coming home

Headed home today. Then to New Zealand on Friday!

More details to come when I have time!

Kisses and good wishes

ADIOS AMIGOS...and adios Latin America (for now!)

X

VIVA!!

So it's 3:40 a.m. on monday morning and I am wide awake in Acapulco, Mexico. Sitting high above the street I can hear the cars rushing by, sirens firing and the faint voices of party goers that are finally ready to call it a night. Ahhh, Acapulco...exactly what I expected.

Perhaps it wasn't the best decision to make our way to the Pacific coast, but we just had to see what all the fuss was about. Besides, for the past 2 weeks we have been shivering and listening to our teeth clamor as we roamed cities that were unusually colder than we had expected to find. The humidity is a nice change of pace (I know that I will eat those words tomorrow as the sweat rushes down my face).

So, let's catch up. Where have I been? Well, In the past 13 days I have seen a lot. I do apologize for the lack of updates. There is always something better to do than sit on the internet...

Since my last post when I was sick I have made my way from Chiappas over to Oaxaca and now to the Pacific coast. I have seen ruins, market squares and the most interesting people. We have been traveling so fast that it is hard to keep track of what I have seen and where.

I think that my favorite city so far in Mexico is Oaxaca. It has been by far the cleanest and perhaps the first city that I have actually been able to figure my way around (I haven't the slightest bit of directional instinct...so when I find a place that I understand, I can't help but love it!). There is an amazing market where you can find almost anything that your heart desires from mexico. The food and the accommodations weren't too expensive and I can understand why people go back!

From Oaxaca we went to Puebla. We only stayed for one night and one night was good enough. Puebla is a bigger city than Oaxaca with less to offer. It was REALLY cold there and the cost of staying there wasn't worth it. Actually, while we were there the 11th annual Festival Internacional de Puebla (I think) was going on and we got to watch a live concert in the main square for free. The artist who preformed was actually very entertaining and sang a song that I knew (David Torrens from Cuba). It was fun to watch except that we could barely stand because the cold air was cutting us to the core.

From Puebla we made of way to Taxco. Unfortunately Taxco is a hard city to get to. There are no direct buses and no matter which way you go you are either going to have to pay up the wazoo oooorrrr you have to go to mexico city and take a round about route to ultimately get somewhere that should be easy to get to. So, not knowing all this information ahead of time we had heard that if you go to Quernavaca it is easy to hop off one bus and get on the next one to Taxco. Perfect! Not!? Yeah, no...the bus stations are very far apart and no matter what you have to take a taxi from one station to the other with not clue as to what time the bus leaves...

Luckily there was a nice Canadian girl and her mother-in-law that had overheard that we were going to Taxco and had offered to share a taxi with us to get there. It cost us 60 pesos more, but save us an extra 2 hours and we didn't have to deal with another bus station and getting into Taxco too late. For as hard as it had been to get there it was actually well worth the wait.

Taxco is a hidden city (well, it seemed hidden to me! And it was hard enough to get to) that is famous for its silver. Every other store sells Plata (silver) and every store wants to give you a discount on their AUTHENTIC silver! We spent a whole day walking in and out and in and out and in and out of almost every silver store that we could find! After about 30 minutes you realize that EVERYTHING that you see is exactly the same. I had had my eye on a bracelet that has the imprints of the Aztec calendar on it for about a week (I saw it for the first time in Oaxaca) and was set on buying one in Puebla. After looking at about 300 and trying to find the best price I was completely over it and really started to detest the sight of it! I actually left Puebla with nothing. Well, I bought one ring that I might keep for myself and some small gifts for friends and family...but nothing really that amazing that I could say "Yeah, I bought this in Mexico's silver capital...oooo, ahhhhh". There was actually one store that had completely authentic pieces that I fell in love with! But, as most know, I always manage to find the most expensive things to fall in love with! I found a bracelet that was made of abalone for about 3886 peso (It was about that much...so about $310). I really wanted it, but did I need it? No, so alas it is yet another thing to dream about (I did get the designers card and email...so if my dreams are too haunting I can always have it sent to me).

