Saturday, May 31, 2008



I have left Central America and am now in South America. My sister has made it safely down and so far we are getting along and she is helping to keep me from getting lost. We spent the day bathing in a mud pool on the top of a volcano outside of Cartagena, Colombia.


Before we toured the Mira Flores Locks, part of the engineering feat of the Panama Canal. We also were able to travel down the canal entrance to a beautiful island with empty beaches, fish, and pelicans.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Flying through the water
I spent this morning scuba diving in the ocean, first to a wreck site and then to see some colorful coral. It's amazing to just float by and observe a whole other world! So I'm going again tomorrow:)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

I left Panama City today and flew over to Bocas de Toro, a group of islands off the north coast. It seems like a nice island, and I am going to go scuba diving in the morning! But I think it must be the off season because I followed signs to an Indian restaurant and it said closed to July. Then I went to a pizza place and they said they didn´t have pizza this month. But I did eventually manage to find an open restaurant and the hostel has a pancake breakfast, so I´m all set. I'll be heading back to Panama City in a few days to meet my sister!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

I finally left Honduras for good and am now in Panama City. It's the first time that I'm traveling by myself (until my sister comes in less than a week!!) and I've found that people are friendly and helpful. The lady I was sitting next to on the plane even gifted me a model house after I said I'd never been to Costa Rica, where she was from. Panama City is much bigger and more modern than I imagined and I'm very excited because I can even drink the water write out of the tap!

Monday, May 19, 2008



Tomorrow I'm leaving Honduras and flying to Panama. I just got back from my friend's wedding yesterday. It was a small and simple wedding and reception with some fun and interesting cultural exchanges. The groom couldn't figure out why we were hiding his bride from him until the ceremony started. Crystal has been a great friend during my Peace Corps service and I wish her all the best in her married life!

Monday, May 05, 2008



Lago de Atitlan back to Antigua then back to Honduras
I'm now reaching the end of the first part of my trip. I've finished up travelling north of Honduras and am now heading back to Honduras and specifically to La Esperanza to finish some things up and attend my friend's wedding. Even though I've only been travelling for a little more than 2 weeks, it feels kind of nice to return 'home' one last time before undertaking the majority of my trip. We had a wonderful time at the lake and I should add pictures of some of the beautiful views soon.

Thursday, May 01, 2008



Around Coban: Caves and swimming
Yesterday, we headed up to the serene town of Lanquín where we stayed in the loft of a thatched hut next to the river. From there we headed out for the day to the caves and swimming adventures of beautiful Semuc Champey. We swam and climbed through a cave carrying a candle (I somehow managed to keep it lit the whole time!) and then jumped off a swing into the river before tubing down it. In case that was not enough adventure for one day, we proceded to hike over to the pristine pools, climbing up to a wonderful lookout point and then swimming through the natural pools and going down the waterfall with a rope ladder and finally jumping into the cool river. It was a great day, but I'm a little sore today from all that climbing. We're staying in Antigua tonight and tomorrow heading out to Lake Atitlan.