The short version: My parents came! We had FUN!
My travel pals and I on Calle del Arco (Arch Street) during one of our many strolls.
The long version: From March 20th to April 5th, I have been in a fantasy world completely different from the daily life I lead here in Antigua. I ventured to Guatemala City to pick up my parents and nearly passed out with anticipation in the huge crowd awaiting arrivals. It felt so good to hug them!! We stayed together for the following 8 days at Porta Hotel Antigua (picture tropical paradise with amazing food and you’re almost there). We slept in beds with clouds for pillows, we ordered room service coffee each morning and leisurely met the day, we laid by the pool and had made to order omelets while practicing our Spanish with Alvaro, the omelet chef. We walked the streets for hours each day, viewing processions and alfombras, we climbed a mountain in a Danish army truck and rode horses through a huge coffee plantation. We had delicious dinners in front of live music and enjoyed churros for dessert often. Dad became an authority on Guatemalan building materials after a few visits to El Mástil (like Home Depot), and read a huge amount of the history and culture sections of my Lonely Planet Guatemala book, in order to give daily breakfast reports! Mama’s Spanish was put to huge use every day as she navigated the Artisan’s Market, made friends on every street, and got to know Doῆa Chiqui and the family! Everyone we encountered said they were so impressed that my parents spoke Spanish and were so interested in Guatemala.
Dad and I explored some cave-like ruins while Mom stayed above ground for the photo shoot.
Mom and I shared this view of the central park are from Palacio de las Capitanes (more ruins)
Mom, Dad, A Danish Army Truck and I. (Also, a pretty nice view of the entire Antigua valley)
Now Antigueῆo daily life isn’t bad by any means. I love walking the city solo, I love my school, my work and my home! I must, however, make it known how much love my parents for their adventurous spirits, their willingness to try new things and learn, and their appreciation for complete relaxation. I am so grateful for all that they did to make this vacay happen. It was a wonderful and much appreciated break from the daily routine and brought me a realization that my parents aren’t just parents, but make excellent world travel pals, as well!
Exactly one week after their arrival, the ‘rents and I made the trip to G.City’s La Aurora Airport to pick up another loved one: Patrick John! I nearly didn’t recognize him coming through the Arrivals door, and he almost didn’t see me in the huge crowd, but somehow we found one another amongst the chaos and shared one of those romantic movie moments where the crowd goes silent and the two main characters hug and kiss and stare into one another’s eyes for a moment of slow motion.
That evening, my parents, Pat and I had dinner at an entirely over the top fancy restaurant called Palacio de something… (someone’s old palace turned restaurant—we should have known). The four of us sat down and giggled like small children as 6 waiters and the maitre’d (pardon my French) flocked to our table to unfold our napkins, pour our water out of individual bottles and bring more bread as soon as we took our last chew. This was all before our dinners arrived, covered in shiny silver domes, accompanied by 4 waiters who dramatically revealed the delicacies below in one synchronized movement. Jeez. Delicious? Yes. Over the top ridiculous? Absolutely.
Possibly the happiest night I’ve spent in Antigua: 3 loved ones in Parque Central.
It was tough to say good bye to Mama y Papa on Palm Sunday morning, but I knew they would be in the capable hands of the first class flight crew all the way home!
To conclude in Happiness part 2…
No comments:
Post a Comment