Guatemala, remembering our last visit

Can’t believe it’s already been three years!! Francis had not been back to Guatemala for 10 LOONG years, so this last visit was CRAZY!! He had left Guatemala single and now he was going back married to a “gringa” or so they thought! ha!
I love, love, loved our trip! (except for the driving part, crazy drivers down there!) I had already been to Guatemala a couple of times before, in ’95 and ’97. -What can I say, I love the place 🙂
We went to SO many places I was EXHAUSTED by the time we came back home, but it was all well worth it. Met the family, made new friends and experienced new and exciting things. Here is a recap of what went on in March of 2009 – note to self, no more short hair! –
Enjoy!

{ Ya falta poco para regresar a Guate! De plano que ha pasado super rapido el tiempo desde la ultima vez que visitamos en el 2009. Parece que apenas fue ayer cuando fuimos! Conoci la familia extendida de Francis, la cual es de lo MEJOR del mundo!! Pasamos tan buen tiempo que al final de todo termine super agotada del viaje. Hacia 10 largos años que Francis no regresaba, asi que esta visita ameritaba ver y conocer todo y a todos 🙂
Visitamos varios lugares en la utlima visita asi que en esta ronda pensamos llevarla mucho mas tranquilo. Para pasear en carro por las carreteras de Guatemala si que se requiere de muy buen estomago, y el mio no creo que aguante mas! Aqui estan algunas de las fotos que tomamos del viaje. Disfruten! }

Cerca de Mazatenango.

Very sweet to see these two cute siblings getting some firewood for home.

Cooking, the old fashioned way.

Francis and his beautiful cousins! { Francis con sus guapas primas }

Behind us.. Volcan Santiaguito.

This is hard work.. retire who?

The sights in the country side are beautiful.

More cousins!

This is a little town called Nahuala (if I’m not mistaken;) the house caught my attention.

THIS is the way to ride! and is that a machete in that guys pocket?!!

The handmade art that the indigenous make is really colorful and just plain beautiful.

We had just arrived at Panajachel to head over to Santiago Atitlan.

This place was one of my favorites, the town is small and feels like time has not gone by. We took a small motor boat across the lake.

Love 🙂 Ingrid & Leo

My good friends 🙂

This house + this lake = Bliss {Rebeca, tu casa esta HERMOSA y el lugar donde esta, perfecto! }

ahh the outhouse … brings back stinky memories. Yeap, I HAD to go … sniff sniff

I promised to by the top if she let me take a picture.. now it’s hanging in my office.. the top that is 😉

See, time doesn’t pass by..

A carpentry shop

More kiddos hanging out

This view!!!

First time kayaking for Francis

My sweeties!!!! Can’t wait to see them again!

How do you tell an 8 year old you are afraid? Francis had no choice, yikes!

Shopping!

Francis’s uncle has a auto shop and a small sandwich place on the side in Antigua..

those sandwiches? DELICIOUS!

Family

On our way to Coban and Lanquin

More counsins! And this one really looks like a twin!

We rented this tour van for our group of 6. Hiked a HARD hike, but the view was so worth it. Just look at it!

Reminded me of the seven pools in Maui, but to me, THIS was beyond beautiful. You mostly see backpackers or local people, which might be the reason why it’s so well kept.

Sirenas a la vista! fiu fiu .. haha

No picure will ever do this place justice. If you ever visit Guatemala Semuc Champey is a MUST see!!

This little excursion I missed. Im not a big fan of caves.

Another gorgeous corner of the earth. If it weren’t for these friends, I don’t think the experience would have been the same. So SO much fun!

Gracias amigos por un tiempo que siempre nos trae bonitos recuerdos!

This family opened their doors to us. So blessed to have a worldwide association of friends. Travel would not be what it is without them at every stop.