Krysten is always lost This winter I'm spending a semester in Antigua, Guatemala: learning spanish and other things, hopefully some volunteering and some killer picture taking as well. It's my third trip to Guatemala, it's the kind of place that sucks you in and never lets you leave completely, which is why I'll probably keep going back. This time I get to go with 19 of my classmates from Guelph, and another 18 or 19 from the University of Saskatchewan who I have yet to meet. So I definetly wont be alone.

“Please, please, please just check my bed for scorpions,” I knew I was asking for a reason.

My first night in Monterrico was not off to a great start. I had Emilie check my bed for me before I got into it; the first thing she did was lift the pillow, and the first thing I did was yelp and run away as there just so happened to be a scorpion there. Why do these things keep coming after me? My nerves are wearing thin. 

At least between the scorpions, sunburn, 1000s of mosquito bites, and sand absolutely everywhere, there was a really beautiful beach in Monterrico. Black sand and violent waves together with a pretty great sunset made the view pretty nice.

We had bonfires on the beach both nights which was pretty cool, it was nice to just kinda sit and listen to the waves and look at the trillions of stars. I seriously have never seen so many stars in my life, not even up north.

The beach itself was pretty cool, although black sand makes for scorching hot feet, and a really strong surf made swimming fairly difficult.

The highlight of the trip for me was probably the ubber fresh smoothies be served up at one of the hotel restaurants on the beach. They were pretty freaking delicious.

Sadly I did not see any sea turtles, tho we did wake up at 5:30 Sunday morning for a sunrise boat trip through the mangroves, where I saw some 4 eyed fish, and a nice sunrise.

All in all the beach was nice, but I was happy to get back to Antigua.