Waterfalls

After the tour we did on Friday, we decided to chase some more waterfalls and not just stick to the rivers and the lakes that we are used to. We met a couple from Holland in Juayua who had made the same decision and made plans to leave with them on Sunday. 

Before I get to that, I should share a few words about the food festival in Juayua on Saturday. Tents filled a couple of the streets around the central plaza and we got to experience some well seasoned meats. Frog was the only real exotic offering, which we sampled, but we chose to eat some fairly good ceviche and a plate with beef and shrimp. 

                            Julia likes food

 

A little pricey compared to what we were used to, but a good change in diet. We ran into the couple we met in Alegría and had a drink in an interesting coffee shop. The highlight of the day was probably when I completed the box maze game with the ball that rolls, and you turn the knobs to tilt the table and avoid the holes. You know the game. Well... I beat it, after about 30 tries. Julia was very proud. That night we bought some food from the grocery and made a vegetarian ramen noodle dish. I have missed ramen, and must say the variety of packs in their grocery store was very impressive. 

                         Micah likes ramen

Sunday morning was a 2 bus day ($2.68 total) to Tacuba. An end-of-the-road town that sits at the northern entrance to Parque El Imposible. We signed on for the waterfall tour with our companions from Holland and ate at a local pupusaria which offered some nice varieties. (We originally were going to get some burritos from the hostal but the nice lady who runs the place told us that the burrito lady had left for the night). The hostal also had a nice rooftop deck with valley and mountain views.

Monday, we headed out at 8 AM in a group of 5 (Us, the Dutch, and a guy from Finland) standing in the back of a pickup truck. We drove up into the impossible park, joined up with another group of 5 who are on a Central America geotour, and began our hike to the waterfalls. We had some amazing views in all directions, and could see the Pacific Ocean for the first time in 2 weeks. After about a 30 minute downhill hike, we got to the first waterfall. From this point on we jumped into pools of cool water from heights ranging from 5 ft to 45 ft. descending down the canyon with the river. Sometimes we sat on the rocks and slid, other times they would harness up those that didn't want to jump and let them climb. I am not the bravest of gents but felt confident enough at all spots to do every one. Mostly because I didn't want to seem weak. It was good fun despite the guide being a little weird and the long hike back up to the truck. That night, we got the burrito we desired and retired early.

                                   Our group hiking down to the next jump

                               Julia jumping 

                          Micah jumping

Up at 6 AM on Tuesday, we fled the country with the Dutch couple who had the same destination. Two buses to the border, 1 km walk across a bridge, and some easy border formalities put us in the country known as Guatemala. We waited across the border, hoping to negotiate a fancy bus into a cheap ride to Guatemala City (aka Guate), but failed and had to take the chicken bus for the 3 hr trip north. Antigua was our destination so the bus dropped us off in the middle of the city and told us to go down some stairs and catch another bus to the terminal. This would have been a real challenge if not for the young couple who were going to the same place and kindly ushered us along. Guate city buses are supposedly some of the more dangerous around, but I am glad to say that we survived the 5 minute ride. After about an hour on our 5th bus of the day, we arrived in the beautiful touristy city of Antigua. 

A bit tired and hungry, we settled for a cheap, dirty hostal and splurged on Chinese food. This place has a wide variety of restaurants, but they are expensive and the food really isn't what you would hope. I don't imagine we will venture out too much. The only thing somewhat on our list is sushi, but I am not sure it will be worth it. Portland food has our standards set a little too high so disappointment is probably the most likely outcome. Though we are now around our first U.S. fast food joints of the trip and could get a whopper or a Wendy's frosty if we so desired. 

Wednesday: We wandered the city, checking out the central plaza and church. We switched hostals to a clean, quiet place for a little more Quetzal (local currency) and had a local cheap lunch. This former colonial capital had some serious earthquakes back in the 1770s and there are numerous sites of old churches in ruins. We strolled one of them today.

                                           Iglesia y Convento de La Recolección

And just a few hours ago, we officially enrolled in Spanish classes. We start Thursday and will be staying with a local family for 7 days. The price seemed very reasonable, especially getting a little discount and with all meals covered. This should give us a good base to build upon as we venture on. So we will be here for a little while, which is okay with us as the streets are ripe for walking and the volcanoes are good for climbing. 

¡Salud!