Guatemala

Over Independence Day weekend (September 15), we traveled to Guatemala with several friends. It was both Guatemala's and El Salvador's celebration of their independence from Spain in 1821, and supposedly it is traditional for Salvadorans to travel to Guatemala during holidays because there are more attractions in Guatemala, especially in Antigua.

I was quite intrigued by the little town of Antigua because of its cobblestone streets and Spanish architecture. It looked like a village right out of Spain! I loved all the cafes and the artsy feel to the place, and I loved the large volcanoe in the background - one that is among the most beautiful in the world, called the "water volcanoe"...I wish I could have hiked to the top!!

After Antigua, we traveled to La Ciudad de Iximche, a pretty large Mayan ruins site. My favorite part was when I asked a group of Mayan women to take a picture with me. They giggled like little girls and kept walking - they thought it was hilarious, and I still don't know why - was it my accent? Then why did they laugh even louder when my fluent Spanish-speaking friends asked the same? Regardless, I still got a picture with some of them (any of you who know me are quite familiar with my relentless pursuit of another photo).

Finally, we stopped in Guatemala City and all I remember is my hotel room, eating at McDonald's, and walking around looking for the bus station. Let me just say that our group of 13 learned a lot about the affects of not communicating.

I saw a lot of new things and had a nice getaway, and it was great to leave the country and all my work behind. Honestly though, I was ready to return to my home in San Salvador by the end of the trip.