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Published: December 16th 2008
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Hola! Ok so the story so far.... I believe I left your tongues salivating at the thought of me visiting San Pedro La Laguna, well, what can I say? Lago Atitlan es muy bonita! I spent the weekend there and it was very chilled and I reckon I needed the break from Antigua. San Pedro is a small town situated on the lake with glorious views of the surrounidng countryside (and of course it is bountiful in volcanoes). If you want to stay at the lake there are a few towns where you can stay - the most popular being Panajachel (therefore the most commercial), whilst San pedro is a little bit more laid back and actually akin to some asian places some of you may have visited. you can guess at my surprise when I found a club/bar which played Techno/trance on the first night and drum and bass on the second! I suppose for me it was reminiscent of goa due to the fluro decor and high population of israeli travellers. Whilst I was there I ate very well, slept in a very nice and cheap hotel (casa elena) and found out that it is possible to be schooled
Lago Atitlan
pics don´t do it justice well in spanish there for a price a little cheaper than in Antigua (with a much nicer backdrop to boot). Whilst in San Pedro I actually met a lovely couple from New York (yes it is possible), Klee and Babs. Klee was a new york Cabbie! I have found it very amusing finding out the differing jobs of the people I have encountered. Some of the most interesting (only in my opinion): Medicins San Frontieres Doctor, Formula one PR girl, World Bank Employee, Female Decorating Business Proprietor, Pharmacist (legit one folks not my usual), Optometrist..... I suppose the least favourite for me had to be a Halliburton employee! We have all got to make a buck I suppose. I´m such a cynical Londoner I must admit to actually wondering about the "niceness" of some people, are they taking the piss or are they really that nice?!
Anyway back to Antigua for school on the Monday and I must admit it was a relatively fun week. Activities of Interest this week had to be a visit to Cerro de la Cruz and the school trip to a local school for poor guatemalan kids. Cerro de la Cruz looks over Antigua and
is a stunning veiw point for Antigua and the surrounding volcanoes and countryside. It was originally used by the indigenous Mayan populace to watch out for approaching enemies, then of course the approaching enemy (the spanish) they missed had the same idea. On a clear day it is a panorama to behold.
On Friday Morning our school trip was a visit to a school for unfortunate guatemalteca kids somewhere betweeen Antigua and Guatemala city. We paid for the privalege and it is probably the best money I have ever spent. My teachers and Head put the money we gave them towards buying Christmas presents, sweets and Pinyatas for these little dudes. The joy in their faces whilst playing games with us and winning stuff still brings a lump to my throat.
For those of you that know me know it will come as no surprise that I appointed myself as social director at my school (hey I had been there 3 whole weeks) and took it upon myself to get a group of us go to Semuc Champey. Somebody in town was doing an offer which looked too good to be true ($70 for the weekend) so I managed to
Cerro de la cruz
overlooking Antigua raise about 10 students to get in the act. Aside from the fact it was an 8 hour trip to get there from Antigua it was well worth it. You can see for yourself in the photos that Semuc Champey is stunning. I actually swam in those pools! In fact I rappelled down a waterfall, scaled another to find a cave behind one and jumped off various jumps all in the same place. Anyone coming to Guatemala should try and spare some time for this place it rocks (excuse the partial pun). After our watersports (hahahah) we hit Lanquin caves just at dusk so all the bats were coming out play (and feed I suppose) and it was a freaky experience. I actually liked hundreds of bats whooshing past my head, but I can imagine that it would freak out more than one or two of you. Antoher good thing about Semuc Champey? I won the first texas hold em poker game I´ve played over here!
So back to school for my fourth and final week before hitting Tikal (Mayan ruins) in the North of Guatemala. I suppose after Antigua my blogs will become more infrequent but a little more
always one for a pose!
overlooking the beautiful city of Antigua interesting as I´ll be checking out new places, but as one to always blow my own trumpet I think I´m doing alright so far! Anyhoo family, friends and infrequent lovers, I bid you farewell and hope you have a happy and safe Christmas or as they say in these parts Feliz Navidad!
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Christine Rodriguez
Great stories...
I'm off to Antigua in a couple of weeks to do the same thing you are doing and loved your stories about what you have been up to. Great stuff...keep it up!! Enjoy the rest of your trip....Cheers, Christine...