Every day we take a different road and around every corner is something new and exciting to see. We did have a mission this morning. We need to find a bank to change dollars into Quetzals, we needed to find a travel company to book a shuttle to Lake Atitlan for tomorrow, and we needed to find something to eat. Our adventure took us past the side of the Catedral on Central Park. We were able to look at the ruins from the gate but we will reserve a tour for another day.
The street we walked down also had a great view of the volcano. It rose above the city in all its majesty, dwarfing the buildings and people in its shadow. A small child in typical Guatemalan dress feverishly bounds after her mother, who walks with pride and purpose. These women stand on there feet countless hours each day selling whatever they can so they can feed their young.
Our walk took us to the tourist board where we were given some brochures as well as pointers on what to look for when we booked our trips. Ronnie, the agent on duty, was very helpful and a good resource to have while we are in Antigua. Across from the tourist board we stopped for a bite to eat and a cup of coffee. Bruce had a hot chocolate which tasted sweet with a slight hint of cinnamon.
Next stop was the bank. While I waited outside I met a Guatemalan man named Carlos who had lived in New York for two years. He lived near Coney Island in Brooklyn and worked doing landscaping. He was selling bracelets made of coconut that he made himself. Oh I also found out my Mayan sign is the bee and Bruce is the jaguar.
We found a travel agency in a lovely building and booked our shuttle for tomorrow. After we booked we climbed up to the roof and looked at the magnificent views.
From the roof I could see Cerro de La Cruz and Compania de Jesus. Cerro de La Cruz is a cross on top of a hill. We plan to hike it when we come back from Lake Atitlan.
For those who know me well, you know how I love Dunkin Donuts. Well guess what I found? You guessed it.
And we sat in a lovely little court yard drinking coffee. Although I have to say, I really like Guatemalan coffee.
On our way back to our apartment we came across this work crew. Could you imagine people in the US working like this! No heavy equipment, all muscle.
The rest of the day was lovely. We had coffee with friends, two of which were from New York and one had graduated from my alma mater, NYU. Then Bruce and I had dinner at a pizza place where we met a lovely couple from Vancouver who have travelled the world.
Another fabulous day in Guatemala!!
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