monterrico beach
well, it's been a good 3 weeks since returning from Monterrico.... the grey rainy days in Pittsburgh always leave time for daydreaming. Last night, I began my 4th Spanish term at CCAC, where we did a little bit of salsa dancing. If you could call it salsa dancing.. in a 2 ft x 2 ft space behind the desks in the classroom,where we did basic foot moves to a video by Marlon Silva, Pittsburgh's local salsa aficionado. Behind Marlon was a fake beach scene which kept panning in and out. I longingly reminisced of Monterrico, and of the attempts to salsa dance with Luis in the Cafe de Sol, the only guy around so had to share his dance partnership with my sister.
Our hotel and restuarant was fairly vacant, since we stayed past the busy Saturday - Sunday crowd. We made friends with Luis and other employees, acting as if the Cafe was our home, changing the music, dancing in the dining area, serving ourselves coffee, eating dinner with the staff, and learning how to make our own licaudos.
Monterrico is a small beach town, which is acessible only by maneuvering thru a mangrove swamp. We had to board a ferry to come and go from Monterrico. Vehicles can come in the Monterrico, one by one, on a ferry, so traffic is sparse in town. A car isn't even needed to get across town.
Needleess to say there wasn't much to do besides go from the beach to the hammock to the pool and around again. That's all we did for a few days. Pretty relaxing. Lots of reading & sleeping.
Time spent at the beach is never complete unless there is a fruity beverage by your side at all times. To make a licuado, blend ice, water, and fresh fruit of your choice (papaya, watermelon, pineapple, banana, strawberry). Add sugar to taste. Pour in a gigantic glass so heavy and big that you must use 2 hands. Serve with a smile and get silly.
no work, more play
Following the work at the hospital, a few of us decided to stay a bit longer in Antigua and also travel to Monterico Beach.
La Antigua is a colonial city with an interesting history. It was the colonial capital of Central America, beginnng in 1543, one of the first planned cities of the New World. At that time Guatemala encompassed what is now El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica & was part of the Viceroyalty of Mexico. Antigua was the hub of the region, and remained the Capital until earthquakes repeatedly damaged much of the city. In 1779, the Capital was moved to Guatemala City. Guatemala gained independence in 1821.
Due to its preservation by UNESCO as "Heritage of Humanity", Antigua stands still in time. Many cathedrals, convents, monestaries and colonial homes appear as they did. Well-known Mayan ruins are located thru out the country, but Antigua has ruins of a different sort. Catholic structures remain today in the damaged and abandoned state from the earthquake of 1773.
The preservation by UNESCO has kept Antigua what is it... literally "old". You will find a McDonalds, internet cafes, and modern day convienences, but they are well-hidden behind the Spanish colonial architecture. The cobblestone streets, Central Park and 3 surrounding volcanos add to the beauty of this antique city. The long flower and plant-covered walls lining the streets only allow a small peek of what is inside, and the deep windows along the street jut out at about head level (keep alert when walking!), but have many practical purposes.
The door to the inside of the homes are typcially a double wide door for allowing a small car or previously, a horse carriage, but within the large door is a smaller door to allow those to pass thru on foot.
Thru the door, there is typically a central garden, complete with fountain and foilage, the rooms of the home perimeter the garden. The housing is pleasantly open and airy, thanks to the climate of Antigua, a constant mid-70 degrees.
Antigua has become a great place to visit with many nice hotels and restuarants which are safe for the gringo stomach. Also surrounded by coffee plantations and many interesting day trips to markets, beaches and volcano hikes.
