Journal notes
Magical realism alive. A total immersion, a letting go. Observing the transformation of colors and shapes in the sky, hour by hour, minute by minute. Cyclical. Vibrant. Fresh, alive. Time on this lake is slow.
Waking up to soft purple morning light and cloud haze seeping through the window twenty minutes before dawn, moving from soft sheets to the deck for the light show. One million shares of purple grey blue green. Silhouettes take shape. Triangles become hills. Cotton candy becomes clouds. Cold air. Pat, pat, pat of gutter water on the big leaf. Birdsong and hummingbird buzz. Distant care engines, barking dogs, and a slow rhythm. A rooster crows. The world wakes up.
I’m above the trees, wrapped in a blanket. Yellow butterflies, yellow flowers. Pink, red, white, purple speckled on green. The sun is warm. The same eagle flies west to east. The daily dance.
Off the beaten path — literally. One winding dirt road, 150 stone steps uphill into the jungle. The view up there was incredible.
At night, a lightning storm.
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
When: October, 2021
How long: 4 days, 3 nights
Via: 3 hour drive from Antigua with a driver (Mario, recommended by a friend); originally flew direct from Orlando to Guatemala City and drove 1 hour with Mario to Antigua from there.
Stayed: Lakeview Lodge, an absolutely incredible Airbnb off the dirt road between San Marcos and Tzununa.
Ate/Drank: Comedor Konojel (San Marcos; dinner), Il Giardino (San Marcos; breakfast, takeaway dinner), Samsara’s Garden (San Marcos; smoothies, snacks, tea), Licor Marrón -Chocolate (San Juan, hot chocolate); Moonfish Cafe (San Marcos, takeaway dinner), Deli Jasmin (Panajachel; lunch), NECTAR ArtCafe (San Marcos; cacao and drinks).
Did: Explored San Juan La Laguna, Explored San Juan La Laguna, Cerro Tzankerjl Nature Reserve (San Marcos La Laguna).
Shopping: Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Cooperative (San Juan La Laguna), Licor Marrón -Chocolate (San Juan La Laguna), Lavalove Cacao (San Marcos La Laguna).
Fitness: Running along the dirt road between San Marcos & Tzununa; running up the 150 steps from the road to the Airbnb.
Local: Required covid test – Las Asunción Laboratorio Clínico Biólogo (Panajachel)
exploring & escapades 
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