Our last few weeks in Florida were relaxing. Some bike riding, some yin yoga with my sis, and a few good days of pool time. My sisters and our spouses had a great meal at Suri’s in Lake Worth then saw an amazing performance of Gypsy. I do think the gals liked it better than the guys though.
I was still on the keto diet so I had salmon with a double portion of asparagus. My meal came with dessert which I reluctantly gave to Lorraine.
The six of us had a couple of other meals together and it was nice getting together with my siblings.
Through points and miles I was able to nab business class seats on American. With that came the free perk of using their Admiral Club Lounge. They had fruits, eggs and oatmeal. All kinds of other snacks too including skittles and trail mix. The lounge in Miami even had a separate room for the kiddies. It was all quite nice but we were quite full boarding the plane.
Eduardo was waiting for us at the airport so all was good. The ride took a bit long though. A lot of traffic so instead of one hour it was closer to two.
It felt like coming home when we arrived at the apartment. Luis already had the drinking water there and the front desk guy was the same one as last year. Now I just need to remember his name.
The courtyard looked as lovely as ever.
After we unpacked we walked to the park where we ran into a friend we met from last year. He and his wife stay in Antigua for several months each year. We talked about how Antigua is our home away from home. We stopped at Cafe Barista to Buy some coffee for the apartment and to have an afternoon cup.
Every year we come to Antigua, we run into this elderly gentleman from Canada who is writing his third book on the Mayans. Today he was in Cafe Barista because he moved from his old place to another side of town. We chatted awhile about Tikal and Mayan history and then we headed to the park so Bruce could smoke some cigar.
Fuego was puffing smoke and even had a lava glow. Unfortunately I could not catch the glow with my phone.
We ate at San Martin and I had a salad and Bruce had soup. Then we called it a day.
On Sunday we had a slow start but we made our way around the corner to a new restaurant called Beat. It used to be an Italian restaurant but it was renovated and made into an organic restaurant with yoga studio attached. We sat in a lovely courtyard.
For breakfast we had guacamole on grain bread with tomatoes. I had coffee and Bruce had a smoothie.
We went food shopping today at the Bodegona and picked up a few veggies. Unfortunately I can’t seem to get by the meat counter without gagging. It’s times like this that make me want to be vegetarian. So no meat means no keto.
While sitting in the park we get to talk to lots of people. We start our Spanish lessons tomorrow so we are better able to communicate. But with the children we just say hola, and smile. This little girl wanted to sit on my lap for quite a long time. I wanted to take her home and give her a bath. We take for granted what we have in our country and how little so many in other countries have. This little girl may not live in a home but on the street.
It’s a half mile to Parque Central from our apartment and we walk there two to three times a day, maybe more. Sometimes we stop for a snack but I’m trying to forego all the pastries. No rewards for 15,000 steps. But we did get to see some parrots. Boy were they noisy.
Views of the volcano were breathtaking tonight although my phone did not quite capture it. I really need to start carrying my camera.
Bruce and I walked past a little park and it looked like a tropical oasis.
We were looking for a place to have a light supper. We finally ended up at old faithful, Cafe Barista where we split a sandwich.
Today I did a yoga class at Beat. It’s a great little studio right around the corner from our apartment.
Bruce met up with me and we had a little lunch at Cafe Contessa before heading up to Casa Jackson. Casa Jackson is a hospital for malnourished babies. It’s part of God’s Child Project which is an NGO in Guatemala but home based in the US. I’ve volunteered there for four years and last year Bruce Joined me. It’s one of the many reasons I keep returning to Antigua.
Today I spent time with little Josue. He’s a little over a year old and his parents live far away. He was sick today and the doctor who spoke little English could not tell me what he has. Poor little guy. But I did get him to smile.
Bruce had a group of kids he was playing with. This little girl he called Rosie.
After a few hours we headed back to the apartment for a little rest before meeting up with some friends for coffee.
Tonight we ate at Zoola’s, a hostel near our apartment.
I had a delicious Arabic salad and Bruce had a pasta dish.
It’s wonderful to be back to our home away from home.
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