Day 5 (1/8) - Antigua

On my second full day in the old capital, I decided to try on a run, not knowing exactly where I’d go, except that I wanted to discern the route to Cerro de la Cruz, which I hiked later in the afternoon. The roads are difficult, 95% cobblestone, and with many treacherous footings and not enough sidewalk to compensate. However, some quasi-rural routes exist to the NSEW of Antigua, which are each around 6km, and which I plan to run this week for morning exercise. Mornings are the calmest and best to run, just as in the States.
Since I enjoyed Fernando’s so much the first day, I decided to get another coffee there, with the intent to get updated on some local + international news, meanwhile bolstering the variety of Spanish I was learning.
Studies continued until lunch, after which I booked a trip for Pacaya Volcano (which I’ll be hiking starting 2pm this afternoon – 1/9), and headed up the short hike to Cerro de la Cruz, which has a great view of old Antigua, and is apparently the romantic spot of the city (quite a few couples).
A short diversion through La Posada de Don Rodrigo, THE SPOT for authentic marimba, one of the traditional instruments of Guatemala, as well as a terrific terrace view, graced with abundant flora.
On further meandering we (Julia, fellow volunteer, and I) witnessed a family, a father with two sons, also playing marimba, flute and doing some Mayan dances. It was a sight to behold.
Eventually we found our way home, where I continued studies until dinner, then onto dessert at Café Condesa, where I indulged in Macadamia Nut pie. Simply put, wow.

Day 4 (1/7) - Antigua

My first full day in Antigua I began with some emails and fantastic coffee at the Bagel Barn, a very gringo-oriented place adjacent to Parque Central (Central Park). Most amusing of this shop was a poster with a man (with wired eyes and hand with coffee cup) that read: ‘Is the world shaking or is it just me?’. I laughed out loud. Then again. Then one more time. I can easily remember a handful of times when, over my short career thus far, I’ve been in meetings or presentations, shaking the laser pointer as if under control of a Richter 7. In other words, I related quite well.
After some coffee, I was off for a $3.50 haircut (25 quetzales, + 5Q tip), which prepared me for the warm sun to come on Monday. The exchange rate is roughly 8 quetzales to 1 US dollar.
Antigua is quite affordable, as noted above, which probably the least of reasons that make it a prime destination for world-wide travelers (history, pure beauty, culture, Spanish schools, etc.).
From the ‘barberia’ it was off to the market for some worker gloves, glasses, bananas + postcards. The fruit here is shamefully cheap, only $0.37 +/- for 10 bananas. Not only this, it is blissfully fresh and tasty to boot.
In the late morning and afternoon I took some time to begin Spanish studies, using some borrowed books replete with technical terms for construction (thanks to iMaria’s mom).
The study has been painfully slow thus far, as I expected, but I do believe that with hard work + dedication I’ll be ‘speaking the technical’ shortly.
In the evening I celebrated Bruce + Jacob’s final day as volunteers with a group from Constru Casa, at a place called Rumbar. Here I enjoyed an official Guatemalan bock bier called ‘Moza’, but less than the conversation with all the new faces, including Bart, a gentleman from Australia, who has been traveling through Latin America since 11/26. He even went to Cuba! Needless to say, his stories were quite interesting…
Back to the Morales for dinner + early rest.

