Right around Christmas I received emails promoting supposedly really cheap flights to Guatemala. Although, I didn’t find them as inexpensive as those ads usually are only for 2 week trips (and who does that? 😏), I was hooked.
Instead of flying directly to Guatemala, I decided to stop in Florida and visit my dear friend. That weekend alone was worth the trip. We had an awesome time together and I feel blessed that I can just drop in and be welcomed. We even managed to drive out on Sunday and ride a bit of MTB.
On Monday (15th of January) I took a direct flight from Fort Lauderdale to Guatemala City and 3 hours later I was in a new country. Together with a fellow traveler, I took a taxi to Antigua Guatemala.
Antigua Guatemala is, as the name suggests, the old capital of Guatemala. During a brutal earthquake it was so destroyed that the people decided to move to a new capital. However, some people stayed and over time rebuilt the houses and of course now it is the cool place. So many colonial houses and churches or mansions converted into hotels, restaurants, coffee shops etc. It is a great place to be, and that’s where I decided to put up shop and study Spanish.
I planned on staying for a week here and study. On one hand, I am happy with my level of Spanish. On the other hand, I am a bit frustrated that I seem not to advance and/or am not farther. I have school 4 hours a day, 5 days a week and it is quite strenuous. I guess I should either live in a Spanish-speaking country again or get a Latina girlfriend 😉😂
Last weekend, and yes, there are weekends, I went up the volcano Acatenango. As usual, lots of people have the same idea. It was a good decision, though, to start on Sunday. On the way up (it’s a 4.5 hours climb) lots of people came down who started the day before.
On one hand we were lucky that it was clouded and thus not so hot but on the other hand I was not 100% sure whether the weather would be good. I did check the forecast and it should clear up but who knows?
After a short stop at the Basecamp, and it really looked like the weather forecast was right this time, we continued towards the vulcano Fuego, which is the really active one. It’s a strenuous hike and at about 3,600 m altitude the air is thin. I didn’t had a problem on the hike to the Basecamp, but a major headache emerged during this hike and should not leave me for the next 2 days. Anyway, giving up is not my nature (too stubborn) 😏
Just before sundown we arrived at the maximum proximity we can go. And El Fuego did not disappoint. What a great show of nature’s force! However, the wind also showed its strength and it was bloody cold up there. After several eruptions, we headed back to base.
Apparently, I am in good shape as much younger ones were struggling. But also for me the day was coming to an end after dinner…tired and exhausted!
The next day, from our group of 9, only 5 emerged from the tents. The view was zero and I could feel the demotivation in the group. After a couple of minutes going back and forth whether we go, one guy said “I am going back to bed and snuggle up”. The 4 of us, together with the guide, left around 4:10 am Basecamp. However, after another 5 minutes one guy turned around. It’s not a sign of weakness to turn around at this point but rather strength. There is no point in going on if you don’t feel good.
The hike was good and not too strenuous and we reached the top of Acatenango at 3,976 m altitud after about 1.5 hours. Also here the windchill was barely manageable. But the sight of El Fuego paid off for everything and I saw some very impressive eruptions. This last 2 days was the first time that I saw lava erupting from a volcano. I climbed Villarrica in Chile but other than fume, I didn’t see anything (maybe better as it erupted 8 months later). Anyway, what a great weekend and the beer was dearly deserved after this adventure. But see for yourself:
Back in Antigua my second week of Spanish course started and is still ongoing. Very typical, as a mode of transportation, are the converted US school buses. They are painted in lively colors, as so much in this country, and still serve. I’m going to try them out one day, even though, they do not appear comfortable 😎
Love,
Matthias