Thrills and Chills

What does one get in Guatemala for $3.00 (with the addition of sheer ironman strength)?? The thrill of a lifetime!!! Yesterday, after a morning full of conjugating Spanish verbs and learning how to give directions in Spanish, Helen and I, along with a group of new friends from New Zealand - we call them "The Kiwis" - rented kayaks, $3.00 for two hours. We kayaked across Lake Atitlan, about 2 miles to San Marcos, another small lakeside village where we tied our kayaks to the rocks and then climbed to these ridiculously steep cliffs. Once on top of the cliffs, we set all fear aside and JUMPED! Never been cliff diving before - never been so scared in my life - never had that much of an adrenaline rush....it was awesome! In addition to being grateful for the beautiful day, I was grateful for the opportunity to choose to be fearless yet again. I suppose those opportunities come often, and most days, but not often do they present themselves so tangibly and in-your-face, as blue waves crashing 20 meters below you, waiting for your arrival.

The two miles back to San Pedro seemed to go quickly and once docked, wet and exhausted, we stopped for some vegetarian tacos. Best tacos this side of the border. I love that they walk outside to their tree and pull off an avocado to slice it into your dish - how cool is that?! We even bought some banana bread from the "Pan Lady" as we call her. There are actually quite a few women who walk around with baskets of fresh baked goods on their heads. Once back at our house, we were fearless yet again, taking cold showers in the "bathroom." Super chilly! Makes it a bit tricky as it gets somewhat cold here in the evenings. (It can hardly be called a bathroom, yet there's no way to describe it - mostly a drain in the floor, a shower head tied to a pipe in the ceiling, and a toilet, all behind a curtained off area in the house).

That evening we put on our dancing shoes and went to Salsa! Had Salsa lessons for over an hour and it was hilarious and fantastic all at once. My partner, Danny (one of our Kiwi friends) was thankfully a newbie, just like me, and graciously put up with my awkwardness, while managing to spin me around perfectly. Before the night was over, I got a taste of serious salsa dancing, as the instructor, Lorenzo spun me around the room. I couldn't say exactly what my feet were doing, don't think there were any thoughts getting in the way in my head either - I just moved. Lots of fun!

Today has been a great day as well...last day of Spanish school, a lovely lunch by our Guadamadre (Guatemalan Madre (mother)), some checking into buses to Belize for Monday, walking around the town center, and emailing in The Buddha Bar. We have massages on the menu for later this afternoon, dinner, and an evening with friends that probably includes a few cuba libres and some salsa dancing!!

Hasta Luego!