Antigua y Guatemala City

Hello all. So this past weekend Matt and I went with Hermano Augustine to Antigua for a graduation celebration. Augustine is best friends with the uncle of the graduate - who just graduated from a one year school to work in banking. It was a private party, which was really nice. They had catered food, a large area for dancing, a full DJ...and security at the door. It was really fun, especially because we could just let our guard down, have some drinks and 'try' to learn to salsa dance. Of course the night wouldn't have been complete without some quality Michael Jackson music - he is really starting to get on my nerves down here...

The whole experience was great because we were able to experience Antigua, a large tourist spot, as locals. This included local restaurants, visiting the local markets, and just having an "in" that most gringos don't usually have in Antigua. Very fun.

On the way back we stopped in Guatemala to get a package my parents sent down. Thank you very much mom and dad, I love packages and look forward to more?

While in Guatemala, we decided to check out the Cathedral and Government Palace in the center of the city. It was interesting, especially because the Cathedral houses the tomb of Monsignor Juan Jose Gerardi, known as an outspoken human rights activist who was assassinated in his home in 1998.

The highlight of the day though was eating at Pollo Campero. It was my first time ever in over two months in Guatemala. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but Pollo Campero is like McDonalds in the States, only worse. It is the definition of monopoly in the fast food industry. It is the ONLY fast food restaurant and it is everywhere!!! It is pretty good, very similar to KFC in the States, but I'd eat at a local restaurant for less money and better food any day. They did have french fries though, and after two months...damn they tasted good.

Almost forgot. I've been doing some work with a Rotary water project. The club here has received funding from a Rotary group in California. We purchase them, paint em' up, and ship em' out to needy families/schools. They work as cisterns, and capture rain water from their roofs for drinking water. Sounds unsanitary to us in the States, but this is FAR better than the drinking water found in the tap or in the rivers/lakes.

Heading to Belize this week, so I may be out of touch for a while...who knows?

Until next time,

PD