The Lake etc.

After making myself ill from gorging on chocolate and salt and vinegar potato chips that were sent by my family, I took the weekend off and went to the Toto and Solola welcome party at Lake Atitlan.

It is really beautiful there, a blue lake surrounded by mountains


We stayed in Panajachel - which is sort of the touristy town - which was fun as there were lots of bars and clubs, and it was also the Feria - so music, rides and food through the night (not to mention fireworks at 4am!). But I want to go back and stay away from Pana and have a nice relaxing weekend there without the craziness. Not that the craziness wasn't appreciated, as it was, but I would quite like to see the more peaceful side of the lake as well.

As it was a tourist town, there were lots of street vendors selling things that you will never, ever need. And let me tell you, after a few daquaries, bargaining is the funnest game ever.

Vendor: 25 Quetzal

Me: 2 Quetzal

Vendor: What? This is good price, I give you good price

Me and/or Courtney: We want the BEST price, five Quetzal

Vendor: No! I can't too low

Me: (walk away) - it's ok I didn't want it anyway

Vendor: (running down the street after me) Fine...OK, I give for Five Quetzal.

Me: Snap, I'm going to have to buy it now aren't I? -

***

Thus, I ended up with some ridiculous star earrings, a stud for my cartilage piercing and the most outrageous and random pipe for Ferney with a smiley face on it, made out of wood and rosin - I thought i was the most (and I quote myself) "freaking awesome pipe from here to the lake". The next morning I realized it was kinda weird, but it's all part of the experience.

Besides that, things have been quite peaceful here, getting back into work and starting some new woman's groups in Pacoj and Santa Lucia.

On a "I'm a crazy person" note - the other day I was walking through the center of town, recognized a chicken as one that lives in my house (yes, I can recognize chickens now), wondered (outloud) what it was doing so far from home, scooped it up, and carried it back to the house. - True story.

Best part - On my way home I ran into someone I knew from town, we stopped and chatted for about five or ten minutes, and while we were chatting the chicken wasn't even mentioned. Like it's normal for a Gringa to walk down the street with a chicken tucked under her arm. Who knows, maybe it is?