Day 3 (1/6) - Philly to Antigua

Early morning I left Philly after a great stay and royal treatment. Arriving at 1:41am in NYC, I jumped right into a taxi and off to LaGuardia, where I waited a few hours before being able to check in for my flight.
Spirit airlines brought me to Ft. Lauderdale for my transfer on to Guatemala City (the capital), where we were delayed a few hours and bounced around a few gates (haha), but which gave me some time to relax and enjoy one last Dt. Mt. Dew (gotta love yellow 5).
Leaving around 2pm, I ended up sitting next to my waiting partner at the gate, who only spoke Spanish, and which was therefore a great way to begin the trip. He was returning from his first trip to the US, and had truly appreciated the experience at 17 years of age.
On arriving to Guatemala, I was greeted by the warm sun and many smiling faces, including those of my shuttle driver and that of my partner for the travel (a missionary teacher in Antigua).
At around 5pm I arrived at the house of Christopher Morales, being greeted by his wife Neli and daughter Marisol. I was introduced to the family that were around, and shown my room, which is the perfect ‘box’ for focusing on my mission of construction and Spanish learning while here. Of immediate notice were the ubiquitous ‘collar de reina’ orange flowers (queen’s necklace) which served as a coating and partial wall for the second level, where my room is perched (see photo).
I had to scuttle to Fernando’s Café to meet with Karen, the volunteer coordinator with Constru Casa, where we shared a café con leche (coffee with milk), while in a Q+A session regarding the upcoming volunteering.
Afterward we walked the city for a tour of points of interest, as well as our meeting place for daily transit to/from the work site. I was happy to be informed (from a cultural standpoint) that we’d be taking the chicken buses to the site, perhaps the most Guatemalan of Guatemalan experiences.
On return, I shared my first dinner with the fellow Constru Casa volunteers who are staying at the house (4 of us total), including Bruce + Jacob (a father / son pair from Connecticut), as well as Julia, a university student from Sydney, Australia. It is awesome to meet people from all over with a passion to serve, travel, and share the gifts they’ve been given. I believe firmly in the ‘Bloom where you’re planted’ motto, and feel immensely blessed to be planted in Antigua for the time being.
Soon after dinner I retired for catch some ZZZ.

Day 2 (1/5) - Philly

Seeing Eric off at 5:15am, I crawled back into the comfort zone and kept the eyes sealed until 8am, sun high in the sky.
After a few odds + ends I was off running along the Schuykill for a fantastic cruise past many ‘boat houses’ (for rowing), and under many bridges, among other things. It was, as always, the best way to see the western rim of the urban grid.
As I hadn’t brought proper running attire for the cold air, I used my ski-liner, which was a veritable oven, and I returned as if after a 1hr sauna (yum).
For lunch I was blessed to experience the ‘Parque Bistro’, another fabulous dining experience (and another STARR restaurant), where I indulged in an avocado chicken salad bomb-diggity sandwich with some pommes-frits.
Afterward I worked my way down Walnut St, one of the main E-W corridors of the city, and (I would say) incontestably the most scenic. I was mesmerized by a few little well-crafted shops, including Marimoto, an exquisitely designed Japanese sushi spot (see photo).
Continuing east, I made it to the Liberty Bell Center, to re-learn its history and appreciate its story (it had been 22 years!). Its location caddy corner to Independence Hall was well-framed by the center’s materials (see photo), alluding to its former location.
Independence Hall was truly moving, I had goosebumps nearly the whole time. How amazing it was to imagine George Washington and the founding fathers drafting our country’s future.
I hoofed it back to Domus for dinner at the White Dog Café, another brilliant restaurant with local craft beers and outstanding burgers. A great American meal for send-off!
To round out the evening Jennifer gave me a tour of U Penn’s campus, pointing out some of the great architectural marvels, including a library by Inverness, evoking some of the massiveness of stone from the Early Renaissance.
A cat nap before 11:45pm departure.

Day 1 (1/4) - CLE to Philly

After a rather unique cab ride to Greyhound CLE (ask me later), I left early morning to arrive in Philly at 11:40, to meet Jennifer, my hostess in PA. Eric arrived early afternoon, and, with hungry stomachs we landed in the Historic District, passing along the way the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall.
We dined at Pizzeria Stella on some fantastic Pistachio pizza (yes, pistachio), which was simply divine, and well worth the small journey.
After lunch, we visited the Reading Market + other highlights of the city, returning to the Domus Apartments to catch up and relax a bit. Both Eric and I were exhausted from travels.
At night we cooked some stir fry together while watching OSU take on Arkansas. For me the absolute best was watching Prior + Tressel meet each other in the air after one of the many incredible passing touchdowns of the game.
I passed out during the third quarter, waking up at 3:15 in the second quarter, thoroughly bewildered, haha. Gladly, the Bucks pulled through.