Soy una cosmopolita...citizen of the world!

Well, here I have only spent a few days in the wonderful city of Antigua and already I feel as if I have a second home. Thanks to Celeste, I have a instant group of friends (just add water...or rather, me) made up of friendly locals and feisty international students...or is it the other way around? It is una mezcla de bohemian people....artists, painters, intellectuals, scholars, performers, travelers and dreamers...I feel as if I've stepped into a dream myself by being overwhelmingly welcomed into such a group.

And also...today my backpack finally caught up with me! Yay! I have clothes! And so now I can figure out my cell phone, change my underwear, etc. Luckily it was under good circumstances, it was left in Chicago but the airline gave me 55 bucks, an "emergency kit" (aka toiletry bag) and Celeste was more than willing to share her clothes with me for the last few days. Still, it's wonderful to have my own clothes again and to see what I can live without for a few days at least. It's a bit ironic, usually I pack more in my carry-on, but this time just brought my purse and water bottle--this shows me how I'm rewarded when I put faith into checking baggage with major airline carriers....

Overall, I adore Antigua. Celeste and I have spent our days lazily wandering about the city visiting friends, hanging out in ex-pat/socialist tequila bars and salsa dancing with pros (actually, last night we were dancing in a bar that had Ignacio from Buena Vista Social Club heading the band!) The musica y comida have been highlights, but it is true, the people "make" the experience when entering a new city and I have been very lucky in that realm. Tomorrow, we head out with some friends at the ass-crack of dawn to climb the local volcanoe! Ay!!

Here We Go!

So, tonight is the night. I leave Denver airport at 9:25 pm after getting a ride from Aspen with my friend Josh. I got to spend a few days relaxing in Aspen, CO with my aunt Annie and uncle Steve (including a great rafting trip down Westwater!) before being joined by Josh for the weekend to enjoy the wonderful alpine weather. Before Aspen, I had a 24-hour journey on the Greyhound from Reno, NV where I landed post-Burning Man.

How to describe Burning Man? I don't think it's really possible without being there. As infuriating as that may be for inquisitive minds, it's true. I'll post some photos later to attempt to color what an experience it was--as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, until I can manage to adequately spend some time online to describe the above pre-Guatemalan adventures--I hope you are well and enjoy this journal of my journey!