Something Central America scores on is Tres Leches cake. Of course, not every coffee shop, bakery, and restaurant makes it right, but I found one that did. I thought about eating it everyday, but I ended up eating it once. The last day I went to get a piece and they had ran out! I asked if they could make some the following morning. She informed me that they only make it on Monday's. They had chocolate kind, but I took no interest in that. What a great piece of cake!!!
Showing posts with label obsession. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obsession. Show all posts
Tres Leches
Something Central America scores on is Tres Leches cake. Of course, not every coffee shop, bakery, and restaurant makes it right, but I found one that did. I thought about eating it everyday, but I ended up eating it once. The last day I went to get a piece and they had ran out! I asked if they could make some the following morning. She informed me that they only make it on Monday's. They had chocolate kind, but I took no interest in that. What a great piece of cake!!!
El Desayuno
In Spanish, "El Desayuno" means breakfast. I was walking near the church saying hello to my friend who makes the wicker chairs. He asks me where I
I'm going.
I said to him, " I'm going to Desayuno."
He says," No, where are you going?"
This goes back and forth about 5 times until I tell him, the name of the restaurant is "El Desayuno."
I had read about this restaurant amongst the tourist books and had been wanting to go all week. Huevos Rancheros was calling my name- "Priscillllaaaaa." Huevos rancheros is basically eggs with green pepper, onion, tomatoes, and Mexican spices. I would show a picture, but the food never makes it to the camera.
When I went in, a tall, clean cut, Nicaraguan comes walking towards my table. He has some great shoes, as I have a thing for expensive leather loafers. On top of it all, he smells really good. Besides his exterior surface, I am really just focused on the menu and getting my almost always complicated order right. I order an orange juice. It doesn't come with my queso blanco, but I express my interest in having some with a wink and smile. It magically appeared on my table and I said, "Thank you."
Being greedy, I also wanted some more plantains. Another guy came to my table and I said, "No, I want the cute one." This chubby guy is laughing and then I hear laughing behind me. He was standing in the corner behind me staring straight at me.
"Cuenta por favor." "Check please."
Why do the cute guys show up on the last day? It's not a true interest, but the flirting and maybe someone to share a coffee with is not so bad...right?
I'm going.
I said to him, " I'm going to Desayuno."
He says," No, where are you going?"
This goes back and forth about 5 times until I tell him, the name of the restaurant is "El Desayuno."
I had read about this restaurant amongst the tourist books and had been wanting to go all week. Huevos Rancheros was calling my name- "Priscillllaaaaa." Huevos rancheros is basically eggs with green pepper, onion, tomatoes, and Mexican spices. I would show a picture, but the food never makes it to the camera.
When I went in, a tall, clean cut, Nicaraguan comes walking towards my table. He has some great shoes, as I have a thing for expensive leather loafers. On top of it all, he smells really good. Besides his exterior surface, I am really just focused on the menu and getting my almost always complicated order right. I order an orange juice. It doesn't come with my queso blanco, but I express my interest in having some with a wink and smile. It magically appeared on my table and I said, "Thank you."
Being greedy, I also wanted some more plantains. Another guy came to my table and I said, "No, I want the cute one." This chubby guy is laughing and then I hear laughing behind me. He was standing in the corner behind me staring straight at me.
"Cuenta por favor." "Check please."
Why do the cute guys show up on the last day? It's not a true interest, but the flirting and maybe someone to share a coffee with is not so bad...right?
Wanted Reward Given
Speaking of my dearly and beloved mentally ill population, I must say that someone may perceive me as Mentally Ill with my absurd behavior. Of course, this refers to yet another incident with food: the food being animal crackers.
At the convent, the kids were getting these animal crackers as snacks. The sisters were always very kind offering me some and I accepted. It was innocent all of us sitting around drinking some milk and eating animal crackers. These animal crackers had the best taste-it's so hard to get a good tasting animal cracker. These had a fresh expiration date and they were vanilla flavor with cute monkeys(now that sounds strange). Casually, I asked sister if she happened to know where these animal crackers and her response was "No idea." This was not hopeful, but I had to go on a search. There was no way that I was going to ask the convent for extra so I kept the bag and went looking.
A stop at the local bodega by my house- they look at the bag and say, "No, never seen them" The bodegas all around the church asking, "Have you seen these animal crackers?"
The big bodega that usually has everything, "No, never seen those." The bodegas were completely confused with these animal crackers and one guy even said," I think those are from Costa Rica." It was now reward time for these animal crackers. Whoever gave me the info. was going to get a nice tip.
