Antigua with the Girls

It wasn't even the weekend, but Mera, Roxie, Courtney, and Heidi planned a trip to Antigua, and I happily got myself out of a couple of commitments to tag along. From the moment I set foot on the chicken bus (yes, I took the bus!) I knew I was doing the right thing. Sometimes a girl just needs a break from the city! And some time with the girls. :)

My cozy $15 dollar hotel room.

And my view of an Antigua city street below.

Our special friends Abraham and Sylvia in front of their store in the market.

Abraham insisted on taking us to a few of his favorite hang-outs! First stop: the macademia nut farm.

I just loved how Heidi matched the sign.

Ahh, nature.

The eccentric guide and owner of the farm. (His humor was a bit off-color.)

A really neat, rather airy bathroom.

Giving out FREE chocolates.

And FREE facials!

Roxie enjoying hers.

Heidi

*I loved the whole macademia experience and came home with a small bag of very delicious nuts. They sold various tempting macademia products at rather inflated prices, so I figured it would probably be better to stick with something I knew I would use and wasn't priced too outrageously.

El Cerro de la Cruz

Next Abraham took us to the hill of the cross which has one of the best views overlooking Antigua of anywhere.

Taking in the city. (P.S. We are all jealous of Merra's beautiful curly hair!)

Me, Heidi, Roxie, Courtney, and Merra.

It is also a romantic lookout for couples in love.

Next stop: La Merced, the beautiful yellow church in Antigua. The contrast of the purple flowered tree against the yellow church took my breath away!

The church yard. Some native women are usually set up outside the door selling traditional snacks and drinks.

Another beautiful church seen during our wanderings.

Night arrived, and we went to see the Central Park...

Heidi

The fountain with the palace in the background.

We also had to make sure we saw the arch for which Antigua is famous.

Along the way, we came across "The Cloister."

Unfortunately for Merra, who hates the word! (Which she is expressing here by fake-vomiting.)

After seeing the city and taking in a movie at a restaurant where they serve you your food during the movie, we went back to the hotel for a little bit of Rook!

Score-keeper Merra

And a disappointed Roxie after some mishap.

The next morning the girls went to climb Volcano Pacaya, but I needed to get back to the city before them so I had a lesiurely morning of shopping and breakfast in the park.

I went to the grocery store to buy some fruit, yogurt, and nuts, walked to the Central Park, bought the Prensa Libre, and spent an hour reading the paper and soaking up the peaceful sunshine before going off to do some shopping at the market. I came home with some long-anticipated decorations for my room and the glow of taking time to do something special for myself!