Panajachel

Hola from Panajachel Guatemala. I have finally loaded some pictures, although it has taken a great deal of time. It´s quite frustrating when everything is written in espanol, but seriously what do you expect? We took a 3 hour bus ride yesterday from Antigua to Panajachel. Both kids managed to barf on the way so we thank god that I brought the barf bags from Continental airlines along. It wasn´t as bad as some of our experiences in Thailand however the roads are comparable. We are staying at Casa Loma now and plan to leave tomorrow for San Marco´s by boat across Lago Atitlan. It´s been cloudy but the lake is amazingly beautiful surrounded by large volcanoes. Anyway I won´t write much more due to time but hopefully the pictures aren´t too big for you all to download. Oh yes Karen, regarding the fireworks, they just like them. We found that fireworks were very common in Aisa as well even more so during the festivals but never a bad time in there eyes. So for your viewing pleasure a few pictures, not in any particular order because that would just be too hard.

The coffee plantation. Drying of the coffee beans. Looks like a lot of work. I now can see why good coffee is so expensive.

Nojah having no problems engulfing his food. They have done so well with food this time. They have had panqueques for breakfast, crepes, mixt frutas, and rice, beans, tortilla´s, nacho chips, fritas, and hamberguesa´s as well as others. We are getting pretty used to reading the menu´s now as they are only in spanish.

Lex and Nojah in front of one of the Cathedrals in Antigua.

Waterfall at Reserva natural parque outside of Panajachel. We spent most of today there where we saw monkeys, beautiful butterflies and enjoyed a great hike through the jungle with beautiful view of lago atitlan.

It wouldn´t be much of a trip of course without Alexyss contracting some sort of disease. She woke up today with multiple mosquito bites on her cheek near her eye. She is swollen and looks awful. I will just keep watching in hopes to avoid any infection. She has also fallen twice and has bruises and bandaids galore. She´s great!!

At the reserve there were lots of rickity swing bridges we got to cross. They also had zip lines we opted not to use.

Alexyss finally has made friends. This is Isabel a friend she met while in Antigua. Isabel is 8 and speaks fabulous english as well as fluent spanish. They had a great time together before we left and she gave Lex a stuffed bunny to remember her by. Very sweet.

Playing on the dock at the lake yesterday after dinner. Lex has no fear and I am sure will end up in the lake at some point. Probably tomorrow in the middle of the lake.

From the roof top of our first hostel in Antigua.

Alexyss´s new friends at casa loma where we are staying right now. Nojah is really getting jealous and is on the prowl for boys to play with now.

On a break from the bus ride after Nojah barfed and before Lex. Overlooking lago atitlan.

Well i hope you enjoy some of the pictures. Lex wants to go play with her friends and Tob wants to check his email so I better take the kids back so he can have a turn. Hope all is well in the states.