Finally, God puts an end to his and the last stop I am given the truth, "Lady, bodegas don't sell these. You can only buy them in the grocery store."
Oh thank you grumpy, old man picking his nose. Oh thank you! Low and behold he was right so I bought a 12 pack and made these animal crackers my permanent bus snack with some apple juice, milk-okay just water:)
At the convent, the kids were getting these animal crackers as snacks. The sisters were always very kind offering me some and I accepted. It was innocent all of us sitting around drinking some milk and eating animal crackers. These animal crackers had the best taste-it's so hard to get a good tasting animal cracker. These had a fresh expiration date and they were vanilla flavor with cute monkeys(now that sounds strange). Casually, I asked sister if she happened to know where these animal crackers and her response was "No idea." This was not hopeful, but I had to go on a search. There was no way that I was going to ask the convent for extra so I kept the bag and went looking.
A stop at the local bodega by my house- they look at the bag and say, "No, never seen them" The bodegas all around the church asking, "Have you seen these animal crackers?"
The big bodega that usually has everything, "No, never seen those." The bodegas were completely confused with these animal crackers and one guy even said," I think those are from Costa Rica." It was now reward time for these animal crackers. Whoever gave me the info. was going to get a nice tip.
Finally, God puts an end to his and the last stop I am given the truth, "Lady, bodegas don't sell these. You can only buy them in the grocery store."
Oh thank you grumpy, old man picking his nose. Oh thank you! Low and behold he was right so I bought a 12 pack and made these animal crackers my permanent bus snack with some apple juice, milk-okay just water:)
Bon Bons Por Favor
While in Nicaragua, I have been doing good with preparing my Gallo Pinto and avoiding any sugar. If I crave sugar, I just have some lychees(my favorite fruit, which I get off the street for .50 cents) and mangoes. When you are in these tropical environments, why would you eat something different than fruit anyways?
Well, I'm not a perfect angel and I enjoy my sugar from time to time. Okay maybe it's from day to day, it depends on the week.
Unfortunately, there is some raw truth when you are abroad with the chocolate situation.
1.) 60 percent of chocolate is stale
2.) You have limited selections including: Dove Bars, Cadbury, M&Ms, Twix, Snicker, Hershey's, and an occasional Kit Kat(This does mean you find these all in one place).
3.) The chocolate sits in the sun or it melts in the store and they sell it that way.
When it comes to my nighttime location, I was next to a tiny bodega. They had water, soda, detergent, chips, and some little junk candy. The last time I asked for crackers in the store everything was a year expired. I looked at him and smiled, "No gracias." This store was pretty hopeless in the chocolate department.
They did not have any chocolate that I was craving- I would have even settled for a Dove bar that was a few months expired. I was willing to sacrifice my crazy date obsessions for some form of a chocolate bar. It was 9pm and everything was closed except the one grocery store across town- a mugging not worth a chocolate bar.
Clearly, it was time to find some form of chocolate in this store. My same guy, Diego Fernandez Ricardo Francis, was working. The four names are definitely no joke here. They are about to close and he does not look very happy to see me. Perhaps because he knows I am a picky, annoying American.
Quickly, I inquired about what kind of chocolate he has and he pulls out a melted Twix bar from 1992(okay it was 4 months old). I look at him and shake my head "No." Then he pulls out some chocolate animal crackers that were all cracked up and I shake my head "No."
He then points in front of him at the container with all those 10 cent candies that are ancient. I decide to stick my hand in to see what I can find. I find some strawberry candies and local stuff that I have no interest in. He said, I think I have this candy the American's like(I have never heard him speak English). "You like the Bon Bon?" My eyes light up and I am surprised they have Bon Bon's(random things you find in Central America #34)
"Oh I never had one, but the big people say they are real good."
He tells me to keep looking because he should have some. This is like a treasure hunt for a Bon Bon and it's not coming up.
"Ah ha." I found one in the second container.
Clearly there was no date so I took a chance and ate it. It was delicious and tasted fresh(I swear these people are sent to just make me happy). Luckily I find one more and I eat it again.
Well, they aren't kidding about these Bon Bons- they are really good and super addicting. This lovely teenage boy is searching to see if he has anymore.
"Can you check in the back?"
"What back?"
Okay, well that was the answer to that and I was left sad and wanting more Bon Bons. This should be a moment realizing I don't need another and there are people I am feeding who need real food. Unfortunately, it was not that moment and I was being a selfish, kind brat.
