Guat Journal: Antigua

Hi Mom-
Boy, that made me laugh out loud about the Bagel Caboose. I wouldn't
put it past Patrick though. He is really nutso. I really miss my
fish. I miss all my pets a lot. I haven't had a very easy time keeping
pets in Guatemala. I had a kitten for a night, but everyone in the
volunteer house was giving me trouble about it. They were afraid it
would get fleas in their bed. Which it probably would. Plus, there was
no way I could keep it inside. It was a truely Guatemalan ghetto
kitty, and I couldn't care for him humanely. Anyway, I went to a pet
store today in Antigua. Yes! I am in Antigua. It is beautiful, and it
has a pet shop with fish just like Penelope. These were the first
fancy goldfish I have seen in Guatemala. Well, the first domestic fish
that I've seen. I went to the famous handcrafts market yesterday, and
bought a whole lot of gifts for everyone. I wish I could give them to
you on Christmas. But Dad will have to bring them home with him. I
don't trust the mail system down here. It's really terrible. So no
presents in the mail. But Wow! What presents! You will really like
them. I drive a mean bargain down there at the market. Of course, the
first price they tell you is insane. So, it's easy to get the prices
lower. They expect you to bargain. They are so persistent. God, it's
unbelievable. So last night we went out, but all the bars were very
European, and I was with my Spanish friend, and she doesn't understand
English. Everyone speaks English in Antigua. So my friend Lene (from
Denmark) stayed out, and Iratxi and I went to bed around 10. We were
planning to leave at 6 in the morning today to go climb the volcano.
The girls went, but I stayed here because I was vomiting this morning.
Man, you never know when you will have stomach trouble in this
country. I woke up a 4 am and was vomiting for no reason. Anyway, I
missed the awesome hiking trip, and I am pissed. I paid 7 bucks for
it. Oh well, that's travel for you. Maybe I'll just go buy more stuff,
and keep a toilet in my vicinity. I am glad Dad is so excited about
coming to Guatemala. He sure does his research. And I have A LOT of
books there. They are the best books out there too. I can't wait to
see him. I am thinking, at the moment, that I would like to come home
in May. That is plenty of time to be down here. about seven months is
sufficient. And it will be enough time teaching too. I miss you mom. I
saw that picture of the house with snow on the blog, and it made me
sad. I do miss snow! I didn't think I would, but I do. I just had some
breakfast in the park. I had a ham and cheese croissant with some
strawberry kiwi juice. It was SOOOO good. I really appreciate good
food. I need to leave this internet cafe now and find a bathroom.
Ha ha, I eat good food, but it still doesn't stay in me. Not that I am
losing any weight though. I am gordita here. You would think that
eating beans and rice would slim your waist, but it is not true. AND
my skin looks like crap with all the humidity. I have to leave all
that vanity behind. Except for my tan, which is quite amazing. Okay,
really need to find a bathroom. Oh, by the way, this internet place is
in a barber salon. The customers are getting their hair cut on one
side, and the computers are on the other side. There are mirrors
everywhere. So weird!
Tell everyone that I say hello, especially Tiffany. Tell Will I have a sweet present for him, and that it is seriously beautiful, and he will like it. Talk to you soon.
Love Maia