Last Days in Antigua

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During the second week of spanish classes the days have become fairly routine. Breakfast with the housemates at 7:00, walk to the school for class at 8:00. During the break at 10:00 we walk across the street to cafe y tu piña tambien for a blended fruit drink and a sandwich. Back to class until 12:00 and then head home for lunch at 1:00. In the afternoon we either have an activity with the school (today we will hike up Volcan Pacaya) or we create our own activity. Dinner at 7:00 and then head out for the evening. It´s been great but I am getting restless. I am excited to see more of the country but am also sad to leave my new friends behind in Antigua. Friendships seem to grow quickly when you´re traveling if only because your time together is so short. The good news is that we have decided to travel to El Salvador this weekend to enjoy a last weekend together on the beach - should be a great time! I´ll be back in Antigua Sunday night and then head north to Tikal on Monday morning. I hope you are all well back in Seattle - pictures of the last few days activities are attached!

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Photos

Calle and volcan in Antigua
Typical street in Antigua with a view to Volcan Agua in the south.

El Mercado de Antigua
Every other day or so we head up to the market to pick something up. The market is like a huge swap meet where you can buy almost anything - food clothing, music, sunglasses - you name it it´s probably there. The inside of the market is like a maze and easy to get lost. This photo shows dried chili´s among other things.

Finca Filadelfia
We took the Chicken bus to Jocotenango (suburb of Antigua) one day after classes - the goal was to take a finca (coffee plantation) tour. Unfortunately the tours were not offered in the afternoon so we settled for some coffee at the restuarant instead.

Inglesia de Jocotenango
A pink stucco church in the parque central de Jocotenango

Birthday Party
We had a birthday part on Saturday for Christian (one of the housemates) and invited everyone from the shool. It was a lot of fun, even if we had to clean up in the morning. Jennifer from Holland, me, Sacha and Christian. Photo by Terry

Floyd and John
We´ve spent many an afternoon/eveing on the deck of the Black Cat Hotel next door to our house. We´ve gotten to know the owners and employees very well - they even came to our party on Saturday!

Volcan Fuego
As seen from the deck of the Black Cat Hotel - Fuego blows off a little steam a few times each day. We´ve seen it quite a lot as we´re on the deck at the Black Cat quite a lot!

Volcan Fuego 2
Again, from the deck of the Black Cat Hotel

Our House
A view of our house from the outside - it´s the yellow one. The Black Cat Hotel is next door, which is basically our Regal Beagle - could be worse!

Inside the House
Our house looking in from the front door. As is typical in much of Latin America the front room/garden is open - if you look straight back the red chair is where the computer is - and where I am writing this from now.

Ana
Ana is the women of the house - she cooks 3 meals a day for the 7 of us - shes a great cook! While it may not look like it here she and her sister Christina are always smiling and laughing!

Sacha y Ana
We ran out of gas at the house one evening and Ana was unable to cook - so we went out to dinner with all the housemates - Ana came with us - see, she´s smiling there!