Home turf

After ten months away from Guatemala we are finally back in Xela! But lots have happenend since that, so let's start at the beginning:

Laguna de Apoyo
Kristoffer came late on Friday night and Jaime was dancing around outside the airport with a big sign with our names on it, ready to take us to Laguna de Apoyo south of Masaya where Kari, a Norwegian friend from Melbourne works. It is a little piece of paradise and as we came Kari gave us the grand tour of the place. It basically exists of jungle and a lake and is in a volcanic crater so it's pretty cool. There's no light around so we could see about a zillion stars, pretty fantastic.

On Saturday we borrowed a cayak and went across the lake. It's a good six kilometer padle, and with the wind going strong against us it was tough at times. We're happy when we arrived at the other side, and could just lie down and let the wind take us back to shore. Kari entertained us all day and they have wonderful food at the place so we're pretty happy when we headed back to Managua that night. In Managua we stayed at a hot little hostel and I was thrilled when we could get out of the dirty city and on to the bus to El Salvador.

San Salvador
We arrived in San Salvador early afternoon after two border crossings and as many police checks. We met a Danish guy on the bus and three Americans and a French lady and all decided to head out to the nicer parts of San Salvador together. Due to lots of people who've been expelled from USA and now have crap lives in El Salvador there is a fair bit of crime and approximately 3000 murders a year. That's a fair bit for a country with less than 5 million people. And of course, there is a reason I first said this now, after passing through safely. We are taking care, mum!

But it was nice to see San Salvador as well and we spent the evening on a roof top terrace with the other travellers.

Xela
Bright and early Monday morning it was time to head to Guatemala. I felt at home as soon as we crossed the border and we were in Guatemala City in no time. We caught a "taxi" (meaning a guy who stood at the bus stop wanting to take us somewhere for a ridiculous price of money, without no official certifications as a taxi driver. Anyway, we got were we needed to be on time, so no worries).

It was marvellous to see Xela again and we headed straight to a hotel, dropped our bags and went to see Marte. She had just had a tough meeting with all the students, but ready for a beer, so Tecun next stop. Kristoffer asked why I didn't worry so much here in Xela, but felt rather uncomfortable in, say Managua, and it's because here I feel like home!

Fuentes Georginas
After a bit (lot) of local beer Monday night we decided to head to Fuentes Georginas yesterday. It's hot springs about half an hour out of Xela. We politely asked the bus driver to stop at the right spot, but he happily ignored our request and drove straight past. We got out on the highway in the middle of nowhere and started to walk back to Zunil. Suddenly there is a guy and his son, in a pick up in the opposite direction from where we were going who waved at us and asked if we were going to the bus station. We said we're heading up to the hot springs and he went sure, 40 quetzales and I'll take you there. So we drove up in the back of a pick up enjoying the fantastic view. When we got there he said he could pick us up as well but wanted to be paid up front. Ok, we thought and enjoyed a few hot hours in the sulphurfilled water. We nearly started walking down to Zunil after waiting 30 minutes for our ride, but remember this is mañana mañana land and you have to give people some slack, because our friend rocked up as promised and took us down to the bus station. It's good to have faith in mankind.

Xela is at our doorstep and need to be explored. Hasta pronto.