How Did I End Up with Four Phones?

Well, I thought I was going to be able to buy a SIM card to put in an old cell phone I already had, so in addition to my regular cell, I brought that one with me. Then I found out the day I arrived that the extra phone was locked (like my main phone), so I bought a cheap flip phone for local and occasional U.S. calls. But I missed my regular WhatsApp texts and calls with Mike too much. He's in the Bahamas and it's hard to call, and Skype is sometimes a pain, too. So I broke down and bought a Guatemalan smartphone today! Now I'm in business. And I have 4 phones. 

In addition to my phone success, my first Saturday in Antigua was just all around awesome. The weather was perfect- sunny, dry and cool. I went to Spanish class at my new school (called La Union) this morning and I really liked it.  Everyone there is extremely professional and they have plenty of resources, like a calendar of activities, books you can borrow, a computer room, and a little cafeteria. My teacher, Sonia, is this energetic little woman (I never get to call people little) who really knows her stuff, and the lesson went well. This is a picture of the courtyard in the school. What I noticed is that the yellow flowers in the fountain are cut flowers, simply laid in the water. I love that! 

La Union Spanish School

After class, I walked around and explored the town, and ran into some more beautiful sights. The word that kept coming to my mind for Antigua was enchanting. 

This amazing church is at the end of my street, right near La Union School. There's a courtyard inside the gate with a market where mostly indigenous people sell fruits and vegetables, nuts, jewelry, clothes, and crafts.  

This is a local bus. They certainly don't lack flair here in Guatemala. 

Here's another landmark called El Tanque de Union, and it's where colonial people used to wash clothes. Now it's where high schoolers go to make out. 

And finally here's me after a long day, with crazy eyes and a goatee (it's a shadow) in front of the Arco de Santa Catalina, the most well-known symbol of Antigua.  

Money spent today

$50 - 1 week of Spanish tutoring

Q40 - laundry (had so much already!)

Q330 - cell phone 

Q70 - groceries 

Q30 necklace

$50 + Q470 = about  $117 USD