I really have found heaven! It is a large body of water surrounded by miraculous places. I have stayed in two places that are works of wonder and have inspired me greatly to gather info for my own hostel. I went so far as to buy a little notebook to keep notes in and the pages are filling fast!

My last night in Xela was an emotional one. After having lived there for a month with a family and made friends there it was hard to leave. I got teary eyed leaving my host family. They said that their house was my house and that they were sure I would return. A great thank you to Consuelo, mama internacional, and her family of Iban, Eduardo, and Mili. She made me very comfortable, gave all of my friends a place to stay, offered them home cooked meals and a warm hug. She also gave me great advice for my travels.

It was sad to graduate from the school as well. I gave a speech, short, in spanish and thanked everyone for their help in preparing me for 3 1-2 months of travel in central america. It was a great night and at the end of it when I hugged everyone goodbye I got teary eyed again.

My sadness was short lived however. Saturday morning, 12-4-04, I got up and caught a bus to Panajachel. Once there I ate a fantastic breakfast, shipped off almost 20 pounds of goods (at a cost of $130 - believe everyone when they say it is expensive to mail stuff home from here!), and got on a lancha, boat, to Jaibilito.

Mary Jane (Maria Juana in español ha ha) and I got checked in to La Casa del Mundo (the home of the world). We fell in love instantly with the views and the lake. We were informed, as if we didn´t know, that we were staying in "the cheapest room we have". :( Even their cheapest room is great because it is furthest up the hill and has the best views! We were not so impressed with the concierge who informed us of this. Since we were in the cheapest room I guess he wasn´t surprised to not get a tip for carrying Mary Janes heavy.... heavy bag all the way up those stairs. ha ha

Dinner is a one price affair where the menu is set and you dine family style. Everyone sits together at an extremely long table and learns about each other. I am finding I need to instigate new conversation though because the exchange of "where are you from.... how long have you been here.... where do you go next / have you been..." is getting quite tiring.

The menu for the evening was very good. We had soup, salad, fish, rice, carrots, and an apple crepe dessert. Nice!

The owner / builder of La Casa del Mundo, Bill, is from Alaska. He gave me some great advice which went directly to my little notebook. It was cool to speak to him. This place is a little more upscale than the usual backpacker stay but a nice break from the norm.

Sunday, 12-5-04, morning we got up, got packed, had breakfast and waited at the dock for another lancha to arrive and take us to San Marcos.

Once unloaded in San Marcos we headed directly for Aaculaax (ah-koo-losh). THIS PLACE IS HEAVEN! The price is right, the rooms are beautiful and it is close enough and far enough away from everything. Aaculaax is an earth ship and it is amazing in every detail. No more traveling for a bit... I have decided to stay here for the week and just travel out to different towns around the lake for day trips. Every detail is stunning.

There is a resident glass worker that has gone balistic with windows, mirrors, tables, a chess/checkers table, and it is his abilities that dominate every corner. The beds are comfy, rooms are perfect, bathrooms are single works of art (complete with composting toilets and instructions on how to use them plus solar heated hot water showers!) and a communal kitchen. I can describe this place in words and emotions but it would still not do it justice. Come stay here and take away your own experience! HEAVEN

I swam in the lake last night. Lago de Atitlan was created by a volcano a long time ago. The water in the lake is crystal blue and clear. It is said that once you swim in Lago de Atitlan you are sure to return. I jumped in with exuberance because my return is guaranteed.

Come on in... the water is perfect!