Well, as usual time seems too short when you are preparing to leave, and 10 days in Guatemala is not enough. We have concentrated our time in Antigua and Lake Atitlan, which has allowed us to have a very relaxing time here and spend time with our friend Margarita, who spends the winters here in her Casita in San Cristobal del Alto just outside of Antigua.
Volcan Fuego is very active! Ash plumes by day and fire plumes at night
Antigua is a beautiful unesco heritage site that is famous for its colonial architecture and ruins sprinkled through the city. It is a popular place to visit for Guatemalans, foreign tourists alike as well as with expats not unlike San Miguel de Allende and other places. Because of this there are many great places to stay and eat and has a lively feel. Guatemala is known for its colorful indigenous fabrics as well as other materials, and just walking the cobblestone streets is a great experience with the people from nearby pueblos coming down to shop and sell their wares.
Carol and I also spent 2 nights on Lake Atitlan which is Central America's deepest Lake as it is a caldera of an extinct volcano. It is a beautiful setting surrounded by many pueblos and 3 volcanoes overlooking the lake. Many of the pueblos are only accessible by boat and they have quite a public and private shuttle system of "lanches" which get tourists and locals alike to the different towns.
Of course each town is unique in their dress and even local dialect and it is wonderful to explore them on foot or by tuk tuk after your boat ride.
Today is the third Sunday of Semana Santa and Antigua hosts a huge procession each Sunday leading up to Easter.
Even though we have only experienced a small part of this beautiful country (missing popular places like Mayan Ruins of Copan and Tikal, and more of the beautiful highlands above Lake Atitlan) we have really enjoyed our time here and our time with Margarita. The Guatemalan people are gentle and welcoming, the countryside is beautiful and Antigua is beautiful.
Wednesday we leave for Nicaragua and though we are saying goodbye to Guatemala we know we will return.
scenes from Antigua:
Municipal Building
Lake Atitlan:
Antigua..... thought I recognized the volcano. Great Place!
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