Guatemala, Lago de Atitlan

Lago de Atitlan is a fresh water lake in the highlands of Guatemala. It was formed when a volcanic crater filled with water. Surrounding the lake rise the cones of three other volcanoes. On the slopes of these cones coffee and pot are grown in abundance. Tucked amongst these cones a small town has grown up and now play host to tourists.

I am told that this is a place of tremendous beauty. I do not know this for a fact but I am trusting what Suzanne has told me. What I do know about, first hand, is the hotel room where we stayed on the lake for four days. The room was constructed of concrete and the walls on the inside had been painted powder blue. The sheets on the bed were of the finest polyester and matched the walls in color. The elastic on the bottom sheet had grown old and tired. As a result the sheet kept coming off as I rolled around at night. The room had a complete ecosystem consisting of an untold amount of bacteria, 5 flies and 2 spiders. The spiders were of the lazy sort and I never once saw them eat a thing. The bathroom was two steps from the bed and the toilet was half step further along. Though generally clean the toilet did not have a seat making it impossible to sit. I spent a great deal of time wishing that I had stronger legs and better balance. During my four days in the hotel room this toilet and I got to be close friends though I never did get its name.

Though I was sick during most of our time at Lago de Atitlan I was never seriously ill. The problem was simply one of needing to be very close to my friend the seatless toilet.

In other news I have now turned 30. I am not to sure what to make of this fact but I have been getting some ideas. I have been thinking that it might be time to have a mid-life crisis. I asked Suzanne if she had any ideas for this. She suggested that I might consider cutting my hair, living in one place, getting and keeping a real job, and living like an adult. I have given this some thought and it seems a little too extreme to do just yet. I am leaning toward the idea of having my mid-life crisis at 40 instead of 30.

We are now in Antigua and plan to stay here for the next week or so. Holy Week is coming and the town is preparing for a huge party. It is not to be missed.

I will let you know how it was.