Fun in Guatemala

Our last day of school was on Friday, Dec 13 but I wasn't leaving to go home until Tuesday, Dec 16, so I had a few days to finish up packing and shopping and enjoying the warm weather before heading to the cold north! :) On Friday, after school, I went to the mall with a few friends as they needed to grab a few things. I hadn't been to the mall with all of the Christmas festivities going on, but it was not to be outdone with their Christmas decorations. It was definitely up to par with the holiday season! Here are a few pictures of the tree and the other various decorations!

This is just so Guatemalan.....I mean look at how low key and relaxed about life even Santa is! I have to say the lifestyle here definitely fits me. Everything is very relaxed and just kind of a "whatever" kind of philosophy about life.

So fun and festive!

After finishing our shopping we were waiting for a taxi and this is one of my favorite signs here in Guatemala. Most of you have already seen the smilebox that I made for my mom with these pictures but I just love it! No, I'm not pregnant just to clear up any questions that were asked about the earlier pictures! ha ha. It was just a joke and we thought it was kinda funny and a good way to spend/waste time while waiting for the taxi. It's funny the random things that you do in a foreign country when people can make fun of you and you don't even realize it because of the language! :)

So then we thought it would be really funny to get a random guy to take a picture with me in front of the sign! So Stephanie went up and asked this guy in Spanish if he had a minute and if he could help us with something. He seemed very worried and said, yes and then we asked if he would pose for a picture with me in front of this sign as a joke for my mom! He did it. I'm sure now he has a good story to tell his friends about these crazy gringas as he was out on his smokebreak from the grocery store!

One day some friends called and I went bowling for the first time in Guatemala. It was quite fun and we had a great time! Jean Ah decided that she needed to use the kids ramp to help her out!

After bowling we went over to a friend's house to hang out and watch the fireworks that night. We saw a BEAUTIFUL sunset over the volcanoes that night. I mean, seriously, does life get much better than this???? WOW

One of the volcanoes names is "El Fuego," meaning The Fire, because as you can see it is often smoking and looks like it is on fire. There are still active volcanoes here in Guatemala. They are just breathtaking to me no matter how many times I see them!

After we came home, our friend Andy came up and taught Stephanie and I how to smoke a cigar. I had never smoked one before and Stephanie and I didn't even know how to do it. Definitely not a habit I am going to pick up but it was kinda fun for one night to celebrate school being out!!!