In the last several months, pre and post graduation, inevitably conversations I had would turn to my plans for the future, to life not layed out in structured class schedules, 10 week quarters, and the inimate community of Seattle U. This trip became the next thing for me, I worked jobs I didn't love with the this goal in mind. What are you going to do when you're down there -there is no up or down in space- and I would respond with the a very general...well, I want to improve my Spanish, and farming is an interest of mine, so volunteering on organic farms will be another focus. Other than that I was excited to immerse myself once again in Latin culture, and travel with a best friend, Colin, as we hadn't had a chance to live together in college like we'd hoped to in highschool. Well before it was time to leave, me and Colin both expressed fatigue of talking about the trip, mostly because we didn't have a good idea of what we were going to do, and so what to tell people who asked.
In some ways I feel like I have even less of an idea now that we are down here. But I'll discuss some of the trips events before getting back to my thoughts on whats happened so far. We arrived at about 8 on Wednesday night and caught a cab out of Guatemala city to Antigua where we had already made reservations to study at a Spanish school. Antigua isn't far from Guatemala but with traffic it took over an hour, maybe close to two. Much of what I first saw reminded me of Ecuador, the highfences and barred windows, the seemingly hectic driving -they actually really know what they're doing- the nice American fast food restaruants, McDonalds, Burger King, and Dominos -strange-. We got out at our hostel, Jungle Party, and checked into rooms, that for me and Colin, consisted of beds in one large room, accessed by ladder, in what was almost an attic, kind of a loft as the description claimed. We were ok with Jungle Party at first but quickly came to resent the loud music beginining early and loud, the construction beginning earlier, and the iron first with which the wardens ruled - no outside food or drink, outrageous! We spent our first few days exploring the city of Antigua which is full of beautifully constructed buildings, in colonial fashion, many in ruins, some restored and in use. We went out for some live music, disappointed only by the 1 am mandatory closure of all bars in Guatemala. We upgraded hostels, Hostel Dionisio, where we payed the same for a room for five -coworkers of Colin's from the campaign joined us- in a hostel where no music or sawing woke us up, the wifi worked, and a pleasant roof top balconey gave spectacular views of surrounding volcanoes. We loved our new place, and Jungle Party will have to face the consequences of their underwhelming services -Colin plans to write a scathing review and post it wherever it will reach the most travellers, warning all to not cross us, let us sleep. Antiguas streets are cobblestone, and rattle the heck out of the cars, and many scooters and motorcycles ridden by men, women, and children, often at the same time. The street food has been quite excellent, popussas, corn flour patties grilled with pork or cheese inside, and toppped with guacamole, cabbage, and other tasty things. We have found a market to buy everything from dvd's, -Social Network and Hot Tub Time Machine- watches - a bit of a rip, fresh fruits and vegetables, and the flashiest, christmas song singing lights I have ever seen. The weather here is extremely pleasant, with the hot sun cooled by generous clouds and fresh breezes. A light sweater and pants is the coldest its been.
I will leave off here and to let colin take over, describe what else we have done in the last few days. I am through one day of Spanish lessons con Christina. She laughed often at my concentrated brows, I appeared "hangry!" I made a few funny slips that lead me to learn the verb to shit - cagar. I am living with a local family, Ceasar y Carmen and their daughter who I haven't met as she was at work when I moved in. I have a cozy upstairs room, next to a balcony overflowing with plants and flowers. It isn't fancy but it is beautiful, colorful, and full of life.
More than the language barrier, which affected me so strongly the last time I traveled, this trips open nature, the ability to choose all aspects, has left me at somewhat of a loss. This is why I feel in over my head, where as in Ecuador it was the inability to communicate. I am doing enjoyable things, enjoying my time here with Colin, and yet have experienced some profound loneliness and sense of inertia about my future, both here and after. haha, heavy for a first few days, but I trust on some level I am passing through a trialing phase of this trip and life. All things will pass. Now I need to get home, finish some tarea before dinner with my family. Ceasar promised some guitar playing tonight, he is a music teacher for a middle school, and I know he's good, I want to be ready. I miss family and friends very much up here, but take comfort, as you should, in the fact that I haven't spent too much time in the bathroom. adios!