"There must be just a few more around here-smile."
This boy looks at me and tells me,
"No mas" with a serious expression.
It was my time to walk away before he said,
"Lady you don't need anymore Bon bons."
Off I went to my room putting myself in bed to dream about Bon Bons or chocolate they just don't have.
Well, I'm not a perfect angel and I enjoy my sugar from time to time. Okay maybe it's from day to day, it depends on the week.
Unfortunately, there is some raw truth when you are abroad with the chocolate situation.
1.) 60 percent of chocolate is stale
2.) You have limited selections including: Dove Bars, Cadbury, M&Ms, Twix, Snicker, Hershey's, and an occasional Kit Kat(This does mean you find these all in one place).
3.) The chocolate sits in the sun or it melts in the store and they sell it that way.
When it comes to my nighttime location, I was next to a tiny bodega. They had water, soda, detergent, chips, and some little junk candy. The last time I asked for crackers in the store everything was a year expired. I looked at him and smiled, "No gracias." This store was pretty hopeless in the chocolate department.
They did not have any chocolate that I was craving- I would have even settled for a Dove bar that was a few months expired. I was willing to sacrifice my crazy date obsessions for some form of a chocolate bar. It was 9pm and everything was closed except the one grocery store across town- a mugging not worth a chocolate bar.
Clearly, it was time to find some form of chocolate in this store. My same guy, Diego Fernandez Ricardo Francis, was working. The four names are definitely no joke here. They are about to close and he does not look very happy to see me. Perhaps because he knows I am a picky, annoying American.
Quickly, I inquired about what kind of chocolate he has and he pulls out a melted Twix bar from 1992(okay it was 4 months old). I look at him and shake my head "No." Then he pulls out some chocolate animal crackers that were all cracked up and I shake my head "No."
He then points in front of him at the container with all those 10 cent candies that are ancient. I decide to stick my hand in to see what I can find. I find some strawberry candies and local stuff that I have no interest in. He said, I think I have this candy the American's like(I have never heard him speak English). "You like the Bon Bon?" My eyes light up and I am surprised they have Bon Bon's(random things you find in Central America #34)
"Oh I never had one, but the big people say they are real good."
He tells me to keep looking because he should have some. This is like a treasure hunt for a Bon Bon and it's not coming up.
"Ah ha." I found one in the second container.
Clearly there was no date so I took a chance and ate it. It was delicious and tasted fresh(I swear these people are sent to just make me happy). Luckily I find one more and I eat it again.
Well, they aren't kidding about these Bon Bons- they are really good and super addicting. This lovely teenage boy is searching to see if he has anymore.
"Can you check in the back?"
"What back?"
Okay, well that was the answer to that and I was left sad and wanting more Bon Bons. This should be a moment realizing I don't need another and there are people I am feeding who need real food. Unfortunately, it was not that moment and I was being a selfish, kind brat.
"There must be just a few more around here-smile."
This boy looks at me and tells me,
"No mas" with a serious expression.
It was my time to walk away before he said,
"Lady you don't need anymore Bon bons."
Off I went to my room putting myself in bed to dream about Bon Bons or chocolate they just don't have.
Ce la vie!
Sharing of Food
With my passion for good food, there always was that selfish, greedy, obsessive compulsive element. I didn't want people touching my food, I didn't want to share my cookies, I didn't want people to ask for food-putting me in that uncomfortable situation to give it. Of course, I would volunteer in soup kitchens, which is just expected for anyone. When it came to really sharing, I just did not want to share food period.
In Morocco, things seemed to change with the food sharing. I lived in a country where their culture was based on sharing food. People would not eat until everyone was present. The women spent so much time cooking the food. Sometimes the couscous took 12-14 hours. When prepared it was delicious and it was worth the wait. Even when you were hungry, it was worth it to wait for food and then sit around and share it. Six or seven people would all sit around and place their spoons into one dish. When it came to the fruit plate, people would sit around and dip their fork into one large dish. There was no concern about double dipping, germs, or sickness. People were sharing the food with one another and it was a beautiful, holy experience.
Sharing food is not just friendly and kind, but it is holy. People who are feeling hunger and do not have something should be given food. It's the right thing to do according to your religion. The religion of Morocco is Islam and people believe in the five pillars. In the fourth pillar, they are asked to give to the needy. Not everyone engages in this, but I remember my friend who cooked food and brought it to the shelter twice a week. The sharing of a homemade food is quite generous and true sharing. This holy sharing of food should be experienced by those less fortunate not just amongst family and friends.
