Day 8 and 9

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We have officially survived the first week of our expedition. After a long and hard working week at the land of Project Somos it was time for some well deserved R & R. With nowhere but up to go we set out. In our minds there was nothing but a serene landscape of turqoise waters and whit sandy beaches. Little did we know Mr. Paranoid aka Nick C, had already google map (street view) the nuclear active and algae infested waters. We still had our hopes up for the "resort" which had been promised to hold fluffy white towels and none other than the Westin Heavenly Beds (aka sleeping on a cloud).

The bus rattled down the narrow cobble-stone road into our so called oasis. Still open-minded at this point, we pulled set eyes on colorful, flourishing (pictures to follow) stucco casa. This hotel satisfcation lasted a mere seveteen seconds. As all forty of us piled out of the vans and crammed into what we call a jail cell which had not been decorated, updated, or cleaned since the early 90's. Oh no, this was more rattling than the cobble-stone ride in. Maybe a little retail therapy in the quaint lake-side town of Santiago could lift our spirits.

To get our Guatemalan Metrotown we had to take a "ferry" across the lake. To our dismay the grand yacht turned out to be a broken down speed boat. Yet again these tropical lake getaway promises proved empty. After transferring boats after breaking down in the middle of Lake Atitlan, we had all resigned from our dreams and focused on making the best of it. Considering we were not ambushed by persistent street vendors or pick-pocketed, the shopping excusrion was deemed successful.

Proceeding a lovely cold dinner that only took a breath-taking three hours to arrive, it was time to face our newest enemy...the hotel. *pause for dramatic effect* We opened the door (which barely closed) with the suspicious key and lock *creeeeeeeek* little did we know we were about to face the greatest mental and physical challenge of all...bedtime.

Being warned about the little crawly friends which no one wanted to be acquainted with (scorpions, roaches, etc...) it was time to clear the room. Not to mention that right before bed Daryl Weaver himself shared the news that he had killed a cockroach the size of five dollar bill with nothing but pure determination, adrenaline, spidey senses, and bare hands. The majority of the fear coming from the boys, it was finally time for dreaded thing they call sleep. Luckily thiings took a turn for the better knowing we would never have to return to the five minus six star hotel.

Once again, full ofscrumtious golden crepes and french toast, it was time to journey to our final shopping destination of Chichicastenango. Some of our newly bought goods include colorful traditionally woven backpacks, pants, sweaters, scarves, and gifts for family and friends. Overall the weekend made magical stories and memories and not to mention brought the group that much closer.


Ashley and Lauren (collaborative effort)

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