January 9, 2015 ( a week later, but trying to get this all caught up) I decided yesterday I had enough of the lake and riding around in boats. The website from Posada de los Volcanes said they had a day long highlands tour to see some places away from the lake. I had asked about the tour when I checked in and was told a minimum of three people were required. After checking out Panajachel, I came back and Francisco told me he had checked with the other local a...

January 8, 2014 When Diego dropped me off yesterday, I made arrangements with him for today as I am checking out of EcoBambu. He arrived at 10 AM with the boat, picked up my luggage and took me to San Marcos. This is another one of the villages on the lake, very Zen/New Age. There are lots of yoga and massage training workshops and lots of very laid back non Guatemalan hippie looking types. I could not really find a place to get a massage (an idea I had) just...

January 7, 2015 After pancakes for breakfast, I had hoped to talk with Lydia, the English speaking woman who had been so helpful in arranging for Leonardo about my plans for the dat. I was told she would be at the hotel in about 30 minutes (at 9 AM) so I ate sat in the dining room/lobby. Time passed and no Lydia. I asked again and was now told she was not coming in due to some personal problems by the same man who knew I was waiting for her. I was not happy ab...

January 6, 2015 Today's plan - to see some of the other villages at Lake Atitlan. Since arriving here in Santiago Atitlan, I have learned that transportation to other areas is limited. However, the public luncha goes to a village called San Pedro and from there by tuk-tuk one can get to San Juan Laguna, so that was my plan. I forgot to write in yesterday's story that the second time I was walking to Maximon's house this older man (74) was walking up the stree...

January 5, 2015 I awoke to the sound of big winds outside my room even with my earplugs in. It was around 6:30 AM, clear outside, but very windy. I was unhappy I had woken so early, not my plan at all - today I had no schedule at all and had hoped to sleep a little later. Oh well, I stayed in bed for a while, then got up and dressed. About 7:50 I walked over to the restaurant, found breakfast was served starting at 8. I made return trip after 8 and learned c...