After Morocco, there was something about this experience that changed me. Before Morocco, there were moments traveling buying food and giving it to those who need it. What was different was the convenience eating vs. conscious eating. This time, I found a different meaning for food rather than just eating to satisfy. Most people just eat without even realizing where the food came from and how holy that food truly can be.
Instead of eating by convenience, I spent time cooking my food. In Morocco, you have to go to the market, find the spices, cut the vegetables, make the cous cous-everything takes time. Sometimes it felt like, "Is all my time being spent cooking?"
Later, I became appreciative of having this period of waiting for food because I became more appreciative of it. The longer we have to wait for food, the more likely we are to appreciate it. The holy experience is felt when you give food, not just satisfaction, but appreciation for the time, efforts, and the holy meal.
In Morocco, things seemed to change with the food sharing. I lived in a country where their culture was based on sharing food. People would not eat until everyone was present. The women spent so much time cooking the food. Sometimes the couscous took 12-14 hours. When prepared it was delicious and it was worth the wait. Even when you were hungry, it was worth it to wait for food and then sit around and share it. Six or seven people would all sit around and place their spoons into one dish. When it came to the fruit plate, people would sit around and dip their fork into one large dish. There was no concern about double dipping, germs, or sickness. People were sharing the food with one another and it was a beautiful, holy experience.
Sharing food is not just friendly and kind, but it is holy. People who are feeling hunger and do not have something should be given food. It's the right thing to do according to your religion. The religion of Morocco is Islam and people believe in the five pillars. In the fourth pillar, they are asked to give to the needy. Not everyone engages in this, but I remember my friend who cooked food and brought it to the shelter twice a week. The sharing of a homemade food is quite generous and true sharing. This holy sharing of food should be experienced by those less fortunate not just amongst family and friends.
After Morocco, there was something about this experience that changed me. Before Morocco, there were moments traveling buying food and giving it to those who need it. What was different was the convenience eating vs. conscious eating. This time, I found a different meaning for food rather than just eating to satisfy. Most people just eat without even realizing where the food came from and how holy that food truly can be.
Instead of eating by convenience, I spent time cooking my food. In Morocco, you have to go to the market, find the spices, cut the vegetables, make the cous cous-everything takes time. Sometimes it felt like, "Is all my time being spent cooking?"
Later, I became appreciative of having this period of waiting for food because I became more appreciative of it. The longer we have to wait for food, the more likely we are to appreciate it. The holy experience is felt when you give food, not just satisfaction, but appreciation for the time, efforts, and the holy meal.
Food gives our soul light and lets your true love find it´s way in...PRIS
Spanish Foodie
Food Ranks
1. Belize
2. Guatemala
3.Nicaragua
4. Honduras
As previously mentioned, food is a big part of my life. At home, I love to cook creative healthy dishes that are full of fish, vegetables, bean, and different types of whole grain. When it comes to food, I am one of the biggest Divas.
I want it to be the freshest fish, the most recent date on the package, the right presentation, fresh ingredients from certain stores, and nothing overcooked or burnt by an inch.
When I travel, there is no way to be so picky and all those unnecessary wants have to be broken down. In Central America, occasional fresh white meat chicken
became accepted. I don't eat anything fried unless I can remove the fried part. If I don't like the food that is available, I just won't eat. I will find something to eat the next day.
Also, I inform hosts of my dietary restrictions with meat. Of course, the vegetarian thing is difficulty to comprehend for Latin American countries, but they are friendly and kind about it.
With this said, I have come across very few problems in Central America. The main staple items that people consume: rice, black beans, plantains, fish, eggs, and chicken. They do lightly fry the plantains, but they are delicious and worth it. They make some interesting sides with vegetables as well. There are nice salads made of beets, cucumbers, and carrots. Sometimes it's not about trying all different kinds of foods. I find that when you enjoy one type of dish-keep enjoying it. The dishes are very similar when it comes to the rice/beans, chicken, and plantains, but some are better than others.
Clearly, the home is the best place to consume these lovely dishes. People are so accommodating towards me when it comes to food. They understand that I am American and picky at times. They will let me come to the back to make my own salad, they will show me the food before I get it i.e. let me open up the pots and investigate, they give me extra sauces and things I would enjoy, and they are just lovely-kind-patient. Of course, not all of them, but 90 percent=)
Snorkeling Sting
After a day of snorkeling, the young German couple came back to our hostel sharing all their underwater finds. It was time for me do some underwater exploring myself. Sunday I had sometime before volleyball started, therefore I decided to jump in the water and get started. The German couples and others said the best place to snorkel is around Cliff side around the rocks. Locals did not fully recommend this place, but there goes Priscilla not listening.
