We arrive in Guatemala city and shoot for Antigua

Hello, All--Mark and I are alive and thriving after a late-night arrival at Guatemala City Airport and an  overnight in the lovely, small, "tipica" Hotel Dos Lunas. Contrary to what the guidebooks led us to expect, it was one of the easiest and best-managed airport arrivals. We had friendly helpers all along; the customs guy was so glad to see us that when I greeted him in Spanish, he turned on a little Guatemalan dance music just to liven up the experience.  It was easily one of the quickest, most hassle-free overnight transits ever--even for Julia and Stephen, who were carting four very large boxes of supplies for "Common Hope," the group Julia is volunteering with. More later on Common Hope, but you can google them if you would like to read this NGO's website.

Antigua is the old capital of Guatemala (in fact, the word means ancient) and its standing as a UNESCO world heritage site is based on its preservation. It's the real thing, not fixed up or reconstructed. The streets are cobblestone, the sidewalks are very narrow, the streets consist of shops with the same heavy, carved wood doors and shuttered windows covered with artistic ironwork protection and decoration that we saw in Barcelona. The street lamps are even the same. This afternoon we are headed out to see the town. In fact, Stephen just phoned so we are on our way. More tomorrow if the internet connection gods are with us.

If you know someone who might like our blog link, please let me know. If you'd like to be off the list, no worries, let me know that also.

Here is the church seen from the rooftop garden of Casa Cristina, where we are settled in until tomorrow.

Another view from our rooftop--that's laundry out to dry on the left.

Cute little kid waiting outside the grocery.