Wanderlust...Guatemala.

Coming to Honduras, one of the things I knew we would "haaave" to do is take visa trips, which is basically taking an out of country trip to renew our Honduras visas. I wasn't excited about this. At all. (Can you sense the sarcasm?)

Anyway, as our trip date was approaching, we were still trying to decide where to go, what hotels we were going to stay at, what buses we were going to take. And there wasn't much I could do to help because, let's be honest, I'm just dumb in that area seeing as my only experience with international travel has been someone else doing the arrangements. A couple weeks before the trip, Rhonda came and told us she found a ride for us with a friend of hers she trusted. Such peace flooded through me knowing we weren't going to have to take any buses! Now it was left for us to decide, Guatemala or Belize. Belize would have been pretty but more expensive and longer to travel. On top of it all, we had sooo many fellow missionaries telling us how the laws had changed and we had to go two countries over and were telling us horror stories. After it all, we just decided to trust God and go to Guatemala. There were a ton of variables and worst case scenarios. All of which went through my head at rapid paces. 

The worst thing that happened was I received a faaabulous sun burn which has peeled and I'm now white as ever. 

Day 1. We left from Destino in the back of a pick up, arrived in Guatemala. We ate lunch (we found some awesome tacos mexicanos). Then we hopped in the pool. THE POOL. That was the best part out of the whole trip for me haha! Then we found a coffee shop with Guatemalan coffee (not as strong as Honduran but it was still good) and some yummy pastries. After that we did a bit of exploring and found that we like Guatemala. 

Day 2. We did some shopping in the morning and then went to a theme park outside of town. It wasn't like Schlitterbahn or Sea World or Six Flags. And I enjoyed it haha! That night, I was praying my heart out asking God to give us favor the next day. There were absolutely too many variables for a best case scenario to happen. 

Day 3. Best case scenario happens. We had absolutely no trouble at the border. Our visas were renewed the full 90 days we needed. And the exit fee was a whopping 3 bucks. I'm still trying to convince myself it happened. But, like someone once told me, "Why are we so surprised when God pulls through and protects and provides for us?" Still trying to figure out the answer to that question. 

Anyway, enjoy the photos! Wish you were all there with me! 

                            

  

Of course, a trip wouldn't be complete without a Chaco shot. Right?

I don't even remember taking this picture or what was happening. It's just funny for some reason haha!

There are far better things ahead than any we've left behind. ~C.S. Lewis

Snacking it up! 

One of the snacks we packed was some fruit that I still don't remember how to pronounce (sorry Bethany!). They went bad. And they stunk. So I started to poor the bag of the little orange fruits out and the guys in this van started waving their arms and telling us they wanted some. Tori and Jenna both tried throwing them but uh...couldn't get anywhere close...

I grew up tossing baseballs with my family in the back yard. And...well...got closer than anyone else. Not that it matters but...the fruit did bounce off the one guy's hand. He just didn't close his fist at the right time. Not that it matters that I threw the most accurate tosses. Haha! 

First meal in Guatemala and we ate Mexican food. Yep! 

This guy was across the street from us and was playing his guitar. I thought I would be clever and take a creeper shot and he saw me. The result was him making the most epic face I think I've ever seen. 

I tried to take a picture of this fake flower booth. The booth was real, the flowers were fake, just to clarify. 

I'm just not good at taking creeper shots because the booth worker saw me and made me take another picture with him holding his flowers. And yes, I bought some. 

This is the Basilica. It's the main attraction in Esquipulas, Guatemala, where we were staying. It's the origination of the "black Christ," and it has mass at 6 am every morning. We discovered this Friday morning when the bells, all the bells, not just one, not just two, but probably about 20, sounded off. There was no rhyme or reason, it was just a bunch of clanging bells. I'm glad I'm a Baptist. I'll just say that. 

Does ANYONE know what kind of flower this is? It looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book! 

That awkward moment you get photobombed by your own roommate. 

There, that's better. 

Our hotel was ready to Sic 'Em! 

 Guatemalan sno-cone machine! 

This had shaved ice, 5 different flavors, jelly, sprinkles, and bananas. And it was yummy. 

Bought a head band from this lovely lady! The headband ACTUALLY fits my head. 

Kathy thought the head bands were so cool that she bought two! 

This little girl was a gem! Everywhere we went, vendors would push their way and interrupt simply to try and sell us something. I understand, that's their way of survival and I've gotten used to it. But this little girl, sat patient and quiet as we completed our transactions for the headbands. As soon as we were done she shyly approached me and asked if I'd like to buy anything she had. I'm a sucker for sweet faces and walked away with the CUTEST little doll. Well, second cutest. She was the cutest doll I think I've ever seen. And then I asked if I could take a picture with her. So sweet! 

I'm actually pretty proud of this picture. 

Jumping shot take...234...

Love. These. Women. 

Just for you dad! 

The hot dog had avocado on the bun. That makes it healthy right? 

Kathy and the GIANT bamboo. 

 Mom! Why isn't our bamboo this big???

This style will be seen on the streets of Manhattan in a couple years. 

I was trying to take a picture of this adorable little patch of sunlight...

and ended up with the picture below. Loved it! And I won't be able to do that again in a million years. 

And now I can proudly say that I climbed a 40 foot rock wall in a third world country. You'll notice all the rocks are spaced pretty sparingly. Ya, I noticed that too as I was climbing. 

And at this moment, I was simply trying to remember how to stand. 

 

All the pictures of Bethany climbing the wall are on her camera, but she was a BEAST. And this guy in between saved our lives on multiple occasions. And still smelled good after it all. 

Such a hipster! 

And yes, I have an obsession with Chacos. You're point?