Lago de Panajachel

Soooooo, this weekend we went to the most beautiful place that I have ever been, Panajachel, GT. Okay, okay, waking up at 4:30 to pack & leave was excruciating, and the 2 hour CURVY bus ride got to some people, but when we pulled up at the Jardines de Lago it was all worth it. Walking into the plaza of the open-aired hotel lobby, I began to see some flowers and some water... the closer I got, the more picturesque the landscape became. It was stunning! There were three volcanoes resting along the banks of the most ginormous lake I have ever seen. To frame the landscape, there were thousand of beautiful flowers in archways, along rails, and just dancing in the breeze.


Then, we boarded a boat and cruised on the azure blue lake. Locals waved and said that the loved us from the shore, meanwhile we salsa-ed to classics like Michael Jackson and Shakira. As we were about to come ashore a small town along the lake, rain began assailing our sweet boat. We made the executive decision to cruise more and not visit the cute little coastal town.


Upon returning, we had the option of eating at the hotel or somewhere else. Doctora V, Jorgito, Marvin, 3 chicas, y yo decided to dine there. Listen to this deal: for 83Q (approximately $11), we got a four course meal (with steak!). It was crafted to perfection, the presentation and the taste. Then included in the meal deal, we got 1 hour of kayaking on the bellisimo lago.


SO, Laura, Rachel, Sam, and I strapped on our floation devices and hopped in the 2 person kayaks and sailed away. Being fluid with the water, out on the lake, was breathtaking: volcanoes and mountains enveloped the water. All we could see was mile of lake and greenery. It was remarkable. After switching boats in the middle of the water, it started to thunder, so we sailed back to shore and got mister guatemaguapo to help us out of the water. (It has GOT to be a SIN to be that GUATEMAGUAPO :) ) [Guapo=Goodlookin')


Then, then we went around Panajachel and bought some goodies. We also dined at this cute little pizzeria. While we were there most beautiful 4 year old little girl cam and sat at our table trying to sell up little bolsas. When we said, "no," she continued to sit there and watch us eat. I wondered if she was hungry. After asking her a series of questions, we found out that she is 4, she has 4 brother/sisters, and her mother was standing against the wall in the restaurant. The pobresita (poor little thing) was four having to sell things. There was another little boy who had sold me something saying he need the money for school. When I bought it, I said "buena suerte en escuela" and he was like "huh"... ha they know how to play on the emotions of Americans. Then, we began hearing the most strange music of our life. It was an American couple singing their debut solo, "Walk the Dog."


There were hippies playing their recorders, well not playing...squeeking their recorders all along the streets. People begged for your money, and people pleaded for your purchase. It was just a strange world (the city, that is).


The lake, however, was out-of-this world. Apparently, Walt Disney used to vacation there... No wonder his films were so great, he has incredible inspiration. For 3 people in a room, with 3 beds, it was $90. In the states, that is amazing, but here that is like 700Q which is more than some people make in a month. It is wild. It is humbling.


All in all, you have to visit Panajachel. Es bellisimo!