Weekend with Melody

Having lunch at the most relaxing place in Antigua 

The rooftop bar at Sky Cafe with volcano views

Just finished up an extended weekend visit with Melody, who took a bus 10 hours here from Rio Dulce, Guatemala for a visit. It was a whole different experience to have a friend here with me! Not only was it fun, but it was also very freeing because I wouldn't have gone to any bars by myself, nor as many restaurants or shops.

We tried lots of places to eat and found some gems-- both local places and gringo spots (one of which I have to admit had a pretty amazing burrito). It's also easier to meet fellow travelers when you're with someone else since they sometimes overhear your English conversation and jump in to comment or say hi.

Melody in her Spanish class 

All in all, we had a fantastic time just walking around, exploring, browsing markets, and talking until our throats got sore. It felt like a real vacation. She left this morning at 9:30, and it took her 12 hours to get back due to a tire blowout on the bus. You are a trouper, Melody, and I'm so glad you came.

In the central market

Today it was back to my normal routine, except after work I had a longer Spanish class than usual. I bumped it up to 2 hours per night. However, I noticed when I got home that we actually stopped at an hour and a half. I think I forgot to tell Sonia I paid for 2 hours. Oops!  Honestly, I don't think I could have done it today. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

I also booked my bus and hotel for my trip to the Lake Atitlan area today. I'll be staying in the town of San Pedro de Laguna at a hotel called Mikaso. It's just a short trip - I leave on Saturday morning and come back Sunday evening - but I'm still really excited to be going. The hotel has a pool where I can lay out overlooking the lake, which is ringed by volcanos. (It's $25/night for a private, single room if you're curious.) I plan to just relax and mostly do nothing like these people, although I may get ambitious and do a volcano hike or maybe take a Spanish class. We'll see.

Hotel Mikaso: I'm pretty excited about this concept.

Money spent today:
52Q milk, refried beans, box of teabags
160Q return bus ticket to Atitlan

= 212Q (about $29 USD)

(Don't ask about the weekend; you can't put a price on fun.)