legally but illegally

We went to Guatemala legally but illegally for the day… There is man here who owns the “Snack Shack” in town and he also organizes group trips. We were supposed to go to Guatemala on Sunday- but decided with the rainy weather Saturday morning- that the trip to the Keys on Saturday would be a better option for Sunday. 

We got on a boat, fairly large- to fit 14 people in our group and headed towards Guatemala. The ride there was nice, pretty windy because of the morning storms- but we were headed towards land and sunshine :)

 Caroline's view from the back of the boat.

When we got there- we had to ask the Guatemalan Military for special permission to enter for the day- so we didn’t have to check in with the local officials- this was the legally illegal part of it haha. But we passed through easily because there were 11 girls on the boat- and apparently that makes it easy. They were sitting there taking pictures of us on the boat when we were waiting for them to discuss us getting in… sketchy..

Anyways- we were going through a little village on the water, very pretty – and then we stopped at a dock that was in a fresh water area- like the intercoastal waterway?- and we go out and hiked through the jungle- yesss I got my jungle experience for sure – except no animals or birds yet! At the end of our hike through the narrow path of twists and turns we arrived at a sink hole- basically a caved turned inside out at the top of a mountain- in which water stays at the bottom. The water drains from the sink hole into the river area at the bottom- so it’s fresh water that is full of lots of minerals from the sink hole- mostly quartz- so it had a greenish hue to it- BUT it was very cold! But we were really sweaty by that point so it was refreshing to swim in when we got back to the bottom from the hike. 

 The group cooling off in the water! (the water was actually not as green as this- but still had a green hue)

  Then we made our way to the beach for fun and lunch. We had a local woman make us lunch. It was the best fish I’ve ever had, corn tortillas, rice, grilled potatoes, chicken and a cucumber tomatoes salad. Delicious. 

 I also had a coco loco on the beach (a coconut cut open with the coconut milk and rum). 

  

The view from the beach- you better belize it- we were there!

We played some volleyball on the beach, sat in the murky  warm water  (brown seaweed had washed up with the recent storm) and relaxed! 

Then we went to a water fall. Not what I was expecting but it was beautiful. We basically climbed through a river to get up to the waterfall and jump off of it to swim in the cold water again!  The waterfall wasn’t that high, but it was fun!   

Caroline and I in front of the falls 

Then we had the bumpiest boat ride back ever.  I guess I know why I don’t ever ride in the front of the boat at home (Ethan and Hanna – you may forever have those spots in the front!!)  I thought I liked the front because I could see the bumpy water ahead and there was also a rope that I was holding on to for dear life- but all of our bottoms took a beating. I did figure out if you contract your glutes right before you are going to hit a bump it does feel better- BUT when you are in constant contraction for 30+ mins  it equals a cramp when you get to the main land again! Haha but this is all about the experiences and that boat ride was so fun! 

When we got back Saturday evening- we were all exhausted. I took an hour power nap so I could get some work done since we were supposed to be gone all day Sunday. Then I went to bed at 9:45- to be woken up at 2:30ish by the loudest  thunder clap I have ever heard- this one even work Caroline up- she sat up screaming OMG! I was already up from previous thunder booms (as I call them). I might go home without a fear of thunderstorms since there have been storms every night- so I am getting used to them!

So today (Sunday)- we were supposed to go to the keys- but with how the weather is- We decided that if the visibility was not going to be good for snorkeling- it wouldn’t be worth paying for the boat trip out there. We did get to drive around town the with bus driver who was going to take us there… but we decided, along with the opinion of the man who organized it- that it wasn’t worth going out there if it wasn’t going to be a good trip.  But I think we all needed a day to recover from yesterday. We are all sitting around Abby’s house doing work, reading, sleeping etc… Lazy Sunday it is!! :)

Getting ready for a busy week of 2 mobiles on Tuesday and Wednesday and an hour long presentation Wednesday night!

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