Last days of Guatemala

for me                                              

Photos

Well I've left Guatemala.  Had a wonderful time there.  Met great people, climbed active volcanos, jumped off cliffs, played in the ocean, had a parasitic larvae grow in my chest, cheered on the local futbol team, learned and then forgot how to swear in several foreign languages, drank a lot.  I could have easily stayed longer, there was so much more to see, and Xela had become like home after a month and a half.  It's amazing how quickly a town starts to feel familiar and comfortable.  I knew the markets, the shops, the cafes, bars, parks...  It was a bit hard to leave, but the urge to move south was irresistible in the end.  Guess I know how migrating animals must feel.  Powerless against the desire to keep moving.

Made a quick weekend trip down to the beach at Montericco.  Wide, black sand beach, straight as an arrow.  It was great to see the Pacific again.  It has a different feel from the carribean.  There is something about looking out over the ocean and knowing if you went in that specific direction you wouldn't hit land again until Japan, or Australia, or Philipines or... somewhere else on the other side of the entire planet.  The Caribbean doesn't feel like that at all.  It is just pretty to look at.

My last week in the country was spent in San Pedro la Laguna on the western shore of Lago de Atitlan.  It was a nice enough town.  Full of foreigners, which was a big change from Xela, but I guess I can hardly complain since I raised their number by one myself.  The lake was large, deep, and gorgeous. Surrounded by three volcanos and extremely steep mountains on all sides.  Getting there and leaving by chicken bus is an exercise in switchbacks and nerves.  Tried to go kayaking several times only to get rebuffed by the wind.  Settled for jumping off cliffs into the lake instead.  I think it worked out pretty well.  Also stumbled upon some sort of avocado market.  More avacados in one place than I've ever seen in my life.  It was incredible.  I. Love. Avacados. Mmm. Avacados.