Underwater is truly a whole new world, you find all kinds of fish, stingrays, different colors of coral, and the best find would be the sea turtles. The schools of fish consist of different colors-blue, neon yellow, orange, black and yellow, and even neon pink. The beauty was mesmerizing, so mesmerizing that you might lose track of where you are headed! I was snorkeling in between all the coral. This would lead you to big holes in between, but sometimes it was difficult to get to those holes because the tide was pretty low, which left me swimming on top of the coral. I had forgot my water shoes and didn't want to rent fins so I just went barefoot-something I almost never would do.
Clearly, this was not my best idea with all the sharp coral and the second biggest reef in the world. I ended up flopping on top of the water and trying to make it into the big hole ahead. Suddenly, I felt a big sharp pain in my stomach. "Ouch."
With my OCD, I was in a panic thinking I was stung by a sting ray. One really can't blame them when I am swimming on top of their house with my big body and bare feet. I swam quickly back to shore and had it checked by my friend working on the beach.
"Hey Chicago girl, what's wrong?" Staff
"I think something bit me. What if its poisonous." Pris
He starts laughing, "You left the water around the cliff for that?" Staff
"Well yes."Pris
"That's just from the coral, it will go away in 15 minutes."Staff
"So I left the water for a fake sting."Pris
"That's what it appears to be." Staff
While he told me not to touch it, I was touching it five minutes after wondering if there was a piece of coral stuck inside. Also, I was asking for second and third opinions. My buddy at the hotel, Puma, was concerned and asked if I wanted to send first aid to get antibiotic cream. Love the caring and respect from people-my family abroad. He got me some antibiotic cream and I rubbed it on a couple times. the next day there was no sting and it was completely gone.
Underwater is truly a whole new world, you find all kinds of fish, stingrays, different colors of coral, and the best find would be the sea turtles. The schools of fish consist of different colors-blue, neon yellow, orange, black and yellow, and even neon pink. The beauty was mesmerizing, so mesmerizing that you might lose track of where you are headed! I was snorkeling in between all the coral. This would lead you to big holes in between, but sometimes it was difficult to get to those holes because the tide was pretty low, which left me swimming on top of the coral. I had forgot my water shoes and didn't want to rent fins so I just went barefoot-something I almost never would do.
Clearly, this was not my best idea with all the sharp coral and the second biggest reef in the world. I ended up flopping on top of the water and trying to make it into the big hole ahead. Suddenly, I felt a big sharp pain in my stomach. "Ouch."
With my OCD, I was in a panic thinking I was stung by a sting ray. One really can't blame them when I am swimming on top of their house with my big body and bare feet. I swam quickly back to shore and had it checked by my friend working on the beach.
"Hey Chicago girl, what's wrong?" Staff
"I think something bit me. What if its poisonous." Pris
He starts laughing, "You left the water around the cliff for that?" Staff
"Well yes."Pris
"That's just from the coral, it will go away in 15 minutes."Staff
"So I left the water for a fake sting."Pris
"That's what it appears to be." Staff
While he told me not to touch it, I was touching it five minutes after wondering if there was a piece of coral stuck inside. Also, I was asking for second and third opinions. My buddy at the hotel, Puma, was concerned and asked if I wanted to send first aid to get antibiotic cream. Love the caring and respect from people-my family abroad. He got me some antibiotic cream and I rubbed it on a couple times. the next day there was no sting and it was completely gone.
Moral to Story: Stop being an OCD concerned American and Man Up....well Woman Up!
Something small does not have to be catastrophized into something big.
It Ain't Old
When it comes to grocery shopping, I have had a huge obsession with checking dates for a very long time. In Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Jewel, and even my expensive New York grocery stores- I was always, always "date checking." It's important for me to get the most recent date to be fully satisfied with my grocery store experience and my food experience. When you spend double the time in a grocery store to date check, it can be a bit of a problem. A problem that I fully recognize, but a habit that is not so bad in comparison to others.
Now when you are a person traveling in a foreign country and want to buy a peanut butter or a cereal with a 1.5 year expiration gap- guess what? You will not be eating the peanut butter or cereal or you will spend a month searching for it. When you are shopping in a big city- you have a higher chance of getting a later date. When you are in Roatan Island, you are lucky if you get something not expired. Stopping in a few local stores, I walked around picking up different items and searching for the date.
