Aymi’s Adventures

So my first shock was arriving at Dallas airport and not finding a bin to put my toilet paper in – of course not, you can actually flush it here!!!  Various other shocks faced me, like drinking ice cold tapwater, streets with not only names but also maps and easy grid reference system so maps are not even needed.

It amazes me the differences between two countries so close to each other. How can one have so much and the other so little. Whilst Central America cant even flush paper down the toilet, North America not only flushes paper but also flushes automatically when you stand up and the taps start on their own.  It’s a horrible contrast.

Much as I liked all the cities I visited here, I couldnt help but to despise the ways and attitudes of people who live here.  How much they take for granted – as did I before travelling.

There is so much to talk about but to cut it short I will list the highlights (which is all I can remember now after the stupid website crashed – and why there’s no pictures!!):

Philadelphia 17 – 20 July

Visiting Liberty Bell, Congress Hall & Penns landing.  Finding out how badly we treated the Americans during their revolution and feeling so belittled I didnt want to open my mouth during the tours in case people realised I was English.  Meeting an amazing Jahovas Witness on the street whilst eating fruit salsd – I know a bit healthy for me!!  Visited the African American Museum which was supposed to show how Africans integrated into the American society, when in actual fact it was just an African Museum! 

New York 20 – 23 July

Visited the Empire State building and soon found out that it is highly over rated and the Rockerfella Center is way better value for money.  Spent my birthday at a comedy show with some people from the hostel.  Bought myself some billabong boardshorts as my birthday present to myself whilst dodging one of the many downpours at Times Square.  Enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the underground system and was glad when the time came to fly to Chicago for a more relaxed pace of life.

Chicago 23 – 26 July 

After the initial confusion and trying to meet up with Ryan with no mobile contact, ending in me booking into a hostel that I spent a grand total of 10 minutes in, Chicago remains to be my favourite city in North America.  Ryan and his family were the perfect hosts and I got to see so much more than I would have done alone.  I was happy just cruising around in Ryans car in the sun as opposed to taking the hot and sweaty underground in New York to be rewarded with cold rain when surfacing again!  Southport street carnival was a great first night, which as usual with reunions, ended messily.  Taking vodka out in a water bottle to add to coke is always a good start for that – and getting henna tattoo’s proves it, along with not remembering getting home!  Although from what I do remember it was a great night.  The next day we got a great Curry – the best hangover cure!  Went up Sears tower, visited the King Tut exhibition at the museum, met up with some of Ryan’s friends – more crazy people!!  Went to the Martini lounge and tried real Chicago town Pizza.  Thanks for a great stay in Chicago Ryan.

Las Vegas 29 – 29 July

Las vegas was all about the bright lights, casinos, gambling and relaxing.  The hostel was amazing, I can definately recommend the USA hostel chain in the states, it way beats the Hostelling International places.  The swimming pool was definately needed in the 40degree daytime heat, and that was where I spent most of my time.  Dave, Heidi and Sean made up the pool volleyball team during the day and great drinking and pool partners during the evenings.  After the adrenaline rush of being shot straight up into the air at 4G force power we headed to mini Paris & the New York New York roller coaster, The Venetian, Bellaggio, Treasure Island & the pirate show, MGM, Ceasars Palace, and many others.  The main gambling took place in Freemont Street though, where Vegas all began before it got bigger and better.  The roulette tables there was only minimum bet of $2 instead of $10 at all the big name places.  My favourite though was the free drinking as you gambled and the 99cent hot dogs!

At the lava field of Volcan Pacaya 

 

Another amazing country.  Antigua, the first stop was as amazing as I had expected it to be.  It was similar to Copan but on a larger scale with a great mix of locals and tourists.  The day we arrived was Independance day and as I was travelling with 3 Americans it would have been rude not to celebrate with them!!  The next day was spent chillin & feeling rough!

Views of Antigua.

  

Volcan Pacaya was something else.  Nowhere else in the world would allow you to actually walk on the red hot glowing lava field below the huge active crater of Pacaya.  It was certainly an experience to cherish forever.

Lava at volcan Pacaya

  

After saying goodbye to Stephen, Travis & Casey I headed up to Tikal with an Irish Girl, Mary. The Mayan ruins were huge, way more impressive than Copan Ruins & Flores where we stayed was also beautiful. A real small laid back island where everyone was super friendly. Visited a Mayan museum on Santa Barbara island which was actually a tiny island owned by one family with nothing but the museum there. They were really friendly though and ended up staying drinking beer and practicing my Spanish with them, taking away my present of 3 limes which actually came in handy for our tuna sandwich picniks over the next few days.

Tikal Ruins

    

On the tiny Island of Santa Barbara 

Stayed in Coban & visited Semuc Champay which is a beautiful river with various waterfalls and swimming holes – freezing cold but amazing all the same. It would have been a really nice place to stay at and chill out for a while if I had more time.

Semuc Champay

Missed the 2am bus down to Xeyla (good intentions never work out for me!) so ended up leaving at 11am & not getting there til late where we met a mad American ex marine, retired NYC cop who told us that the world was ending because we dont identify the enemy and kill them all – weird or what!

Views of Xeyla.

    

Cave walking – yes I am covered in bat poo! Views of Chichi market.

  

Lake Atitlan was one of my favourite parts of Guatemala – although I loved it all. Panajachel was very touristy so only spent one night there where the highlight was sharing my dinner with a 10 year old girl who was selling jewelary on the street after school. She was an amazing, intelligent girl who could go so far in life if only she got the chance – so sad. Then it was off to Santa Cruz, a little further west along the lake than Panajachel & stayed at La Iguana Perdida – the best hostel in the world. Fell in love with the laid back chilled out atmosphere of the place and could quite happily live here in the future. Spent most of my time here chilling out, diving in Lake Atitlan, drinking and wearign fancy dress. Walked – well scrambled actually – to San Marcos (known for its massages and relaxation retreats) and had an hour of relaxing Reiki before taking the water taxi back to Santa Cruz.

Lake Atitlan, sunset at the lake, my dinner partner, cross dressing!

   

Home to Antigua for a night before heading to Guatemala city for my flight out of Central America and up to the United States of America. So sad to be leaving Central America, especially Guatemala, this place really feels like home to me now, its going to be so weird being in a western country again, and I really dont know if i’m going to like it.

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