We left our jobs the week before our flight. Wicked has offered me work come spring, but let's see what happens in the next four months before I decide to return there. Kylie's picture collage of the Cape Abilities clientel she gave to them was very thoughtful and I'm sure she will be missed.
Thank you to everyone who attended the farewell party at the Millbern residence last Saturday; it was wonderful to have everyone see us off.
It was a little hairy during our final hours on Cape Cod; last minute packing made the drive to Logan interesting. I had brought the blades but forgot my razor and Kylie left her sunglasses behind at home. A quick visit to Target and REI and we headed for the airport.
Houston airport was not the best place to stay during our twelve hour layover. Renovations being done would have made sleeping difficult. I was glad we choose a hotel room and had a decent night´s rest.
Guatemala Cities airport was very modern and customs didn´t take long. We were picked up outside the airport and driven to our hotel, Xamanek Student Inn. Kylie and I had a dorm room to ourselves for $15 each. It was nice enough that we may stay there again on the night before our 6 AM departure in April; internet and pancakes with coffee were a welcomed extra.
We walked around zone 10, dodging cars and looking for a resturant. Both of us agreed that Guate City is better than we expected, but we also never wandered from the "well-to-do" part of town. We took the recommendation from a friendly bartender and ate at Kacao; only a few blocks from our hostel. There was a circular hatched roof and waiters in traditional grab. Besides a salad, every dish had some meat. Kylie left behind her vegetarianism and ordered a mango coconut chicken which we both enjoyed.
Nearby night clubs soothed us to sleep with tecno disco beats.
Day two: Guate City to Antigua
This morning a shuttle from Tom´s hotel picked us up and we met up with the Mayes family.
Our ride to Antigua was our first time in the countryside. The roads are curvy and full of trucks, buses, and motorcycles.
Before long we were dropped off at our hotel here, Juma Ocag.
It is much better than the Guate City hostel; centeral courtyards and private baths, the nightly rate was only $20. Thanks again Tom for the room. If only the showers were "warm" like they claimed; I managed to get a quick jolt from the electric-heating showerhead trying to make it hotter.Kylie mapped out a walking tour of Antigua and we spent the early afternoon looking at church ruins and local establishments.
The streets are all cobblestone; nice to look at but difficult to travel over.
Intricate sand and flower petal art were a great sight to stumble across.
After looking at several companies, we picked Adrenalina Tours to shuttle us to volcán pacaya for $10 each at 6 AM. Walking around, we found Outdoor Excursions (O.X.) and booked a bike tour for tomorrow afternoon for $35 each. It´s going to be a busy day ahead.
That evening we met up with the Mayes and eat at El Fondo de Calle Real. We sat in the courtyard under wicker lanterns and orange flowers. Alex was tried from a long day and tried his best to keep is eyes open during the meal without sucess. I had gallino caillo, chicken marinated in tomatoes and garilc with spanish rice and beans. The plate was delicous, but several bones made eating a chore. Kylie´s plato tipico de livingston, black beans, rice with fried plantains, was a huge portion and could have been split between Sara and Kylie. We said goodbye to Sara and the boys since we would not see them again and made a date to go running with Tom Friday morning.After dinner, we found anjelos (marshmellows) and smores ingredients for tomorrow´s volcan pacya with a little searching. We enjoyed a little red wine back at the hotels terrace and went to bed early for the full day planned Thursday.
No comments:
Post a Comment