and so the blog begins again. I was very excited writting my first blog this afternoon, well not so exicted as feeling efficient when suddenly the whole thing dissappeared and i couldn't bear to start it again so here it goes again! it has been a really nice first day in Antigua. After an 11 hour flight, a tasteless pasta for lunch followed by no more food by 8 hours.. you know what i'm like without food i arrived safely and excited in Guatemala city at 6 yesterday evening. My neighbour for the flight was a silent guatemalan who only seemed to stir as we landed and dutifully reminded me not to trust anyone here!My home for the week plays host to 4 other language students, an american girl in her 30´,s, an israeli girl and an american couple my parents age. The wife is a real character and kept us entertained at dinner last night with her lack of spanish but lots of chat to our spanish speaking host who seemed all by impressed as Mrs America has been here for weeks but not making much progress. Every now and then our host came out with ' Where is your spanish'!!

Bed early, no jet lag it seems, I was up and at it this morning bright and early and out the door by 8 to discover a sleepy Antigua on a sunday morning. For those of you who have been to Havana, Antigua has a similar feel, colonnial, cobbled streets, big solid front doors leading to beautiful courtyards and a whole other world inside. It is apparently easy to follow as it is divided into streets and avenues..and there are only about 10 of each but within half an hour of being out I had a friendly american come up and offer his help. I strolled all day, visiting a nice park above the city to get some good photo's and of course being me i had to visit a museum or two. There is a beautiful converted monastery called Santo Domingo, now a 5 star hotel and museums which was really lovely to walk around. It was just lovely to stroll and absord the atmosphere and all in all a very productive day. I managed to find the supermarket to stock up on supplies and book myself on a tour for tomorow.

I start class at 8 in the morning so its bedtime shortly. I might actually be starting to achieve what i have aspired to for months, bed before midnight. I have organised to join a tour tomorrow afternoon to take a hike up a nearby volcano. ohh yes the sexy hiking boots will be out!!

If it wasn't for the Internet caffe and the inevitabe presence of Burger King and McDonalds Antigua seems like its lost in time abit. In a strange way its nice to see places that haven't really moved on with the times.

I'll update the photo's tomorrow when i manage to remember the code on my lock for the outside pocket of my case!! I am so paranoid about getting robbed that I seem to have encountered temporary anemesia and i cannot remember the number!

Buena Noche from Antigua XX