Well since I was last writing we have had a relatively quiet time. After leaving Antigua we journeyed to Lago Atitlan - a lake that was once a volcanic crater and it has many little townships dotted around it. Whilst there are roads around the lake a lot of passenger transportation is by water "taxi's" between the towns. Our journey there was through hills and valleys to the lake with the last part going down a steep incline to a town on the lakeshore - San Pedro la Laguna. We travelled through a lot of market garden type areas as the climate here is ideal for growing all types of veges etc.San Pedro differed greatly from Antigua with very narrow streets/laneways some of which were just big enough for a tuk tuk only.Our Hostel was at one end of the touristy part and hence the bars/party areas.It had a nice terrace on top which gave great views.On our first day we got lost twice meandering thru the narrow "streets" but thankfully got back before the afternoon rains. Nearly every afternoon/evening it rained at some point - beginning of the wet season. Luckily for us the hostel had an in house restaurant so the couple of evenings it rained we didn't have to venture out.We did a hike one day up to a vantage point called Indian Nose - from below that is how it looks. We caught a chicken bus (local transport that was once a US yellow school bus) with our guide. That is an experience in itself as these buses cram in people so tightly that it is a big effort to alight but we managed. We hiked about 50 mins up to the viewpoint and once the mist cleared had a great lake view. After we hiked back through the "bush" and fields to a little town nearby - about 2hrs. It was a good morning and as we were the only ones on the trip it was even better - private tour. Because some of the bars run by ex-pats Gary was able to catch the european UEFA football cup final live one afternoon. After lunch was eaten I left him to it - thank goodness as it went into extra time .I was happier reading a book on the hostel terrace.We also went and stayed at another smaller township - San Marcos La Laguna. It was okay but not quite our cup of tea as it was a place that yoga and many holistic themes were the norm.But there was a couple of redeeming things - some nice eating places and a little national park to walk through. In retrospect we should have just done a day trip there from San Pedro,but you don't know at the time. After that we returned to our former hostel in Antigua so it seemed like coming "home". It was nice to come here and know where the supermarket is and where to eat etc. Yesterday I did a tour (by myself) to a nearby organic farm. A private tour again as I was the only one. The tour guide was a local man who we met in our Hostel in San Marcos (he was there 1 night with a friend) so that was nice to see him again. The farm is one of 3 (the other 2 further afield) and they grow organically and try to be sustainable as possible. They have a shop to sell produce,supply local restaurants,propagate their plants,collect seeds for their seed bank. They also have chickens,ducks and rabbits for meat sales. They are running courses for the locals to farm organically instead of using the fertilisers that the government pushes on them,which then leeches into the soil and into waters such as Lago Atitlan. It was a very interesting couple of hours. I bought a few things to put into the spaghetti sauce that I cooked later that day. Thank goodness I'd made the decision to cook tea as it stormed late afternoon and rained most of the night. However it is nice and sunny so far on our last day here and soon we are off shopping because I have persuaded Gary that he needs to spend some US$ on me as it is my birthday soon . I have my eye on a pair of jade studs. Jade is found in this area of Guatemala due to the volcanic nature of the area. What amazes me is that jade is not only green - it can milky white,blue and black as well. If the price is right I'll be a happy girl later today. Anyway enough prattle. We have to get packing etc as it is up at 3am for a 3.30am shuttle to Santa Ana, El Salvador. The early hour is because we go through Guatemala city which is very big with lots of traffic snarls. So adios for now
