Guatemala Day 7

We all met for breakfast on our last day. Most of us got those fabulous fruit-filled crepes.

The girls went off to shop before we had to go. It was a little fun, and a little stressful. I was thankful Karen was comfortable with her Spanish and could take charge of the bartering.

It really stunk having to say goodbye. A part of my heart stayed in Pana.

Our driver was really nice, and JC took charge as we made our way back to Guatemala City. We stopped at a little side tent. They served authentic Guatemalan bbq. It was delicious and the people were very nice.

At first I was wary that our driver was armed. Then we passed a motorcycle with two guys riding. The passenger was holding a shotgun. After that, I was super thankful we had an armed and prepared driver. Guatemala City had some impressive architecture. We also walked by the presidential palace.

 We stopped at the aquarium restaurant and walked by the hotel JC and Travis got to stay at. Swanky place!

We were able to get through customs without any incident and within a half hour. Good thing, cause our connecting flight was leaving in a half hour. The jungle hike prepared us for our airport run!

I am looking forward to our next trip to Pana to see the parents, and I guess more of the country. We saw a lot, but there is so much more to be seen.

Guatemala Day 6

Today was the day of our epic jungle hike. Our guides were Travis, Doggo, and Bailey the dog.

With the humidity, and the elevation change, we felt like we were conquering a mountain! Then we saw the grandma carrying wood on her back traveling at a steady pace, and the teenager coming home from school. We conquered nothing... some of those people take those trails every day....

The views were so beautiful! We could see the three volcanoes well. Some of the forest had been cut away for onions to grow.

When we got to the top, we stopped to get some more liquids. There were these dogs that were skin and bones. It was sad to see, and it was hard not to take them to where they would be better fed and cared for.

At the top, we also got a view of Solala. 

Yes, that is Sean putting his humidified-sweaty face on mine. Ewe.

Here's our trusty guide Bailey. She was the perfect hiking dog, and has a sparkling personality:

We all met up for dinner. While we were waiting for some food, a parade went by - one of the music schools was performing what they'd practiced.

After dinner, the group from the parade was still gathered. They were even setting large fireworks off in the street. As a bonus, a hand-held firework went AWOL and zoomed over to Sean, and shot up his pant leg. We were all startled, and Sean said, "I love Guatemala!"

Guatemala Day 5

This day was the Sabbath, and the building the branch met in was just down the street. It was fun singing the hymns (I think Sean and I did pretty well) and I know Relief Society's lesson was on families. Everyone was very nice and welcoming, and everyone loved Emree.

After church, Sean and I got to spend the afternoon with our parents, which was really nice. That night we had a family dinner. Can you tell that Emree found a new cuddle buddy?

Since I didn't take a lot of pictures Sunday, I will take this time to talk more about Panajachel. Here's some of the vegetation:

Here's some of the ways that are used to deter people from trespassing. Yes, that is cut glass:

Here is the fabulous hotel we stayed at - Casa Colonial:

Guatemala Day 4

 Day 4 way a Travis, Jessica, and Emree day. We grabbed a breakfast first (if you order ham, they will bring you bologna and chicken....) and headed to the Nature Preserve.

 

 

There were so many butterflies in the butterfly habitat:

 

It's important to know which trail to go on:

 Some native wildlife!

Heading back to town:

For linner we got some fantastic bbq. While we were waiting for our food, Sean was able to sit by his soccer-watching-peoples at the bar and enjoy the end of a Champion's League Final. You knew when a goal was scored because fireworks were shot off in the street!

That night we walked around with JC, and we found a giant chess board. It turned out to be quite the epic game, with lightening in the background and fireflies watching (which light white in Guatemala, not yellow). 

We visited the pie lady, and got some different milks for a snack. A good end to the day.

Guatemala Day 3

On our third day, we went on a tour of the lake with our parents. We went out on a chartered boat, and visited three of the cities around Lake Atitlan: San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago.

San Juan was very artsy. We stopped by several art galleries, and walked by shops. It was a beautiful city.

By San Juan is the Mayan Nose. Can you see it?

San Pedro is known more as a hippy town. We went to the top of a hill to get to a huge Baptist church. It was very beautiful, and had fantastic views of the surrounding areas.

Last we went to Santiago. We were a little short on time since it looked like a storm was brewing. We went to the large Catholic church there. This church had some tragic moments during the the massacures during the 80's and 90's. I could see the Mayans seeking sancuary on the church grounds.

Then we went to lunch. This is what happens if you order a fruit plate in Guatemala:

On our way back to Panajachel it started to rain, and it came down hard for a while. Kinda fun during a boat ride!

Guatemala Day 2

We started out our second day with fruit filled crepes. The thing with crepes in Guatemala is they don't fill them with berries, they fill them with tropical fruit: mango, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya. Amazing! (Not pictured.)

We went to see Travis and Jessica's home before setting out on a hike:

On our way out of town, we decided to explore Pana a bit. Below is one of the local churches, and LDS building that is under construction for the branch that meets there, and a local soccer field:

 

Below is a school with the word PAIN in the sign, a cemetery - the coffins are put in cement boxes above ground, road construction with cement blocks directing traffic, and a view of Santa Catherine - which looks a little like a European city:

More of the views on our hike around Pana:

 

We had Family Home Evening that night even though it was a Thursday night. In Guatemala, we can meet as a family any night of the week!

 

Guatemala Day 1

It wasn't until after we purchased our tickets, drove up north, flew out of Salt Lake, had dinner with Allie in LA, and were waiting for our flight out of LAX that it kinda hit me that we were leaving the country. It was probably when we were waiting at the terminal and the flight people were speaking Spanish....and I came to terms with the fact that Erin fluently speaks English....yeah.

Thankfully we flew safely (despite not being able to sleep - thanks to a live snoring saw), got through customs (and got my first official stamp in my passport!), and the family picked us up in a shuttle. We first stopped in Antigua to see some of the sights.

We started at a hotel that also had a museum. There were some tombs and art from when the Spanish were in Guatemala.

The hotel also had a collection of Mayan art:

After Antigua, we stopped to see some ancient Mayan ruins. They weren't as large as Tikal, but it was fun to envision who used to live there, and admire their choice of location. It was very beautiful and green:

Our favorite "sacrificial picture":

We may or may not have been a little loopy after our day....it was a fantastic way to start our touring. It was really nice to be with family.