Lauren's Life in Guatemala: Weekend Travels

After being able to sell some pictures, make a little money and have a traveling companion, I was finally able to get out and see some of the beautiful countryside Guatemala has to offer. Kara and I left 4 weekends in a row, sometimes just the two of us and other times accompanied by others. We traveled to Roatan, Honduras, Semuc Champey, Livingston, Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, San Marcos, & Antigua. Along our travels we met some really quality people that shared their travel and life stories with us. After being here as long as I had, I was getting really antsy to see more. Life can be pretty slow in Teculutan. It is not safe to go out at night, even if it was, there is still nowhere to venture to. So the chance to get out and away from the everyday life, was jumped upon. I have been so fortunate to have Kara here. She is a few years older then me, a realtor from Wisconsin, and a great time. We get along so well and it has been an absolute pleasure to be spending so much time with her. We’ve decided that being at the house all the time can become quite boring, as there is only so much we can know about each other. Nonetheless, we have made many lasting memories and finally experienced more of Guatemala.

On our way to ROATAN, HONDURAS

eating a Lychee fruit I bought at a stop light

Kara and I on the ferry from La Ceiba to Roatan

A the top of the hill we walked up to

At the restaurant where we met Wazza (photos to come) in West Bay

Walking back to the West End at sunset

Kara, Wazza and I

The last show after being in Roatan for 7 years by this band! You better believe we sweated and danced the night away.

Kara and I sweatier than ever before, wearing the kickin glasses Dave (picture to come) was packing around the world with him.

Kara, Dave-the Australian Pirate and I

I met him on the ferry over and we hung out the whole weekend! A top quality guy!

Our last day together

Dave, Pepe (My personal Salvadorian jewelry maker), Kara and myself

Pepe and I

Kazza, Dave and Loza

The Hearts In Motion crew we bummed a ride from

Robin, Dan, Kara, Barb and I

Edy, whom I met in September and her son Jayden.

SEMUC CHAMPEY

The boys fixing a pinchazo (flat tire)

Julio, Julio, kara, Eric, and I

We met the 2 boys in the blue and hung out with them the whole weekend!

The rest of our crew at the pools

There are 7 natural pools that flow into each other. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was beautiful. Lots of people since it was Semana Santa (Easter holidays)

Kara, Me, Julio

Julio, Eric, Myself & Kara

I kept noticing that Eric was always looking right into my eyes. On the last day we were together he told us that his younger brother had eyes like mine. In September, robbers broke into their house and his brother tried to stop them. They shot and killed his brother and his uncle. It was a compliament to say the least.

Our humble abode

The river

LIVINGSTON

Me, Beth, Kathleen, Kara, Julio & Bert

Getting ready for the boat ride from Puerto Barrios to Livingston.

Another of the dangerous duo, only this time a little wind blown.

Our tour guide, Diario. Everything was "Rastafari" to this guy.

We left the taxi and had 15 minutes by foot along the beach to reach our hotel

Walking down the beach

Myself and Bert

Our private hammock bungalow over the water

Payback to the little crab that tried to attack us.

PANAJACHEL/LAKE ATITLAN

Our first visit to Pana

The main street

2nd visit to Pana, little lady trying to make a living

LAKE ATITLAN

3 volcanoes surround the lake. This morning, for the first time in 3 days we had been here, the skies were clear and we were able to see them. Not to mention the cloud resting right on top.