Guatemala City!

So much to update you all on since my arrival in Guatemala. When we first arrived, we barely knew we were going through customs. It was so easy, with no problems at all! And luckily our luggage made it all this way as well! We spend one night at a beautiful hotel in Guatemala City. The gentleman who picked us up from the airport immediately started testing me on my Spanish! The hotel was no different from a hotel in the United States, but we were encouraged to not drink the water. Which, was very hard to remember as I stuck my toothbrush right under the sink…oops. The view from the roof of our hotel was AMAZING! Guatemala is basically a canyon of volcanos. We could see at least three from our hotel view. But, we left Guatemala City right away in the morning and headed to the main tourist city called Antigua. Guatemala City is divided into zones, many of these zones are not safe…at all. So we felt comfortable to be heading to Antigua. Will, the man who I am living with picked us up and brought us to a see a church/5 star hotel in Antigua. Words cannot explain or describe this place. It was the most peaceful, beautiful, and surreal place I have seen. Although the city itself is busy! The church was an outdoor open church with the most beautiful alter. And we enjoyed an amazing brunch after mass. The city itself, being such a tourist town, was filled with Guatemalan/Mayan people trying to sell just about anything from clothes, jewelry, food, and trinkets.  I was told to just say “No gracias” and do not look them in the eyes. But to be honest, it was so hard not to look! The things they were selling were truly beautiful at times. Some of the paintings were just stunning and the hand made sewing items so detailed. There was one girl who was just so cute and such a good saleswoman (she was only 7) who got me to buy a bracelet. Now this bracelet, keep in mind, was only .60 cents. We were able to listen to some mariachi music and see a few other beautiful churches. This town is full of life! The one thing I really noticed was how many people are just out and about, enjoying the city. Not all tourists, just people living their normal life. Think about how often you walk through a major city or town in the United States that has people just sitting on a bench enjoying the beauty of the town. It is rare. People in the United States are “too busy” or “its too boring” to do something like sit at a park with your family and just enjoy the scenery. But the parks and the streets were just filled in Antigua. The last thing to share about Antigua is this. Yes, I may have dyed my hair for this trip…but I am still white! The people would just look and look and stare at me. I look noticeably different from anyone living in Guatemala/Antigua. But it was okay, it was okay because they would just smile and nod or greet me with a hola! The people are kind, and they think its funny when I speak Spanish…just have to get over that I guess!