I'm home from Guatemala. I landed in the Houston IAH airport on Friday at 6:33 pm. Our plane was delayed to Antigua by about thirty minutes because of a tropical storm. This caused our Houston arrival to be about 40 minutes late.
During the plane ride, I glanced at my watch every few minutes...counting down the minutes till I got home. Though I usually LOVE flying, something about being away for a whole month (plus having a parasite) made me really anxious to escape the close confines of the airplane.
Finally, we began our descent into Houston and I was greeted by sights of the Houston skyline and flat, flat, flat land. Heaven...I mean home!
Overall, my trip to Guatemala was amazing. Before I summarize, here are a few pictures/adventures I have yet to blog...
RUINS
My dad came down on Tuesday in order to do a little bit of traveling and then fly back with me on Friday. I saved several adventures for him like climbing the volcano Pacaya and visiting Lake Atitlan!! His arrival was greatly anticipated and I loved hanging out with him! Also helpful, he brought an extra suitcase for all of my purchases :)
VOLCANO: PACAYA
my dad (first one up the volcano) says, "my daughter is number 1" :)
"Lake Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) is a large endorheic lake (one that does not flow to the sea) in the Guatemalan Highlands. While Atitlan is recognized to be the deepest lake in Central America, its bottom has not been completely sounded. Estimates of its maximum depth range up to 340 meters. The lake is shaped by deep escarpments which surround it and by three volcanos on its southern flank. Lake Atitlan is further characterized by towns and villages of the Maya people." (wiki)
About 2.5 hours from Antigua, many consider Lake Atitlan to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Surrounding the lake are several villages, and 12 of them are named for the 12 apostles. My father and I visited San Marcos, San Pedro and Santiago Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan
My Mayan symbol: "Represents musicians, artists, observers, communicators and writers. Day created to provide a balance between good and evil, but following the teachings reveals that good always triumphs over evil. Good and evil have been left to journey over the blessed face of the Earth, measuring our deeds and attitudes. Know that we must always overcome evil with our good behaviors."
OR
AJPU (snail shell)
"Sign of: The snail, the Lord, the sun, the King, time, energy, and the blowgun. It is the Spiritual Guardian of time and energy. It is the day in which good triumphs over evil and of right and certain judgment. It is a day to entreat for persona and social strength and to make offerings to the creator of the universe and to reject negative influence. AJPU is the sun as the essence of time and source of all energy. Though born in AJPU were conceived in E and are visionaries, and have the strength to do what is right. They are athletic, friendly, and judicious. They are able to overcome different problems that affect them. They can be agriculturists, auditors, merchants, administrators, leaders or hunters. They have a tendency to reject criticism, to avoid responsibilities and can be cutting and mislead others."
25 days in Guatemala
2 days in Tikal
1 day at Lake Atitlan
1 day with Marta Elisia
1/2 day in Chichicastenango
1/2 day on Pacaya
30+ hours spent traveling by plane, chicken bus, shuttle, sketchy tour bus
2 parasites
10+ close, new friends
5 nicknames
1726 photographs
13.6 saldo (minutes) left on my phone
34685 people in Antigua
5 years since my first visit
10000000 of memories
1 amazing trip