Day 17 : Antigua, Guatemala

Back in Antigua for a few days. With 2 days left we get to explore a little more and are taking a Volcano hike  - a first of both of us. 

Upon exploring Antigua we ran into a little slice of home - and  the McDonalds here is nothig to be believed. No golden arches allowed. A nice tastful sign and an interior that looks ..well NOT like a McDonalds. They have waiters. Their "patio" is like a courtyard garden complete with shiny plastic Ronald McDonald sitting atop a wraught iron bench. Supposedly Fast food joints here are a treat. Fancy town. Prom, weddings, large family events. All held at fast food joints. They get dressed up and they have wait staff. No ordering at the counter here! We were told only the well to do eat at fast food resturaunts, that is a luxery most cannot afford. Anyway - we didn't eat at McyD's but we did have some amazing food. A little too much actually. 

Bucket list volcano hike - check.  Volcan Pacaya. To much disappointment, however, no flowing lava, but still cool nonetheless. The mountain side still erupts almost daily and lava pools steam and pour heat and smoke into the sky.we just hikes and saw some hot things - nothing too exciting.

Sometimes when you wander around with the sole purpose of finding a lively place to drink booze, you find great treasures. Last night we went into a Hostel lounge to fins the place overrun by youthful Antiguans gearing up for a serious costumed-affair. Word on the street is;  tomorrow is a festival (no idea which one) but there's a lot of dancing supposadely. 

Sometimes when you wander around with the sole purpose of finding a lively place to drink booze, you find great treasures. Last night we went into a Hostel lounge to fins the place overrun by youthful Antiguans gearing up for a serious costumed-affair. Word on the street is;  tomorrow is a festival (no idea which one) but there's a lot of dancing supposadely. 

As a very welcome and perfectly timed wedding gift, we were given a night in a super swank bed and breakfast in Antigua. Bill Clinton himself (the first and only US president to sleep on Guatenalan soil) stayed in our very room. Alone??? We'll never know. Thank you again Jen, Ali, Sue and Leo for a thoughtful gift. And baby Z...It could not have come at a better time.