Guatemala so far

I know its been a little heavy on the Henry side so far and mostly that's because it has been so amazing  to have this time with him. It feels like it did when I was on maternity leave...inseparable and love. But, Guatemala has been amazing.

We arrived 11/15/11 to Guatemala City and got picked up by our hotel in Antigua, where we had made reservations. Quick drive to Antigua. We stayed at Posada San Sebastian, which was charming and very homey. Antigua was an easy first. Very user friendly and easy to walk around - we saw all the churches and checked out the local market. It has a colonial, Sante Fe like feel. We took a shuttle bus ( 2.5 hours) to Lake Atitlan and landed in the main town that surrounds the lake, Panajachel. It wasn't for us. It consisted of a main strip, without lake views and was just without charm. So we hopped a boat to San Pedro - a smaller town on the other side of the lake. Its a huge hippy, ex-pat scene that is very relaxing, beautiful and a great base from which to explore the other lakeside towns.

This morning we took a day trip to Santiago (a town to the right of San Pedro that sits in between the two volcanoes which surround the lake). We went to the market, saw a church and checked out the famous (infamous) deity statue called Maximon. Maximon is a statue that moves from house to house each year and is on display for worshipers to come admire. When we arrived to absorb whatever spirituality there was to be taken, Maximon was smoking a cigarette. Who knew how spiritual a good ole cigarette could be?! I personally didn't feel spiritually moved, but we got to glimpse some real life while walking down the Guatemalan side streets on our way to Maximon's house. You know, the chickens in the yard, laundry hanging, somebody cooking something while children run around barefoot.. a little slice of Guatemalan life.

 We'll relax here for a few more days and check out a few more towns around the lake then head to Todo Santos, a mountainous, less touristy area that is meant to a beautiful. In the meantime our hotel (for 30 dollars a night) sits lakeside, with gorgeous mountain/volcanic views amidst lush gardens and under an amazing starry sky (Mom, you'll be happy to know Henry said "star" last night).

A few side notes- diapers everywhere, canned corn and peas are easy to find baby food staples. The Guatemalans have been very friendly, no begging and compared to India and Haiti the standard of living seems not as bad. Clearly, however, there is a big discrepancy between our standard of living for a middle class American and for that of a middle class Guatemalan. The weather is shorts and t-shirt weather with an occasional need for a warm layer. We had one cold night in Antigua but we were prepared. And, one of the restaurants here (run by an guy from Idaho) is hosting a real thanksgiving dinner for 10 dollars a person. Henry will be free. :) La vie est belle.

Photo 1 - View from our Hotel, San Pedro, Lake Atitlan

Photo 2 - Local Market, Santiago, Lake Atitlan

 Photo 3 - Henry lakeside, postcard perfect!