So, Steve was very right when he said that in 8 days you can actually do a lot. We did cover a lot of ground and he got to meet all the different kinds of buses that Guatemala has to offer. He discovered something new about me: I do get car sick. I don't know how excited he was about that, he probably could have done without. Guatemalan travel is very slow, to say the least. You wouldn't think given how crazily the bus drivers drive (even the first class bus drivers are a little scary at times). But, it takes about 4 hours to go 125 miles, on one of the good highways. The construction, stopping to pick people up, get gas, or wait until the driver is done fixing the broken down bus, are all possible reasons for the long journeys. For a country that is only the size of Tennessee, it takes forever to get anywhere. All of this is to say that it was a good thing Steve came for 8 days, and he spent a good 30 hours of it in a bus or in the back of a truck. He was quite the trooper.
Semuc Champey was beautiful and truly a natural wonder. Unlike other parts of Guatemala I had seen, this northern part is jungly, humid and lush. The park has the limestone pools of turquois water, where you swim in the not to chilly water and then hike around. We hiked up the Mirador, where you can see the pools from above and the mountains that shoot up from the river. It would have been amazing to be the first to discover them. There are also a number of caves in this area. The second day we spent two hours in the caves. All carrying candles we explored, swam in cave water, and jumped off of giant rocks into pools inside the cave. I would have had my camera had it not been so wet... Steve had to tie his flip flops to his feet so that he wouldn't loose them in the cave. Maybe this should be new look for him, no?
We then took a leisurely tube ride down the river by the caves, and later that day in the river by the hostel as well. Steve amused me and we went tubing twice in one day. Now that's love. The water level wasn't high so we scraped our butts on the bottom a few times and moved slowly down the river, but I loved every minute of it.
From there, it was off to Antigua. Very colonial, Antigua was completely different then anything I'd seen in Guatemala. Touristy, clean, and modern you feel like you are in an alternate universe. It has tons and tons of churches. Some are restored and well kept, others have been devastated by multiple earthquakes and have a long way to go before people will be able to use them again. And yes, our hotel room had tons of mosquitos (at least 20 when we got back from a walk). But, we did go to a great wine bar where I had a wonderful glass of Malbec, for the first time in months - I didn't miss boxed wine one bit.
The next morning we hoped over to the Lake Atitlan. I was really excited for Steve to see the highlands of Guatemala. More of the climate that I've been living in, the Lake, which is surrounded by three volcanoes, speaks to me in a way that the tropical climates and jungles don't. Plus, now Steve was getting to see how varied the climate and terrain really is. At the lake, we took the boat to Jaibalito where our hotel was. This hotel, Casa del Mundo, had been highly recommended to me by countless people, and as soon as we got there I understood why. Built on the side of the mountains of the lake, the hotel is an escape from everything. Every room has a view of the lake, you can swim, eat and just hang out in a place where you feel like you are in a world of your own. Prior to arriving, I was excited to explore the different towns on the lake. Once we got there, I really just wanted to hang out at Casa del Mundo and do some of the walks/hikes right around the hotel. We did some exploring - a little hike to Santa Cruz, a boat ride to San Marcos - but for the most part enjoyed being together in a beautiful, resort like place. I could have stayed there a good bit longer, but Xela - and shopping in Panajacel (the touristy, big town on the lake) - were calling. So, a few scarves, placemats and a good and packed chicken bus ride later, we were in Xela. I loved showing Steve where I live. We went to the market, central park, up the big hill right outside of Xela where you can get a great view and out to an amazing Medeteranian dinner. I tried to have Steve taste as many typically Guatemalan, or only in Guatemala, foods - I don't think there was much complaining on his end about that.
His trip went by far too quickly. But, I'm so happy that I got to share some of this time with him and now when I say "I went to cafe Babylon" he'll know what I'm talking about. That's a nice feeling.
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