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.