updates

Monday I got up early to go to Indian nose. It is a long steep hike as is the volcano so I chose to take a bus most of the way. I hired a guide mostly because their has been a recent assault of a solo traveler up there. After that I had breakfast and kayaked for a bit and then took a boat ride to San Ignacio.

I thought Sunday night was my last night with the family and booked a hostel but it turned out I had one more night with them and was able to cancel it.

Dinner was one (delicious) tamale so I splurged and went out for a second dinner.

I caught the 6 am chicken bus to quetzelantango (xela). It cost 30 q instead of 150 q (about 7.5 q per USD) they are called chicken busses because people can bring anything....including live chickens.

When you arrive in xela the busses don't let you off in the center of town. A young kid tried to find me a bus to the park near the center of town but it was full so walked a few blocks to catch the bus. I was sure he wanted money bit he did not want to take it. I gave it to him anyway.

After I found a hostel and checked in I took a nice warm shower, got some lunch and did a self guided walking tour. I signed up for a 9 am tour tomorrow... More details tomorrow.

I read about two free salsa dance classes, one at 6, which I could not make and one at 8. Nobody knew exactly where the 8 was and it was raining... But I went anyway and found it eventually

 Church near the family. When they have celebrations (often) they let off loud explosions. Last Sunday they played music from 4-5 AM

 Francisco, who was supposed to be my Spanish teacher

 Nico, who was my Spanish teacher

 Some street musicians

 A chicken bus

 A statue at the park across from the family

 The family