"Nature valley bars"-expired
"Peanut butter" -expired
"Cake mix."- expired
It was one of my saddest experiences not just for me, but for the people who spend their hard earned money on expired items. The truth is that people are used to food tasting like it's on the verge of being thrown out. When you are paying $6 or $7 for a box of cereal and it is stale-that's sad.
When I told my amazing friend at work, who loves to cook and shops all the time, she was appalled and said these places should be shut down. I definitely agreed with her and envisioned us on a strike down the main street with signs demanding non-expired food. Well, she probably didn't take it that far, but obsessed Priscilla definitely did.
She told me that if I needed to buy something from the grocery store, I should go to Eldon's, which is directly next to the best fried chicken restaurant-yikes.
So one day after work, I hopped on her scooter and she dropped me off at Eldon's. I went in with high expectations and Boy was I disappointed. It appeared that Eldon's(better than the small convenience stores, but also had expired food! The meat looked suspicious and the bakery was giving out stale cookies. This all just made me anxious so I searched for a good expiration on a Dove chocolate bar and I ate it.
Walking around the store were tourists purchasing what they had to or accustomed to this poor grocery shopping. Everything was super expensive meaning like $6 for shampoo and overpriced bananas when you get them from trees.
It was such a disappointment and I didn't have the heart to tell my friend so I told her, "It was great."
Sometimes it's better to be dishonest to make someone proud and happy about their island, which she is always bragging about the Coxenhole area. Don't get me wrong they are Creole, like Belize, so they do deliver in the food department, but in the small restaurants or street vendors cooking homemade dishes.
2 Americans and One UK
Arriving and exiting the La Aurora, Airport in Guatemala was such a breeze. The people were friendly and helpful-not pushy, I received my bag in 5 minutes, and I headed to the outside lobby to buy my bus ticket. It was so nice having that peace when you first initially arrive. Many times, there are the taxis harassing you until you get into an actual car- no me gusta. A friendly little women sold me a ten dollar ticket on the shuttle van to Antigua and off we went. The 2 Americans and the UK boy.
It was so nice with the three of us because we automatically connected and started talking about Guatemala and our travels. The other American's name is D(confidentiality) and she is from San Francisco. She has three kids and actually lives part time near Lake Atitlan(my destination). Our other buddy was in his early 20s and he came to Guatemala to learn Spanish. He did not seem to care about the time or money rather he was on a mission to go to a good school to learn Spanish. He was well traveled as we chatted it up about Europe and Asia. Bangkok being our food heaven and Europe being incredible and amazing, but too expensive for the budget friendly traveler.
Amongst our discussion, we passed through Guatemala City, which did not seem very appealing. There was a lot of industry, mechanical shops, run down buildings, and of course KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, and Pizza hut. It irritates me when I see these establishments especially when Guatemala has fresh food, fish, vegetables. It even has Fried chicken and Fries as a typico(typical) food.
Anyways, the ride was splendid with my two new buddies. It was so great for D and I that we decided, "Hey lets share a room." We were both heading to Lake Atitlan, but wanted to chill in Antigua for a night and take the shuttle in the morning. We decided to stay at a hostel in Antigua centre where we would share a room.
That is just an example of how traveling can work......
It was so nice with the three of us because we automatically connected and started talking about Guatemala and our travels. The other American's name is D(confidentiality) and she is from San Francisco. She has three kids and actually lives part time near Lake Atitlan(my destination). Our other buddy was in his early 20s and he came to Guatemala to learn Spanish. He did not seem to care about the time or money rather he was on a mission to go to a good school to learn Spanish. He was well traveled as we chatted it up about Europe and Asia. Bangkok being our food heaven and Europe being incredible and amazing, but too expensive for the budget friendly traveler.
Amongst our discussion, we passed through Guatemala City, which did not seem very appealing. There was a lot of industry, mechanical shops, run down buildings, and of course KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, and Pizza hut. It irritates me when I see these establishments especially when Guatemala has fresh food, fish, vegetables. It even has Fried chicken and Fries as a typico(typical) food.
Anyways, the ride was splendid with my two new buddies. It was so great for D and I that we decided, "Hey lets share a room." We were both heading to Lake Atitlan, but wanted to chill in Antigua for a night and take the shuttle in the morning. We decided to stay at a hostel in Antigua centre where we would share a room.
That is just an example of how traveling can work......
Sometimes the unknown can lead you in a fun direction down an unexpected path....PRIS
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