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Today we left Atlanta for Guatemala. Our flight was delayed by an hour for mechanical problems - but we made up some time in the air and were only about half an hour late getting in. The Guatemalan airport is easy to get through and immigration was very easy and fast. When you walk outside there is just a wall of people.
 They cannot get in to the airport to meet relatives and friends getting off the plane. You feel like a movie star as there is a metal gate holding back all these people yelling and waving. Once you get outside there are so many people trying to take your bags and "help" you for a tip. They are just grabbing at your bags and it is a rush of people. They are very persistant and do not want to take no for an answer! Our driver was there waiting for us which was a big relief. We drove about 3 hours outside of the city to Lake Atitlan. We could not believe how different it is out here compared to the city. Almost everyone is in traditional Mayan clothing. There are little patches of ground they are trying to raise gardens on. Some of them are almost straight up and down on a hill - I have no idea how they could even walk up it is so steep. There are little Mayan girls all along the road selling all sorts of items: Food, drinks and hand crafts to name a few.
 Most have no shoes and are filthy. Some are very young and have no one out by these busy roads with them. The driving here is outrageous.... it makes New York and DC look like a drive in the park! I think the only rule of the road here is that NO ONE can be in front of you. You MUST pass every vehicle on the road! If there is a car coming at you all you need to do is honk! Our hotel is right on Lake Atitlan. The lake is surrounded by three volcanoes and is formed in a volcano crater. It is very deep and very beautiful.
volcanoes in the background  This area really reminds us of a tropical island. The hotel has wonderful English gardens and it is just a gorgeous place to stay.
garden at Hotel Atitlan  The hotel itself is very authentic Guatemalan. It is nice but gives you much more the sense of being in a foreign country than the ones in Guatemala City.
 This is so much different than our trip last time. I feel like we are seeing much more of the "real" Guatemala.
 Tomorrow, we will head off for a huge market. Villagers from all around come to sell their wares. It is more of a traditional market - not so much for the tourists, but more of them selling to each other. I guess there are some pretty interesting things for sale there! Reid children.... we love you and miss you like crazy. We are taking pictures of things we think you will like and will be doing some shopping for you tomorrow!! Hope we find some great surprises for you! Love to all. We will try to post pictures again tomorrow!
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