Dear Diary, 2 Weeks!

We have been in Guatemala for 2 weeks now! We still are loving every moment :)

Sunday December 11th... We had 3 birthday parties to celebrate today! Luis’s Grandfather, Uncle, and Cousin all have birthdays in the same week. So a huge family gathering was required to celebrate these birthdays in Guatemalan style. Over 25 people, FAMILY, showed up for the event. For fabulous food we had empanadas, sopa de fideo con elote (noodle soup with corn), and ensalada rusa (potato salad with a different twist). After eating we skyped with Luis’s parents while hitting a star shaped piñatas and eating cake! Everyone got a chance to hit the piñatas including adults. The adults even ran to gather the candy once it was broken open, so funny! 

Abuelo (Luis's Grandfather)

Me hitting the piñata

Luis's uncle Alberto

Luis breaking it open!

                             

What was left of the piñata

The adults grabbing the candy!

Webcamming with Luis's parents while cutting the birthday cake!

Monday December 12th... We walked to El Mercado (the Market)! Uhm... how can I describe the market? Kind of like an indoor flea market but cooler. The market was under a block of the city. It was a sensory overload of bright colors, smells, sounds, and textures. Everywhere you looked was crammed with purses, clothing, jewelry, wallets, hammocks, things made out of clay, christmas decorations, wind chimes, and so much more that I can’t even remember! All of it being native Guatemalan. We walked around for a couple hours and still didn’t see everything! 

Tuesday December 13th... Since we didn’t see everything at El Mercado we decided to go again. Walked around the areas we didn’t see and Luis and I purchased quite a few items for very cheap. I was on a hunt for the perfect purse. Something that looked native Guatemalan but was colors I liked and had a large strap to go over the shoulder. Luis’s family was nice enough to indulge me in this mission and we eventually succeeded! 

Wednesday December 14th... Antigua! We finally got to go to Antigua with Luis’s Uncle and family. Such a beautiful city! It was the original capital of Guatemala but lives under the shadow of not one, but TWO volcanoes. Guatemala City then became the capital sometime in the early 1900’s. Antigua is only about an hour away so I have a feeling we’ll be going back often. Antigua has a distinct feel of Spanish influence. Walking down the cobble stone streets I felt like I was back in Spain! The colors and architecture were very reminiscent of colonial Spain. Each house was painted a different color, a very bright color, as you walked down the road. We walked around the city for a while, visiting the famous arch. Most pictures that you see of Antigua have this arch and the closest volcano in the background. 

The Volcano is called Volcan de Agua.. The top is blocked by clouds.

MAX!

We also got a chance to go to an old theater that Luis's family owns. It was no longer a theater but a market! Very similar to the one here in Guatemala City that we went to the day before. 

An old theater turned into a market

Three native Guatemalan women.. Baby included! I'm amazed at how they can carry stuff on their head with no hands. Such balance!

The street of Antigua, cobble stones, and the Water Volcano in the back

We then went to a restaurant that was native Guatemalan food. Very native. Luis tried a bite of his Aunt’s stew that was comprised of pig head parts. Pig. Head. It had brains, ears, tongue, nose, intestines, spleen, and stomach. So gross!! I had a more sedate meal with guacamole, beans, rice, and bistec.

A picture of the front door of the restaurant.. No music, no guns, and no dogs!

Max in the restaurant... Think we miss him much?

 After eating we went to the top of a hill called Cerro De La Cruz (Hill of the Cross). The hill overlooked the city of Antigua and the two volcanoes. Such a gorgeous view! 

From left, Alberto, Ara, Me, Luis, Clarissa. In the back is Ricardo and Aline (Aleen).

Luis and Max hanging out.. haha.

The last place we visited in Antigua was a famous candy store. A famous Guatemalan candy store. You would not find any familiar candy from the U.S. Some of the sweets were comprised of marzipan, egg and honey, condensed milk and sugar, candied yams, and gingerbread something or other. 

Those are just a few of the things we tried. After that we made our way home again!

