After Playa Gigante, I began my journey north...first stop, Leon. Leon was hot. I mean really hot. I went for a walk to see the city at 7am thinking I could beat the heat. Nope. Sweating before the end of the block. Normally, this wouldnt bother me so much, however, the heat coupled with the chaos of the market and every primative form of pick-up sound coming from nearly every male over the age of 5 and I was not in a mood to be reckoned with. I fled...

When in Rome.... I´ve settled into life here in San Pedro just as it´s time to leave. I have my last day of class today. I am able to get my point across in halted Spanish and can understand enough of what people are saying to get by. I´m hoping to be able to take another week of lessons somewhere after getting out and practicing a bit. I moved to a hotel this week to get a little more flexibility. I felt that my entire day was scheduled around meal time...

RANDOM THOUGHTS, INSIGHTS, AND OBSERVATIONS: 1. It's a good thing I really like beans 2. The Thai Crystal does not work as well as Secret 3. There is no Guatemalan Humane Society, definitely no PETA 4. There is no such thing as maximum capacity in/on public transportation 5. There is no correlation between money and happiness 6. Contrary to reputation, Guatemalans are actually excellent drivers with lightning quick reflexes 7. Pop music sounds like Christi...

I decided the best way to get to know a place would be to get properly lost in it ...which is what I set out to do yesterday but found it impossible. The 4 directions in San Pedro are uphill, downhill, toward San Pedro Volcano and toward Nariz del Indio (the indian nose)... much easier than N, S, E, W. I did find some places I liked, though, and the uphill market was very lively. Later, I met up with Jamie and Dave for dinner which turned into many drinks and...

i am not going to use capitals because they are difficult on this computer. i couldnt have had a better welcome to guatemala. i went directly to antigua. then met an adorable retired man, max. we took a little stroll to san francisco church and around the town center then had tea and played cards...i should say tried because he didnt quite grasp the concept of kings corners. my host then picked me up and we went to his house...absolutely beautiful! he had so...