Mini Restaurant Review in Antigua

Excuse my spelling errors. I am unable to access my spell check and I am a lousy proof reader.

I am getting settled in with the family boarding house here in Antigua. Spanish lessons are going slow, luckily I plan to be here many months and can learn Spanish at my own pace. My brain is firing slowly!

I've had dinner/breakfast out sometimes with people I have met, and sometimes I'm alone. I have visted these restaurants thus far: Travel Menu, Rainbow Cafe, La Estrella, Epicure, Cafe Condessa, La Pena Del Sol Latino, and Cafe Christopher. The Won-Ton Soup at La Estrella was impressive with tons of shrimp and meat wontons and priced at about $4.oo. It was my full dinner one evening. I will return.

I'm not real impressed with Rainbow Cafe, but everyone else in town seems to like it. I've been there twice. It's big with the budget traveller and they have an open mic on Wednesday nights. I had the Beans & Rice Dish for 19Q or $2.50 plus gratuity/propina. I don't know why I did this, but I ordered queso/cheese on the side. They charged me almost as much for the cheese as the entire dish. It didn't need the cheese as it comes with Crema. What was I thinking? It was good, but I had to add lots of salsa picante to give the dish more flavor. I went another time and just had the Potato & Leek Soup. It was watery, not much flavor but edible. My company for the evening was good.

I had dinner one night with an American lady from Boston who has been traveling for years. She has also been scammed by credit card theft like so many others here. She has to really watch her money the next few days until she leaves for Nicaraugua. We listened to wonderful live latino music. I thought it sounded more Peruvian. We enjoyed vino and good chicken nachos artistically and colorfully prepared. It was my priciest dinner to date costing about $16.50 including tip. I want to enjoy myself and reach a good balance in my life. There is nothing like being such a tightwad and not getting to enjoy yourself so your trip can be extended by a few months.

I do enjoy cooking on my own and I have been doing so daily. I walked to the local market and got 3-small tomatoes, 1-small red bell pepper, 6oz of Spinach and 8oz of blackberries for 8Q, about USD $1.03. I'd consider the local food organic and natural. They can't afford pesticides so it is so much healthier than usual store bought fruits and veggies. I move to a new place on Monday where I will be able to cook even more.

Speaking of cooking...............it's time to prepare my lunch before Spanish class.

1st Day of Spanish School in Antigua

My last night at the hostel I had a huge private room that I enjoyed very much. They are hard to come by. I moved to a family home with 5-other students who are studying Spanish at a different school from where I will be attending. The house is a dive, but the camaraderie is great. They all receive their meals frm the family. I am on a different pacakge and prepare my own. Just as well, my cooking is much healthier.

I have befriended a younger than me, early retired doctor and missionary from the states. His Spanish is already very good; he's taking classes 6-hours per day. We are the oldest by far. He has taken on the roll of "casa padre". He looks after the young students from Denmark and England, escorts then home in the evenings and tends to them when they are ill. The only thing I don't like about Antigua is the personal safety. I know of 2-robberies just last week by women walking alone at night. One at gunpoint and the other by knifepoint. She was injured trying to save her purse. There has also been a lot of ATM fraud. Other than that, everything is going well and I feel at peace here and part of something bigger here. I really like that so many peole are involved in humanitarian projects here.

It's a beautiful day, I'm going for a morning walk. Then back to the casa. I'll fix some lunch, then start my first day of Spanish school! I'm excited. I'll be attending from 2-5 pm Mon-Fri.

Wine, fun and camaraderie

I'm enjoying Antigua and feel right at home. It is much easier to meet people when staying in a hostel. The rooftop deck is amazing and I have enjoyed the views, drinks and camraderie. I found a wonderful place for dinner called "Travel Menu". I believe it to be owned and operated by an American. Just good wholesome food at great prices and a wonderful atmosphere. I visited with the owner of hte restaurant and an owner of an Irish Bar. They were telling me about being married to local woman and how possesive the Latin women are!

Another night I had dinner with 2-Canadian surfers. There are lots of interesting people staying here involved in volunteer projects and teaching; and Americans living both here and in Haiti.

I was sure the owner of the hostel thought "Toni" was a boy so that's why she put me in a room with all men. But that wasn't the case. Hostel dorm rooms are all unisex these days. Last night it was half men and half women. Everyone is being nice to me, even though I am much older!

