Antigua

People are super friendly here. Darren has been practicing his Spanish by discussing soccer with the check in clerk.

A bit frazzled when we arrived, we went to get drinks at the local McDonalds. It was something else. It has an adjoining cafe and walled garden with blooming azaleas- really pretty. Has a guard at the door - no gun though.

Once we got our second wind and some caffeine, we set out to take photos. Toured the square - where Darren got caught red handed trying to serriptiously photograph a local woman with a large wash basin on her head. The square was a hopping place on a Saturday with young lovers and indigenous women selling trinkets. Beautiful weather.

We were so busy having a good time that we forgot to change more money, which brings us to this morning.

The streets deserted when we unbolted the court yard doors this morning. We scrounged around for breakfast, but I needed a nap. Two days without sleep takes a bit out of you.

Post-nap was when we seriously got down to looking for a way to change money. We lucked out when a cafe owner directed us to the Industrial Bank. Could have used an ATM, but have been reading that many here are compromised.

Darren stumbled through negotiations for our volcano tour tomorrow morning and the night bus to Flores. He did a good job, but it was work.

We strolled through the local market. They have some awesome textiles here. We walked around most of the day actually. My feet are tired. Even though sun is intense here, hats are not common. Darren saw some school girls on chicken bus this morning pointing and laughing at my hat :)

We took pictures of the colorful chicken buses that are like pimped out retired US school buses. You have to see them to believe - red flames, catchy names, flash colors. This is where old school buses go to die - how is that for recycling?

Antigua is a pretty town. The houses are painted bright colors and some of the churches have been restored. Others have been left picturesque ruins (from earthquakes). Two beautiful volcanoes hover in the background.

So basically we've not been very polished backpackers this trip:
Losing our luggage, forgetting to change money in a timely fashion, ending up in a retirement hostel. But all in all, we've laughed at our little mistakes. It's added a bit of excitement to the trip.

Will be heading out early for the volcano hike and we're getting the night bus tomorrow evening. We decided to pay for tomorrow night so we can get a shower and organized after the hike, so I may be able to update in the afternoon.