A Visit With our Friends

Monday night our friends, Tracy and Darren, arrived from the US.  It was late and they had a long journey traveling, so we went to bed early.  We have a lot to see during their short visit.

We awoke yesterday morning to cloudy skies which is quite rare this time of year.  Generally the weather is sunny and between 75 and 80 degrees during February and March.  We had breakfast at Cafe Escolonia which is a nursery but also has an outdoor cafe.  Tracy and I had crepes with fruit, yogurt and granola and Bruce and Darren had a typical Guatemalan breakfast.

After breakfast we headed to the park where Tracy and Darren bought a beautiful table runner from Ruth.

We had coffee with friends and then we walked around the city admiring the ruins, and checking out restaurants and many stores.  We stopped at Nim Pot – sort of a KMart of local textiles and odds and ends.

We stopped by the park and checked out the cathedral, where I photographed Volcan de Agua.

Our six mile walk took us to La Merced, a beautiful renovated church.  It looks like it is a wedding cake.

For dinner we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Mamas.  It’s a Mediterranean style restaurant.  Bruce and Darren had Mahi Mahi  and Tracy and I had chicken kabobs.  We also had a delicious appetizer.

Up early today for a fun and relaxing day at Santa Teresita Spa.  We began this adventure by first going through a thermal circuit which is supposed to help circulation.  The first pool was over 100 degrees but felt very nice.  As part of the process we had to completely submerge.  That was great until we had to go in the 75 degree pool.  This one felt more like 50 degrees.

After that 10 minutes in 98 degrees and 10 minutes in 88 degrees.

Then we had to start all over.  Most was wonderful with the exception of the frigid pool.  I’m not sure if it improves circulation but I definitely felt relaxed afterwards. As part of the spa package we were given warm, cozy robes.  Instead of Laing in the sun, we walked about the spa and climbed to the highest level.  Great views of Pacaya Volcano which provides the waters to the spa.

After a nice lunch we all enjoyed a 75 minute massages.  What a way to spend a day.

For dinner we ate at Las Farolas, just down the street from our apartment.  Tracy had pasta, Darren and I had a combination of Guatemalan food and Bruce had the Guatemalan lasagna.  All served with fresh baked bread.

To bed early tonight, we have to be up at 4am to go fishing!