Traveling to Lake Atitlán

17 March, 2019

Moving on... Goodbye Antigua, hello Lake Atitlán.

Volcán de Agua was especially clear this morning as the shuttle van was going around Antigua picking up passengers.

The rest stop was at a chalet style restaurant in the mountains, it had a hanging bridge to an adjoining garden, which tested my balance.

After a 3 hour drive up into the highlands, finally arrived at Panajachel, a town on the shore of Lake Atitlán.

Having skipped breakfast, and arriving earlier than I had originally planned, I decided to have a late breakfast at this lakeside cafe before crossing the lake. This worked in my favor, as the other passengers with lots of luggage went on the first boat.

This is the desayuno típico, or typical breakfast here in Guatemala.

Agree a while, I decided it was time to head for the boat dock.

Sitting on the boat, waiting to depart, this little guy about 7 years old, was having fun teasing and being teased by three passengers. He would lie on the roof and tap people on the head through the window. Everyone was laughing.

And here we go!

Passed a boat named "America".

In San Pedro. Host families don't provide meals on Sundays, so I found a place.

Gorgeous rooftop view of the lake and one of the volcanoes

Ah, Guatemala. A repurposed school bus seat.

I got a before burger made of a huge potato patty. Discarded the slice of processed "cheese". There was half an avocado on there, and the potato patty squashed a lot out the sides, so it was meat but delicious.

OMG hammock time!!!!

The light above me was green, hence the sci fi effect. It felt truly decadent to just lie in the hammock watching dusk fall.

Church of Santa Inés del Monte Pulciano, Antigua, Guatemala

15 March, 2019

In addition to the rooftop area of the school Tecun Uman, the restaurant next door also allows the school to use their rooftop for daytime classes when the restaurant is not open, so that each teacher/student pair has plenty of space and privacy to work.

 

After school, I went to see the Easter decorations and market at the church of Santa Inés del Monte Pulciano, which is far enough from the town center that it merited taking a tuk-tuk (three wheeled taxi). They are so convenient.

 

 This is the Easter decor inside of the church sanctuary.

The "alfombra" or carpet is a design made from flower petals.

There are also all kinds of offerings, bread, flowers, and other items, all arranged with care around the alfombra.

The archangel Michael, vanquishing a demon.

Display of clothing that was used on the statues in past Easter processions.

The former bell of the church. I assume that a replacement bell has been mounted as church bells are still in use here rather than electronic speakers.

The facade of the church.

The "mercado" or market in the street in front of the church. So many street foods, so little time!

These fruit vendors can make a mango look like a flower in no time, it was mesmerizing to watch them.

Various fried crisps - plantains, yams, etc. There is nothing like freshly made chips!

While I was at the market, one of the fires on the mountain looked like it had gone out of control. The farmers routinely burn the stubble of their crops, but this dry season has had lots of wildfires from it. The smoke is really irritating.

Each church has a man playing a pipe and drum before a service starts.

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