card games, language school,  living in community, and so much more.  Till next year Guatemala 🇬🇹….

Summers in Guatemala have been amazing for so many reasons, and one is seeing the many ways in which Luca has grown and matured. He loves school. He no longer complains about walking. He tries new things. He navigates his way through the city with minimal assistance and crosses the streets expertly. He doesn’t need to be told to not brush his teeth with the tap water or not to flush his toilet paper 😆. He has become a card shark playing gin rummy. He is praised by the teachers at school for being well behaved and he all around has become a great traveler. I couldn’t be more proud.

While reading the guest book in the house we rented at Lake Atitlan, I came across a quote that I believe I have seen before but that has never resonated with me until this moment.

Travel does change you. It exposes you to that which you didn’t grow up around. That which while uncommon in your world is daily happenstance in others.  It humbles you. It makes you patient. It makes you curious. It gives you perspective. It gives you understanding. It gives you appreciation, awareness, grace. 

I am so wholeheartedly grateful for the opportunity I have had to return to this beautiful country for the fourth time, and to be able to share it with my son, my family and my friends. Until next time Cuauhtēmallān.

Today I woke up and got dressed and then went to breakfast in this really pretty view and I got eggs bacon and toast. Maggie got pancakes that I wanted to try with no milk or butter and I loved them! It was so good. We took pictures, we played cards, and then we didn’t walk home because we went straight to swimming in the lake. But first we had to take a boat ride that was a little long to get there. Once we got there we had to climb up rocks and stones to get up to get to thermal waters which is basically in the lake but hot water comes out from the inside of the earth 🌍. We couldn’t really swim but we sat in it and we had a really good time. Then Maggie got in the real lake where it was cold and I decided I was brave enough to do the same. It was so cold when I got in but once I dipped my head in the water I got used to it. I looked for rocks, I even found obsidian and a rock with yellow stuff on it. I thought it was gold but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t