I’m back! After 11 days of Guatemalan site-seeing, market-going and relaxing in the sun, I’m officially back in El Guayabo.

Guatemala details: Absolutely fabulous! We (my friend and her family) spent a week at a private house on Lake Atitlan, followed by an afternoon in Antigua and 2 nights in Guatemala City. Our rented house on Atitlan was beautiful, and we spent our days swimming, sunning, kayaking, learning how to make traditional Guatemalan food from our housekeeper Maria and visiting various lake-side communities. We spent lots of time in markets buying touristy gifts (Guatemalans specialize in hand-woven goods) and even went to a local music festival that was attended by American hippies… authentic, eh? Fortunately, we had a view of the various volcanoes bordering the lake from our windows—incredible!

On the other hand, I was shocked by how touristy Antigua was… the streets lined with American/European upscale stores. I’m glad we only spent an afternoon there instead of more time – Antigua did not seem like a true Guatemalan city (and was too expensive for me).

However, Guatemala City, in my opinion, is a necessary stop in touring Guatemala. While it may have the reputation as being dirty and dangerous (of course some parts are), there are some wonderful museums and restaurants and gives you the real picture of Guatemala. We did a walking tour of the city one day and ate lunch at a small, dark, bar that Che Guevara used to frequent. Excellent mixed beers!

I was a bit unenthused about coming back to my community. Who wants to give up the hot showers, fruit smoothies, English-speaking, flush toilets and traveling to new places, and instead come back to lots of work? However, upon arriving in my community to fresh flowers in my shack (thanks host mom!), a home-make piece of cake (thanks neighbor!) and the whole community coming to my home to see me (because they missed me!), I immediately had a change of heart and realized how lucky I am to have such a wonderful community. I am happy to be back.

Work Update: So, while I was on vacation, I have planned to have 3 nutrition classes. Guess what? Only 1 actually worked out (but apparently my friend made it really fun!). All that planning for classes that didn’t happen…but that’s life.