Alittle About Antigua... where I will be living for the next six months...

Nestled between three dramatic volcanoes, Antigua, Guatemala is a charming colonial city in Central America. With cobblestone streets, impressive Baroque architecture, and a number of spectacular ruins of colonial churches, this 15th-century town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Established in 1543, La Antigua is one of the best preserved and charming of colonial cities in Spanish America.  The Spanish Colonial style permeates every part of the town: its houses, churches, squares, parks and ruins, as well as its traditions and folklore. Antigua is a city of charm and vibrant color where you can see and buy an overwhelming variety of attractive, handmade products that honor the traditions of generations of artisans.


Known as the "land of the eternal spring", Antigua has pleasant weather throughout the year. The city lies at an altitude of just over 5,000 feet - days are warm (75ºF / 23ºC) and nights are pleasantly cool (56ºF / 13ºC).
Three large volcanoes dominate the horizon around Antigua. The most commanding, to the south of the city, is the Volcán de Agua or "Volcano of Water" (12,356 ft).  To the west of the city is a pair of peaks, Acatenango (13,045 ft), and the Volcán de Fuego or "Volcano of Fire" (12,346 ft). "Fuego" is almost constantly active at a low level, with smoke visible from its top almost daily. 

Antigua’s kitchen offers a palate-pleasing combination of traditional flavors, aromas and condiments that produce a delicious, nutritious and varied menu, something you no one should miss!  Antigua is also noted for its crafts: terracotta, ceramics, wrought iron, silver and jade jewelry, wooden sculptures, carved colonial-style furniture, a great variety of traditional costumes and weavings, figured stone, brass, jarcia, traditional toys and much more.

Guatemala has also long been recognized for growing some of the highest quality coffees in the world, and the coffee farms surrounding Antigua make for an excellent day trip. The surrounding hillsides provide wonderful views of the valley and the volcanoes, and are excellent terrain for recreational pursuits such as hiking, mountain biking, and zip-lining.

The festival of the town’s saint (Santiago or St James: Patron saint of the conquistadors) is celebrated July 25th. After the conquest of the Maya by the Spanish, the races intermingled and their customs and traditions gave rise to a singular form of life, art and culture that is today reflected in every aspect of Antigua.

Today, Antigua is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Central America’s most enchanting and picturesque cities. Visitors can explore the ruins, museums, art galleries, boutique inns, restaurants, and shops that are dotted throughout the famous cobblestone streets of this former capital of Guatemala. Inspiring the world's artists, writers and wanderers for centuries, Antigua continues to attract international visitors with an interest in art, language, culture, and history.



Notice the cobble stone streets..I got brave once and tried walking on them in heels..let's just say that's the last time I will do that!




El Catedral, a beautiful site (especially at night) that sits on the east side of Parque Central.



At Antigua's Center is the El Parque Central..a great place to sit and relax, read a book, or my favorite.. grab an ice cream and people watch.

Viva La Antigua!

I have been in Antigua, Guatemala for almost a month already.  The time is already going by much too fast.  I lose track of days and dates and bill due dates.   Some days I even forget to open my planner, because who needs plans when you’re thousands of miles away from everything that has kept you confined to such a rigid way of living. 

For the first time in my life I am not walking around with the heavy weights of stress on my shoulders and sometimes the days are so loosely pieced together that I get a little nervous.  But then I remember…that on those days I have the freedom to do whatever it is I please, whenever I please, wherever I please.  And then I get excited again and remember why I came here in the first place...to take a deep breathe from everything I've always known. 

So far my time here has been lovely.  When I stop and think about it I am actually in awe at how smoothly the transition has gone.  I have a comfortable and inviting room, a nice, accommodating house, and a job that always keeps me on my toes.  I live in San Felipe de Jesus, which is about ten minutes outside of Antigua.  It's quieter here and the journey into the city makes for a good run.  However, most times I get a ride to and from home, so I am grateful for that.   I live in a secure, three-house compound, but as of now the other two houses are empty, which I don’t mind because it’s quieter that way.  Antigua is a bit of a noisy city.  You can hear the heavy traffic- chicken buses, tuk tuks, motorbikes- from every which direction.  Combine this with the voices of children playing, vendors selling their goodies, the hand smacking of women making tortillas, and street chatter and there is a cacophony of sounds always playing.  From my room, though, all I can hear is the murmur of my roommate’s television, church bells, occasional firecrackers, and the relentless crowing of a neighbor’s rooster.  My room is colored in beautiful shades of yellow and green and the tall dark green avocado tree that grows outside my window tries to reach its long, branch fingers in through the large window that faces my bed. 

Life in my little pocket of the world is beautiful right now…the only piece that’s missing is the beautiful smiling faces of those at home that I love and miss so dearly. 

Cerro de La Cruz:  Overlooking Antigua from the north is Cerro de la Cruz, literally translated as "Hill of the Cross" which as you can see provides beautiful views looking south over town toward Volcán Agua.  By far this is my favorite running destination!

 Arco Santa de Catalina: Found on 5th Avenue in the heart of Antigua and is ALWAYS gorgeous to look at..no matter what the weather.

Indianapolis Airport, August 27, 2011 @ 4 am- Feeling completely exhausted, very loved, and extremely blessed.....Guatemala bound!

Let the journey begin...

Since leaving home, I’ve decided to do a little blogging- an entirely new experience for me.  Partly to remind me to keep my eyes open while I am on this adventure and partly to give those at home a little piece of my experience here in Guatemala.  I have no idea what to expect from this endeavor- there is no real agenda or purpose.  I hope, however, that it will remind those that I love (and anyone who comes across it for that matter) that life, no matter where you are, should always be a adventure.  And more importantly, that how you choose to live your life and what you get out of the everyday experiences is solely up to you.... so always remember... enjoy the journey!!

A quote from Mark Twain that hangs on my favorite spot at home..the fridge:)...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. 

So throw off the bowlines. 

Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. 

Dream. 

Discover."