Thursday December 15th... Not much to report today. The food has finally caught up with me. I don’t feel so bad though since some of Luis’s family is also sick. Looks like we all ate something bad. Stayed in my room the whole day wishing I had the energy to do something useful like update my blog!

Friday December 16th... Basically a spa day. We got ready for the two weddings we have to go to tomorrow. Luis got a haircut and I got a pedicure. I have to tell you, the pedicures here are amazing! They take such good care of you and spend as much time as needed with no rush. Each chair is separated by a wall so the clientele does not see each other. They had this machine that tickled my feet like crazy and I couldn’t stop laughing. Luis was with me to translate and he couldn’t stop laughing either at my reaction. I think he enjoyed it far more than I did! We then went to a mall to get Luis’s haircut and I went to a bank to get some cash. Each bank has a metal detector you have to walk through. I had a purse with a camera and change so of course the metal detector went off. The policeman at the entrance asked to look in my purse and then lifted the bottom to see how heavy it was. Apparently it was a good weight because he waved me on. I couldn’t help feeling a little nervous since I was pretty sure he was checking for guns! After Luis’s haircut we walked past a pet store. We couldn’t help but go in, I think we both are missing Max very much! We saw a little cage full of teacup chihuahuas for 200 bucks! Don’t worry, we didn’t get one but Luis’s uncle’s kids, Aline and Ricardo begged and begged their parents to get one. They sadly said no and we left (But on Sunday, they went back and got the dog!!). 

When we got home we did what we’ve been doing every night this week. We went over to Luis’s Uncle’s place, Alberto. The family that took us to Antigua and our Spa day. We’ve been staying up til 2 or 3 in the morning with them watching movies or just talking. I can’t believe how late I’ve been staying up! Of course, for me it also means I sleep in so much later ;)... Not that I mind sleeping in. I love knowing we are here for 2 months. We can do things at our own pace and not feel like we have to run around at a super fast pace in order to see everything. 

Saturday December 17th... 2 weddings in one day! Both weddings were cousins of Luis. We went with Luis's Grandfather and Aunt that is from the U.S. The first one was back in Antigua. The wedding was in a beautiful, old, yellow church. We were a little late to this one but it had the full one hour mass and we arrived right in the middle of it.  Luis was nice enough to translate stuff in spanish and after the ceremony about 15 more family members came up to introduce themselves. Luis's family is never ending! I really wish I could remember them all. We then drove to the reception with Luis's Godmother and husband. 

Luis with his Godmother Chely and her husband.

The reception was so much fun! It was a serious party and celebration. Where the bride and groom walked in there was a hanging piñata above their heads. This one, however, was not filled with candy but confetti! As the new couple walked under it, the piñata was opened and the confetti fell out on top of them. The piñata was in the shape of a bell and was white. The dancing was a blast! The DJ handed out balloons, silly headbands, and plastic top hats to the crowd. The food was delicious Guatemalan food, chicken, rice, and veggies. Sadly, in order to make it in time to the next wedding we had to leave early before they cut the cake!

David Andre and Ana Cecilia Larrañaga

Me, Velvet, and Luis

Dancing!

Switching accessories.. I think we look better this way don't you?!

The second wedding was in a beautiful church as well, back in Guatemala City. I couldn't see the outside since it was dark by the time we got there but the inside was gorgeous. The ceremony started at 8pm! We sat through another full mass and ceremony. The reception was at a beautiful hotel and the party was fabulous! They had a live salsa band and their first dance started off slow in the traditional way then picked up into a dance party for all the guests to join. My kind of people! The food was also delicious and the celebration was still going strong when we left at 12:30am! 

  

Mario Roberto and Patty Mendizabal

One of my favorite traditions that I learned about was giving almonds to the guests. 

"On happy occasions it is an old custom to give family and friends 5 almonds. The candy coating signifies sweetness and love and the almond represents fertility. Each almond has a special significance; Love, Health, Happiness, Prosperity, and a long life together." 

This was how our almonds were represented at one of the weddings. Beautiful!

Can't wait to see what another week in Guatemala brings! Especially since this week is Christmas!!