The Branskes do Guatemala

Arriving in my site this is the hill I walk down to get to my house... it is the two level beige house right above my head.

The chicken buses in the bus station in Xela


The spice market, pumpkin and squash seeds, chili powder, sesame seeds, dried beans, and other unidentified spices.

The market in Xela where i occasionally pick up super cheap fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, and most importantly the newest blockbuster movies!


In El Cuartito, a cute little cafe and bar in Xela where we had breakfast


First bar in Guatemala!


Beautiful church front bordering the Central Park in Xela, Guatemalas second largest city. The church was constructed by Spanish conquistadores in 1538 (?), but now only the facade in front remains.

In the lobby of the hotel where my parents stayed their first nights in Xela...

The parents finally arrived this thursday after much anticipation. So far we have had incredible luck (knocking on wood) traveling and made some unforgettable memories. They have, in the three and a half days that they have been in Guatemala,
1. ridden on not one, but two chicken buses, a boat, an inner city microbus...and survived
2. met my adopted family here, dog, best friend, counterpart, and half the city
3. experienced the guatemalan Inauguration custom when they opened the new Muni (city hall) building
4. hiked the trail in the park i work in
5. seen my house (and did a little cleaning and fixing up while there, they couldnt help themselves!)
6. wined and dined me.....lots......

and now we find ourselves in the GORGEOUS Casa del Mundo hotel on Lake Atitlan, which Aldous Huxley once called the most beautiful lake in the world. The view is stunning, and more pictures to come. but right now i have to run.....theyre about to serve some grub up in the dining area. I should mention that the dining experience alone is an unforgettable one here, as everyone sits down to eat and greet, as it were, together in a dining area overlooking the lake and its bordering volcanoes. tonight were having grilled chicken with chimichurri as a thunderstorm rolls in across the lake.

ttfn,

your favorite peace corps volunteer