Dancing Saddle

The shuttle journey from Santa Ana back to Guatemala was the reverse of what I did by bike and the comparison of the ease of the journey was profound. Checking out of El Salvador and entering Guatemala we didn’t even have to leave the shuttle. The border guards came to us. It struck me a bit of traveler’s privilege. I also could see all the spots a long the way. Where I almost crashed. Where I struggled up the hills and where I stopped to rest.

At my favorite cafe and of course Jordan.

I arrived back in beautiful Antigua around 9 am and went to my favorite café to get some breakfast and coffee while waiting for my good friend Allie to finish up with work. We were going to visit a hacienda. It was a beautiful place with stunning buildings, green grass and beautiful peacocks. It was such a beautiful place that complimented the already beautiful Antigua city.

The stunningly beautiful and comfortable Hacienda in the suburbs of Antigua.

The next evening, I was able to meet up with Anice for dinner and meet his family. It was so good Meeting up with him again. And due to our different route that we would be taking meant this would probably be the last time we meet up on this journey. I was meant to join them for the hike up to see Fuego but I the weather wasn’t the best and I decided not to join. Which was a good call as they were not able to continue the hike to the top.

Meeting up with Anice and his family. I really should have remembered my French from University.

I decided to do some exploring instead and did some museum hopping. I visited Antiguo Colegio de la Compania de Jesus. It is a beautiful little place with ruins from previous natural disasters and lots of figurines from Columbian and Pre-Columbian times.

The ruins and figurines Antigua Colegio de la Compania de Jesus.

Of course, the Hostel had another group of amazing people staying there and every evening was a good laugh. The amazing kitchen was put to good use with some delicious home cooked meals. And evenings playing Cards against humanity and chess. It was such an amazing group of people just like last time.

We had another great group of people with some home cooking and some chess. We are currently tied at one a piece.

The staff there were amazing as well and I appreciate them a lot. Gabi was my favorite and every time I buzzed in, I would put a little dance on for the camera. It was always an amazing laugh.

The best things in life are the people we love the places we have been and the memories we’ve made along the way. Gabi about to laugh at my silliness again.

One of my favorite places to visit was Museo del Hermano Pedro. It was a beautiful museum with lots of ruins and an active church. One of the most profound things I saw was a woman approaching the church alter on her knees. It was a poignant religious moment. It showed me how some people are truly dedicated to their religion.

The woman walking along with her knees. Just some ofthe ruins of Museo del Hermano Pedro.

I went for a coffee with Anice and we had a long discussion about our journeys and what it all meant to us. It was great to share these moments and what all of this meant for us. I genuinely appreciate his positivity and how he sees the world and it was sad to say goodbye.

Anice and I having a long chat about life bikes and everything else. Of course I got some more Korean food.

It was back to Santa Ana the next day and I was sad to be leaving. We went through Los Narajos for a couple of nights. It is a beautiful valley with stunning views and a little history of its own.

The beautiful valley of Los Naranjos.

I had a few more days in Santa Ana before catching the shuttle and boat to Nicaragua. I decided to skip ahead because there was a lot I wanted to do and see in Nicaragua and would have taken a lot of time to get there and would have involved a ride through Honduras which had become the riskiest country in central America.

Back in Santa Ana.

So, It was back to the shuttle ride and off to Nicaragua. It was time to say good bye to Allie. Another good friend I have made and someone whose positivity and encouragement I appreciate. So at 1 am it was time to say goodbye to El Salvador and head off to Nicaragua.

Hanging out with Allie. Thanks for all the long chats.