´You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose´ -Indira Gandhi-
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Hurry on over to the market in Chichicastenango! What do you need? A present for your sweetheart? Supplies for dinner? A new pair of shoes? Step right up, it´s all here! Wander around and stay a while!
Kate and Bren left for the market at eight in the morning from Panajachel on Lago de Atitlan. It was a relativly short drive before the two were set free for a day at the market. Kate and Bren wandered randomly through the colorful shops and displays in order to get a feel for the place, then they skirted out of the conjestion to eat some breakfast and make a game plan. With sugar running through their veins and a rough itinerary they dove back into the maelstrom. They realised that it is not prudent to stop anywhere unless you have an intention of buying something because you will be assulted with prices and offers of anything and everything. So Kate and Bren walked the narrow crowded hallways, weaving this way and that, while almost constantly fighting off the shop keepers with ´no gracias´. At the market there were many beautiful works, and probably at a good price, however Kate and Bren do not need those things and do not want to carry them either. Satisfied that they had seen all they wanted of the market they secluded themselves in a restaurant, which offers protection from people attempting to sell you anything. A few people did make it though the protective barrier but Bren and Kate were able to fight them off with the ´no gracias´ and for the really strong the ´no hablo espanol´spells.
The next morning, Kate´s birthday began at 545 am with a shuttle to the beach town of Monterrico. For whatever reason the shuttle was running late and in order to meet the other shuttle in Antigua heading to Kate and Bren´s final destination of the day there was a need, a need for speed. Knowing this the driver sped, passed cars on curves, honked, and whatever else was needed to get the birthday girl to the next shuttle. They made it to Monterrico at about 1030 in the morning and checked into their new hostel, El Dolphine. It is a relaxed place on the beach with hammocks, food, a pool, and games. After eating some food and playing backgammon they wandered out to the beach. The black sand beach offers some fun waves to play in as well as plenty of sand. It is a wide beach and seems to run a very long ways in each direction. Kate and Bren explored a bit before they played some catch with the frisbee and jumped in the waves. Then it was time for a little rest and reading. They kicked back in some of the numerous hammocks around their hostel. Roused from their nests from a hunger Kate and Bren wandered around looking for a place to eat. There were many restaurants all of which were empty. So they picked one, ate some food, then wandered on. They went to a store and go supplies for the nights festivities. On their wandering they heard of a turtle hatchery which would be releaseing baby turtles at sunset near their hostel on the beach. As the days end grew near Kate and Bren again strolled down the beach to catch a glimpse of the cute little babies fleeing to the sea. After this little miracle Kate jumped into a game of volleyball with the locals with was happening close by. The light was running out seeing as the sun had already set, but Kate and Bren were invited back to play the next day. They strolled back to their room and mixed some drinks for the beginning of the end. After a few games of drinking farkel and 500 the birthday girl went out to the restaurant with Bren to get some dinner. They played more games, like backgammon and snakes and ladders (similar to shots and ladders but with less drinking and a Guatemala twist). As BG (birthday girl) and Bren walked out to the beach to drink some water (not from the sea) they met a couple from Wisconsin. They were playing cards and invited BG and Bren to play. Since they love games so much, they obliged. After some golf and estimations the two Wisonsonians turned in tired from their day. But for BG it was not over! They went back to the room to mix another concoction in their Gatorade bottles then went for a night swim in the pool. As they were spashing around fireworks started going off nearby. Then after hanging out a while under the stars enjoying the warm night the two retired for the evening as well. Making it all the way until 1230 and completing Kate´s birthday.
cheerio,
BK
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