Anyways, we left Taxco yesterday and here I am in Acapulco. We had dinner last night at Senor Frog's. It is the only restaurant that I have ever heard mentioned in Acapulco so we decided to give it a try. We had no idea where it was except which direction it was in. After drinking 3 beers in the hostel we were ready to adventure to find Senor Frog. We walked for what seemed like an eternity (and after the taxi ride home realized that it was about 3 miles or so...) and finally arrived to a glorified Chilies or El Torrito. The prices were OUTRAGEOUS (well, for Mexico...cost about the same as eating out in the states), the food was very american and the drinks were so so, but the view was incredible! I wish that I had my camera to take a picture. It looked like a postcard. Huge hotel fronts, bright lights and coastline. It was pretty cool.

Today I think that we are going to try and relax and soak up some sun. The only thing to really do here is eat, drink and be a super tourist! So when in Rome (or I mean Acapulco)....

Until Next time Amigos....ADIOS

P.S. I have been trying to upload pictures and for some reason the internet in mexico has something against me sharing my experiences via photos with you...I will keep trying...promise!

picturas.

I am feeling a bit sick at moment...so I am not too into typing...I did put some pictures up on facebook. Enjoy.

In mexico. Having fun. Didn't do a darn thing the whole day, and it was amazing. Tomorrow we will walk around San Cristobal, take more pictures, maybe go to the theater, and enjoy yet another day living the dream.

I will give more updates and details when I am feeling better.

I have officially been gone a month and 2 days :) Not sure if I can ever come back!

Kisses and Good wishes from Mex. Until next time...ADIOS AMIGOS!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2107801&id=35800645&l=79e2be0a56

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2107794&id=35800645&l=18cecef311

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2107794&id=35800645&l=18cecef311

Ruin Me

Finding the internet has been hard these past days. I have been going, going, going and haven't had the time or satellite signal to post all of my adventures....trying to remember where I have been...

Went to Semuc Champey for the second time. It was even more amazing this time! The water was bluer, the tour was more extensive and weather was perfect!

semuc champey

amazing

My friend Niki got bed bugs from El Retiro, along with about 3 other people! I also had my first encounter with a scorpion. While we were eating dinner and having a lively conversation one of the girls let out a horrifying scream saying that something had bit her. We all thought that she was paranoid because she had been one of the people bitten by bed bugs. Since there had been a snake sighting earlier, I decided to look under the table and see if there was a snake in our midst...and to my surprise there was a small black scorpion right by her foot! UGH! I immedietly thought she was a goner. We were quickly assured by the locals that scorpion bites are not that big of a deal. They hurt like hell for a while, but that's all that happens. It was a close call, but she made it through just fine!

mmm...scorpion

The next day we made our way up to Flores. It was a long and hot 7 hour shuttle ride, but it was worth the wait because we got to stay at a vegetarian hostel called Los Amigos! It was good food and great accommodations!

Flores is only about an 1.5 hours away from Tikal where all the Mayan ruins are. We caught the bus at 5 am to make it to Tikal nice and early. It was amazing to see all the history and experience the wonder of the temples and architecture. It was a mind blowing experience that I just can't even begin to put into words. The only downside of my experience at Tikal was that I LOST MY HAT!! Yes, my amazing indian jones hat is gone. It was a sad day for me...especially because someone found my hat...told me where it was...and when got there the guy that had it wasn't there...and I was leaving at 5 am the next morning for Belize....I was so close to retrieval...but so far away...I guess I will just have to find an even better hat somewhere else (if that is even possible!)

my impression of apocalypto--pushing the bodies down the stairs! I was the ultimate sacrifice :)

cool, huh? the pictures don't even do it justice

So, now I am in Belize. We are on the island of Caye Caulker. It is a small island in the Caribbean. The water is unbelievably blue. The sand is white. And hammocks are abundant. The prices for rooms and food are ridiculously expensive, but it has been a nice little vacation of doing nothing (I know that sounds like an oxymoron since my life is a vacations...but traveling and sitting on shuttles can really take it out of you!!! so down time to do nothing in great!) It was a shock to come from Guatemala, which is really cheap, to Belize that is way too expensive. 3 days is all that I can afford to spend here.

thanks you very much!

relaxation station

yep...this is the life!

