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Published: July 26th 2008
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Well..... here we are!!! It has been almost a year since my last blog entry, so I am feeling a little bit rusty. After almost 5 months of anticipation we are finally no longer counting down the days. Seems like it was just yesterday that I was sitting on the phone each and every weekday morning...trying to find out just how far I could take the family with my points. The final result was a journey that will last a couple of weeks longer than we had originally thought... and will cover more territory than we had ever imagined.
The journey down from Vancouver was painless and uneventful. No stories to tell.... no real drama. Kids fared well as always, and made lots of friends on board each flight. After a 0630 taxi from our house, we were landing in Guatemala City after 2100, and were in Antigua not long after that. We have now had 2 full days here.... yesterday spent in Guatemala City... and today in Antigua. Not much to say about G.C. I guess I could take it or leave it... well, to be honest... I was glad when we left it!! One of those cities that
you just need to drive through or pass by, and that is enough. Luckily Jerome's girlfriend is 'local', and therefore was able to drive us all over the city.. through almost each and every district. Don't know how we would have even seen so much on our own... though one would probably never really bother. Was there a highlight.... hmm... well.... dare I say the zoo!!! Yes, coming from someone who hates zoo's, I can say that is was fun... but only from the point of watching the kids list off all the animals that they knew from watching Dora and Diego for years!! Yes... a llama here, a puma there... hmmm... a jaguar in the tree and a toucan up high. Luca kept looking for a spectacled bear.. but no such luck. Maybe he passed away recently... along with Guatemala's much loved elephant. Yes.. it was brought to our attention that the much loved and adored favorite animal of the zoo had died recently. Having lived over 50 years in the zoo, he was known by all. Well, maybe it was a she... i never found out. Black bows were placed everywhere in honor of the dead gentle giant
of Africa. Though, they could not have mourned for long, as they already had a new elephent in place and were holding a competition to come up with a name!! Well... enough about the zoo.
Jerome (Tordes's brother) has a nice place quite near the center of Antigua. Close enough to walk to everything, but far enough to escape any noise. Well, actually that is not true.... as I can hear some Friday night party / fiesta / celebration in a square nearby. Eric Clapton's - Cocaine - is bursting down the walls tonight. Luckily the kids are pooped from a busy day on our feet exploring Antigua. Oh.. back to Jeromes pad. We have evicted him from his upstairs bedroom... and he and Karen are now sleeping downstairs on the pullout sofe. Imagine taking a large loft apartment for 2 .. with minimal furniture, etc... and drop the bomb of a family of four on top of the place. We have kinda taken over... with clothes and kids crap everywhere. Seems as though they are taking it in stride. Lovely gardens... lush plants... traditional architecture. Just like everything in Antigua... it is cute... cosy... photogenic... and welcoming. Though it sounds like a salsa train is about to come through the gates. Luca and Riel are asleep about 10 feet away from me... in a pseudo room... as the walls don't go all the way to the roof. Tordes is asleep... and I am at the foot of the bed (only place where this wireless seems to work!!) All day we crisscrossed this place on foot... enjoying plenty of refreshment stops. I can really appreciate why Jerome has chosen to move here (even if just temporarily?). The place has postcard views at every corner. Though, not having seen the rest of the country it is hard to comment on just how authentic this town is? Everyone if friendly... and the place feels very safe. Food is excellent... climate is amazing (actually, bloody hot today)... and the surrounding hills, mountains and volcanoes provide for a stunning setting.
Oooops... I think that my 'not so silent' tapping may be keeping some awake.... so off I go to bed. Will try to add a pic or two before I doze away. Off to Lake Atitlan for the night tomorrow... and then Chichi market on Sunday.
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Diana
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Antigua
We are a little green with envy, but in a good way.Glad to hear you are enjoying Antigua. We certainly did and were always sorry we hadn't spent longer in Guatamala - never mind - we can relive our memories through your eyes. We stayed at Casa Florencia 7a Avenida Norte #100, is that anywhere near Jerome's. Hope when you went to Lake Atitlan you crossed over to Santiago Atitlan and said hi to our artist friend 'Nicolas! The colours of Antigua were the inspiration for our bedroom decor - now don't roll your eyes Toddie! Say hi to the kids and Jerome.