Antigua, my love

So I just returned last Saturday from a week in Antigua, Guatemala. I went to study Spanish in sort of an immersion program... and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't totally smitten with Antigua, and that might have played a part in the decision to go there. As my hubby says so wisely, "sometimes you have to throw yourself a bone". 

So the common way to attend school in Antigua is to stay with a host family in their home. You eat their food, speak to them in Spanish, and more or less get an idea of everyday life in Antigua. I lucked out. The home I stayed in was GORGEOUS. Seriously my dream home. The food was fantastic, my host would do anything for my comfort, and I was within walking distance from the plaza. I was in heaven. Here is the view from my bedroom:

Of course I wasted no time going into town to see the what in my mind has to be one of the most photographed structures in the world, El Arco:

And the volcano from the other side:

I could roam these streets for days shopping (ok, looking because I would quickly run out of money), snapping photos, and just absorbing the culture. 

There are two campuses at the school I went to, "Antiguena Academia". I was lucky enough to attend "el jardin" the outdoor version! It was a garden with pathways and pavilions laid out for the occasional desk with two chairs. It was beautiful. It is one on one instruction for each student, in a comfortable conversational style that feels more like coffee with a friend than school. 

My teacher was one of the sweetest, most patient people I have ever known. I absolutely adore her.

Before I left the states, I had only traveled with someone else, never alone. I felt confident in that I had traveled on many occasions to places that some people consider dangerous, ie: Mexico, walking the streets of Guatemala City ( which are still by the way very dangerous... Don't believe me? Turn on your TV), eating food from street vendors, oh yeah, I was a real rebel. But I was admittedly very afraid to travel alone to Guatemala. But, mind over matter, I went... along with my mace, my personal alarm, my door stop alarm, and my window alarm (all of which I ditched as soon as I arrived)... go ahead, laugh. It's funny!

But what I found when I got there was that yes, it can be dangerous, but as long as you behave responsibly, you will be fine. And, it turns out that there are TONS of women traveling alone! Yep, backpacking across central and south America. And, no, they are not greasy, manly crazies that the movies might have you believe. I met a very dear new friend there. A girl only a year older than me from Singapore, who upon her arrival to Panama will have been to 80 countries!! Not all alone, but several, yes, alone! THAT is inspiring. Who was it that said something like every new place you see makes you a little bit better, a little bit stronger? Traveling and meeting new people gives you perspective that sitting on the couch watching television can't. I only wished I'd viewed the world this way when I was younger and had the freedom to roam... not that I can't travel now of course, with my 5 year old in tow! The point is that there is so much out there to see, and not much time to see it. Like my dear friend Cheow says, "the world is just so big!" 

Walk from "my house" to the plaza:

View of the city from Santa Domingo:

The public laundry:

View from restaurant rooftop terrace:

and one more time, the volcano:

For those of you like Steaven who are wondering why I don't have more "people" photos, I'm sorry! People don't love you taking their photos, so I decided not to be "that" tourist. I've taken people pics in Antigua before, that is enough for me. If you would like to see them, just ask.

It was a wonderful trip. I needed it. I needed to practice my Spanish, I needed to soak in the culture, I needed to have to take a bath out of a bucket.... I need reality checks sometimes. I'm so glad that I went. I can't wait to go back. 

-Mel