Monday, January 26, 2009

Guatemala - Quatro, Cinco, Seis, Etc.

I'm disappointed in myself for not recapping this trip more quickly or in better detail. Because truly, it was an incredible trip - gorgeous scenery, fun experiences, the most warm-hearted people and phenomenal tour guides (Christopher and the Choc family). Here is my next-best: Guatemala at warp speed.

In beautiful Antigua...
where we saw famous arches...
got in touch with our inner-animal...
and the missionary still wouldn't come within 10 feet of me. (Sorry Christopher, I have to give you a hard time for this. This is how you know this kid was a good missionary!)
Next to Tikal...
where we climbed ancient ruins...
risked our lives summiting Temple 5 on the steep wooden ladder of death...
and Noah "Steve Irwin" Riley spotted all the really rare animal life.
(no clear photos to document it, however. You would just think it's the trees. But for real, monkeys, toucans and some sort of anteaterish thing - RIGHT above our heads.)

Then to Flores, for this view...
lychees...
caving (where Allison tests a new picture pose and ends up just looking like she has stiff mannequin arms)...
and a zoo where a monkey grabbed my finger and the jaguar probably could have made a running leap for it.

From there, it was off to one of the country's many volcanoes for one of those "we know we're not in the U.S. because we are literally climbing to the crater of an active volcano and nobody is telling us not to" moments. You know the type.
This picture is at the base before we climbed and does not fully evoke dangerous emotions, I know. But climb we did - on hands and knees at some points - on the dry lava flow, steam rising from its cracks, to the tip-top. Close enough that you start to think, "we are so dumb" every time you feel the rumble from the belly of the beast.


Our last stop was Lake Attitlan and the village of San Pedro...
where we stayed in the lovely Hotel Attitlan...
with a gorgeous view of Lake Attitlan...
and mingled with the locals (this guy was literally outside our door)...bought a skull for Spencer, like any good co-worker would do...
and saw impressive feats of human head strength.

It's good to be home... for, uh, three months now.

2 comments:

Lindsay said...

Looks like you guys had a great time! I am jealous!!

Ashley said...

You have picture poses? I only know your hip thrust pose, you'll have to teach me more. And that came out dirtier than I'd hoped.