Bright and early the morning of Day Three in Xela, we took a drive with Mishel to visit the beautiful Lago de Atitlan (Lake Atitlan). Throughout the shores of the lake are many Mayan villages; we spent our time in the town of Panajachel. Lake Atitlan is about an hour and a half drive from Xela.
This view looks to the south end of the lake where three volcanoes border the lake.
Our first stop once we got to the lake was to have breakfast. We chose a little restaurant that overlooked the lake and served both traditional Guatemalan food and American food. J-rod and I ordered a "desayuno chapin" or a traditional Guatemalan breakfast: eggs with 'chirmol' (Guatemalan "salsa"), "frijolitos" (refried black beans--black beans are the beans of choice in Guatemala), fresh tortillas, fresh cheese, fresh fruit, and fresh orange juice. Mishel ordered a traditional American breakfast: pancakes with syrup, eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. We had a good laugh when our food was brought to us and the server tried to give us the American breakfast plate.
While we were having breakfast, many vendors (both young and old) approached our table to sell us their wares. Mishel and I allowed one of the vendors to wrap her colorful scarves on our heads, but ended up buying some pretty beaded necklaces she was offering instead (you can see in the pictures above the green one necklace I'm wearing).
Lakeside views
After breakfast we walked around the shore for a bit and then took a boat tour around the lake.
When we complete our boat tour we spent some time in the shops along the lake shore and then along the streets of Panajachel. I loved all of the colors! Along our walk we came across a small LDS church building, you can see it behind J-rod in the picture above.
Among the souvenirs we bartered for and bought in Panajachel were some colorful Christmas ornaments.
A beautiful hand-beaded Quetzal
A hand-beaded Christmas frog (I still love frogs!)
AChristmas angel in traditional Mayan woven clothing.
These decorations were added to the collection that are now placed upon our "story tree" at Christmas time. Our "story tree" sits up in the loft and holds all of the ornaments from our travels or that have been given to us and hold special memories.
No comments:
Post a Comment