Hola chicos,

Pues, here we are in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Atitlan. Probably one of the most beautiful landscapes we have seen on our travels.

We have spent the last week or so relaxing in the little hippy village of San Marcos, interrupted with a couple of nights stay at the amazing Casa del Mundo. The Casa is positioned on the banks of Jaibalito Bay and could rank as one of the best hotels we have ever stayed and at the relatively ridicuously low price of around USD50 per night. Of course we don´t usually stay at places like this (our budget usually only extends to a maximum of USD20), but this was for a special occassion - my 33rd birthday. Anyway, if anyone wants a great place to stay with great food and swimming check it out at http://www.lacasadelmundo.com/

As mentioned the rest of the time was spent in San Marcos. SM is touted as being this tranquil little village on the lakeside with supposed spiritual qualities which has attracted all sorts of wannabe hippees wearing stripey pants and the associated ensemble, sporting beards and piercings etc. No real problems there I guess but the place is far from tranquil! Each night, instead of hearing the sounds of crickets and lapping water, you could hear gangs of dogs fighting and barking, a rooster that crowed throughout the night and the loud speaker of the local church which was either broadcasting the next service or was allowing harmonious hymms to be sung by a vocally challenged young girl or old man (I´m not sure which it was). When you did finally get to sleep you could be woken around 7.30 by the continuous sweeping and banging outside the door or the pleasant sounds of carpenters above our ceiling. If they can sort those few things out it would be a great place to stay. We had an amazing room overlooking the bay for only USD20 per night.

In the next day or so, we will make our way to Quetzeltenango (or Xela) for a few days before heading in to Mexico for Xmas.

Eso es todo por ahora.

Shane and Sarah