(no subject)

[mamculuna]

I'm finally in a hotel with free internet and can start telling you what an incredible thing this trip to Guatemala has been. I have a tendency to fall in love with places, but anybody who came here would fall for this one. Of course, I've been in two of the best parts of it (Antigua and Lake Atitlan), but everybody, natives and expats alike, has been open, warm, welcoming, funny, friendly, and happy. The family I lived with for two and a half weeks lived all five in one room so they could rent their other rooms to students--never once in that time did I hear a cross word or a raised voice, just laughter and hugs and good times. More than once I've been in a cafe and found that I didn't have quite enough for the bill (so used to plastic, I forget to count before I order) or that they didn't have change, and no one ever cared or worried about getting their money (which of course meant that I was there the next day with an extra tip). I haven't experienced that, ever, in the USA. I also never felt odd or strange to be a woman traveling alone. I suspect they get a lot of unusual Americans here, so one more doesn't attract a glance. And best of all, yes, my Spanish is much, much better--I can actually communicate (again, bear in mind that these folks are quite forgiving and very, very used to people learning the language). I'll post pictures in about a week when I'm back to my own computer, and lots more about where I went and what I did, but first I have to spend some days in still-frozen Chicago. Brrr. I'd prefer to stay here with only earthquakes and volcanoes to worry about, but would like to see Mr. Bill for a little while--and Tristan and Isolde on Monday!

Happy birthday, D'H, and happy, happy wedding, Angeyja!!!

ETA: Here Feb. 14 is Día del Cariñoso, or Day of Affection, and apparently isn't just for couples (though that's big) but for everyone you care about. So much love to all! Hope your day is filled with love of all kinds.

Comments

[maeve-rigan.livejournal.com]

Hey! I've missed you, but it's good to hear that you've been having such a great time in Guatemala. Enjoy the rest of your stay. Have a safe trip home. Looking forward to seeing those pictures. :-)

[midnightsjane.livejournal.com]

*waves*
Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself! There is nothing quite like experiencing another culture in this kind of way, really being among the people who live there. I experienced Mexico like that, and it made the way I see the country so much different than if I'd just been a regular tourist.
Looking forward to the pictures!

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I hope it was everything you wanted it to be. It certainly sounds like fun, and warmth is so much better than little ice balls from the sky.

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a really fun trip! So glad you're having a good time!

*hugs*

[usedtobeljs]

It's wonderful to hear from you, and wonderful to hear such cheering things, too! :-)

[jp-davis.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it's been amazing, can't wait to hear all about it!

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Wow! That all sounds absolutely wonderful. I'm glad you are having such a good time!

I would have a problem though since I speak no Spanish.

[anomster.livejournal.com]

¡Bienvenida de vuelta! Me parece que tu viaje ha sido fantástico. Y espero que goces tu tiempo en Chicago también.

Una pregunta: el 14 de febrero ¿es el Día del Cariñoso (Day of the Affectionate One) o el Día del Cariño (Day of Affection)?

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

!Tienes razon! Es Día del Cariño. Y es una fiesta grande de Antigua--muchas músicos, mimos, trajes tipicos, y representación en los calles. No es solamente Día del Cariño, sino Dia de las fiestas de todos tipos.

Me disfrutaba mucho, y tambien aprendí mucho, pero aún necesito aprender mucho mas.

Me fascina Guatemala, o por lo menos Lago de Atitlan y Antigua. Creo que tu has viajado a Mexico, pero no se si tu has viajado a Guatemala. ¿La conoces?

[anomster.livejournal.com]

No, no la conozco, ni tampoco México. Estuve en España dos veces y una vez en Bolivia (con una parada en Ciudad Panamá para cargar más combustible, pero no bajamos del avión allí). Mi hermano ha estado en México, pero yo no.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Guatemala está muy barata--pagé $175 por una semana de cinco horas de instrucción (solamente me y un maestre) y tambien por viviendo con una familia (tres comidas de cada dia, sin domingo). Si alguien no quiere mucha instrucción, es quizas $125 o menos. Y los vuelos de NYC están muy baratos (cerca de $250 de ida y vuelta, creo--es lo que pagé por un vuelo de Chicago).

íPero ahora yo quiero que todo el mundo visitar Guatemala!

Tambien, no quiero crear un montón de trabajo para te, pero si notas problemas de mi español, por favor
no dude en corregir mis errores.

[anomster.livejournal.com]

Bueno, si quieres, puedo corregirlos, pero ¿está bien que los corrija aquí en tu LJ? O ¿prefieres que lo haga más privadamente, por email?

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Aquí está bien. No me avergüenza por mis errores en español (y no creo que nadie leera nada en este mensaje viejo), pero si está mejor para ti, por email está bien, tambien. Gracias por cualquier ayuda y por la oportunidad a practicar.

He vuelto a Carolina del Sur, y me gusta mucho el tiempo calloruso ¡no como Chicago! Pero extraño Guatemala.

¿Y tu? ¿Trabajas mucho? ¿Estas bien?