EARTH LODGE 2007!

Hey Everyone!

As we attempted to make a trip out to a nature-esque resort place for a relaxing weekend near Antigua this weekend, the trip turned upsidedown and sideways with craziness. Our original plan was to leave Xela at 2:30, which is basically right after lunch here. However, as I was in the middle of taking my exam on Friday, our directors came to tell us we were now meeting for a quick taco lunch at 1 because of the bus schedule. My exam was running long, so I had to stop and agree finish Monday, since I still had yet to pack. I ran home, packed in 5 minutes and ran to the restaurant. We then proceeded to run on full stomachs ALL the way across town to catch a chicken bus (probably about a 30 minute walk completed in less than 10 minutes running). We rode bus #1 from Xela to outside Guatemala City (roughly a 4 hour trip). Bus life is crazy: they take old yellow school buses, paint them up all snazzy, and crowd about 100-150 people in with all their bags, and drive uncomfortably for hours. About 2 hours into our first trip we got a flat tire, but the driver insisted we only hit a rock and the tire was fine- so onward we rode. The sound of the flapping tire sounded as if we ran over a bongo player- so the beat got somewhat annoying. Finally, we stopped and waited for them to change the tire. We then drove for a while longer but hit construction and waited for another 30 minutes. I'd like to also note that each stop, 20 people jump on trying to sell something including food, drinks, books for learning, some guy preached from the Bible, and another man made an attempt to collect some money by telling us he hasn't robbed anyone in 3 years, has kept out of prison, and that we owe him. We hopped on our second bus to Antigua as I literally stood in the doorstep trying to hold on for dear life as 1) I was being pushed around by a drunk man and 2) we were flying around curvy mountain rounds at approximately 100 mph.

From Antigua- we were only a short pickup truck ride away from Earth Lodge. Unfortunately, the rode we were supposed to take was wet with cement from construction, so we had to take a road that was 80 degrees steep. 16 people riding up that road in the back of a pick up wasnt gonna cut it, so we split into two and I went with the first group. We HIKED up the rode, but the driver still couldnt make it in his tiny little truck, so we were forced to find a hotel in Antigua (THEE tourist spot) on a Friday night of summer. Originally we only found one hotel with 7 beds, so half the group took cover there. The rest of us sat in the park waiting for word of hotel availability. As we sat, starving and dead tired, we decided to pop open some tequila and make the night a little less depressing. Finally, we got to a hotel that fit all of us, ate some dinner, and went to bed.

The next day we got word that the road would be clear, so we took off for Earth Lodge in 2 pick ups. Unfortunately, we came to find out that there would be a giant roadblock with the contruction still. After arguing for about an hour, they finally backed down and let us through after the owner of Earth Lodge bribed the construcion men with a 3.3 liter of Pepsi. Ridiculous, I know, but they totally went for it. Just as we got going again, we ran into TWO MORE roadblocks, but eventually got through and made it to our destination. Earth Lodge was phenomenal, as the view overlooks two volcanoes, has a swing that flies out over a cliff, a sauna, and amazing food. We had a pretty relaxing Saturday and Sunday morning, and left to come back to Xela.

I managed to get 10000 mosquito bites while I was there- even with bugspray, and the Caladryl I have was NOT soothing the pain. As a part of class this morning, my teacher helped me out with a little secret of hers. We went and bought some cigarettes, tore them open, and put the tobacco in a jar. After, we added some alcohol/vodka to it, mixed it, and VOILA: a PERFECT remedy. My bites feel non-itchy and it was a pretty interesting little medicine to make during class. ps- Salsa classes last week were interesting as always. The professor told me I'm a fast learner and was very impressed with my skills. YAY me!

Enjoy the pics! Love you! Email me soon!