Portrait of Guatemala

After attending an MCC conference in Guatemala City the first week of March, we took a full week to explore the country ourselves. Yes, it has been nearly four months, and we haven't yet posted pictures. But there are reasons! Namely:

How do you attempt to capture a visit that was filled with near nonstop scenes of splashing color and beauty?

Clockwise from top: Three of our fellow MCCers from Colombia and Mexico; attractive door at La Casa del Mundo;
Flores; Lake Atitlan view; man with daughter from a Mayan community visit during our conference

...and where a typical meal burst with textures and presentation like this?

...where your hotel for 2 nights of your trip had this view?

It's a little tricky, to say the least :)

I would highly recommend the hotel we stayed at on Lake Atitlan, La Casa del Mundo. The lake itself is beautiful, tranquil. Literally, it exuded calm (can something do that?) Coming off of a week-long seminar with multiple languages and high energy (and exciting) conversations, the quietness of Lake Atitlan seemed to shout at me "shut up and relax!" 

Bless this place :)

Our first night we ate the community dinner in the hotel's dining room (they push all the tables together so people have to mingle), we sat across from two best friends who are graduates from UC Davis. One of them has a daughter living in Guatemala City (who was also there with them), doing an internship with International Justice Mission (IJM), an inspiring anti-human trafficking organization we know and love. So, we had the Davis connection; the Christian connection; and the 'love for justice' connection, hah! And here we all were perched above the cool, dark lake over a candlelight dinner in Guatemala.

The setting and architecture of Antigua charmed us

And yes these mermaids are lactating. Just had to see if you were
paying attention. Antigua.

We walked and walked, and ate and ate

(and climbed a volcano! Photos pending :)

My traipsing and touring shot. Antigua.

We even flew to Guatemala's northern jungle region for 2 nights, so that we could explore this cute town

Tuk tuk on the streets of Flores.

And traipse through these epic ruins

One of the imposing towers of Tikal. We climbed and trudged through this jungle for hours.

With the coati of course

and monkeys!

It was an incredible 7 days. I fully understand why Guatemala stands out as a jewel of a travel destination in Central America and why it intrigues so many. Have you been to Guatemala? If so, please tell us about your time!

Had to close with another shot. Lake Atitlan.

If you are interested, our full album of Guatemala photos is here.