Zip Line!

This morning we drove a short distance outside of town to a nature preserve. After a bit of an up hill hike, including swinging bridges and spectacular views of waterfalls, we started down a set of eight zip lines. 

Suited up!

Ready to start climbing.

The first was quite long and very high. As we worked down to the lower lines, some were pretty fast. It was an exhilarating morning, and a bit more tiring than we realized at the time.

In flight.

Staying awake on the bus to Antigua in the afternoon proved difficult. Along the way we stopped for some scenic views, at one of them, helping a group of Guatemalans push their disabled car up a steep hill.

Colorful cemetery.

At the funeraria, ornate caskets are displayed in the garage.

In one village we visited the local cemetery and watched a shaman performing the Mayan ritual prayers that go on for nine days following a death. The ritual includes lots of candles and offerings of foods and drinks that were favored by the dear departed -- in this case, including 7-Up and local, homemade corn liquor (which would be known in the Southern U.S. as “moonshine.”

Shaman supervises offerings to help the departed make the nine day journey through the underworld.

Near Antigua we passed through the village of Pastores, a town with dozens of boot shops. We watched an artisan making boots, and saw every possible variety of boots (mostly cowboy style, but also some fashion and work boots) on display and for sale at very low prices. We had little time to shop, however (not that many of us were in the market for cowboy boots on this trip).

Part of the plaza in Antiqua

Antiqua shops -- it's easy to get lost here, because so many streets look similar.

The old city of Antigua is in some ways a disappointment, but in other ways, delightful. The disappointment comes from reading the history and descriptions of the place, and then seeing the damage brought about by the region’s many earthquakes over the past 200 years, as well as the region’s general poverty.

The church of San Pedro Hermano has suffered much earthquake damage.

Exterior of the university.

The delight is in the remaining architectural gems, and the surprisingly well-appointed interiors of buildings. An example is our hotel, which looks like a rather plain adobe structure outside, but has beautiful courtyards and quaint little rooms with antique furnishings inside.

One of the interior plazas of our hotel -- much more attractive than the exterior.

We had a short walking orientation to the central square, then ate at a restaurant across town that, like the hotel, looked like nothing on the outside, but was beautiful inside.

Our room was small, but quite charming.

Mary enjoys a local drink made with coconut milk.

Everyone is tired tonight after the big morning and the long ride.