Tomorrow we are off to Tulum, Mexico. There is a hostel there that is supposed to be right on the beach with free beach cruiser rentals. I am very excited to be in Mexico for Halloween and Dia de los muertos! Should be great fun and an interesting experience!

Will be in Mexico until November 24th. Will keep you all updated on what's happening in our neighbor to the south! I am thrilled to be going back to a spanish speaking country...my espanol still needs some work and I am getting no practice in Belize!

Well, more to come soon....until next time amigos...GOODBYE (can't say adios since I am in an english speaking country)

X

North Bound

It's almost 7 a.m. here in Guatemala. I am up, showered, packed and ready to head north to Lanquin. I am going back to the place that Alex and I had gone to a few months ago. The hostel, El Retiro, is perfectly in between Antigua and Tikal and is a fun place to hang my hat for a few days.

Because I am traveling with friends that have never been there I think that I am going to go back to Semuc Champey and do the cave exploration again. The limestone pools were so beautiful and it is worth the 100Q to go back and see them again.

My shuttle leaves in about an hour and it should take about 7 hours to get there! It is going to be a long day of travel...but it will be well worth it!

Here are some pictures from the last time I was in Lanquin/ Semuc Champey

semuc champey

semuc champey (arial view)

El Retiro, Lanquin, Guatemala

Ok guys...I am off. Until next time Amigos...ADIOS

Disappearing Act

Sorry about abandoning you guys these past days. I took a trip to the coast with some friends and the town that we stayed in only had ONE internet cafe that wasn't open all weekend. By the time that I got back to Antigua last night I was too pooped to poop, let alone update the old blog!

So here's the run down of what's been happening in Guatemala!

1.) Went to Monterrico on Saturday to watch them release the baby turtles into the ocean. I actually got to buy a turtle and let him (Squigley...that's what I named him) go be free! I watched him crawl along the black sand beach to freedom. I felt like a proud mother.

2.)We stayed in Monterrico until Tuesday. It was SO HOT AND HUMID there. You literally never stop sweating the whole time you are there. It was grossing me out at first, but then it became natural to me. Becasue it is so hot the mosquitos munch you like crazy. I look like an adult with chicken pox. The first place I stayed at had air-con in the room...which was really nice and it kept the bugs away. The second place had a pool...which was also AWESOME! Another escape from the bugs!

3.) I took my first chicken bus yesterday from Monterrico to Antigua! It wasn't half bad. There was hardly anyone on the bus so I wasn't cramped and it drove really fast which yielded a nice breeze :)

4.) Took a tour of the Mangrove Swamps. Had to get up at 5 am, but the view was unbelievable. Just a quiet boat ride to contemplate life and enjoy nature!

5.) I am back in Antigua at the moment. Staying for one more day. Today I have to get my shuttle ticket back up to Lanquin. I am going back to El Retiro and Semuc Champey again for a few days before I head up to the ruins in Tikal.

6.) Today is football day. We are all just going to sit back, relax and watch the boob tube. The weather is nice and everyone I am hanging with is very Euro and they are trying to get me into football! I am actually enjoying it...still haven't picked a team to root for...USA for now, I suppose!

Everything is going really well. I am feeling good and having fun meeting new people and seeing new things! About 2 more weeks in Guate and then off to Honduras to do some DIVING! WOO HOO!

until next time amigos....ADIOS!

X

New Plan

So, I have met some really great people that I love hanging out with and they are all leaving tomorrow for a place on the pacific coast call Monterrico. Right now there is a big festival happening because all of the turtles are breading and hatching on the shore. It's about 5 hours away...and I think that I am going. This job is just not my style. There is no structure and they are pressuring me to stay for like 3 weeks. When they tell me to come into work I come in and they tell me to leave. And when I stop by to eat with friends they ask me to stay. I can't handle the lack of structure. It give me anxiety and I am over it. I think that I am going to bail on work tomorrow and start moving on.

