Sunday Morning Glory

I woke up this morning with bright sunlight streaming through the jalousie windows by our bedroom, the fan whirring in front of my face and kids giggling in the background. It was 7:05 am. As usual I was the last to wake up. I could hear the kids downstairs already playing the Wii system they got before we left Chicago. I could also smell coffee. It was unusually bright that time. The sky was already so blue and cloudless. I tiptoed out of the bedroom and opened the door to the balcony. What a sight! I had to grab my camera.

The majestic "Vulcan de Agua". I wish I had a better camera. This picture does not show the real beauty of this volcano. On a clear day like today, one could see the crooks and dents where the lava once flowed. The trees are visible. I wish I know how to photoshop. I could have brushed off the cables and street lights. I know a very good friend who is into photography and could easily make such eyesore disappear with a few flicks of her dainty fingers. But that would be misleading and hiding the real purpose of this blog. I want people to know the simplicity and grandeur of living in Guatemala. I should add some more photos.

A "senor" delivering bags of fresh cream to a neighbor. When I first got here i was blown away by the heavenly taste of sweet and buttery fresh cream. I have never tried such delicious cream in all of my travels. The "senor" also delivers fresh "leche", "queso fresco" and "requizon" thrice a week.

The vending carts of "granizada" (or "helados"?) being prepped and loaded. "Granizada" is a frozen treat like "Italian Ice". It is shaved ice with fruit marmalade of your choice and fruit syrup. Yummy! "Helados" are ice cream! Remember this is 7:00 Sunday morning. As you can see, styrofoam cups and bottles of fruit essence are in place. I didn't see anyone nearby. These carts were probably being readied for pick up by the vendors heading off the catch the rush of churchgoers. This is the street where I live. You can see the colors of the houses. I love it.

Escuintla, like the whole Guatemala is very colorful. I haven't really explored much of this country yet but with the little that I have seen, I find it breathtakingly beautiful. Yes there are sights that one wouldn't care about, like a drunk splayed over by the sidewalk or the ginormous sized potholes, but my oh my... the volcanoes, the colorfully attired native Mayan women with equally colorful baskets of wares they sell, the lakes and ruins... and last but not least... Antigua! Before I got here, I read somewhere that Antigua is like Spain and Paris poured into one. I've been to both and I totally agree. But that's another story...