Barbed Beauty

Barbed Beauty
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Lake Atitlan is a beautiful and tranquil retreat. I would recommend staying at the Villa Sumaya to anyone who is looking for peace and quiet ……. They have private gardens and cabins interspersed throughout the jungle. We had a small cabin up on the side of the mountain. overlooking the lake………

We have had a marvelous time in Guatemala – met amazing people and have seen lovely landscapes.

We leave tomorrow morning for New Zealand. We will write to you from there…..Until then Hasta Luego Amigos

Mucho Fabrics

Mucho Fabrics
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

We had a wonderful day at the market in Chichicastenango. Very busy in comparison to shopping on line. Hard to pick out anything in the plethora of "things". Its one of the oldest markets in the country dating back 100's if not 1000's of years. The colors were a feast for the eyes!

Tikal Ruins

Tikal Ruins
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

It is believed that Tikal was established around 700 BC. It is very hard to appreciate and describe this place through our photos or my writing. The experience is deeply moving. Pyramids tower to heights of over 40 meters in the deep wild jungle. Even though many plazas and temples have been cleared of trees and vines many are still waiting to be found!

Giant Stelae

Giant Stelae
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

The ruins of Quirigua are absolutely stunning and awe inspiring. Quirigua is famous for the stelae. As described in The Rough Guide to Guatemala “The nine stelae in the plaza are the tallest in the Maya world and their carvings is some of the best”. Faces of rulers and glyphs cover the stelae telling their ancient and remarkable stories.

Livingston Beach

Livingston Beach
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Livingston is only accessible by boat and is on the Caribbean coast. It is a quiet little village and is well known for its garifuna culture. From here we were to travel up the river to Rio Dulce. We were supposed to travel by boat and watch the sunrise on the Rio Dulce but instead we blasted up the river at 5:00 in the morning in the pitch black dark with everyone on board praying we would make it to see the sunrise!

Church Key

Church Key
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Antigua is a very beautiful la ciudad. Cobblestone streets, a magnificent central square, kind people and majestic ruins left standing after a severe flood and several earthquakes. We have pictures of iglesia San Francisco, Santa Clara, Catedral and La Merced.

Saint of San Andres Itzapa

Asking Favours
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

The Saint is in a small pagan chapel in Chimaltenagno. Worshippers gather to ask for a favour or miracle. It is said that mostly “drunken men and cigar smoking women” worship the wicked Saint. People offer cigars, booze, firecrackers, wood, food and other assorted things I could not identify.

Pepian Lunch

Lunch 2
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

After awhile the school feels like a second family. Check out the maestros at work by double clicking this image…….

Ixchel School

Ixchel School
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Ixchel escuela was a tremendous experience. They have excellent teachers and wonderful activities to practice espanol con maestras. Mi maestro sey yo hablo muy bien spanglish!! Some of the school highlights include visiting Centro Cultural la Azotea in Jocotenango, learning how to each and then eat a typical pepian lunch prepared by our meaestras and traveling to Chimaltenango to visit the “wicked Saint of Itzapa.

Our home stay, which was arranged through the school, was perfect. We stayed with familia Elvira Camcy. Elvira was amazing and so was our food. Now I know why the kids liked living at home for so long – it’s easy to get used to coming home to all of your meals prepared!! There were 11 of us and great friendships were made. We even had a young Yukoner (Jessica) living with us. You have to write us to find out who………

Pacific Sunset

Pacific Sunset
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Traveling to Monterrico is our first get away from Antigua. I have to say there are no truer words than "it is better to travel hopefully than it is to arrive."

After riding in an old rickety van on highways, dirt roads, and through garbage dumps we arrived in the BLISTERING noon hour heat of Monterrico on the Pacific coast.

Thinking we had made a reservation in a good hotel on the beach we started on a 2 kilometer trek along the ocean front on the black sand beach. Upon arrival with bright red faces and sweat pouring off of our bodies we are advised that there is no room for us at the inn. The owner also advised that because it was Saturday we would be hard pressed to find a room - HE WAS RIGHT!

We ended up in a room that was almost clean, had cold running water and a door that barely closed. The front of the hotel faced the beach and was disco party central until 4 A.M. After a rather long sleepless night we enjoyed the beach the following morning and then headed back to Antigua later in the afternoon.

I was so happy to be back....

Mayan needle work

Mayan needle work
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Finally we managed to update our blog. Thank you for your messages - we look forward each day to your comments and thoughts.

You will notice through Nick's photos that Antigua is a very colorful place with the markets, fabrics and wonderful people. We started school this past week at Ixchel and it is hard work but we are loving it.

Until later love to all and hasta luego!

Vista from Volcan Pacaya

Vista from Volcan Pacaya
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

We hiked volcan Pacaya to watch the sunset. The journey began with a 90 minute bus ride to the where the hike began. Our guide Marco took us 5 kilometres up volcan Pacaya to where the lava cooled from an eruption just this past November. The volcano was spewing rocks and lava which is quite a site with the sun setting. The walk on the cooled lava is a little scary as it is still very hot in places...... check out the photos and see.......

Fireworks New Years Eve 2006 Antigua

Fireworks New Years Eve 2006 Antigua
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

Our friend David told us that New Years eve in Antigua is exceptional for the fire works display. We really had no idea how incredible it is until we experienced it ourselves. The fire crackers starting going off around 7:00 pm and by the time midnight came the entire valley and surrounding country side for as far as you could see was lit up with fire works. The air was thick with sulfur smoke which added to the ambience of the evening.

The central sqauare was packed with people as well as many of the streets. There was music, dancing and drinking throughout the city!

Detroit City Skyline

Detroit City Skyline
Originally uploaded by Aishihik.

We spent Christmas with Nick's family in the City of Windsor. A short walk from where we are staying and the sky is filled with impressions of Detroit.

We drove to Cleveland overnight to see the Museum of Rock and Roll. Fletcher and Joey had a great adventure until 2:30 AM while we wondered what on earth had happened to them!!!!!

Took a ride to Blenheim and visited relatives. Uncle Wally inspired us all with his stories of family and place.

On the 30th we are travel seperate ways ----------- a different sort of journey begins.............