Cerro de la Cruz

So I wandered around el parque central last night. Didn't find any bumping discotheques, raucous clubs, unruly bars, or even tranquilo cantinas - not a sausage. Irma said I should find an amiga here to hang out with and help me learn Spanish - she even gave me directions to some place where all the young people are! Unfortunately, I only understood about half the directions :) But, el parque central is very nice at night - they light up some of the old buildings and there are lots of people there just hanging out.

Unable to find any trouble, I came back to the house and watched some more Bonanza with Salvador. I'm hoping to pick up some words and phrases (and eventually understand it completely) but I'm concerned that if all I watch is Bonanza I'll end up speaking Spanish like an old west cowboy ... But I suppose that's better than nothing!

The most difficult thing to get used to here in Guatemala is the "no toilet paper in the toilet" rule. That's kind of a strange rule - I get that they have it for a reason, but still ... it makes my skin crawl a little bit. I've been putting toilet paper in the toilet my entire life! At least to the best of my knowledge ... I can't really vouch for myself prior to the age of five. But even discounting those first five years it's been a habit for 23! And in moments of forgetfulness (of which I have many) I fear that I have transgressed this rule. So far, no untoward consequences :)

I've also noticed that people get kinda sketched out when you walk behind them - even during the daytime! I've had several people walking in front of me who, upon hearing my footsteps about 10 feet behind, have stopped and waited for me to pass. Kinda makes me wonder if I should be more concerned about people behind me!

This morning after desayuno, I made the climb up cerro de la cruz! The view of Antigua is great from up there!

Tomorrow, I think I may visit an active volcano with Stefan the Austrian.