Colonialism and Volcanoes in Antigua, Guatemala

If you ever find yourself spending a lengthy amount of time in rural Guatemala and feel that some sort of transition would be helpful before the complete culture shock of returning to the fast-paced North American atmosphere, then Antigua is your destination. With streetscapes that reminisce of Ann Arbor in Spring time, and just as many swanky bars and blond-headed patrons that inhabit them, I was not surprised at all to find a menu that consisted of chai lattes and nutella crepes. The colonial influences in the once capital of Guate are well preserved and the cobble stone streets have wreaked havoc on my foot dragging tendencies since the moment I arrived. Yet all of this dwarfs in comparison to the fact that a mere hour outside of the city you are able to get as close as your skins heat shield will permit to flowing streams of active lava at Volcano Pacaya. Yes, Im serious, there is lava flowing from the crater of this volcano and we climbed up mounds of volcanic rock to stand next to brilliant orange streams of molten earth. A picture would be so much better right now. Sorry. Next stop, Zacapa followed by Copan...Oscars family, the black Christ, and Mayan ruins. More to come.