First I will go to Monterrico until maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. Then off to Antigua for a few days. Then finally up to Lanquin (El Retiro) where I will wait until Saturday or Sunday for Alex to arrive. Then we will go further north, up to Tikal to see the ruins.

I think that I will continue my studies in Antigua or in Lanquin. Maybe do a few days while I am waiting to meet up with Alex. My brain is so full of information right now that I haven't been retaining too much. I absorb it and then I forget it. I need a break to study what I have learned, perfect that, and then continue to build on it.

This is completely opposite of something that I would do, but in my heart I know that it is best that I move on, because I will be miserable when my friends leave...thinking of what they are doing...and that distraction will really take away from my studies.

So tomorrow I think that I will say Adios to San Pedro la Laguna for a week or so...and move on my merry way. Gotta do what your heart tells you to. I am on the search for my "personal legend" and I ain't finding it here :)

So I will keep you guys in the loop as to what's happening next....until next time.....ADIOS AMIGOS!

X

Local Living

I feel like I am a part of this town now. I work, go to school, and say hi to all the familiar faces. San Pedro is feeling more and more like home. I can understand how people can get stuck here.

School is always a challenge for me, but I am enjoying learning new things. My teacher told me today that my legs look like I have the chicken pox. ugh. The one downside of lakeside studying is that you get eaten ALIVE by all the mosquitos.

Today I think that it's time for me to finally go for a swim in the lake! I have been here almost 2 weeks and haven't been in the water. I think that a friend and I are going to go rent kayaks and go diving off some cliffs in another town (San Marcos la Laguna).

I am still having a blast but and getting ready to move on! I can't wait to see and do new things.

I will try and go out today and take some more pictures!

Until next time amigos...Adio

X

Working woman

So Alex and I had a blast this weekend. Because the buses don't run to Xela on Sunday we got to extend the fun for one more day! We didn't end up doing too much, which was fine because it was like a mini vacation.

The only real news is that I GOT A JOB! Yeah, that's right...I can never NOT WORK! Actually, there is this really cool hostel/resturant called Zoola where I frequent to do my homework. I guess that the owner found out that I was in Spanish school for a while and thought that I would be a good fit for his place. I start work today as a waitress (which you are asking yourselves...Rachel, have you EVER waited tables??). This job is not like anything in the states. It's really laid back and there is no pressure...I'm really not sure that I am going to be able to adjust to a relaxing work situation. We'll see.

Sorry that I haven't updated my blog in a while. There has been a lot going on and the time just seems to be flying by. I am making tons of new friends and am having a great time!

I will try and get some pictures of Zoola and my new friends up here soon!

Until next time...Adios amigos

X

Las chicas locas

Alex arrived in San Pedro safely. To my surprise she WAS NOT on a chicken bus. Every chicken bus that drove by that didn’t have her on it made my heart sink…I thought that maybe she had taken the wrong one, or she got off at the wrong spot?! Finally she showed up in a giant, luxury (for Guatemala) shuttle. I was so relieved.

The only time I wish that I had a cell phone was in situations when you kinda need to know where someone is and what the plan is. But then I am reminded that things always manage to work themselves out, and that life existed before technology and people CAN get by without it…

After we got settled in to the hostel we had to take care of some serious business. We had to get Alex a Brahva Extra, pronto (they don’t have Brahva Extra in Xela)….and some chips and guac.

We went out last night. It was invigorating (in the sense that it lifted my spirits and was just the medicine I needed). We laughed. Spoke way too much English (actually we did make the transition to espanol after a few Brahva Extras!). Made new friends. Discovered new places and reunited with familiar ones.

To say the least, it was an awesome night and a much needed reunion. I am very lucky to have such an awesome travel buddy!

Here is a little taste of the action! (click on the facebook link for more pictures!)

Until next time amigios…ADIOS!

X

P.S. did not write this post last night…back to writing my posts the day of…

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2105312&id=35800645&l=7bf337c5d