Getting Acclimated in Antigua

After easily navigating the small airport in Guatemala City, my next feat was to locate Josue, my driver from the God's Child Project. There is only one exit from the airport which is filled with mostly men waving signs with foreign names on the front. I spotted my name on the front of a white sign and headed out into the crazy streets of Guatemala City in a Hyundai SUV with Josue at the wheel. It took a bit longer than average to make our way out of the traffic jams due to the streets in front of the Capitol building being shut down. As we circled around the block, I took notice of the numerous uniformed policia with long guns strapped around their torsos. And, let me say, from the point of view of a former cop-- they did not exercise safe muzzle control!

The road from Guatemala City to Antigua is beautiful, winding, and green. The area is referred to as the Land of Eternal Spring, due to its rainy season (now) perpetuating a feel of constant new growth and rebirth on its landscape.

I arrived to El Hostal in central Antigua at about noon. Immediately, as I walked in the door, Klaberth and I recognized each other from our Skype facilitated meeting earlier this month. Hugs ensued and introductions with Klay's wonderful wife took place. This is a beautiful Hostal and all are very friendly.

I crashed, dead asleep in my private hostel room after arriving. I still have the bead head hairstyle that I even sported on my walk down into the center of the city and to the restaurant I ate at tonight. The Sky Café is set atop a three story colorful building that can only be reached via a very narrow and winding wrought iron staircase. It provides an awesome view of the cobblestone streets and tuk tuks scurrying the streets below. It also gave a magnificent perspective of the volcano that oversees Antigua. My enchiladas de queso and Gallo cerveza wasn't so bad either, especially the $7 total price tag.

Upon return to the hostel tonight, I overheard one of my hostel-mates speaking to a friend who had their wallet stolen today.  This just serves as an early reminder of maintaining situational awareness, I guess.

I'll eat breakfast here at El Hostal tomorrow and then flag down a tuk tuk to head to the Dreamer Center of the God's Child Project tomorrow by 10 am for my orientation and then work my first shift at Casa Jackson in the afternoon. I am thinking about enrolling in one of the many Spanish schools while I'm here.  We'll see...