Sunday, January 30, 2011

We are alive and well!!

Hello people!

We have been traveling for about 5 days now and all is well. With a few more mosquito bites than we left, we have all our fingers and toes, and now some great adventures under our belt.

While in Antigua, our first full day actually, we hiked a volcano. An active one! It recently erupted last May so this was no joke. We even roasted marshmellows while we were up there and held warm volcanic rocks while enjoying the view of two other volcanoes across the way. We thought a bit of yogurt and a banana was enough for breakfast, but the hike was actually kinda hard because of the steep incline and crumbling ground beneath our feet. I swear I didn´t throw up on the acension! Really, I do. And just so I wouldn´t feel bad, Kat was able to get a few eyelashes singed off while roasting her marshmellows. She´s so sweet!


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

We made it!

With minimal delays, we arrived in Guatemala at about 2:30pm. We went through security and customs without any issues and waited for our bags. Kat's bag was one of the last to come out, sending us into a mini panic that we would have to share all our belongings. At last it appeared and so we continued on outside where the shuttle to out hostel was waiting. A short ride on the main road out of Guatemala city was all we needed see. We drove a on very commercialized street with burger kings and malls, but within minutes we were on our way on a winding road to Antigua, 45 minutes away. Colonial, colorful block buildings create the grid of Antigua. Bustling cobblestone streets lead onto plazas with beautiful churches, school children in uniforms on siesta.

So far, things are going well. Our hostel is situated just a few blocks from restaurants and cafes, all tucked away in enormous old style homes with multiple rooms and palm tree-filled atriums. Life is not bad.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

The anticipation is getting old

So for those who do not know, Kat and I are going on a trip. A journey of sorts; of epic proportions, if you will. (And we are.)

Bright and early this coming Tuesday morning we will meet each other at LaGuardia airport, and barring any monster snow storms we will be taking off for Guatemala. Eek! For the past few months the two of us have been researching, planning, booking, and reading. We also have been freaking out, biting our nails, making lists upon lists, slashing the many things off said lists, blowing our budget on travel necessities, making more lists, and getting vaccinated. Did we really needs those shots? Does anyone really get yellow fever these days? It reminds me of cholera, which to me was always a fictitious disease created by Oregon Trail. But much to our chagrin, we got them anyway and will be allowed back into the states fever free (if all goes according to plan).

But as this first post's title suggests, we're ready. Answering the same questions about where we're going, where we're staying, what we're taking, over and over and over again has made this trip seem like it's never actually going to happen. Talking about the itinerary and our preparation processes made everything so abstract. Is this even real? Telling friends and family where we're going opened the flood gates to questions of, "Why?" and "YOU'RE GOING FOR HOW LONG?!" We'd don our silliest smiles and say, "Uh huh." 

We feel a bit guilty. We are so lucky. Maybe too lucky. We have families that support our quest for adventure! What more could two girls ask for!? But I guess by this point they are a little used to it. Kat went by herself to Peru a few years ago for a month, volunteering at an orphanage and wandering Machu Pichu. She also "studied" abroad in Paris while I was also "studying" in Thessaloniki. I spent 6 weeks backpacking through Europe the summer before, the same summer Kat went off to find her roots in Russia. Let's face it, parents, we have a thirst that needs to be quenched. But you are always there to have our backs, to tell us we're crazy one minute and listen with enthusiasm the next. Without you, we wouldn't be here. Beyond that, without you we wouldn't have the chutzpah to even do this. You always make us feel confident, courageous, intelligent, and capable. Although we've probably given you a few grays along the way, it makes you look distinguished and you wear it well! We are forever indebted, both emotionally and financially, for everything you've given us. We are traveling the world to gain perspective, but not matter what we will always come to you for your point of view. Basically, I can keep writing but it all sounds like gobbledygook. We thank you for it all because you've given us it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We'll miss you terribly, and this blog is mostly for you to be there by our sides while we're gone.

The 36 hours before we fly feels like eternity. I've been spending my last few days watching films that have anything to do with places we're going (some violent ones from Columbia I need to quit!). Besides that, resting and day dreaming about what's to come. See you on the other side.