Gringos Locos

This past weekend we went to Panajachel, which is a village on Lake Atitlan. It was absolutely beautiful! Definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. We stayed in a little hotel and I got to take a hot shower for the first time in two months, which felt amazing. Our first day there we ate lunch at a little Mexican place called Gringos Locos, and let me tell you it was definitely crazy. It was an interesting lunch experience to be here with a conservative christian group, but it definitely added diversity to our adventure :) The rest of the day we just kind of hung out and explored, and of course shopped in the markets. It surprised me at how much it was like Antigua. Another thing that surprised me was how much poverty that could be seen in Panajachel. When I think of going to a big touristy place like this, poverty is not something that comes to mind. Although I am 'used' to seeing poverty around me, I was almost shocked to see it on the streets of Panajachel. It opened my eyes to how much poverty this country really has, and it broke my heart. Even in this beautiful town where tourists from all over the world are coming, these people work so hard to make and sell things in the markets and on the streets, and they still can't make enough for their families.

Even though it was a little sad, I still had an amazing experience! Sunday we took a boat ride on Lake Atitlan and visited two small villages on this lake. The villages were very similar to Magdalena! It was a really cool experience. Sunday afternoon we ate lunch over-looking the lake, I did not want to leave!

                                                              LAKE ATTITLAN

One of the villages we visited 

My lunch view :)

Yesterday the Crown students went to San Lucas, a town near us, for two weeks to work with a different organization, so us Global Bridger's got to move into one house together (besides Tyler of course). Yep we have shelves in our room, which means no living out of a suitcase for TWO WEEKS! We are a little excited about our shelves. Yesterday was also the start of second round of language school for us Global Bridger's. I forgot how mentally exhausted I am after class. It is pretty hard, but I am learning a ton so it is definitely worth it. Today me, Alyssa and Brooke came back and took a long nap in Brooke's bed after class, it felt glorious.

Thanks for following my time here!