Night 2- I slept in the hammock again. I had an extra blanket, but was still a little cold because of the humidity. Indulged in a few glasses of Chilean Cab Sav while watching "El Fuego" erupt in the safe distance.

I'm getting a massage later today and have a story to tell about it! I'ts a small world! I'm way overdue. It's probably been 3-months since I have had any body work.

I've found a place to start taking Spanish Classes and I move in on the first of March for a month. I went ahead and splurged and have a private room. I looked around and felt the most comfortable at this place. The room and surroundings are lovely and it seemed most of the students are serious about learning as they talk to each other mostly in Spanish. I met a woman from Germany who showed me around and gave me a tour. She indicated it to be a very special place and she has already extended her stay. I'll eventually move in with a family, but I want to learn more Spanish first.

Gotta run............daylight's burning!

Made it to Antigua

I´ve made it to Antigua Guatemala. Today is the first day of a long journey for me. I have lots to learn about life,myself, and how to simplify.

Got up at the crack of dawn and drove myself to Intercontinental Airport in Houston. My mom and her companion rode with me.

Uneventful flight, had my usual Bloody Mary at the airport and in'flight. It´s a tradition for me.

Excuse the errors, but I am typing on a Spanish keyboard, so there are some differences in the keys. I´m not able to check some emails on this computer, as I can´t find certain keys here, like the underscore sign. I can´t do spell check either.

I checked into a dive of a hostel! My friend Bob says, you´ll last 2'days top! He may be right, but I will make the best of it for a few days. There are plenty of resonably priced hotels here in Antigua. I´m trying to lessen my standards and save money at the same time. I have a long way to go! I may even hit the rooftop bar tonight! I think there are mostly young men in my dorm tonight. Hummm...........it may not be so bad here.

I´ll relax and get oriented for a few days before I check into Spanish Classes. There are numerous schools here and most offer private lessons. I just need to slow down and get use to taking my time and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Packing early for Guatemala

One more week until I depart to Antigua Guatemala! Glad I started packing early. I opted for a large wheeled duffel bag. I didn't feel I would use a backpack that often, so I opted for this instead. But with all of my computer hardware and toiletries, it doesn't leave room or enough poundage for many clothes. 50# pounds of stuff is not much. I have to chose wisely on what to bring! I'll be there during all seasons, so I have to have warm clothes as well as summer stuff too.

Back in Houston, lunch at the beach in Galveston

Finally back amongst civilization in a suburb of Houston. Getting caught up on administrative stuff and shopping in preparation for my trip. Visited my old stomping ground near the Galleria to shop at REI and had lunch at Ninfas. It's not like it use to be. I haven't lived in Houston since 1990, a lot has changed, but I recognized my old area.

My sister and I visited a cousin who lives right on the beach in Galveston. She has a lovely beach home and another lot in a trailer campground. She prepared us a wonderful steak and crab cakes for lunch! I do like being near the water, the bay or an ocean. My skin and hair love the moisture.

Made as reservation for a hostel in Antigua. I opted for the $6 a night dorm room for now. I'm looking forward to the camaraderie of hosteling In the past, when traveling I have gotten really lonesome in staying at a regular hotel. It is so hard to meet people when you travel normally.

Got in touch with an old friend who lives between Houston and Brisbane Australia. She is wanting to me to come spend time with her there. I have lots of options and I am excited about now and what my future holds.

Relaxing in small town Texas

I had planned to return to Houston today but the weather has put a hold on my travels. Ice, sleet and snow through E Texas and Houston is in the forecast. At least I've had lunch out everyday with relatives and found a cute little coffee shop to visit and to log into the Internet to help with the boredom. I've enjoyed visiting with my nieces and nephews. They're all adorable!

Bitter cold in East Texas

I'm still in the boonies of East Texas and it is bitterly cold. The hot water pipes have frozen and it is in the low 50's in the house. Burrr...............At least I can warm up with the Wi Dance CD! I can still keep up with the kiddos! I do love to dance. Not much to do around here but relax!

I managed to book my flight to Guatemala City. I'll be leaving for Houston on the
17th of February. I have lots of administrative stuff to do and need to search for a suitable backpack/duffel bag at REI.

Off to lunch with my sister and niece.