Backpack Mack

I have completed my second week of immersion classes and my time in Antigua has come to a close, but there are a few updates from this week: 

1. I moved out of my host family’s house into my own accommodations. This was a difficult decision and I struggled with the idea that I was giving up or calling it quits early when I should stick it out. That being said, there were several factors that went into my decision. First of all when I signed up for a home stay I was told it would be in Antigua and within ten minutes of the school, when in fact this house was a 30 minute walk and in the neighboring Jocotenango. The second concern was the quality of the housing arrangement. Although I was quite prepared for the accommodations to look different than my home in the United States, this fell below what was expected. I had a dark internal room in the house that was perpetually damp and musty with very little privacy or noise abatement due to the doors all being slatted closet doors. I was being woken up several times a night and not able to bring my best self to class because of it. As the queen of hostel dorm rooms, I thought this was really saying something. And lastly the family was not very present and it seemed like perhaps this was more of a paycheck than a passion for them. Given these concerns (and a few more minor ones) I decided I wanted to take action and make a change and it was definitely for the better. 
2. I visited a few cool restaurants and bars now that I am staying in Antigua propper. I put together a list of recommendations HERE but this week’s highlight was 7 Caldos Restaurante. This was a little bit of a “treat yourself” night but my meal total with wine and tip was still only about $22. I had their hilachas which is a Guatemalan dish with beef and tomato sauce and rice and of course a side of tortillas. Most dishes in Guatemala are served with a side of four or five tortillas with the intention of sopping up all the saucy meaty goodness. 
3. I discovered a hidden speakeasy inside of Antigua Brewing Company. Before I go on, I will say Antigua Brewing Company is a gem of its own with three stories and often featuring an afternoon rooftop DJ or musical acts on the weekends. But, if you enter the brewery and go through the discrete red phone booth you will find a hidden cocktail bar. This bar has no menu. When you sit down the servers ask what you like (flavor, alcohol, etc) and will come back with some concotion, sometimes smoking or decorated with flowers or a rubber ducky. Fair warning the drink prices are about $10-12 USD but definitely worth one for the experience. 

In addition to the updates above I finished my second week of classes and received my certificate of completion of “High Basic”. I still have a long way to go but I think I have a great foundation to continue learning. I also made the decision to add on private tutoring when I do my additional week of classes in Peru later in July. 

Yesterday I flew from Guatemala City to Oaxaca, Mexico (via Mexico City) and am excited to explore a part of Mexico I’ve never been to before. Here I am meeting up with my boyfriend and his brother and we’ll spend a week in Oaxaca, Puebla and Mexico City!